As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on September 29, 2005

Securities Act Registration Nos. 333-82621
Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-09439

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

  Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   o

  PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.   o

  POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 12   x

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   o

  AMENDMENT NO. 13   x

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

STRATEGIC PARTNERS STYLE SPECIFIC FUNDS

(formerly TARGET FUNDS)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

GATEWAY CENTER THREE
100 MULBERRY STREET
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (973) 367-7521
Deborah A. Docs
100 Mulberry Street
Gateway Center Three
Newark, New Jersey 07102

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies To:

Joel H. Goldberg
Shearman & Sterling LLP
599 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY 10022-6069

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

As soon as practicable after the effective date
of the Registration Statement.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective
(check appropriate box):

   x   immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

   o   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

   o   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

   o   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

   o   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

   o   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

  If appropriate, check the following box:

   o   this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date
for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

Title of Securities Being Registered   Shares of Beneficial Interest, $.001 par value per share



PROSPECTUS

SEPTEMBER 29, 2005

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

STYLE SPECIFIC FUNDS

FUND

Strategic Partners Large Capitalization Value Fund

OBJECTIVE

Seeks total return consisting of capital appreciation and dividend income

FUND

Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Growth Fund

OBJECTIVE

Seeks maximum capital appreciation

FUND

Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Value Fund

OBJECTIVE

Seeks above-average capital Appreciation

FUND

Strategic Partners Total Return Bond Fund

OBJECTIVE

Seeks total return consisting of current income and capital appreciation

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved the Trust's shares nor has the SEC determined that this prospectus is complete or accurate. It is a criminal offense to state otherwise.



Table of Contents

  1     Risk/Return Summary  
  1     Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies and Principal Risks  
  2     Principal Risks  
  2     Evaluating Performance  
  4     Fees and Expenses  
  20     How the Funds Invest  
  20     Investment Policies  
  23     Other Investments and Strategies  
  28     Investment Risks  
  39     How the Trust is Managed  
  39     Board of Trustees  
  39     Manager  
  40     Subadvisers and Portfolio Managers  
  46     Distributor  
  47     Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings  
  48     Fund Distributions and Tax Issues  
  48     Distributions  
  49     Tax Issues  
  50     If You Sell or Exchange Your Shares  
  51     How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Funds  
  51     How to Buy Shares  
  61     How to Sell Your Shares  
  65     How to Exchange Your Shares  
  69     Telephone Redemptions or Exchanges  
  69     Expedited Redemption Privilege  
  70     Financial Highlights  
  71     Large Cap Value Fund  
  74     Small Cap Growth Fund  
  77     Small Cap Value Fund  
  80     Total Return Bond Fund  
  83     Appendix I - Description of Security Ratings  
        For More Information (Back Cover)  

 



Risk/Return Summary

This section highlights key information about several of the investment portfolios (the Funds) of Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds (the Trust). Additional information follows this summary.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS

The following summarizes the investment objectives, principal strategies and principal risks of the Funds. While we make every effort to achieve the investment objective of each Fund, we can't guarantee success. Although we try to invest wisely, all investments involve risk. Like any mutual fund, an investment in a Fund could lose value, and you could lose money. An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

For more information about the risks associated with the Funds, see "How the Funds Invest - Investment Risks."

In cases where a Fund's name connotes a particular type of investment, the Fund generally will have a non-fundamental policy of investing a certain percentage of its "investable assets" in that type of investment. The term "investable assets" in this prospectus refers to a Fund's net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. A Fund's investable assets will be less than its total assets to the extent that it has borrowed money for non-investment purposes, such as to meet anticipated redemptions.

Strategic Partners Large Capitalization Value Fund (the Large Cap Value Fund)

The Fund's investment objective is total return consisting of capital appreciation and dividend income . This means that we seek investments that will increase in value as well as pay the Fund dividends. To achieve our objective, we invest in large company stocks that we believe are undervalued and have an above-average potential to increase in price, given the company's sales, earnings, book value, cash flow and recent performance. We normally invest at least 80% of the Fund's investable assets in common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks of companies with a total market capitalization of $5 billion or more (measured at the time of purchase). Effective as of December 1, 2005, the Fund's non-fundamental policy of investing at least 80% of the Fund's investable assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in the common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks of large companies will change. Effective as of December 1, 2005, large companies will be defined as those companies with market capitalizations comparable to those found in the Russell 1000 Index. As of August 31, 2005, the Russell 1000 Index market capitalization range was approximately $906 million to $381 billion. Market capitalization is measured at the time of purchase. The Fund will provide 60 days' prior written notice to shareholders of a change in its non-fundamental policy.

1



Risk/Return Summary

Principal Risks:

Market risk. Since the Fund invests primarily in common stocks, there is the risk that the price of a particular stock the Fund owns could go down. Generally, the stock price of large companies is more stable than the stock price of smaller companies, but this is not always the case. In addition to an individual stock losing value, the value of a market sector or of the equity markets as a whole could go down. In addition, different parts of a market can react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political and economic developments.

Style risk. Since the Fund follows a value investment style, there is the risk that the value style may be out of favor for a period of time.

EVALUATING PERFORMANCE

A number of factors - including risk - can affect how the Fund performs. The following bar chart shows the Fund's performance for each full calendar year of operations. The bar chart and tables below demonstrate the risk of investing in the Fund by showing how returns can change from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual total returns compare with a broad measure of market performance and/or a group of similar mutual funds. The returns of market indexes and mutual fund peer groups do not include the effect of any sales charges or taxes that may apply for investors in the Fund. Market index returns do not reflect mutual fund operating expenses. Returns would be lower if they included the effect of these factors.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future. After-tax losses may be offset by other gains.

2



Large Cap Value Fund

Annual Returns* (Class A shares)

BEST QUARTER:  20.10% (2nd quarter of 2003) WORST QUARTER: –18.44% (3rd quarter of 2002)

*  These annual returns do not include sales charges. If the sales charges were included, the annual returns would be lower than those shown. Without the distribution and service (12b-1) fee waiver and overall expense limitations, the annual returns would have been lower, too. The total return of the Fund's Class A shares from 1-1-05 to 6-30-05 was 2.31%.

Average Annual Total Returns 1   (as of 12/31/04)

    One Year   Five Years   Since Inception
(11-3-99)
 
Class A shares     11.49 %     7.11 %     (7.01 )%     6.62       (6.53 )%  
Class B shares     12.07       7.35       (7.25 )     6.83       (6.74 )  
Class C shares     16.07       7.49       (7.40 )     6.97       (6.88 )  
Class A Shares      
Return Before Taxes     11.49       7.11       (7.01 )     6.62       (6.53 )  
Return After Taxes on Distributions 5     10.98       6.79       (6.69 )     6.29       (6.20 )  
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of
Portfolio Shares 5
    7.90       5.73       (5.63 )     5.32       (5.22 )  
Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)      
S&P 500 2     10.87       2.30             0.75          
Russell 1000 Value Index 3     16.49       5.27               5.04            
Lipper Average 4     14.39       5.36               5.74            

 

1  The Fund's returns are after deduction of sales charges and expenses. During certain periods shown, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements were in effect. Without such expense reimbursements, the returns would have been lower, as indicated in parenthesis.

2  The S&P 500 - an unmanaged index of 500 stocks of large U.S. companies - gives a broad look at how stock prices have performed. Source: Lipper Inc.

3  The Russell 1000 Value Index contains those securities in the Russell 1000 Index with a below-average growth orientation. Companies in this Index generally have low price-to-book and price-to-earnings ratios, higher dividend yields and lower forecasted growth values. Source: Lipper Inc.

4  The Lipper Average is based on the average return of all mutual funds in the Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds category. Source: Lipper Inc.

5  After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown only for Class B shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future.

3



Risk/Return Summary

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table shows the sales charges, fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of each share class of the Fund - Classes A, B and C. Each share class has different (or no) sales charges - known as loads - and expenses, but represents an investment in the same Fund. For more information about which share class may be right for you, see "How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Funds."

Shareholder Fees 1 (paid directly from your investment)

    Class A   Class B   Class C  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
  5.50%   None   None  
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on
sales (as a percentage of the lower of original
purchase price or sale proceeds)
  1% 2   5% 3   1% 4  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
reinvested dividends and other distributions
  None   None   None  
Redemption fees   None   None   None  
Exchange fee   None   None   None  

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses 6 (deducted from Fund assets)

    Class A   Class B   Class C  
Management fees     .70 %     .70 %     .70 %  
+ Distribution and service (12b-1) fees     .30 % 5     1.00 %     1.00 %  
+ Other expenses     .51 %     .51 %     .51 %  
= Total annual Fund operating expenses     1.51 %     2.21 %     2.21 %  
Fee waiver     .05 % 5     None       None    
= Net annual Fund operating expenses 5     1.46 %     2.21 %     2.21 %  

 

1  Your broker may charge you a separate or additional fee for purchases and sales of shares or an administrative fee on Fund balances, including income from Fund distributions.

2  Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1%. The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential).

3  The CDSC for Class B shares decreases by 1% annually to 1% in the fifth and sixth years and 0% in the seventh year. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares approximately seven years after purchase.

4  The CDSC for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase (within 18 months of purchase for Class C shares purchased prior to February 2, 2004).

5  The expense information for Class A shares has been restated to reflect current fees. For the period ending July 31, 2006, the Distributor of the Fund has contractually agreed to reduce its distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A shares to an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares.

6  The Manager of the Fund has voluntarily agreed to limit the net annual operating expenses (exclusive of distribution and service (12b-1) fees) of each class of shares of the Fund to 1.35% of its average daily net assets. The operating expense limitation may be discontinued partially or completely at any time.

4



Example

This example is intended to help you compare the fees and expenses of the Fund's different share classes and the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund's operating expenses remain the same, except that the contractual waiver of distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A and Class C shares is effective in this example for the first year. Approximately seven years after purchase, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis. The information in the ten years column reflects this conversion. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A shares   $ 690     $ 996     $ 1,324     $ 2,248    
Class B shares     724       991       1,285       2,285    
Class C shares     324       691       1,185       2,544    

 

You would pay the following expenses on the same investment if you did not sell your shares:

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A shares   $ 690     $ 996     $ 1,324     $ 2,248    
Class B shares     224       691       1,185       2,285    
Class C shares     224       691       1,185       2,544    

 

Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Growth Fund (the Small Cap Growth Fund)

The Fund's investment objective is maximum capital appreciation . This means that we seek investments that will increase in value. To achieve our objective, we invest in the stocks of small companies that we believe will experience earnings growth at a rate faster than that of the U.S economy in general. We normally invest at least 80% of the Fund's investable assets in common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks of companies with a total market capitalization of less than $2.5 billion (measured at the time of purchase). Because the Fund invests in small capitalization companies, the risk is greater than with larger companies because shares of small companies tend to be less liquid and more volatile than those of large companies.

5



Risk/Return Summary

Principal Risks:

Market risk. Since the Fund invests primarily in common stocks, there is the risk that the price of a particular stock the Fund owns could go down. Generally, the stock price of large companies is more stable than the stock price of smaller companies, but this is not always the case. In addition to an individual stock losing value, the value of a market sector or of the equity markets as a whole could go down. In addition, different parts of a market can react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political and economic developments.

Small company risk. The Fund invests primarily in stocks of smaller companies with a market capitalization of under $2.5 billion. These companies usually offer a smaller range of products and services than larger companies. They may also have limited financial resources and may lack management depth. As a result, stocks issued by smaller companies tend to fluctuate in value more than the stocks of larger, more established companies.

Style risk. Since the Fund follows a growth investment style, there is the risk that the growth style may be out of favor for a period of time.

EVALUATING PERFORMANCE

A number of factors - including risk - can affect how the Fund performs. The following bar chart shows the Fund's performance for each full calendar year of operations. The bar chart and tables below demonstrate the risk of investing in the Fund by showing how returns can change from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual total returns compare with a broad measure of market performance and/or a group of similar mutual funds. The returns of market indexes and mutual fund peer groups do not include the effect of any sales charges or taxes that may apply for investors in the Fund. Market index returns do not reflect mutual fund operating expenses. Returns would be lower if they included the effect of these factors.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future. After-tax losses may be offset by other gains.

6



Small Cap Growth Fund

Annual Returns* (Class A shares)

BEST QUARTER:  19.77% (2nd quarter of 2003) WORST QUARTER: –26.97% (3rd quarter of 2001)

*  These annual returns do not include sales charges. If the sales charges were included, the annual returns would be lower than those shown. Without the distribution and service (12b-1) fee waiver and overall expense limitations, the annual returns would have been lower, too. The total return of the Fund's Class A shares from 1-1-05 to 6-30-05 was –3.07%.

Average Annual Total Returns 1   (as of 12/31/04)

    One Year   Five Years   Since Inception
(11-3-99)
 
Class B shares     8.37       (7.67 )%     5.40%     (– 5.88)%     2.31     (– 2.78)%  
Class C shares     12.23       (11.53 )     5.25     (– 5.72)     2.16     (– 2.63)  
Class A Shares  
Return Before Taxes     7.87       (7.24 )     5.58     (– 6.03)     2.47     (– 2.92)  
Return After Taxes on Distributions 5     7.87       (7.24 )     6.26     (– 6.71)     3.15     (– 3.60)  
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of
Fund Shares 5
    5.12       (4.48 )     4.64     (– 5.06)     2.25     (– 2.68)  
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Russell 2000 Index 2     18.33               6.68               9.85            
Russell 2000 Growth Index 3     14.31               3.57             1.58            
Lipper Average 4     10.65               1.82             3.38            

 

1  The Fund's returns are after deduction of sales charges and expenses. During certain periods shown, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements were in effect. Without such expense reimbursements, the returns would have been lower, as indicated in parenthesis.

2  The Russell 2000 Index - an unmanaged index of the 2000 smallest U.S. companies included in the Russell 3000 Index - gives a broad look at how stock prices of smaller companies have performed. Source: Lipper Inc.

3  The Russell 2000 Growth Index contains those securities in the Russell 2000 Index with an above-average growth orientation. Companies in this Index tend to exhibit higher price-to-book and price-to-earnings ratios. Source: Lipper Inc.

4  The Lipper Average is based on the average return of all mutual funds in the Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds category. Source: Lipper Inc.

5  After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown only for Class B shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future.

7



Risk/Return Summary

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table shows the sales charges, fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of each share class of the Fund - Classes A, B and C. Each share class has different (or no) sales charges - known as loads - and expenses, but represents an investment in the same Fund. For more information about which share class may be right for you, see "How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Funds."

Shareholder Fees 1 (paid directly from your investment)

    Class A   Class B   Class C  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
  5.50%   None   None  
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on
sales (as a percentage of the lower of original
purchase price or sale proceeds)
  1% 2   5% 3   1% 4  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
reinvested dividends and other distributions
  None   None   None  
Redemption fees   None   None   None  
Exchange fee   None   None   None  

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses 6 (deducted from Fund assets)

    Class A   Class B   Class C  
Management fees     .70 %     .70 %     .70 %  
+ Distribution and service (12b-1) fees     .30 % 5     1.00 %     1.00 %  
+ Other expenses     1.36 %     1.36 %     1.36 %  
= Total annual Fund operating expenses     2.36 %     3.06 %     3.06 %  
Fee waiver     .05 % 5     None       None    
= Net annual Fund operating expenses 5     2.31 %     3.06 %     3.06 %  

 

1  Your broker may charge you a separate or additional fee for purchases and sales of shares or an administrative fee on Fund balances, including income from Fund distributions.

2  Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1%. The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential).

3  The CDSC for Class B shares decreases by 1% annually to 1% in the fifth and sixth years and 0% in the seventh year. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares approximately seven years after purchase.

4  The CDSC for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase (within 18 months of purchase for Class C shares purchased prior to February 2, 2004).

5  The expense information for Class A shares has been restated to reflect current fees. For the period ending July 31, 2006, the Distributor of the Fund has contractually agreed to reduce its distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A shares to an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares.

6  The Manager of the Fund has voluntarily agreed to limit the net annual operating expenses (exclusive of distribution and service (12b-1) fees) of each class of shares of the Fund to 1.60% of its average daily net assets. The operating expense limitation may be discontinued partially or completely at any time.

8



Example

This example is intended to help you compare the fees and expenses of the Fund's different share classes and the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same, except that the contractual waiver of distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A and Class C shares is effective in this example for the first year. Approximately seven years after purchase, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis. The information in the ten years column reflects such conversion. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A shares   $ 771     $ 1,239     $ 1,713     $ 3,085    
Class B shares     809       1,295       1,706       3,132    
Class C shares     409       945       1,606       3,374    

 

You would pay the following expenses on the same investment if you did not sell your shares:

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A shares   $ 771     $ 1,239     $ 1,733     $ 3,085    
Class B shares     309       945       1,606       3,132    
Class C shares     309       945       1,606       3,374    

 

Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Value Fund (the Small Cap Value Fund) The Fund's investment objective is above-average capital appreciation . This means that we seek investments that will increase in value. To achieve our objective, we invest in stocks of small companies that we believe are undervalued and have an above-average potential to increase in price, given the company's sales, earnings, book value, cash flow and recent performance. We normally invest at least 80% of the Fund's investable assets in common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks of companies with a total market capitalization of less than $2.5 billion (measured at the time of purchase). Because the Fund invests in small capitalization companies, the risk is greater than with larger companies because shares of small companies tend to be less liquid and more volatile than those of large companies.

9



Risk/Return Summary

Principal Risks:

Market risk. Since the Fund invests primarily in common stocks, there is the risk that the price of a particular stock the Fund owns could go down. Generally, the stock price of large companies is more stable than the stock price of smaller companies, but this is not always the case. In addition to an individual stock losing value, the value of a market sector or of the equity markets as a whole could go down. In addition, different parts of a market can react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political and economic developments.

Small company risk. The Fund invests primarily in stocks of smaller companies with a market capitalization of under $2.5 billion. These companies usually offer a smaller range of products and services than larger companies. They may also have limited financial resources and may lack management depth. As a result, stocks issued by smaller companies tend to fluctuate in value more than the stocks of larger, more established companies.

Style risk. Since the Fund follows a value investment style, there is the risk that the value style may be out of favor for a period of time.

EVALUATING PERFORMANCE

A number of factors - including risk - can affect how the Fund performs. The following bar chart shows the Fund's performance for each full calendar year of operations. The bar chart and tables below demonstrate the risk of investing in the Fund by showing how returns can change from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual total returns compare with a broad measure of market performance and/or a group of similar mutual funds. The returns of market indexes and mutual fund peer groups do not include the effect of any sales charges or taxes that may apply for investors in the Fund. Market index returns do not reflect mutual fund operating expenses. Returns would be lower if they included the effect of these factors.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future. After-tax losses may be offset by other gains.

Since Class L, Class M and Class X shares commenced as of October 4, 2004, no performance information is available for these share classes.

10



Small Cap Value Fund

Annual Returns* (Class A shares)

BEST QUARTER:  20.14% (2nd quarter of 2003) WORST QUARTER: –15.65% (3rd quarter of 2002)

*  These annual returns do not include sales charges. If the sales charges were included, the annual returns would be lower than those shown. Without the distribution and service (12b-1) fee waiver and overall expense limitations, the annual returns would have been lower, too. The total return of the Fund's Class A shares from 1-1-05 to 6-30-05 was 4.90%.

Average Annual Returns 1 (as of 12/31/04)

Return Before Taxes   One Year   Five Years   Since Inception
(11-3-99)
 
Class B shares     17.47 %     17.09 %     (17.04 )%     16.96 %     (16.90 )%  
Class C shares     21.40       17.18       (17.13 )     17.04       (16.99 )  
Class A Shares  
Return Before Taxes     16.56       16.72       (16.67 )     16.64       (16.59 )  
Return After Taxes on Distributions 5     15.85       15.17       (15.12 )     15.14       (15.09 )  
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 5     11.27       13.32       (13.26 )     13.30       (13.24 )  
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Russell 2000 Index 2     18.33       6.61               9.85            
Russell 2000 Value Index 3     22.25       17.23               17.44            
Lipper Average 4     18.38       10.33               12.95            

 

1  The Fund's returns are after deduction of sales charges and expenses. During certain periods shown, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements were in effect. Without such expense reimbursements, the returns would have been lower, as indicated in parentheses. Since Class L, Class M and Class X shares are new, no performance information is available for these share classes.

2  The Russell 2000 Index - an unmanaged index of the 2000 smallest U.S. companies included in the Russell 3000 Index - gives a broad look at how stock prices of smaller companies have performed. Source: Lipper Inc.

3  The Russell 2000 Value Index contains those securities in the Russell 2000 Index with a below average growth orientation. Companies in this Index generally have low price-to-book and price-to-earnings ratios, higher dividend yields and lower forecasted growth values. Source: Lipper Inc.

4  The Lipper Average is based on the average return of all mutual funds in the Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds category. Source: Lipper Inc.

5  After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown only for Class B shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future.

11



Risk/Return Summary

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table shows the sales charges, fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of each share class of the Fund. Each share class has different sales charges - known as loads - and expenses, but represents an investment in the same Fund. Class L, Class M and Class X shares are not offered to new purchasers and are only available through exchange from the same class of shares offered by certain other Strategic Partners and JennisonDryden Funds. For more information about which share class may be right for you, see "How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Funds."

Shareholder Fees 1 (paid directly from your investment)

    Class A   Class B   Class C   Class L   Class M   Class X  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
  5.50%   None   None   None   None   None  
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on
sales (as a percentage of the lower of original
purchase price or sale proceeds)
  1% 2   5% 3   1% 4   1% 6   6% 7   6% 8  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
reinvested dividends and other distributions
  None   None   None   None   None   None  
Redemption fees   None   None   None   None   None   None  
Exchange fee   None   None   None   None   None   None  

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses 6 (deducted from Fund assets)

    Class A   Class B   Class C   Class L   Class M   Class X  
Management fees     .70 %     .70 %     .70 %     .70 %     .70 %     .70 %  
+ Distribution and service (12b-1) fees     .30 % 5     1.00 %     1.00 %     .50 %     1.00 %     1.00 %  
+ Other expenses     .50 %     .50 %     .50 %     .50 %     .50 %     .50 %  
= Total annual Fund operating expenses     1.50 %     2.20 %     2.20 %     1.70 %     2.20 %     2.20 %  
Fee waiver     .05 % 5     None       None       None       None       None    
= Net annual Fund operating expenses 5     1.45 %     2.20 %     2.20 %     1.70 %     2.20 %     2.20 %  

 

1  Your broker may charge you a separate or additional fee for purchases and sales of shares or an administrative fee on Fund balances, including income from Fund distributions.

2  Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1%. The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential)

3  The CDSC for Class B shares decreases by 1% annually to 1% in the fifth and sixth years and 0% in the seventh year. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares approximately seven years after purchase.

4  The CDSC for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase (within 18 months of purchase for Class C shares purchased prior to February 2, 2004).

5  The expense information for Class A shares has been restated to reflect current fees. For the period ending July 31, 2006, the Distributor of the Fund has contractually agreed to reduce its distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A shares to an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares.

6  The Manager of the Fund has voluntarily agreed to limit the net annual operating expenses (exclusive of distribution and service (12b-1) fees) of each class of shares of the Fund to 1.70% of its average daily net assets. The operating expense limitation may be discontinued partially or completely at any time. Investors who purchase

12



at least $1 million of Class L shares of other Strategic Partners mutual funds and who exchange those shares for Class L shares of the Fund will incur a 1% CDSC if the Fund shares are sold within 12 months after the original purchase.

7  The CDSC for Class M shares decreases by 1% annually to 2% in the fifth and sixth years after purchase, 1% in the seventh year and 0% in the eighth year after purchase. Class M shares convert to Class A shares approximately 8 years after purchase.

8  The CDSC for Class X shares decreases by 1% annually to 4% in the third and fourth years after purchase, 3% in the fifth year, 2% in the sixth and seventh years, 1% in the eighth year and 0% in the ninth year after purchase. Class X shares convert to Class A shares approximately 10 years (8 years if purchased before August 19, 1998) after purchase.

Example

This example is intended to help you compare the fees and expenses of the Fund's different share classes and the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund's operating expenses remain the same, except for any contractual distribution and service (12b-1) fee waiver and overall expense limitations that may be in effect. Approximately seven years after purchase, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis and approximately eight years after purchase, Class M shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis. The information in the ten years column reflects this conversion. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A shares   $ 689     $ 993     $ 1319     $ 2238    
Class B shares     723       988       1280       2274    
Class C shares     323       688       1180       2534    
Class L shares     173       536       923       2009    
Class M shares     823       1088       1380       2357    
Class X shares     823       1088       1480       2534    

 

You would pay the following expenses on the same investment if you did not sell your shares:

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A shares   $ 689     $ 993     $ 1319     $ 2238    
Class B shares     223       688       1180       2274    
Class C shares     223       688       1180       2534    
Class L shares     173       536       923       2009    
Class M shares     223       688       1180       2357    
Class X shares     223       688       1180       2534    

 

13



Risk/Return Summary

Strategic Partners Total Return Bond Fund (the Total Return Bond Fund).

The Fund's investment objective is total return consisting of current income and capital appreciation . This means that we seek investments that will pay income as well as increase in value. To achieve this objective, we invest in debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies, as well as debt obligations issued by U.S. companies, foreign companies and foreign governments and their agencies. The Fund can invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign currency-denominated debt obligations.

The Fund invests in mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government entities including securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or "Fannie Mae") or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or "Freddie Mac") or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA or "Ginnie Mae"). However, we may invest up to 25% of the Fund's assets in privately issued mortgage-related securities (those not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government). The mortgage-related securities in which the Fund may invest may include collateralized mortgage obligations, stripped mortgage-backed securities and multi-class pass through securities. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, swaps and options for hedging purposes or to seek to improve the Fund's return.

We may also invest in asset-backed securities like automobile loans and credit card receivables. In addition, we may invest up to 20% of investable assets in convertible bonds, convertible preferred stock and non-convertible preferred stock. We normally invest at least 80% of the Fund's investable assets in "investment grade" debt obligations  - rated at least BBB by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group (S&P), Baa by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's), or the equivalent by another major rating service - and unrated debt obligations that we believe are comparable in quality. However, we may invest up to 20% of the Fund's assets in high yield debt obligations ("junk bonds") that are rated at least B by S&P, Moody's or another major rating service, and unrated debt obligations that we believe are comparable in quality. The Fund may continue to hold an obligation even if it is later downgraded or no longer rated. The Fund may actively and frequently trade its portfolio securities. The Fund will maintain an average duration that normally ranges between two years below and two years above the average duration of the Fund's benchmark index.

14



Principal Risks:

Credit risk. The debt obligations in which the Fund invests are generally subject to the risk that the issuer may be unable to make principal and interest payments when they are due. There is also the risk that the securities could lose value because of a loss of confidence in the ability of the borrower to pay back debt. The Fund may invest in below-investment grade securities  - also known as "junk bonds"  - which have a higher risk of default and tend to be less liquid than higher-rated securities.

Interest rate risk. There is also the risk that the securities could lose value because of interest rate changes. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price shifts as a result of interest rate changes than debt obligations with shorter maturities. The prices of debt obligations and the Fund's net asset value (or share price) generally move in opposite directions than interest rates.

Market risk. Debt obligations are also subject to market risk, which is the possibility that the market value of an investment may move up or down and that its movement may occur quickly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect an industry, a sector or the entire market.

Prepayment risk.  The Fund may invest in mortgage-related securities and asset-backed securities, which are subject to prepayment risk. If these securities are prepaid, the Fund may have to replace them with lower-yielding securities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are generally more sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest rates than other mortgage-related securities. Unlike mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities are usually not collateralized. If the issuer of a non-collateralized debt security defaults on the obligation, there is no collateral that the security holder may sell to satisfy the debt.

Derivatives risk. The Fund may use derivatives including swaps, options and futures as a principal investment strategy to improve its returns or to protect its assets. When used for hedging purposes, derivatives may not fully offset or match the Fund's underlying positions and this could result in losses to the Fund that would not otherwise have occurred.

Active trading risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover results in higher transaction costs, which can affect the Fund's performance and have adverse tax consequences.

Foreign market risk. The Fund may invest in foreign markets, including those in developing countries. Foreign markets, especially those in developing countries, tend to be more volatile than U.S. markets and are generally not subject to regulatory requirements comparable to those in the U.S. Because of differences in accounting standards and custody and settlement practices, investing in foreign securities generally involves more risk than investing in securities of U.S. issuers.

Currency risk. Changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of foreign securities held by a Fund and the amount of income available for distribution. If a foreign currency grows weaker relative to the U.S. dollar, the value of securities denominated in that foreign currency generally decreases in terms of U.S. dollars. If a Fund does not correctly anticipate changes in exchange rates, certain hedging activities may also cause the Fund to lose money and reduce the amount of income available for distribution.

15



Risk/Return Summary

Political developments. Political developments may adversely affect the value of a Fund's foreign securities.

Leverage risk. The Fund may borrow from banks or through reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls to take advantage of investment opportunities. This is known as using "leverage." If the Fund borrows money to purchase securities and those securities decline in value, then the value of the Fund's shares will decline faster than if the Fund were not leveraged.

EVALUATING PERFORMANCE

A number of factors - including risk - can affect how the Fund performs. The following bar chart shows the Fund's performance for each full calendar year of operations. The bar chart and tables below demonstrate the risk of investing in the Fund by showing how returns can change from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual total returns compare with a broad measure of market performance and/or a group of similar mutual funds. The returns of market indexes and mutual fund peer groups do not include the effect of any sales charges or taxes that may apply for investors in the Fund. Market index returns do not reflect mutual fund operating expenses. Returns would be lower if they included the effect of these factors.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future. After-tax losses may be offset by other gains.

Since Class L, Class M and Class X shares commenced as of October 4, 2004, no performance information is available for those share classes.

16



Total Return Bond Fund

Annual Returns* (Class A shares)

BEST QUARTER:  5.09% (3rd quarter of 2001) WORST QUARTER: –2.17% (2nd quarter of 2004)

*  These annual returns do not include sales charges. If the sales charges were included, the annual returns would be lower than that shown. Without the distribution and service (12b-1) fee waiver and overall expense limitations, the annual returns would have been lower, too. The total return of the Fund's Class A shares from 1-1-05 to 6-30-05 was 2.26%.

Average Annual Returns 1   (as of 12/31/04)

    One Year   Five Years   Since Inception
(11-3-99)
 
Class B shares     4.30 %     7.05 %     6.62 %  
Class C shares     4.20       7.03       6.60    
Class A Shares      
Return Before Taxes     0.12       6.60       6.20    
Return After Taxes on Distributions 5     1.84     4.21       3.83    
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 5     0.15       4.19       3.87    
Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)      
LGCI 2     3.48       7.48       7.84    
LABI 3     4.34       7.71       7.35    
Lipper Average 4     4.09       6.99       6.64    

 

1  The Fund's returns are after deduction of sales charges and expenses. During certain periods shown, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements were in effect. Without such expense reimbursements, the returns would have been lower, as indicated in parenthesis. Since Class L, Class M and Class X shares are new, no performance information is available for those share classes.

2  The Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Index (LGCI) - an unmanaged index of publicly traded intermediate-and long-term government and corporate debt with an average maturity of 10 years - gives a broad look at how bond prices have performed. Source: Lipper Inc.

3  The Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (LABI) - an unmanaged index of investment grade securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies and by corporations with between 1 and 10 years remaining to maturity - gives a broad look at how bond prices of short and intermediate-term bonds have performed. Source: Lipper Inc.

4  The Lipper Average is based on the average return of all mutual funds in the Lipper Corporate Debt BBB Funds category. Source: Lipper Inc.

5  After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown only for Class B shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future.

17



Risk/Return Summary

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table shows the sales charges, fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of each share class of the Fund. Each share class has different sales charges - known as loads - and expenses, but represents an investment in the same Fund. Class L, Class M and Class X shares are not offered to new purchasers, and are only available through exchange from the same class of shares offered by certain other Strategic Partners and JennisonDryden Funds. For more information about which share class may be right for you, see "How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Funds."

Shareholder Fees 1 (paid directly from your investment)

    Class A   Class B   Class C   Class L   Class M   Class X  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
purchases (as a percentage ofoffering price)
  4.50%   None   None   None   None   None  
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a
percentage of the lower of original purchase
price or sale proceeds)
  1% 2   5% 3   1% 4   1% 6   6% 7   6% 8  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
reinvested dividends and other distributions
  None   None   None   None   None   None  
Redemption fees   None   None   None   None   None   None  
Exchange fee   None   None   None   None   None   None  

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses 6 (deducted from Fund assets)

    Class A   Class B   Class C   Class L   Class M   Class X  
Management fees     .50 %     .50 %     .50 %     .50 %     .50 %     .50 %  
+ Distribution and service (12b-1) fees     .30 % 5     1.00 %     1.00 %     .50 %     1.00 %     1.00 %  
+ Other expenses     .72 %     .72 %     .72 %     .72 %     .72 %     .72 %  
= Total annual Fund operating expenses     1.52 %     2.22 %     2.22 %     1.72 %     2.22 %     2.22 %  
Fee waiver     .05 % 5     .25 % 5     .25 % 5     None       None       None    
= Net annual Fund operating expenses 5     1.47 %     1.97 %     1.97 %     1.72 %     2.22 %     2.22 %  

 

1  Your broker may charge you a separate or additional fee for purchases and sales of shares or an administrative fee on Fund balances, including income from Fund distributions.

2  Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1%. The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential)

3  The CDSC for Class B shares decreases by 1% annually to 1% in the fifth and sixth years and 0% in the seventh year. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares approximately seven years after purchase.

4  The CDSC for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase (within 18 months of purchase for Class C shares purchased prior to February 2, 2004).

5  The expense information for each class of shares has been restated to reflect current fees. For the year ending July 31, 2006, the Distributor of the Fund has contractually agreed to reduce its distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A shares to an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares and its distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class B and Class C shares to an annual rate of .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class B and Class C shares, respectively.

6  The Manager of the Fund has voluntarily agreed to limit the net annual operating expenses (exclusive of distribution and service (12b-1) fees) of each class of shares of the Fund to 0.80% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The operating expense limitation may be discontinued partially or completely at any time. Investors who

18



purchase at least $1 million of Class L shares of other Strategic Partners mutual funds and who exchange those shares for Class L shares of the Fund will incur a 1% CDSC if the Fund shares are sold within 12 months after the original purchase.

7  The CDSC for Class M shares decreases by 1% annually to 2% in the fifth and sixth years after purchase, 1% in the seventh year and 0% in the eighth year after purchase. Class M shares convert to Class A shares approximately 8 years after purchase.

8  The CDSC for Class X shares decreases by 1% annually to 4% in the third and fourth years after purchase, 3% in the fifth year, 2% in the sixth and seventh years, 1% in the eighth year and 0% in the ninth year after purchase. Class X shares convert to Class A shares approximately 10 years (8 years if purchased before August 19, 1998) after purchase.

Example

This example is intended to help you compare the fees and expenses of the Fund's different share classes and the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same, except for any contractual distribution and service (12b-1) fee waiver and overall expense limitations that may be in effect. Approximately seven years after purchase, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis and approximately eight years after purchase, Class M shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis. The information in the ten years column reflects this conversion. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Costs to shareholder assuming share redemption at the end of period being measured

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A   $ 593     $ 904     $ 1,237     $ 2,177    
Class B     700       970       1,267       2,275    
Class C     300       670       1,167       2,535    
Class L     275       542       933       2,030    
Class M     825       1,094       1,390       2,378    
Class X     825       1,094       1,490       2,554    

 

Costs to shareholder assuming share reinvestment at the end of period being measured

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A   $ 593     $ 904     $ 1,237     $ 2,177    
Class B     200       670       1,167       2,275    
Class C     200       670       1,167       2,535    
Class L     275       542       933       2,030    
Class M     225       694       1,190       2,378    
Class X     225       694       1,190       2,554    

 

19



How the Funds Invest

INVESTMENT POLICIES

EQUITY PORTFOLIOS

Small Cap Growth Fund

When we consider investing in a company's stock, we look at several factors to evaluate the stock's growth potential, including the company's historical profitability, the economic outlook for the company's industry, the company's position in that industry, and the qualifications of company management. For example, we may select a company's stock based on new products or services the company is introducing. Dividend income is only an incidental consideration. Generally, we will consider selling a security when we think it has achieved its growth potential, or when we think we can find better growth opportunities.

Large Cap Value and Small Cap Value Funds

We consider a number of factors in choosing stocks, like a company's sales, earnings, book value, cash flow, recent performance and the industry it's in. We consider selling a stock if it has increased in value to the point where we no longer consider it to be undervalued.

DEBT PORTFOLIO

TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND

In choosing portfolio securities, we consider economic conditions and interest rate fundamentals and, for foreign debt securities, country and currency selection. We also evaluate individual debt securities within each fixed-income sector based upon their relative investment merit and consider factors such as yield, duration and potential for price or currency appreciation as well as credit quality, maturity and risk.

Mortgage-Related Securities. The Fund invests in mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government entities, including securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or "Fannie Mae") or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or "Freddie Mac") or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA or "Ginnie Mae"). However, we may invest up to 25% of the Fund's assets in privately issued mortgage-related securities (those not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government). The mortgage-related securities in which the Fund may invest may include collateralized mortgage obligations, stripped mortgage-backed securities and multi-class pass through securities.

20



Mortgage-related securities are usually pass-through instruments that pay investors a share of all interest and principal payments from an underlying pool of fixed or adjustable rate mortgages. Mortgage-related securities issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies include FNMAs, GNMAs and debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and government related entities. The U.S. Government or the issuing agency directly or indirectly guarantees the payment of interest and principal on these securities, but not their value. Private mortgage-related securities that are not guaranteed by U.S. governmental entities generally have one or more types of credit enhancement to ensure timely receipt of payments and to protect against default.

Mortgage backed securities include mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, multi-class pass-through securities and stripped mortgage-backed securities. A collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) is a security backed by an underlying portfolio of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities that may be issued or guaranteed by a bank or by U.S. governmental entities. A multi-class pass-through security is an equity interest in a trust composed of underlying mortgage assets. Payments of principal and interest on the mortgage assets and any reinvestment income thereon provide the cash to pay debt service on the CMO or to make scheduled distributions on the multi-class pass-through security. A stripped mortgage-backed security (MBS strip) may be issued by U.S. governmental entities or by private institutions. MBS strips take the pieces of a debt security (principal and interest) and break them apart. The resulting securities may be sold separately and may perform differently.

The values of mortgage-backed securities vary with changes in market interest rates generally and in yields among various kinds of mortgage-related securities. Such values are particularly sensitive to changes in prepayments of the underlying mortgages. For example, during periods of falling interest rates, prepayments tend to increase as homeowners and others refinance their higher-rate mortgages; these prepayments reduce the anticipated duration of the mortgage-related securities. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, prepayments can be expected to decline, which has the effect of extending the anticipated duration at the same time that the value of the securities declines. MBS strips tend to be even more highly sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest rates than mortgage-related securities and CMOs generally.

Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may also invest in asset-backed debt securities. An asset-backed security is another type of pass-through instrument that pays interest based upon the cash flow of an underlying pool of assets, such as automobile loans and credit card receivables. Unlike mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities are usually not collateralized. However, credit related asset-backed securities may be collateralized by a portfolio of corporate bonds, including junk bonds, or other securities.

21



How the Funds Invest

Factors Considered in Making Investment Decisions

In choosing portfolio securities, the investment adviser to the Total Return Bond Fund considers economic conditions and interest rate fundamentals and, for foreign debt securities, country and currency selection. The investment adviser also evaluates individual debt securities within each fixed-income sector based upon their relative investment merit and considers factors such as yield, duration and potential for price or currency appreciation as well as credit quality, maturity and risk.

We normally invest at least 80% of the Fund's investable assets in "investment grade" debt obligations  - debt obligations rated at least BBB by S&P, Baa by Moody's, or the equivalent by another major rating service, and unrated debt obligations that we believe are comparable in quality. We may invest up to 20% of the Fund's investable assets in high yield debt obligations  - also known as "junk bonds"  - that are rated at least B by S&P, Moody's or another major rating service, and unrated debt obligations that we believe are comparable in quality. The Fund may continue to hold an obligation even if it is later downgraded or no longer rated. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its investable assets in convertible bonds, convertible preferred stock and non-convertible preferred stock.

When purchasing or selling portfolio securities, the factors that the investment adviser to the Fund may consider are economic conditions and interest rate fundamentals and, for foreign debt securities, country and currency selection. The investment adviser also evaluates individual debt securities within each fixed-income sector based upon their relative investment merit and considers factors such as yield, duration and potential for price or currency appreciation as well as credit quality, maturity and risk.

Additional Information on Investments and Risk

For more information, see "Investment Risks" below and the Statement of Additional Information, "Description of the Funds, Their Investments and Risks." The Statement of Additional Information - which we refer to as the SAI - contains additional information about the Funds. To obtain a copy, see the back cover page of this prospectus.

Although we make every effort to achieve each Fund's objective, we can't guarantee success. Each Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. The Board of the Trust can change investment policies that are not fundamental.

22



OTHER INVESTMENTS AND STRATEGIES

In addition to the Funds' principal strategies described above, unless otherwise specified below, we may also use the following investment strategies to try to increase the Funds' returns or protect their assets if market conditions warrant.

Temporary Defensive Investments.  In response to adverse market, economic or political conditions, we may temporarily invest up to 100% of a Fund's assets in money market instruments or U.S. Government securities. Investing heavily in these securities limits our ability to achieve our investment objective, but can help to preserve a Fund's assets when the markets are unstable.

Money Market Instruments. Each Fund may invest in high quality money market instruments for cash management purposes. Money market instruments include the commercial paper of U.S. and foreign corporations, obligations of U.S. and foreign banks, certificates of deposit and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or a foreign government.

Each Fund will generally purchase money market instruments in one of the two highest short-term quality ratings of a major rating service. The Funds may also invest in money market instruments that are not rated, but which we believe are of comparable quality to the instruments described above.

U.S. Government Securities. Each Fund may invest in debt obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury. Treasury securities have varying interest rates and maturities, but they are all backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

Each Fund may also invest in other debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and government-related entities. Some of these debt securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, like GNMA obligations. Debt securities issued by other government entities, like obligations of FNMA and the Student Loan Marketing Association (SLMA or "Sallie Mae"), are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. However, these issuers have the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations. In contrast, the debt securities of other issuers, like the Farm Credit System, depend entirely upon their own resources to repay their debt.

The U.S. Government sometimes "strips" its debt obligations into their component parts: the U.S. Government's obligation to make interest payments and its obligation to repay the amount borrowed. These stripped securities are sold to investors separately. Stripped securities do not make periodic interest payments. They are usually sold at a discount and then redeemed for their face value on their maturity dates. These securities increase in value when interest rates fall and lose value when interest rates rise. However, the value of stripped securities generally fluctuates more

23



How the Funds Invest

in response to interest rate movements than the value of traditional debt obligations. A Fund may try to earn money by buying stripped securities at a discount and either selling them after they increase in value or holding them until they mature.

Debt Obligations

In addition to their principal investments, the Large Cap Value and Small Cap Value Funds may invest in debt obligations for their appreciation potential. These Funds may invest in debt obligations issued by U.S. and foreign companies that are rated at least A by S&P or by Moody's or the equivalent by another major rating service. The Large Cap Value and Small Cap Value Funds also may invest in asset-backed securities from time to time. See "Asset-Backed Securities" above.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls

The Total Return Bond Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund borrows money on a temporary basis by selling a security with an obligation to repurchase it at an agreed-upon price and time.

When the Fund enters into a dollar roll, the Fund sells securities to be delivered in the current month and repurchases substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities to be delivered on a specified future date by the same party. The Fund is paid the difference, between the current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase as well as the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

Leverage

The Total Return Bond Fund may borrow from banks or through reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls to take advantage of investment opportunities. This is known as using "leverage." If the Fund borrows money to purchase securities and those securities decline in value, then the value of the Fund's shares will decline faster than if the Fund were not leveraged.

Short Sales

The Total Return Bond Fund may make short sales of a security. This means that the Fund may sell a security that it does not own when we think the value of the security will decline. The Fund generally borrows the security to deliver to the buyer in a short sale. The Fund must then buy the security at its market price when the borrowed security must be returned to the lender. Short sales involve costs and risks. The Fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the Fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when

24



the Fund replaces the borrowed security. Although the Fund's gain is limited to the price at which it sold the securities short, its potential loss is limited only by the maximum attainable price of the securities, less the price at which the security was sold and may, theoretically, be unlimited. The Fund may also make short sales "against the box." In a short sale against the box, at the time of sale, the Fund owns or has the right to acquire the identical security at no additional cost. When selling short against the box, the Fund gives up the opportunity for capital appreciation in the security.

Repurchase Agreements

Each Fund may also use repurchase agreements, where a party agrees to sell a security to the Fund and then repurchase it at an agreed-upon price at a stated time. This creates a fixed return for a Fund, and is, in effect a loan by the Fund. Repurchase agreements are used for cash management purposes.

Convertible and Preferred Securities

Each Fund may also invest in convertible and preferred securities, including convertible bonds, convertible preferred stock and non-convertible preferred stock. These are securities - such as bonds, corporate notes and preferred stock - that we can convert into the company's common stock or some other equity security.

Derivative Strategies

The Total Return Bond Fund may use various derivatives strategies to try to improve its returns. The Fund may also use hedging strategies to try to protect the Fund's assets. We cannot guarantee that these strategies will work, that the instruments necessary to implement these strategies will be available or that the Fund will not lose money. The derivatives in which this Fund may invest include (but are not limited to) futures, options, options on futures and swaps. In addition, the Total Return Bond Fund may enter into foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts and purchase commercial paper that is indexed to foreign currency exchange rates.

Derivatives involve costs and can be volatile. With derivatives, the investment adviser tries to predict whether the underlying investment - a security, market index, currency, interest rate or some other benchmark - will go up or down at some future date. We may use derivatives to try to reduce risk or to increase return consistent with the Fund's overall investment objective. The investment adviser will consider other factors (such as cost) in deciding whether to employ any particular strategy or use any particular instrument. Any derivatives we use may not match or offset the Fund's underlying positions and this could result in losses to the Fund that would not otherwise have occurred. When the Fund uses derivative strategies, the Fund designates certain assets as segregated, as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission). For more information about these strategies, see the SAI, "Description of the Funds, Their Investments and Risks - Risk Management and Return Enhancement Strategies."

25



How the Funds Invest

Options

The Total Return Bond Fund may purchase and sell put and call options on securities, swap agreements, securities indexes, futures contracts and currencies traded on U.S. or foreign securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. An option is the right to buy or sell securities or currencies in exchange for a premium. The options may be on debt securities, aggregates of debt securities, financial indexes and U.S. Government securities. The Fund will sell only covered options.

Futures Contracts and Related Options and Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

The Total Return Bond Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and related options with respect to, among other things, interest rates, debt securities, aggregates of debt securities, currencies, financial indexes or U.S. Government securities. A futures contract is an exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell a set quantity of underlying asset at a future date or to make or receive a cash payment based on the value of a securities index, or some other asset, on a stipulated future date. The terms of futures contracts are generally standardized. In the case of a financial futures contract based upon a broad index, there is no delivery of the securities comprising the index, margin is uniform, a clearing corporation or an exchange is the counterparty and a Fund makes daily margin payments based on price movements in the index. The Total Return Bond Fund also may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to protect the value of its assets against future changes in the level of foreign currency exchange rates. A foreign currency forward contract is an obligation to buy or sell a given currency on a future date and at a set price or to make or receive a cash payment based on the value of a given currency at a future date.

Swaps

The Total Return Bond Fund may invest in index, interest rate, credit, long and short credit default, currency and total return swap agreements (or a combination of these swap agreements or other similar swap agreements or options on swap agreements). The swap may, among other things, preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of the Fund, or protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date or transfer or allocate credit risk. Swaps and swap options are subject to the risks that they may be difficult to sell at the time or price desired and that they may be difficult to value precisely.

For more information about these strategies, see the SAI, "Description of the Funds, Their Investments and Risks - Risk Management and Return Enhancement Strategies" in the SAI.

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Additional Strategies

Each Fund may also use other non-principal strategies, such as purchasing debt securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. When a Fund makes this type of purchase, the price and interest rate are fixed at the time of purchase, but delivery and payment for the debt obligations take place at a later time. The Fund does not earn interest income until the date the debt obligations are delivered.

Each Fund also follows certain policies when it borrows money (the Total Return Bond Fund may borrow up to 33 1 / 3 % of the value of its total assets, while each other Fund may borrow up to 20% of the value of its total assets); and holds illiquid securities (each Fund may hold up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, those without a readily available market and repurchase agreements with maturities longer than seven days).

Each Fund, other than the Total Return Bond Fund, may participate in the initial public offering (IPO) market. The prices of securities purchased in IPOs can be very volatile. The effects of IPOs on the performance of a Fund depends on a variety of factors, including the number of IPOs a Fund invests in relative to the size of the Fund and whether and to what extent a security purchased in an IPO appreciates or depreciates in value. As a Fund's asset base increases, IPOs often have a diminished effect on a Fund's performance.

Each Fund is subject to certain investment restrictions that are fundamental policies, which means they cannot be changed without shareholder approval. For more information about these restrictions, see the SAI.

Portfolio Turnover

As a result of the strategies described above, the Total Return Bond Fund had annual portfolio turnover rates over 100% during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005. The portfolio turnover rate is generally the percentage computed by dividing the lesser of portfolio purchases or sales (excluding all securities, including options, whose maturities or expiration date at acquisition were one year or less) by the monthly average value of the portfolio. High portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which are borne directly by the Fund. In addition, high portfolio turnover may also mean that a proportionately greater amount of distributions to shareholders will be taxed as ordinary income rather than long-term capital gains compared to investment companies with lower portfolio turnover.

27



How the Funds Invest

INVESTMENT RISKS

As noted previously, all investments involve risk, and investing in the Funds is no exception. Since a Fund's holdings can vary significantly from broad market indexes, performance of that Fund can deviate from performance of the indexes. This chart outlines the key risks and potential rewards of the Funds' principal strategies and certain of the Funds' non-principal strategies. Unless otherwise noted, a Fund's ability to engage in a particular type of investment is expressed as a percentage of investable assets. See "Description of the Funds, Their Investments and Risks" in the SAI.

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Investment Type

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  

 

Common stocks
Large Cap Value, Small Cap Growth and Small Cap Value
At least 80%
  n Individual stocks could lose value
n The equity markets could go down, resulting in a decline in value of a Fund's investments
n Companies that pay dividends may not do so if they don't have profits or adequate cash flow
n Changes in economic or political conditions, both domestic and international, may result in a decline in value of a Fund's investments
  n Historically, stocks have outperformed other investments over the long-term
n Generally, economic growth means higher corporate profits, which leads to an increase in stock prices, known as capital appreciation
n May be a source of dividend income
 
Small capitalization stocks (market capitalization below $2.5 billion)
Small Cap Growth and Small Cap Value Funds
At least 80%
  n Stocks of small companies are more volatile and may decline more than those in the S&P 500
n Small companies are more likely to reinvest earnings and not pay dividends
n  Changes in interest rates may lead to an increase in price volatility of the securities of small companies more than the securities of larger companies
  n Highly successful smaller companies can outperform larger ones  

 

29



How the Funds Invest

Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Debt obligations
Large Cap Value and Small Cap Value
Up to 20%
Total Return Bond Fund
At least 80%; up to 100%
  n A Fund's share price, yield and total return will fluctuate in response to bond market movements
n Credit risk - the default of an issuer would leave a Fund with unpaid interest or principal. The lower a bond's quality, the higher its potential volatility
n Market risk - the risk that the market value of an investment may move up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect an industry, a sector, or the market as a whole
n Interest rate risk - the value of most bonds will fall when interest rates rise. The longer a bond's maturity and the lower its credit quality, the more its value typically falls. It can lead to price volatility, particularly for junk bonds and stripped securities
  n Bonds have generally outperformed money market instruments over the long term with less risk than stocks
n Most bonds will rise in value when interest rates fall
n Regular interest income
n High-quality debt obligations are generally more secure than stocks since companies must pay their debts before they pay dividends
n Investment-grade bonds have a lower risk of default than junk bonds
n Bonds with longer maturity dates typically have higher yields
n Intermediate-term securities may be less susceptible to loss of principal than longer term securities
 

 

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Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Foreign securities
Total Return Bond Fund Up to 20%
  n Foreign markets, economies and political systems may not be as stable as in the U.S., particularly those in developing countries
n  Currency risk - adverse changes in the value of foreign currencies can cause losses (non-U.S. currency denominated securities)
n May be less liquid than U.S. stocks and bonds
n Differences in foreign laws, accounting standards, public information, custody and settlement practices provide less reliable information on foreign investments and involve more risk
n Not all government securities are insured or guaranteed by government, but only by the issuing agency
  n Investors can participate in the growth of foreign markets through investment in companies operating in those markets
n May profit from changing value of foreign currencies
n Opportunities for diversification
n Principal and interest on foreign government securities may be guaranteed by the issuing government
 

 

31



How the Funds Invest

Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
U.S. Government securities
All Funds
Percentage varies, and up to 100% on a temporary basis
  n Not all are insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, but only by the issuing agency
n Limits potential for capital appreciation
n  Market risk - the risk that the market value of an investment may move up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect an industry, a sector, or the market as a whole
n Interest rate risk - the value of most bonds will fall when interest rates rise. The longer a bond's maturity and the lower its credit quality, the more its value typically falls. It can lead to price volatility, particularly for junk bonds and stripped securities
  n  A source of regular interest income
n The U.S. government guarantees interest and principal payments on certain securities
n Generally more secure than lower quality debt securities and equity securities
n May preserve a Fund's assets
 
Money market instruments
All Funds
Up to 35% on a normal basis and to 100% on a temporary basis
  n U.S. government money market securities offer a lower yield than lower-quality or longer-term securities
n Limits potential for capital appreciation
n Credit risk - the default of an issuer would leave a Fund with unpaid interest or principal. The lower a bond's quality, the higher its potential volatility
n  Market risk - the risk that the market value of an investment may move up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect an industry, a sector, or the market as a whole
  n May preserve a Fund's assets  

 

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Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Mortgage-related securities
Total Return Bond Fund
Percentage varies; usually less than 75%
  n Prepayment risk - the risk that the underlying mortgage may be prepaid partially or completely, generally during periods of falling interest rates, which could adversely affect yield to maturity and could require a Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities.
n Credit risk - the risk that the underlying mortgages will not be paid by debtors or by credit insurers or guarantors of such instruments. Some private mortgage securities are unsecured or secured by lower-rated insurers or guarantors and thus may involve greater risk
n  Market risk - the risk that the market value of an investment may move up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect an industry, a sector, or the market as a whole.
n Interest rate risk
  n  A source of regular interest income
n The U.S. government guarantees interest and principal payments on certain securities
n May benefit from security interest in real estate collateral
n Pass-through instruments provide greater diversification than direct ownership of loans
 

 

33



How the Funds Invest

Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
High yield debt securities (junk bonds)
Total Return Bond Fund
Up to 20%
  n Higher credit risk than higher-grade debt securities
n Higher market risk than higher-grade debt securities
n More volatile than higher-grade debt securities
n May be more illiquid (harder to value and sell), in which case valuation would depend more on investment adviser's judgment than is generally the case with higher-rated securities
  n May offer higher interest income than higher-grade debt securities and higher potential gains since most bonds rise in value when interest rates fall  

 

34



Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Asset-backed securities
Large Cap Value and Small Cap Value Funds
Percentage varies; usually less than 10%
Total Return Bond Fund
Percentage varies; usually less than 25%
  n Prepayment risks - the risk that the underlying receivable may be prepaid partially or completely, generally during periods of falling interest rates, which could adversely affect yield to maturity and could require a Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding securities.
n The security interest in the underlying collateral may be nonexistant or may not be as great as with mortgage-related securities
n Credit risk - the risk that the underlying receivables will not be paid by debtors or by credit insurers or guarantors of such instruments. Some asset-backed securities are unsecured or secured by lower-rated insurers or guarantors and thus may involve greater risk
n Market risk - the risk that the market value of an investment may move up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect an industry, a sector, or the market as a whole
n Interest rate risk
  n  A source of regular interest income
n Prepayment risk is generally lower than with mortgage-related securities
n Pass-through instruments provide greater diversification than direct ownership of loans
n May offer higher yield due to their structure
 

 

35



How the Funds Invest

Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Derivatives
Total Return Bond Fund
Percentage varies
  n The value of derivatives (such as futures and options) that are used to hedge a portfolio security is determined independently from that security and could result in a loss to a Fund when the price movement of the derivative does not correlate with a change in the value of the Fund security
n Derivatives may not have the intended effects and may result in losses or missed opportunities
n The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default
n Derivatives can increase share price volatility and derivatives that involve leverage could magnify losses
n Certain types of derivatives involve costs to a Fund that can reduce returns
n May be difficult to value precisely or sell at the time or price desired
  n  Derivatives could make money and protect against losses if the investment analysis proves correct
n One way to manage a Fund's risk/return balance is by locking in the value of an investment ahead of time
n Derivatives that involve leverage could generate substantial gains at low cost
n May be used to hedge against changes in currency exchange rates
 

 

36



Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls
Total Return Bond Fund
Up to 33 1 / 3 %
When-issued and delayed-delivery securities
All Funds, other than Total Return Bond Fund
Percentage varies; usually less than 10%
Total Return Bond Fund
Percentage varies; usually less than 75%
  n May magnify underlying investment losses
n Investment costs may exceed potential underlying investment gains
  n May magnify underlying investment gains  
Borrowing
Total Return Bond Fund
Up to 33 1 / 3 %
Other Funds
Up to 20%
  n Leverage borrowing for investments may magnify losses
n Interest costs and investment fees may exceed potential investment gains
  n Leverage may magnify investment gains  
Adjustable/floating rate securities
Large Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds
Percentage varies
  n Value lags value of fixed-rate securities when interest rates change   n Can take advantage of rising interest rates  

 

37



How the Funds Invest

Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Stripped securities
Total Return Bond Fund
Percentage varies; usually less than 20%
  n More volatile than securities that have not separated principal and interest
n Mortgage-backed stripped securities have more prepayment and interest rate risk than other mortgage-related securities
  n Value rises faster when interest rates fall  
Swaps
Total Return Bond Fund
Up to 15% (of net assets)
  n Speculative technique including risk of loss of interest payment swapped
n May be difficult to value precisely
n May be difficult to sell at the time or price desired
n The counterparty to a swap agreement could default
  n Helps protect the return on an investment  
Illiquid securities
All Funds
Up to 15% (of net assets)
  n May be difficult to value precisely
n May be difficult to sell at the time or price desired
  n May offer a more attractive yield or potential for growth than more widely traded securities  

 

38



How the Trust is Managed

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees (the Board) oversees the actions of the Manager, the subadvisers and the Distributor and decides on general policies. The Board also oversees the Trusts' officers, who conduct and supervise the daily business operations of each Fund.

MANAGER

Prudential Investments LLC (PI or the Manager)
Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street
Newark, NJ 07102

Under a management agreement with the Trust, PI manages each Fund's investment operations, administers its business affairs and is responsible for supervising the subadviser(s) (each of which we call a subadviser) for each of the Funds. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, each Fund paid PI the management fees set forth in the table below (shown as a percentage of average net assets).

Fund   Annual Management Fee Paid to PI  
Large Cap Value Fund     0.70 %  
Small Cap Growth Fund     0.70 %  
Small Cap Value Fund     0.70 %  
Total Return Bond Fund     0.50 %  

 

PI and its predecessors have served as manager or administrator to investment companies since 1987. As of June 30, 2005 PI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential), served as the investment manager to all of the Prudential U.S. and offshore open-end investment companies, with aggregate assets of approximately $90.1 billion.

Subject to the supervision of the Board, PI is responsible for conducting the initial review of prospective subadvisers for the Fund. In evaluating a prospective subadviser, PI considers many factors, including the firm's experience, investment philosophy and historical performance. PI is also responsible for monitoring the performance of the Funds' subadvisers.

PI and the Trust operate under an exemptive order (the Order) from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission or SEC) that generally permits PI to enter into or amend agreements with Advisers without obtaining shareholder approval each time. This authority is subject to certain conditions, including the requirement that the Board must approve any new or amended agreements with each subadviser. Shareholders of each Fund still have the right to terminate these agreements for the Fund at any time by a vote of the majority of outstanding shares of the Fund. The Trust will notify shareholders of any new subadvisers or material amendments to advisory agreements made pursuant to the Order.

39



How the Trust is Managed

SUBADVISERS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Introduction

The subadvisers are responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund, or portion thereof, that they manage, subject to the supervision of PI and the Board. The subadvisers are paid by PI, not the Trust.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the Funds' investment advisory agreements is available in the Funds' annual reports (for any agreements approved during the six-month period ended July 31, 2005) and will be available in the Funds' semi-annual reports (for any agreements approved during the six-month period ended January 31, 2006).

Large Cap Value,   Small Cap Growth and Small Cap Value Funds

Each Fund has two or more subadvisers, each of which manages the portion of each Fund allocated to it by PI, consistent with the overall small capitalization investment strategy of the Fund and PI periodically rebalances daily cash inflows (i.e., purchases and reinvested dividends) and outflows (i.e., redemptions and expense items) among the subadvisers of each Fund. In addition, PI periodically reallocates assets among subadvisers.

By using two or more subadvisers for each Fund, and by periodically rebalancing or reallocating each Fund's assets among its subadvisers, PI seeks long-term benefits from a balance of different investment disciplines. PI believes that, at any given time, certain investment philosophies will be more successful than others and that a combination of different investment approaches may benefit the Funds and help reduce their volatility. In addition, the use of several subadvisers for each Fund may help to protect the Funds from capacity risk (a subadviser's determination to manage a limited amount of assets because of a lack of investment opportunities that appear attractive to that subadviser).

Reallocations of assets among subadvisers may result in higher portfolio turnover and correspondingly higher transactional costs. In addition, a Fund may experience wash transactions - where one Adviser buys a security at the same time another subadviser sells it. To the extent this happens, the Fund's position in that security remains unchanged, but the Fund has paid additional transaction costs.

Large Cap Value Fund

J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (J.P. Morgan) and Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC (Hotchkis and Wiley) are the subadvisers for the Large Cap Value Fund.

J.P. Morgan is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a publicly held bank holding company and global financial services firm. J.P. Morgan manages assets for governments, corporations, endowments, foundations, and

40



individuals worldwide. As of July 31, 2005, J.P. Morgan and its affiliated companies had approximately $782.6 billion in assets under management worldwide. The address of J.P. Morgan is 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036.

Raffaele Zingone has managed the assets of this segment since 2002 and Cris Posada , since 2004. Mr. Zingone, a Vice President of J.P. Morgan, is a portfolio manager in the U.S. Equity Group. He joined J.P. Morgan in 1991. Mr. Posada, a Vice President of J.P. Morgan, is a client portfolio manager in the U.S. Equity Group. An employee since 1997, he is responsible for product management and client servicing across J.P. Morgan's large cap equity spectrum of products.

Hotchkis and Wiley is a registered investment adviser, the primary members of which are HWCap Holdings, a limited liability company whose members are employees of Hotchkis and Wiley, and Stephens-H&W, a limited liability company whose primary member is Stephen Group, Inc., which is a diversified holding company. As of July 31, 2005, Hotchkis and Wiley had approximately $27.4 billion in assets under management. Hotchkis and Wiley's address is 725 South Figueroa Street, 39th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90017-5439.

Hotchkis and Wiley also manages institutional separate accounts and is the advisor and sub-advisor to other mutual funds. The investment process is the same for similar accounts, including the Portfolio, and is driven by team-oriented, in-depth, fundamental research. The investment research staff is organized by industry coverage and supports all of the accounts managed in each of the sub-advisor's investment strategies. Weekly research meetings provide a forum where analysts and portfolio managers discuss current investment ideas within their assigned industries. Generally, the entire investment team, or a sub-set of the team, then debates the merits of recommendations, taking into account the prevailing market environment, the portfolio's current composition, and the relative value of alternative investments. Investment decisions are made by majority agreement of the investment team. The culmination of this process is the formation of a "target portfolio" for each investment strategy representing the best investment ideas with appropriate weights for each of the holdings.

For the portion of the Portfolio managed by Hotchkis and Wiley, Hotchkis and Wiley has identified the five portfolio managers with the most significant responsibility for the Portfolio's assets. Each individual has managed the portion of the Portfolio assigned to Hotchkis and Wiley since January 2004. This list does not include all members of the investment team.

Sheldon Lieberman - Mr. Lieberman participates in the investment decision process during the group meetings in which the team decides the stock/weight selection for the target portfolio. He has authority to direct trading activity on the Portfolio. Mr. Lieberman, currently Principal and Portfolio Manager of Hotchkis and Wiley, joined Hotchkis and Wiley in 1994 as Portfolio Manager and Analyst.

41



How the Trust is Managed

George Davis - Mr. Davis participates in the investment decision process during the group meetings in which the team decides the stock/weight selection for the target portfolio. He has authority to direct trading activity on the Portfolio. Mr. Davis, currently Principal, Portfolio Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Hotchkis and Wiley, joined Hotchkis and Wiley in 1988 as Portfolio Manager and Analyst.

Joe Huber - Mr. Huber participates in the investment decision process during the group meetings in which the team decides the stock/weight selection for the target portfolio. He is jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio's cash flows, which includes directing the Portfolio's purchases and sales to ensure that the Portfolio's holdings remain reflective of the "target portfolio." Mr. Huber, currently Principal, Portfolio Manager and Director of Research of Hotchkis and Wiley joined Hotchkis and Wiley in 2000 as Portfolio Manager and Analyst and soon thereafter became the Director of Research.

Patricia McKenna - Ms. McKenna participates in the investment decision process during the group meetings in which the team decides the stock/weight selection for the target portfolio. She has authority to direct trading activity on the Portfolio. Ms. McKenna, currently Principal and Portfolio Manager of Hotchkis and Wiley, joined Hotchkis and Wiley in 1995 as Portfolio Manager and Analyst.

Stan Majcher - Mr. Majcher participates in the investment decision process during the group meetings in which the team decides the stock/weight selection for the target portfolio. He is jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio's cash flows, which includes directing the Portfolio's purchases and sales to ensure that the Portfolio's holdings remain reflective of the "target portfolio." Mr. Majcher, currently Principal and Portfolio Manager of Hotchkis and Wiley, joined Hotchkis and Wiley in 1996 as Analyst and became Portfolio Manager in 1999.

Small Cap Growth Fund

Transamerica Investment Management, LLC (Transamerica) and RS Investment Management, L.P. (RS Investments) are the subadvisers for the Small Cap Growth Fund.

Transamerica was organized as a limited liability company under the laws of the state of Delaware in 2000 and is an SEC registered investment advisor. The founding member of the LLC, Transamerica Investment Services, Inc. ("TISI"), is an investment adviser that has been providing investment advisory services since 1968. Transamerica, located at 1150 South Olive Street, 27th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90015, had approximately $20.5 billion of assets under management as of August 31, 2005. Transamerica acquired Westcap in the summer of 2005.

42



Gregory S. Weirick has managed the Transamerica segment of the Fund since July 2003 and leads the investment team that manages the Transamerica segment of the Fund. Mr. Weirick, a Managing Director and Principal of Transamerica, has been with the firm since 2005. Prior to this, Mr. Weirick was co-founder, Treasurer and Managing Director of Westcap Investors, LLC from 1992 to 2005. He has specialized in the small cap growth category for over 10 years.

The other members of the team include Joshua D. Shaskan, CFA, Jeffrey J. Hoo, CFA , and John J. Huber , CFA . Mr. Shaskan, a Principal and Portfolio Manager, joined Transamerica in 2005 and has over 11 years of investment industry experience. Prior to Transamerica, Mr. Shaskan served as a Senior Vice President/Portfolio Manager at Westcap Investors, LLC ("Westcap") from 1998 to 2005. Prior to Westcap, Mr. Shaskan was employed as an Investment Specialist at Wells Fargo Securities. Mr. Hoo, a Principal and Portfolio Manager, joined Transamerica in 2005 and has over 7 years of investment industry experience. Prior to Transamerica, Mr. Hoo served as a Senior Vice President/Security Analyst at Westcap from 1997 to 2005. Prior to Westcap, Mr. Hoo was a Finance Manager at Sony Pictures Entertainment and an auditor at KPMG Peat Marwick. Mr. Huber, a Principal and Portfolio Manager, joined Transamerica in 2005. Prior to Transamerica, Mr. Huber served as a Vice President/Security Analyst at Westcap from 2000 to 2005. Prior to Westcap, Mr. Huber was a Senior Associate at Wilshire Associates and an Information Technology Consultant at Arthur Andersen.

Transamerica's Chief Investment Officer is Gary U. Rolle. Mr. Rolle, also a Principal and Managing Director, has been with Transamerica since 1967.

RS Investments is an independent, privately held money management firm that specializes in domestic small and mid-cap stocks. As of June 30, 2005, the firm managed over $8.43 billion in no-load mutual funds, institutional accounts, and alternative investments. The principal office of RS Investments is at 388 Market Street, Suite 1700, San Francisco, CA 94111.

Bill Wolfenden , a Principal of RS Investments and lead portfolio manager of their small-cap growth accounts, has managed the RS Investments segment of the Fund since October 2003. Prior to joining RS in April 2001, he was at Dresdner RCM Global Investors since 1994, where he served on the micro-cap and small-cap growth investment management teams. He holds a B.A. in economics from Southern Methodist University and an M.B.A. with a dual concentration in finance and accounting from Vanderbilt University.

Small Cap Value Fund

EARNEST Partners, LLC (EARNEST Partners), NFJ Investment Group (NFJ), Lee Munder Investments Ltd. (Lee Munder) , J.P. Morgan and  Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P. ("Vaughan Nelson") are the subadvisers for the Small Cap Value Fund.

43



How the Trust is Managed

NFJ Investment Group , formed in 1989, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz Global Investors of America L.P. As of July 31, 2005, the firm had over $15 billion of worldwide assets under management and advice. NFJ, a disciplined, value-oriented equity manager, is located at 2100 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201.

The NFJ segment of the Fund has been managed since September 2005 by Ben Fischer, CFA , Managing Director, who is a founding partner of NFJ Investment Group. He has over 38 years of experience in portfolio management, investment analysis and research. Prior to founding NFJ in 1989, he was chief investment officer (institutional and fixed income), senior vice president and senior portfolio manager at NationsBank which he joined in 1971. Mr. Fischer received his BA degree in Economics and a JD degree from Oklahoma University, and an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business.

Cliff Hoover, CFA , Managing Director, is a portfolio manager at NFJ with responsibilities for the Fund since October 2003. He has 19 years of investment experience in corporate banking, investment analysis, and research. Prior to joining NFJ in 1997, he was a vice president at Credit Lyonnais. Mr. Hoover received his BBA and MS-Finance from Texas Tech University.

Paul Magnuson , Managing Director, is the senior research analyst and a portfolio manager at NFJ, and has been part of the team on the Fund since 2003. He has 20 years of investment experience in equity analysis and portfolio management. Prior to joining NFJ in 1992, he was an assistant vice president at NationsBank, which he joined in 1985. Mr. Magnuson received his BBA from the University of Nebraska.

EARNEST Partners is a wholly owned subsidiary of EARNEST Holdings, LLC, an employee-owned company in which Paul E. Viera, Jr. (whose background is described below) holds a controlling interest. Founded in 1998, EARNEST Partners had $14.3 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2005. The address of EARNEST Partners is 75 14th St., Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Paul E. Viera, Jr. , Chief Executive Officer and Partner of EARNEST Partners, has managed the EARNEST Partners portion of the Small Cap Value Fund since December 2001. A founding member of EARNEST Partners, he previously served as a Global Partner of, and portfolio manager with, INVESCO Capital Management from 1991 to 1998.

Lee Munder,  200 Clarendon Street, Boston MA 02116, was founded in 2000 and is 77% owned by its employees with the remainder of the firm owned by Castanea Partners. As of July 31, 2005 Lee Munder managed approximately $2.61 billion in assets.

44



R. Todd Vingers serves as the portfolio manager for the portion of the Fund managed by Lee Munder. Mr. Vingers joined Lee Munder in June 2002 as a small cap value portfolio manager, and has managed the Lee Munder portion of the Fund since July 2005. Mr. Vingers has over 15 years of investment experience and most recently served as vice president and senior portfolio manager for American Century Investments. Prior to joining American Century Investments, Mr. Vingers was a valuation analyst for the Hawthorne Company. Mr. Vingers earned a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Mr. Vingers is a member of the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts and the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR).

JP Morgan is described above under "Large Cap Value Fund".

Christopher T. Blum, CFA and Dennis S. Ruhl, CFA are the portfolio managers for the portion of the Fund managed by J.P. Morgan, and have managed it since July 2005. Mr. Blum, a managing director, is a portfolio manager in the U.S. Small Cap Equity Group. He rejoined the firm in 2001 and is currently responsible for managing structured small cap core and small cap value accounts. Previously, Mr. Blum spent two years as a research analyst responsible for the valuation and acquisition of private equity assets at Pomona Capital. Prior to that, he spent over three years in the U.S. Structured Equity Group at J.P. Morgan where he focused on structured small cap core and small cap value accounts. Mr. Ruhl, a vice president, is a portfolio manager in the U.S. Small Cap Equity Group. An employee since 1999, his current responsibility includes managing structured small cap core and value accounts. Previously, he worked on quantitative equity research (focusing on trading) as well as business development.

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P. (Vaughan Nelson)* , is a Houston-based investment counseling firm, founded in 1970. Vaughan Nelson is a wholly owned subsidiary of IXIS Asset Management North America, L.P. and operates independently with its own proprietary research process and investment team. As of July 31, 2005, Vaughan Nelson had over $4.3 billion in assets under management. The address of Vaughan Nelson is 600 Travis Street, Suite 6300, Houston, Texas 77002.

Vaughan Nelson's small cap value team consists of three members: Chris Wallis, the lead portfolio manager, Mark Roach and Scott Weber.

Chris D. Wallis, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has 13 years investment management, financial analysis and accounting experience. Prior to joining Vaughan Nelson in 1999, Mr. Wallis was an Associate at Simmons & Company International. He graduated with a B.B.A. from Baylor University and M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Mark J. Roach, Portfolio Manager, has 13 years investment management and research experience. Prior to joining Vaughan Nelson in 2002, Mr. Roach was a Security Analyst with USAA. He graduated with a B.A. from Baldwin Wallace College and M.B.A. from the University of Chicago-Graduate School of Business.

45



How the Trust is Managed

Scott J. Weber, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has 8 years of investment management and financial analysis experience. Prior to joining Vaughan Nelson in 2003, Mr. Weber was a Vice President - Investment Banking with RBC Capital Markets. He graduated with a B.S. from the University of the South and M.B.A. from Tulane University - A.B. Freeman School of Business.

*  Vaughan Nelson is not expected to assume responsibility for managing Fund assets until the 4th quarter of 2005.

Total Return Bond Fund

Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO) is the subadviser to the Total Return Bond Fund.

Pacific Investment Management Company LLC ("PIMCO"), a Delaware limited liability company, is a majority-owned subsidiary of Allianz Global Investors of America L.P., (AGI LP"). Allianz Aktiengesellschaft ("Allianz AG") is the indirect majority owner of AGI LP. Allianz AG is a European-based, multinational insurance and financial services holding company. Pacific Life Insurance Company holds an indirect minority interest in AGI LP. PIMCO has specialized in fixed income investing since the firm was established in 1971. As of July 31, 2005, PIMCO had approximately $499 billion of assets under management. The address of PIMCO is 840 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

William H. Gross, CFA, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, and Chief Investment Officer, was a founding partner of PIMCO in 1971. Mr. Gross heads PIMCO's investment committee, which is responsible for the development of major investment themes and which sets targets for various portfolio characteristics in accounts managed by PIMCO, including the Fund. Mr. Gross has been responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund since August 2005. Mr. Gross has thirty-six years of investment experience and has a bachelor's degree from Duke University and an MBA from the UCLA Graduate School of Business.

DISTRIBUTOR

Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS or the Distributor) distributes the Trust's shares under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust. The Trust has Distribution and Service Plans under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act). Under the Plans and the Distribution Agreement, PIMS pays the expenses of distributing each Fund's Class A, B and C shares and, for the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds, the Class L, M and X shares. PIMS also provides certain shareholder support services. Each Fund pays distribution and other fees to PIMS as compensation for its services for each class of shares. These fees - known as 12b-1 fees - are shown in the "Fees and Expenses" tables.

46



DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

A description of the Trust's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund's portfolio securities is described in the Funds' SAI and on the Trust's website at www.strategicpartners.com. The Trust will provide a full list of each Fund's portfolio holdings as of the end of each month on its website within approximately 60 days after the end of the fiscal quarter. In addition, a Fund may release its top ten holdings, sector and country breakdowns, and largest industries on a monthly basis. Such information will be posted to the Trust's website no earlier than 15 days after the end of each month and will be available on the Trust's website for at least six months from the posting date. These postings can be located at www.strategicpartners.com.

Investors who buy shares of the Trust should be aware of some important tax issues. For example, each Fund distributes dividends of ordinary income and any realized net capital gains to shareholders. These distributions are subject to taxes, unless you hold your shares in a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or some other qualified tax-deferred plan or account. Dividends and distributions from the Funds also may be subject to state and local income taxes.

Also, if you sell shares of a Fund for a profit, you may have to pay capital gains taxes on the amount of your profit, again unless your shares are held in a qualified tax deferred plan or account.

47



Fund Distributions and Tax Issues

The following briefly discusses some of the important federal income tax issues you should be aware of, but is not meant to be tax advice. For tax advice, please speak with your tax adviser.

DISTRIBUTIONS

Each Fund distributes dividends of any net investment income to shareholders on a regular basis as shown below.

Fund   Dividends  
Total Return Bond Fund   Declared daily,
paid monthly
 
Large Cap Value, Small Cap Growth and
Small Cap Value Funds
  Declared and
paid annually
 

 

For example, if a Fund owns ACME Corp. stock and the stock pays a dividend, the Fund will pay out a portion of this dividend to its shareholders, assuming the Fund's income is more than its costs and expenses. The dividends you receive from each Fund will be taxed as ordinary income, whether or not they are reinvested in the Fund. A portion of dividends paid to individuals and other non-corporate shareholders of the Fund may be eligible for the maximum 15% tax rate applicable for long-term capital gain. Such rate generally would not apply to dividends received from the Total Return Bond Fund. To the extent a Fund's income is derived from certain dividends received from U.S. corporations, a portion of the dividends paid to corporate shareholders of the Fund will be eligible for the 70% dividends received deduction. The Total Return Bond Fund does not expect to receive such dividends.

For Funds that invest in foreign securities, the amount of income available for distribution to shareholders will be affected by any foreign currency gains or losses generated by the Fund and cannot be predicted. This fact, coupled with the different tax and accounting treatment of certain currency gains and losses, increases the possibility that distributions, in whole or in part, may be a return of capital to shareholders.

Each Fund also distributes realized net capital gains to shareholders - typically once a year. Capital gains are generated when a Fund sells its assets for a profit. For example, if a Fund bought 100 shares of ACME Corp. stock for a total of $1,000 and more than one year later sold the shares for a total of $1,500, the Fund has net long-term capital gains of $500, which it will pass on to shareholders (assuming the Fund's total gains are greater than any losses it may have). Capital gains are taxed differently depending on how long the Fund holds the security - if a security is held more than one year before it is sold, any gain on the sale of such security will be  long-term capital gain and will be taxed at rates of up to 15%, but if the security is held one year or less, any gain on the sale of such security will be  short-term capital gain and will be taxed at ordinary income rates of up to 35%. Different rates apply to corporate shareholders.

48



For your convenience, a Fund's distributions of dividends and capital gains are automatically reinvested in the Fund without any sales charge. If you ask us to pay the distributions in cash, we will send you a check if your account is with the Transfer Agent. Otherwise, if your account is with a broker, you will receive a credit to your account. Either way, the distributions may be subject to income taxes, unless your shares are held in a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account. For more information about automatic reinvestment and other shareholder services, see "Step 4: Additional Shareholder Services" in the next section.

TAX ISSUES
Form 1099

Every year, you will receive a Form 1099, which reports the amount of dividends and capital gains we distributed to you during the prior year unless you own shares of the Fund as part of a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account. If you do own shares of a Fund as part of a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account, your taxes are deferred, so you will not receive a Form 1099. However, you will receive a Form 1099 when you take any distributions from your qualified or tax-deferred plan or account.

Fund distributions are generally taxable to you in the calendar year in which they are received, except when we declare certain dividends in the fourth quarter and actually pay them in January of the following year. In such cases, the dividends are treated as if they were paid on December 31 of the prior year.

Withholding Taxes

If federal tax law requires you to provide the Fund with your taxpayer identification number and certifications as to your tax status, and you fail to do this, or if you are otherwise subject to backup withholding, we will withhold and pay to the U.S. Treasury a portion (currently 28%) of your distributions and sale proceeds. Dividends of net investment income and net short-term capital gains paid to a nonresident foreign shareholder generally will be subject to a U.S. withholding tax of 30%. This rate may be lower, depending on any tax treaty the U.S. may have with the shareholder's country.

If You Purchase Just Before Record Date

If you buy shares of a Fund just before the record date for a distribution (the date that determines who receives the distribution), we will pay that distribution to you. As explained above, the distribution may be subject to ordinary income or capital gains taxes. You may think you've done well since you bought shares one day and soon thereafter received a distribution. That is not so, because when dividends are paid out, the value of each share of the Fund decreases by the amount of the dividend to reflect the payout, although this may not be apparent because the value of each share of the Fund also will be affected by the market changes, if any. The distribution you receive makes up for the decrease in share value. However, the timing of your purchase does mean that part of your investment came back to you as taxable income.

Qualified and Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans

Retirement plans and accounts allow you to defer paying federal income taxes on investment income and capital gains. Contributions to these plans may also be tax

49



Fund Distributions and Tax Issues

deductible, although distributions from these plans generally are taxable. In the case of Roth IRAs, contributions are not tax deductible, but distributions from the plan may be tax-free for federal income tax purposes.

IF YOU SELL OR EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES

If you sell any shares of a Fund for a profit, you will have realized a capital gain , which is subject to tax, unless you hold shares in a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account. The amount of tax you pay depends on how long you owned your shares and when you bought them. If you sell shares of a Fund for a loss, you may have a capital loss, which you may use to offset certain capital gains you have.

If you sell shares and realize a loss, you will not be permitted to use the loss to the extent you replace the shares (including pursuant to the reinvestment of a dividend) within a 61-day period (beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the sale of the shares). If you acquire shares of a Fund and sell your shares within 90 days, you may not be allowed to include certain charges incurred in acquiring the shares for purposes of calculating gain or loss realized upon the sale of the shares.

Exchanging your shares of a Fund for the shares of a JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual fund is considered a sale for federal income tax purposes. In other words, it's a taxable event . Therefore, if the shares you exchanged have increased in value since you purchased them, you will have capital gains, which are subject to the federal income taxes described above.

Any gain or loss you may have from selling or exchanging Fund shares will not be reported on the Form 1099; however, proceeds from the sale or exchange will be reported on Form 1099-B. Therefore, unless you hold your shares in a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account, you or your financial adviser should keep track of the dates on which you buy and sell - or exchange - Fund shares, as well as the amount of any gain or loss on each transaction. For tax advice, please see your tax adviser.

Automatic Conversion of Class B, Class M and Class X Shares

You will not have a federal tax gain or loss when Class B, Class M and Class X shares of a Fund automatically convert into Class A shares - which happens automatically approximately seven, eight or ten (eight years if purchased prior to August 19, 1998) years, respectively, after purchase - because it does not involve an actual sale of your Class B, Class M and Class X shares. For more information about the automatic conversion of Class B, Class M and Class X shares, see "Class B, Class M and Class X Shares Convert to Class A Shares" in the next section. [We have obtained a legal opinion that the conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares - which happens automatically approximately seven years after purchase - is not a "taxable event" for federal income tax purposes.]

50



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Funds

HOW TO BUY SHARES
Step 1: Open an Account

If you don't have an account with us or a securities firm that is permitted to buy or sell shares of the Funds for you, call Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (PMFS) at (800) 225-1852 or contact:

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC
Attn: Investment Services
P.O. Box 8179
Philadelphia, PA 19176

You may purchase shares by check or wire. We do not accept cash or money orders. To purchase by wire, call the number above to obtain an application. After PMFS receives your completed application, you will receive an account number. We have the right to reject any purchase order (including an exchange into a Fund) or suspend or modify a Fund's sale of its shares.

With certain limited exceptions, shares of the Funds are only available to be sold in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Step 2: Choose a Share Class

Individual investors can choose among Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Funds. Class L, Class M and Class X shares offered by the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds are not offered to new purchasers and are available only through exchanges from the same class of shares of certain other Strategic Partners and Jennison Dryden funds. There are no sales charges on exchanges.

Multiple share classes let you choose a cost structure that meets your needs:

n   Class A shares purchased in amounts of less than $1 million require you to pay a sales charge at the time of purchase, but the operating expenses of Class A shares are lower than the operating expenses of Class B and Class C shares. Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are also subject to a CDSC of 1%.

n   Class B shares do not require you to pay a sales charge at the time of purchase, but do require you to pay a sales charge if you sell your shares within six years (that is why it is called a CDSC). The operating expenses of Class B shares are higher than the operating expenses of Class A shares.

n   Class C shares do not require you to pay a sales charge at the time of purchase, but do require you to pay a sales charge if you sell your shares within 12 months of purchase. The operating expenses of Class C shares are higher than the operating expenses of Class A shares.

51



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Funds

When choosing a share class, you should consider the following factors:

n   The amount of your investment and any previous or planned future investments, which may qualify you for reduced sales charges for Class A shares under Rights of Accumulation or a Letter of Intent.

n   The length of time you expect to hold the shares and the impact of varying distribution fees. Over time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. For this reason, Class C shares may not be appropriate for investors who plan to hold their shares for more than 4 years.

n   The different sales charges that apply to each share class - Class A's front-end sales charge vs. Class B's CDSC vs. Class C's low CDSC.

n   The fact that Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares approximately seven years after purchase.

n   Class B shares purchased in amounts greater than $100,000 for equity funds, $100,000 for taxable fixed income funds, and $250,000 for municipal bond funds are generally less advantageous than purchasing Class A shares. Purchase orders for Class B shares exceeding these amounts generally will not be accepted.

n   Class C shares purchased in amounts greater than $1 million are generally less advantageous than purchasing Class A shares. Purchase orders for Class C shares above these amounts generally will not be accepted.

n   The fact that Class A, Class B and Class C shares are available for direct purchase in all Funds, but Class L, Class M and Class X shares of the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds are available only through exchange.

See "How to Sell Your Shares" for a description of the impact of CDSCs.

Some investors purchase or sell shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries and broker-dealers who maintain omnibus accounts that aggregate the orders of multiple investors and forward the aggregate orders to the Fund. Although the Fund is unable to monitor or enforce the above limitations for underlying shareholders submitting orders through omnibus accounts, the Fund has advised the financial intermediaries and broker-dealers who maintain such accounts of these limitations. You should consult your financial intermediary or broker for assistance in choosing a share class.

52



Share Class Comparison. Use this chart to help you compare the Funds' different share classes. The discussion following this chart will tell you whether you are entitled to a reduction or waiver of any sales charges.

   
All Funds
  Small Cap Value and
Total Return Bond Funds only
 
    Class A   Class B   Class C   Class L   Class M   Class X  
Minimum purchase
amount 1
  $ 1,000     $ 1,000         $ 2,500     N/A 2   N/A 2       N/A 2      
Minimum amount for
subsequent purchases 1
  $ 100     $ 100         $ 100     $ 100     $ 100         $ 100        
Maximum initial sales
charge
    5.50 % of
the public
offering
price (4.50%
for Total
Return
Bond Fund)
    None         None     N/A 2   N/A 2       N/A 2      
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge (CDSC) 3
    1 % 4   If Sold
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Years 5/6
Year 7
  During:
5 %
4 %
3 %
2 %
1 %
0 %
    1 % on
sales made
within
12 months
of purchase 5
      1 % 6   If Sold
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5/6
Year 7
Year 8
  During:
6 %
5 %
4 %
3 %
2 %
1 %
0 %
  If Sold
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3/4
Year 5
Year 6/7
Year 8
Year 9/10
  During: 7
6 %
5 %
4 %
3 %
2 %
1 %
0 %
 
Annual distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
shown as a percentage
of average net assets 8
    .30 of 1%
(.25 of 1%
currently)
    1 %         1 %   .50 of 1%   1 %
Total Return
Bond Fund
currently)
    (.75 % of 1%   1 %
Total Return
Bond Fund
currently)
    (.75 % of 1%  

 

1  The minimum investment requirements do not apply to certain custodial accounts for minors. The minimum initial and subsequent investment for purchases made through the Automatic Investment Plan is $50. For more information, see "Additional Shareholder Services - Automatic Investment Plan."

2  Class L, Class M and Class X shares are available in the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds only, and are closed to new initial purchases. Class L, Class M and Class X shares are only available through exchanges from the same class of shares of certain other Strategic Partners and JennisonDryden funds.

3  For more information about the CDSC and how it is calculated, see "How to Sell Your Shares - Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC)."

4  Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1%. (The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential).

5  For Class C shares purchased before February 2, 2004, the Class C CDSC applies for shares redeemed within 18 months of purchase.

6  Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class L shares of other Strategic Partners funds and subsequently exchange them for Class L shares of the Small Cap Value or Total Return Bond Funds, and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC.

7  In the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998, the CDSC imposed will be 6% during the first year after purchase, 5% during the second year, 4% during the third year, 3% during the fourth year, 2% during the fifth and sixth years, 1% during the seventh year, and none thereafter.

8  These distribution and service (12b-1) fees are paid from each Fund's assets on a continuous basis. The service fee for Class A, Class B and Class C shares is .25 of 1%. The distribution fee for Class A shares is .30 of 1% (including the .25 of 1% service fee). Class B and Class C shares pay a distribution fee (in addition to the service fee) of .75 of 1%. With respect to Class L, Class M and Class X shares, the service fee is up to .25 of 1% of the Fund's Class L, Class M and Class X shares, respectively. The distribution fee for Class L shares is up to .50 of 1% (including the .25 of 1% service fee), and for Class M and Class X shares, is up to 1% (including the .25 of 1% service fee). For the period ending July 31, 2006, the Distributor has contractually agreed to reduce its distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A shares of each Fund to .25 of 1% of the relevant Fund's Class A shares' average daily net assets. For the period ending July 31, 2006 the Distributor has contractually agreed to reduce its 12b-1 fees for Class B and Class C shares of the Total Return Bond Fund to an annual rate of .75 of 1% of the Fund's Class B and Class C shares' respective average daily net assets.

53



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Funds

Reducing or Waiving Class A's Initial Sales Charge

The following describes the different ways investors can reduce or avoid paying Class A's initial sales charge.

Increase the Amount of Your Investment. You can reduce Class A's sales charge by increasing the amount of your investment. This table show you how the sales charge decreases as the amount of your investment increases.

Large Cap Value Fund

Small Cap Growth Fund

Small Cap Value Fund

Amount of Purchase   Sales Charge as % of
Offering Price
  Sales Charge as % of
Amount Invested
  Dealer
Reallowance
 
Less than $25,000     5.50 %     5.82 %     5.00 %  
$ 25,000 to $49,999     5.00       5.26       4.50    
$ 50,000 to $99,999     4.50       4.71       4.00    
$100,000 to $249,999     3.75       3.90       3.25    
$250,000 to $499,999     2.75       2.83       2.50    
$500,000 to $999,999     2.00       2.04       1.75    
$1 million to $4,999,999*     None       None       1.00 **  

 

*  If you invest $1 million or more, you can buy only Class A shares. If you purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase, you will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential)

**  For investments of $5 million to $9,999,999, the dealer allowance is 0.50%. For investments of $10 million and over, the dealer allowance is 0.25%.

Total Return Bond Fund

Amount of Purchase   Sales Charge as % of
Offering Price
  Sales Charge as % of
Amount Invested
  Dealer
Reallowance
 
Less than $50,000     4.50 %     4.71 %     4.00 %  
$ 50,000 to $99,999     4.00 %     4.17 %     3.50 %  
$100,000 to $249,999     3.50 %     3.63 %     3.00 %  
$250,000 to $499,999     2.50 %     2.56 %     2.00 %  
$500,000 to $999,999     2.00 %     2.04 %     1.75 %  
$1 million and above *     None       None       None    

 

*  If you invest $1 million or more, you can buy only Class A shares. If you purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase, you will be subject to a 1% CDSC. The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential)

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To satisfy the purchase amounts above, you can:

n   Use your Rights of Accumulation , which allow you or an eligible group of related investors to combine (1) the current value of JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual fund shares you or the group already own (2) the value of money market shares you or an eligible group of related investors have received for shares of other JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds in an exchange transaction and (3) the value of the shares you or an eligible group of related investors are purchasing, or

n   Sign a Letter of Intent , stating in writing that you or an eligible group of related investors will purchase a certain amount of shares in the Fund and other JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds within 13 months, or

n   Use your Combined Purchase and Cumulative Purchase Privilege , which allows you and an eligible group of related investors to combine the value of Class A shares of this Fund with the value of Class A shares of other JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds that you or the group are purchasing at the same time.

An eligible group of related investors includes any combination of the following:

n   an individual

n   the individual's spouse, their children and parents

n   the individual's and spouse's Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

n   any company controlled by the individual (a person, entity or group that holds 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a company will be deemed to control the company, and a partnership will be deemed to be controlled by each of its general partners), with the exception of employee benefit plans of a company controlled by the individual

n   a trust created by the individual, the beneficiaries of which are the individual, his or her spouse, parents or children

n   a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act/ Uniform Transfers to Minors Act account created by the individual or the individual's spouse

The value of shares held by you or an eligible group of related investors will be determined as follows:

n   for Class A shares, the value of existing shares is determined by the maximum offering price (NAV plus maximum sales charge) as of the previous business day.

n   for Class B shares and Class C shares, the value of existing shares is determined by the NAV as of the previous business day.

If your shares are held directly by the Transfer Agent, and you believe you qualify for a reduction or waiver of Class A's initial sales charge, you must notify the Transfer Agent at the time of the qualifying share purchase in order to receive the applicable reduction or waiver. If your shares are held through a broker or other financial intermediary, and you believe you qualify for a reduction or waiver of Class A's initial sales charge, you must notify your broker or intermediary at the time of the qualifying purchase in order to receive the applicable reduction or waiver. Shares held through a broker or other financial intermediary will not be systematically aggregated with shares held directly

55



How to Buy, Sell and
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by the Transfer Agent for purposes of receiving a reduction or waiver of Class A's initial sales charge. The reduced or waived sales charge will be granted subject to confirmation of account holdings.

If your shares are held directly by the Transfer Agent, you must identify the eligible group of related investors. Although the Transfer Agent does not require any specific form of documentation in order to establish your eligibility to receive a waiver or reduction of Class A's initial sales charge, you may be required to provide appropriate documentation if the Transfer Agent is unable to establish your eligibility.

If your shares are held through a broker or other intermediary, the broker or intermediary is responsible for determining the specific documentation, if any, that you may need in order to establish your eligibility to receive a waiver or reduction of Class A's initial sales charge. Your broker or intermediary is also responsible for notifying the Transfer Agent if your share purchase qualifies for a reduction or waiver of Class A's initial sales charge.

Purchases of $1 million or more. If you purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares, you will not be subject to an initial sales charge, although a CDSC may apply, as previously noted.

Benefit Plans. Certain group retirement and savings plans may purchase Class A shares without paying the initial sales charge if they meet the required minimum for amount of assets, average account balance or number of eligible employees. For more information about these requirements, call us at (800) 353-2847.

Mutual Fund Programs. The initial sales charge will be waived for investors in certain programs sponsored by broker-dealers, investment advisers and financial planners who have agreements with the Distributor relating to:

n   Mutual fund "wrap" or asset allocation programs; where the sponsor places fund trades, links its clients' accounts to a master account in the sponsor's name and charges its clients a management, consulting or other fee for its services, or

n   Mutual fund "supermarket" programs; where the sponsor links its clients' accounts to a master account in the sponsor's name and the sponsor charges a fee for its services.

Broker-dealers, investment advisers or financial planners sponsoring these mutual fund programs may offer their clients more than one class of shares in the Fund in connection with different pricing options for their programs. Investors should consider

56



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.

Other Types of Investors. Certain other types of investors may purchase Class A shares without paying the initial sales charge, including:

n   certain directors, officers, employees (and certain members of their families) of Prudential and its affiliates, the JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds, and the investment advisers of the JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds

n   persons who have retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries

n   certain real estate brokers, agents and employees of real estate brokerage companies affiliated with the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates

n   registered representatives and employees of brokers that have entered into dealer agreements with the Distributor

n   investors in Individual Retirement Accounts, provided that (a) the purchase is made either from a directed rollover to such Individual Retirement Account or with the proceeds of a tax-free rollover of assets from a Benefit Plan for which Prudential Retirement (the institutional Benefit Plan recordkeeping entity of Prudential) provides administrative or recordkeeping services, in each case provided that such purchase is made within 60 days of receipt of the Benefit Plan distribution, or (b) recordkeeping for the Individual Retirement Account is performed by Prudential Retirement as part of its "Rollover IRA" program (regardless of whether or not the assets of the Individual Retirement Account consist of proceeds of a tax-free rollover of assets from a Benefit Plan described in (a) above).

To qualify for a waiver of the Class A sales charge at the time of purchase, you must notify the Transfer Agent or the Distributor must be notified by the broker facilitating the purchase that the transaction qualifies for a waiver of the Class A sales charge. The waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of your account holdings.

Additional Information About Reducing or Waiving Class A's Sales Charge.  The Fund makes available free of charge, on the Fund's website at www.strategicpartners.com, in a clear and prominent format, information relating to the Fund's Class A initial sales charge, and the different ways that investors can reduce or avoid paying the initial sales charge. The Fund's website includes hyperlinks that facilitate access to this information.

You may need to provide your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary through which you hold Fund shares with the information necessary to take full advantage of reduced or waived Class A sales charges.

The Distributor may reallow Class A's sales charge to dealers.

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How to Buy, Sell and
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Mutual Fund Shares

The NAV of mutual fund shares changes every day because the value of a fund's portfolio changes constantly. For example, if Fund XYZ holds ACME Corp. stock in its portfolio and the price of ACME stock goes up while the value of the fund's other holdings remains the same and expenses don't change, the NAV of Fund XYZ will increase.

Class B, Class M and Class X Shares Convert to Class A Shares

If you buy Class B shares and hold them for approximately seven years, or if you buy Class M or Class X shares of the Small Cap Value or Total Return Bond Fund and hold them for approximately eight years or ten years (eight years in the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998) respectively, we will automatically convert them into Class A shares without charge. At that time, we will also convert any Class B shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and other distributions. Since the distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A shares are lower than for Class B, Class M and Class X shares, converting to Class A shares lowers your Fund expenses.

Class B, Class M and Class X shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions will be converted to Class A shares according to the procedures utilized by the broker-dealer through which the Class B, Class M and Class X shares were purchased, to the extent the shares are carried on the books of the broker-dealer and the broker-dealer provides subaccounting services to the Fund. Otherwise, the procedures utilized by Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, or its affiliates, will be used. The use of different procedures may result in a timing differential in the conversion of Class B, Class M and Class X shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

When we do the conversion, you will get fewer Class A shares than the number of converted Class B, Class M or Class X shares if the price of the Class A shares is higher than the price of the Class B, Class M or Class X shares. The total dollar value will be the same, so you will not have lost any money by getting fewer Class A shares. We do the conversions quarterly, not on the anniversary date of your purchase. For more information, see the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Conversion Feature - Class B, Class M and Class X Shares."

Step 3: Understanding the Price You'll Pay

The price you pay for each share of a Fund is based on the share value. The share value of a mutual fund - known as the net asset value or NAV  - is determined by a simple calculation: it's the total value of a Fund (assets minus liabilities) divided by the total number of shares outstanding. For example, if the value of the investments held by Fund XYZ (minus its liabilities) is $1,000 and there are 100 shares of Fund XYZ owned by shareholders, the price of one share of the fund - or the NAV - is $10 ($1,000 divided by 100). Each Fund's portfolio securities are valued based upon market quotations or, if not readily available, at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by the Board. With respect to any portion of a Fund's assets that are

58



invested in one or more open-end investment companies, the Fund's net asset value will be calculated based upon the net asset value per share of the investment company in which the Fund invests.

A Fund may also use fair value pricing if it determines that a market quotation is not reliably based, among other things, on events or market conditions that occur after the quotation is derived or after the closing of the primary market on which the security is traded, but before the time that the Fund's NAV is determined. This use of fair value pricing most commonly occurs with securities that are primarily traded outside the U.S. because such securities present time-zone arbitrage opportunities when events or conditions affecting the prices of specific securities or the prices of securities traded in such markets generally occur after the close of the foreign markets but prior to the time the Fund determines its NAV. The Fund may also use fair value pricing with respect to U.S.-traded securities if, for example, trading in a particular security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV or the exchange on which a security is traded closes early. In addition, fair value pricing is used for securities where the pricing agent or principal market maker does not provide a valuation or methodology or provides a valuation or methodology that, in the judgment of the Manager (or Subadviser) does not represent fair value. Different valuation methods may result in differing values for the same security. The fair value of a portfolio security that a Fund uses to determine its NAV may differ from the security's quoted or published price. If the Fund needs to implement fair value pricing after the NAV publishing deadline but before shares of the Fund are processed, the NAV you receive or pay may differ from the published NAV price. For purposes of computing the Fund's NAV, we will value the Fund's futures contracts 15 minutes after the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Except when we fair value securities, we normally value each foreign security held by the Fund as of the close of the security's primary market. Fair value pricing procedures are designed to result in prices for the Fund's securities and its net asset value that are reasonable in light of the circumstances which make or have made market quotations unavailable or unreliable, and may have the effect of reducing arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders. There is no assurance, however, that fair value pricing will more accurately reflect the market value of a security than the market price of such security on that day or that it will prevent dilution of the Fund's NAV by short-term traders.

We determine each Fund's NAV once each business day at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time. The NYSE is closed on most national holidays and Good Friday. We do not price, and you will not be able to purchase or redeem, a Fund's shares on days when the NYSE is closed but the primary markets for the Fund's foreign securities are open, even though the value of these securities may have changed. Conversely, a Fund will ordinarily price its shares, and you may purchase and redeem shares, on days that the NYSE is open but foreign securities markets are closed. We may not determine a Fund's NAV on days when we have not received any orders to purchase, sell or exchange Fund shares, or when changes in

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How to Buy, Sell and
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the value of the Fund's portfolio do not materially affect its NAV. Most national newspapers report the NAVs of most mutual funds, which allows investors to check the prices of mutual funds daily.

What Price Will You Pay For Shares of the Fund?

For Class A shares, you'll pay the public offering price, which is the NAV next determined after we receive your order to purchase, plus an initial sales charge (unless you're entitled to a waiver). For Class B and Class C shares, you will pay the NAV next determined after we receive your order to purchase (remember, there are no up-front sales charges for these share classes). Your broker may charge you a separate or additional fee for purchases of shares. Class L, Class M and Class X shares of the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds are closed to new purchases and are only available through exchange.

Unless regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m., your order to purchase must be received by 4:00 p.m. New York time in order to receive that day's NAV. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m. New York time, you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to purchase is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE.

Step 4: Additional Shareholder Services

As a Fund shareholder, you can take advantage of the following services and privileges:

Automatic Reinvestment. As we explained in the "Fund Distributions and Tax Issues" section, each Fund pays out - or distributes - its net investment income and capital gains to all shareholders. For your convenience, we will automatically reinvest your distributions in the applicable Fund at NAV without any sales charge. If you want your distributions paid in cash, you can indicate this preference on your application, notify your broker or notify the Transfer Agent in writing (at the address below) at least five business days before the date we determine who receives dividends.

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC
Attn: Account Maintenance
P.O. Box 8159
Philadelphia, PA 19176

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Automatic Investment Plan. You can make regular purchases of a Fund for as little as $50 by having the funds automatically withdrawn from your bank or brokerage account at specified intervals.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan. A Systematic Withdrawal Plan is available that will provide you with monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual redemption checks. Remember, the sale of Class A or Class L shares (in certain cases) and Class B, Class C, Class M and Class X shares, may be subject to a CDSC. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan is not available to participants in certain retirement plans. Please contact PMFS at (800) 225-1852 for more details.

Reports to Shareholders. Every year we will send you an annual report (along with an updated prospectus) and a semi-annual report, which contain important financial information about each Fund. To reduce Fund expenses, we may send one annual shareholder report, one semi-annual shareholder report and one annual prospectus per household, unless you instruct us or your broker otherwise. If each Fund shareholder in your household would like to receive a copy of the Fund's prospectus, shareholder report and proxy statement, please call us toll free at (800) 225-1852. We will begin sending additional copies of these documents within 30 days of receipt of your request.

HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES

You can sell your shares of a Fund for cash (in the form of a check) at any time, subject to certain restrictions.

When you sell shares of a Fund - also known as redeeming your shares - the price you will receive will be the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or your broker receives your order to sell (less any applicable CDSC). If your broker holds your shares, your broker must receive your order to sell by 4:00 p.m. New York time to process the sale on that day. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m. New York time, you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to sell is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Otherwise contact:

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC
Attn: Redemption Services
P.O. Box 8149
Philadelphia, PA 19176

Generally, we will pay you for the shares that you sell within seven days after the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or your broker receives your sell order. If you hold shares through a broker, payment will be credited to your account. If you are selling shares you recently purchased with a check, we may delay sending you the proceeds until your check clears, which can take up to 10 days from the purchase date. You can avoid delay if you purchase shares by wire, certified check or cashier's check. Your broker may charge you a separate or additional fee for sales of shares.

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How to Buy, Sell and
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Restrictions on Sales

There are certain times when you may not be able to sell shares of a Fund, or when we may delay paying you the proceeds from a sale. As permitted by the Commission, this may happen only during unusual market conditions or emergencies when a Fund can't determine the value of its assets or sell its holdings. For more information, see the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Sale of Shares."

If you hold your shares directly with the Transfer Agent, you will need to have the signature on your sell order guaranteed by an "eligible financial institution" if:

n   you are selling more than $100,000 of shares,

n   you want the redemption proceeds made payable to someone that is not in our records,

n   you want the redemption proceeds sent to some place that is not in our records, or

n   you are a business or a trust.

An "eligible financial institution" includes any bank, broker-dealer, savings association or credit union. For more information, see the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Sale of Shares - Signature Guarantee."

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC)

If you sell Class B shares within six years of purchase, Class C shares within 12 months of purchase (within 18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004), Class M shares within seven years of purchase or Class X shares within eight years of purchase (seven years in the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998), you will have to pay a CDSC. In addition, investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. (The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential). To keep the CDSC as low as possible, we will sell amounts representing shares in the following order:

n   Amounts representing shares you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions,

n   Amounts representing the increase in NAV above the total amount of payments for shares made during the past 12 months for Class A and Class L shares (in certain cases), six years for Class B shares, 12 months for Class C shares (18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004), seven years for Class M shares and eight years for Class X shares (seven years in the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998), and

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n   Amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the CDSC period (12 months for Class A and Class L shares (in certain cases), six years for Class B shares, 12 months for Class C shares (18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004), seven years for Class M shares and eight years for Class X shares (seven years in the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998)).

Since shares that fall into any of the categories listed above are not subject to the CDSC, selling them first helps you to avoid - or at least minimize - the CDSC.

Having sold the exempt shares first, if there are any remaining shares that are subject to the CDSC, we will apply the CDSC to amounts representing the cost of shares held for the longest period of time within the applicable CDSC period.

As we noted before in the "Share Class Comparison" chart, the CDSC for Class B shares is 5% in the first year, 4% in the second, 3% in the third, 2% in the fourth and 1% in the fifth and sixth years; the CDSC for Class M shares is 6% in the first year, 5% in the second, 4% in the third, 3% in the fourth, 2% in the fifth and sixth years, and 1% in the seventh year; the CDSC for Class X shares is 6% in the first year, 5% in the second, 4% in the third and fourth years, 3% in the fifth, 2% in the sixth and seventh years, and 1% in the eighth year. In the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998, the CDSC is 6% in the first year, 5% in the second, 4% in the third, 3% in the fourth, 2% in the fifth and sixth years, and 1% in the seventh year. The rate decreases on the first day of the month following the anniversary date of your purchase, not on the anniversary date itself. The CDSC is 1% for Class C shares - which is applied to shares sold within 12 months of purchase (18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004). As previously noted, Class A and Class L shares are subject to a CDSC, in certain cases of 1% that is applied to Class A and Class L shares sold within 12 months of purchase. (The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential). For all share classes, the CDSC is calculated based on the lesser of the original purchase price or the redemption proceeds. For purposes of determining how long you've held your shares, all purchases during the month are grouped together and considered to have been made on the last day of the month.

The holding period for purposes of determining the applicable CDSC will be calculated from the first day of the month after initial purchase, excluding any time shares were held in a money market fund.

Waiver of the CDSC - Class B, Class M and Class X Shares

The CDSC will be waived if the Class B, Class M or Class X shares are sold:

n   After a shareholder is deceased or disabled (or, in the case of a trust account, the death or disability of the grantor). This waiver applies to individual shareholders, as well as shares owned in joint tenancy, provided the shares were purchased before the death or disability,

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How to Buy, Sell and
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n   To provide for certain distributions - made without IRS penalty - from a tax-deferred retirement plan, IRA or Section 403(b) custodial account, and

n   On certain sales effected through a Systematic Withdrawal Plan.

For more information on the above and other waivers, see the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class B, Class M and Class X Shares."

Waiver of the CDSC - Class C Shares

Benefit Plans. The CDSC will be waived for redemptions from Benefit Plans holding shares through a broker for which the broker provides administrative or recordkeeping services.

Redemption in Kind

If the sales of Fund shares you make during any 90-day period reach the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of a Fund's net assets, we can then give you securities from the Fund's portfolio instead of cash. If you want to sell the securities for cash, you would have to pay the costs charged by a broker.

Small Accounts

If you make a sale that reduces your account value to less than $500, we may sell the rest of your shares (without charging any CDSC) and close your account. We would do this to minimize Fund expenses paid by other shareholders. We will give you 60 days' notice, during which time you can purchase additional shares to avoid this action. This involuntary sale does not apply to shareholders who own their shares as part of a 401(k) plan, an IRA or some other qualified or tax-deferred plan or account.

90-Day Repurchase Privilege

After you redeem your shares, you have a 90-day period during which you may reinvest any of the redemption proceeds in shares of the same Fund and account without paying an initial sales charge. Also, if you paid a CDSC when you redeemed your shares, we will credit your account with the appropriate number of shares to reflect the amount of the CDSC you paid. In order to take advantage of this one-time privilege, you must notify the Transfer Agent or your broker at the time of the repurchase. See the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Sale of Shares."

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Retirement Plans

To sell shares and receive a distribution from a retirement plan or account, call your broker or the Transfer Agent for a distribution request form. There are special distribution and income tax withholding requirements for distributions from retirement plans and accounts and you must submit a withholding form with your request to avoid delay. If your retirement plan or account is held for you by your employer or plan trustee, you must arrange for the distribution request to be signed and sent by the plan administrator or trustee. For additional information, see the SAI.

HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES

You can exchange your shares of a Fund for shares of the same class in any other Strategic Partners or JennisonDryden mutual fund as well as shares of Special Money Market Fund, Inc. (Special Money Fund), if you satisfy the minimum investment requirements. For example, you can exchange Class A shares of a Fund for Class A shares of another Strategic Partners or JennisonDryden mutual fund, but you can't exchange Class A shares for Class B, Class C, Class L, Class M, Class R, Class X or Class Z shares. After an exchange into the Money Mart Assets, at redemption the CDSC will be calculated from the first day of the month after initial purchase, excluding any time shares were held in Money Mart Assets. We may change the terms of the exchange privilege after giving you 60 days' notice.

If you hold shares through a broker, you must exchange shares through your broker. Otherwise contact:

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC
Attn: Exchange Processing
P.O. Box 8157
Philadelphia, PA 19176

There is no sales charge for such exchanges. However, if you exchange - and then sell - Class B shares within approximately six years of your original purchase, Class C shares within 12 months of your original purchase (18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004), Class M shares within seven years of your original purchase or Class X shares within eight years of your original purchase (seven years in the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998), you must still pay the applicable CDSC. If you have exchanged Fund shares into Special Money Fund, the time you hold the shares in that money market account will not be counted in calculating the required holding period for CDSC liability.

Remember, as we explained in the section entitled "Fund Distributions and Tax Issues - If You Sell or Exchange Your Shares," exchanging shares is considered a sale for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, if the shares you exchange are worth more than the amount that you paid for them, you may have to pay capital gains tax. For additional information about exchanging shares, see the SAI, "Shareholder Investment Account - Exchange Privilege."

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How to Buy, Sell and
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Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

The Fund seeks to prevent patterns of frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by its shareholders. Frequent purchases and sales of shares of the Fund may adversely affect a Fund's performance and the interests of long-term investors. When a shareholder engages in frequent or short-term trading, the Funds may have to sell portfolio securities to have the cash necessary to redeem the shareholder's shares. This can happen when it is not advantageous to sell any securities, so the Funds' performance may be hurt. When large dollar amounts are involved, frequent trading can also make it difficult to use long-term investment strategies because the Fund cannot predict how much cash it will have available to invest. In addition, if a Fund is forced to liquidate investments due to short-term trading activity, it may incur increased brokerage and tax costs. Similarly, the Fund may bear increased administrative costs as a result of the asset level and investment volatility that accompanies patterns of short-term trading. Moreover, frequent or short-term trading by certain shareholders may cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by other shareholders. Funds that invest in foreign securities may be particularly susceptible to frequent trading because time zone differences among international stock markets can allow a shareholder engaging in frequent trading to exploit fund share prices that may be based on closing prices of foreign securities established some time before the fund calculates its own share price. Funds that invest in certain fixed-income securities, such as high-yield bonds or certain asset-backed securities, may also constitute an effective vehicle for a shareholder's frequent trading strategy.

The Board has adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage or prevent frequent trading activities by Fund shareholders. In an effort to prevent such practices, the Funds' Transfer Agent monitors trading activity on a daily basis. The Funds have implemented a trading policy that limits the number of times a shareholder may purchase Fund shares or exchange into the Fund and then sell those shares within a specified period of time (a "round-trip transaction") as established by the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). The CCO is authorized to set and modify the parameters of the trading policy at any time as required to prevent the adverse impact of frequent trading on Fund shareholders. The CCO has defined frequent trading as one or more round-trip transactions in shares of a Fund within a 30-day period. A second round-trip within 60 days will begin a warning period that will remain in effect for 90 days. If additional purchase activity is initiated during the warning period, the purchase activity will be cancelled. In addition, if two round-trips have already been completed within the past 90 days, a trading suspension will be placed on the account and will remain in effect for 90 days. Exceptions to the trading policy will not normally be granted. Transactions in the Prudential money market funds and the Dryden Ultra Short Bond Series are excluded from this policy.

66



The Trust reserves the right to reject or cancel, without prior notice, all additional purchases or exchanges into a Fund by a shareholder who has violated this policy. Moreover, the Trust may direct a broker-dealer or other intermediary to block a shareholder account from future trading in the Funds. The Transfer Agent will monitor trading activity over $25,000 per account on a daily basis for a rolling 30-day period. If a purchase into a Fund is rejected or cancelled for violations of the trading policy, the shareholder will receive a return of the purchase amount.

If a Fund is offered to qualified plans on an omnibus basis or if Fund shares may be purchased through other omnibus arrangements ("Intermediaries"), Intermediaries maintain the individual beneficial owner records and submit to a Fund only aggregate orders combining the transactions of many beneficial owners. The Trust itself generally cannot monitor trading by particular beneficial owners. The Trust communicates to Intermediaries in writing that it expects the Intermediaries to handle orders consistently with each Fund's policies as set forth in each Fund's prospectus and SAI on transfers by beneficial owners. Intermediaries may impose different or stricter restrictions on transfers by beneficial owners. Consistent with the restrictions described above, investments in a Fund through retirement programs administered by Prudential Retirement will be similarly identified for frequent purchases and redemptions and appropriately restricted.

The Transfer Agent also reviews the aggregate net flows in excess of one million dollars. In those cases, the trade detail is reviewed to determine if any of the activity relates to previously identified policy offenders. In cases of omnibus orders, the Intermediary may be contacted by the Transfer Agent to obtain additional information. The Transfer Agent has the authority to cancel all or a portion of the trade if the information reveals that the activity relates to previously identified policy offenders. In that case, the shareholder will receive a return of the purchase amount. Where appropriate, the Transfer Agent may request that the Intermediary block a financial adviser or client from accessing the Fund. If necessary, the Fund may be removed from a particular Intermediary's platform.

Shareholders seeking to engage in frequent trading activities may use a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the Trust to prevent such trading, there is no guarantee that the Trust, the Transfer Agent or Intermediaries will be able to identify these shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The Trust does not have any arrangements intended to permit trading of its shares in contravention of the policies described above.

Payments to Financial Services Firms

The Manager, Distributor or their affiliates have entered into revenue sharing or other similar arrangements with financial services firms, including affiliates of the Manager. These revenue sharing arrangements are intended to promote the sale of Fund shares or to compensate the financial services firms for marketing or marketing support

67



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Funds

activities in connection with the sale of Fund shares. Revenue sharing payments may be used by financial services firms in a variety of ways, including defraying costs incurred by the firms to educate their registered representatives about the Funds, as well as defraying costs incurred by the firms in providing or facilitating shareholder recordkeeping as well as the servicing or maintenance of shareholder accounts.

In exchange for revenue sharing payments, the Funds may receive placement on a financial service firm's preferred or recommended product list. Financial services firms and registered representatives participating in a revenue sharing program may receive greater compensation for selling shares of the Funds than for selling other mutual funds, and your individual registered representative may receive some or all of the revenue sharing amounts paid to the firm that employs him or her. Revenue sharing payments may provide an incentive for financial services firms and their registered representatives to recommend or sell shares of a Fund to you and in doing so may create conflicts of interest between the firms' financial interests and their duties to customers. In exchange for revenue sharing payments, a Fund also may receive preferred access to registered representatives of a financial services firm (for example, the ability to make presentations in branch offices or at conferences) or preferred access to customers of the financial services firm (for example, the ability to advertise to the firm's customers).

Payments under revenue sharing arrangements are made out of the Manager's or Distributor's own resources and without additional direct cost to the Fund or its shareholders. Revenue sharing payments may be in addition to the sales charges (including Rule 12b-1 fees) or other amounts paid by the Fund, which are also used to compensate financial services firms and their registered representatives for the marketing and distribution of the Fund.

Revenue sharing payments are usually calculated based on a percentage of Fund sales and/or Fund assets attributable to a particular financial services firm. Revenue sharing payments may also be based on other criteria or factors, such as a percentage of a registered representative's charges applicable to the sale of Fund shares, a networking fee based on the number of accounts at the firm holding shares of the Fund, a periodic flat fee for set-up and maintenance of the Fund on the computer systems of a financial services firm, or a flat fee for marketing services, such as access to registered representatives. Specific payment formulas are negotiated based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, reputation in the industry, ability to attract and retain assets, target markets, customer relationships and scope and quality of services provided. The amount of revenue sharing also may vary based on the class of shares purchased.

68



No one factor is determinative of the type or amount of additional compensation to be provided. Please contact your financial services provider for details about any revenue sharing payments it may receive.

TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS OR EXCHANGES

You may redeem or exchange your shares in any amount by calling the Trust at (800) 225-1852 before 4:00 p.m. New York time to receive a redemption or exchange amount based on that day's NAV. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m. New York time, you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to sell or exchange is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE.

The Transfer Agent will record your telephone instructions and request specific account information before redeeming or exchanging shares. A Fund will not be liable if it follows instructions that it reasonably believes are made by the shareholder. If a Fund does not follow reasonable procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.

In the event of drastic economic or market changes, you may have difficulty in redeeming or exchanging your shares by telephone. If this occurs, you should consider redeeming or exchanging your shares by mail.

The telephone redemption and exchange privileges may be modified or terminated at any time. If this occurs, you will receive a written notice from the Fund.

EXPEDITED REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE

If you have selected the Expedited Redemption Privilege, you may have your redemption proceeds sent directly to your bank account. Expedited redemption requests may be made by telephone or letter, must be received by the relevant Fund prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, to receive a redemption amount based on that day's NAV and are subject to the terms and conditions regarding the redemption of shares. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m. New York time, you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to sell is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE. For more information, see "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Expedited Redemption Privilege" in the SAI. The Expedited Redemption Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time without notice.

69



Financial Highlights

The financial highlights will help you evaluate each Fund's financial performance. The  total return in each chart represents the rate that a shareholder earned (or lost) on an investment in one share of that share class of a Fund held throughout the year, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. The information is for each share class for the periods indicated, except that there is no financial performance information available for Class L, Class M and Class X shares of the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds as of the date of this Prospectus, because these classes are new.

A copy of the Trust's annual report, along with the Trust's audited financial statements and report of independent registered public accounting firm, is available, upon request at no charge, as described on the back cover of this prospectus.

70



LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, the financial highlights were part of the financial statements audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports were unqualified. The financial highlights for the periods presented through July 31, 2003 were part of the financial statements audited by another independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports on those financial statements were unqualified.

Class A Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)   

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004   2003   2002   2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 12.33     $ 10.32     $ 9.13     $ 11.01     $ 9.33    
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
     
Net investment income     .09       .04       .08       0.07       0.07    
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    2.50       2.05       1.13       (1.84 )     1.77    
Total from investment operations     2.59       2.09       1.21       (1.77 )     1.84    
Less Distributions:  
Dividends from net investment income     (.10 )     (.08 )     (.02 )     -       (0.10 )  
Distributions from net realized gains
on investments
    (.24 )     -       -       (.11 )     (0.06 )  
Total dividends and distributions     (.34 )     (.08 )     (.02 )     (.11 )     (0.16 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 14.58     $ 12.33     $ 10.32     $ 9.13     $ 11.01    
Total Return (a)       21.25 %     20.29 %     13.29 %     (16.16 )%     19.84 %  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 23,678     $ 15,762     $ 9,973     $ 8,503     $ 10,091    
Average net assets (000)   $ 18,926     $ 13,304     $ 8,718     $ 9,523     $ 7,565    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees (b)  
    1.46 %     1.50 %     1.60 % (c)       1.60 % (c)       1.65 % (c)    
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.21 %     1.25 %     1.35 %     1.35 %     1.40 %  
Net investment income     .75 %     .60 %     .86 % (c)       .66 % (c)       .71 % (c)    
For Classes A, B and C shares:  
Portfolio turnover rate     47 %     57 %     50 %     55 %     46 %  

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  The distributor of the Fund contractually agreed to limit its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratios including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 1.78%, 1.68% and 1.84% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively. The net investment income ratios would have been .68%, .58% and .51% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively.

71



Financial Highlights

LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

Class B Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004   2003   2002   2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 12.09     $ 10.14     $ 9.01     $ 10.96     $ 9.28    
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
     
Net investment income (loss)     - (b)       (.02 )     0.01       (0.01 )     - ( b )    
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    2.44       1.98       1.12       (1.83 )     1.76    
Total from investment operations     2.44       1.96       1.13       (1.84 )     1.76    
Less Distributions:  
Dividends from net investment income     - (b)       (.01 )     -       -       -    
Distributions in excess of net investment
income
    -       -       -       -       (0.02 )  
Distributions from net realized gains
on investments
    (.24 )     -       -       (.11 )     (0.06 )  
Total dividends and distributions     (.24 )     (.01 )     -       (.11 )     (0.08 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 14.29     $ 12.09     $ 10.14     $ 9.01     $ 10.96    
Total Return (a)       20.38 %     19.33 %     12.54 %     (16.87 )%     19.05 %  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 28,446     $ 24,370     $ 19,645     $ 18,614     $ 21,724    
Average net assets (000)   $ 26,774     $ 23,051     $ 17,776     $ 21,374     $ 17,188    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    2.21 %     2.25 %     2.35 % (c)       2.35 % (c)       2.40 % (c)    
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.21 %     1.25 %     1.35 %     1.35 %     1.40 %  
Net investment income (loss)     .01 %     (.14 )%     .12 % (c)       (.09 )% (c)       (.02 )% (c)    

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  Less than $.005 per share.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratios including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 2.53%, 2.43% and 2.59% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively. The net investment loss ratios would have been (.06)%, (.17)% and (.22)% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively.

72



LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

Class C Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004   2003   2002   2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 12.09     $ 10.14     $ 9.01     $ 10.96     $ 9.28    
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
     
Net investment income (loss)     - (b)       (.02 )     0.01       (0.01 )     - (b)    
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    2.44       1.98       1.12       (1.83 )     1.76    
Total from investment operations     2.44       1.96       1.13       (1.84 )     1.76    
Less Distributions:  
Dividends from net investment income     - (b)       (.01 )     -       -       -    
Distributions in excess of net investment
income
    -       -       -       -       (0.02 )  
Distributions from net realized gains
on investments
    (.24 )     -       -       (.11 )     (0.06 )  
Total dividends and distributions     (.24 )     (.01 )     -       (.11 )     (0.08 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 14.29     $ 12.09     $ 10.14     $ 9.01     $ 10.96    
Total Return (a)       20.38 %     19.29 %     12.54 %     (16.87 )%     19.05 %  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 22,056     $ 20,805     $ 19,116     $ 17,843     $ 18,211    
Average net assets (000)   $ 21,406     $ 21,218     $ 17,279     $ 18,866     $ 16,051    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    2.21 %     2.25 %     2.35 % (c)       2.35 % (c)       2.40 % (c)    
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.21 %     1.25 %     1.35 %     1.35 %     1.40 %  
Net investment income (loss)     .01 %     (.14 )%     .12 % (c)       (.09 )% (c)       .01 % (c)    

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  Less than $.005 per share.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratios including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 2.53%, 2.43% and 2.59% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively. The net investment loss ratios would have been (.06)%, (.18)% and (.18)% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively.

73



Financial Highlights

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, the financial highlights were part of the financial statements audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports were unqualified. The financial highlights for the periods presented through July 31, 2003 were part of the financial statements audited by another independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports on those financial statements were unqualified.

Class A Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)   

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004 (b)     2003   2002 (b)     2001 (b)    
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 7.09     $ 6.67     $ 6.02     $ 9.36     $ 12.62    
Income (loss) from investment operations:      
Net investment loss     (.11 )     (.12 )     (.09 )     (.13 )     (.19 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    1.74       .54       .74       (3.21 )     (2.12 )  
Total from investment operations     1.63       .42       .65       (3.34 )     (2.31 )  
Less Distributions:      
Distributions from net realized gains     -       -       -       -       (.95 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 8.72     $ 7.09     $ 6.67     $ 6.02     $ 9.36    
Total return (a)       22.99 %     6.30 %     10.80 %     (35.68 )%     (18.58 )%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 4,490     $ 5,024     $ 4,566     $ 3,730     $ 5,887    
Average net assets (000)   $ 4,900     $ 5,038     $ 3,791     $ 5,059     $ 5,109    
Ratios to average net assets:      
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees (d)  
    1.85 % (c)       1.85 % (c)       1.85 % (c)       1.85 % (c)       2.15 % (c)    
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.60 %     1.60 %     1.60 %     1.60 %     1.90 %  
Net investment loss     (1.47 )% (c)       (1.68 )% (c)       (1.60 )% (c)       (1.59 )% (c)       (1.78 )% (c)    
For Classes A, B and C shares:      
Portfolio turnover rate     88 %     165 %     210 %     151 %     149 %  

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  Calculations are based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratios including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 2.31%, 2.51%, 2.76% and 2.38% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003 and July 31, 2002, respectively. The net investment loss ratios would have been (1.92)%, (2.36)%, (2.51)% and (2.12)% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003 and July 31, 2002, respectively.

(d)  The distributor of the Fund contractually agreed to limit its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares.

74



SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Class B Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004 (b)     2003   2002 (b)     2001 (b)    
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 6.83     $ 6.47     $ 5.88     $ 9.22     $ 12.54    
Income (loss) from investment operations:      
Net investment loss     (.17 )     (.17 )     (.13 )     (.18 )     (.27 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    1.74       .53       .72       (3.16 )     (2.10 )  
Total from investment operations     1.57       .36       .59       (3.34 )     (2.37 )  
Less Distributions:      
Distributions from net realized gains     -       -       -       -       (.95 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 8.40     $ 6.83     $ 6.47     $ 5.88     $ 9.22    
Total return (a)       22.99 %     5.56 %     10.20 %     (36.16 )%     (19.29 )%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 7,265     $ 7,243     $ 6,444     $ 6,228     $ 9,199    
Average net assets (000)   $ 7,297     $ 7,553     $ 5,674     $ 8,093     $ 9,243    
Ratios to average net assets:      
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    2.60 % (c)       2.60 % (c)       2.60 % (c)       2.60 % (c)       2.90 % (c)    
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.60 %     1.60 %     1.60 %     1.60 %     1.90 %  
Net investment loss     (2.23 )% (c)       (2.43 )% (c)       (2.35 )% (c)       (2.34 )% (c)       (2.52 )% (c)    

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  Calculations are based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratios including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 3.06%, 3.26%, 3.51% and 3.13% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003 and July 31, 2002, respectively. The net investment loss ratios would have been (2.69)%, (3.10)%, (3.26)% and (2.87)% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003 and July 31, 2002, respectively.

75



Financial Highlights

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Class C Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004 (b)     2003   2002 (b)     2001 (b)    
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 6.83     $ 6.47     $ 5.88     $ 9.22     $ 12.54    
Income (loss) from investment operations:  
Net investment loss     (.17 )     (.17 )     (.13 )     (.18 )     (.27 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    1.73       .53       .72       (3.16 )     (2.10 )  
Total from investment operations     1.56       .36       .59       (3.34 )     (2.37 )  
Less Distributions:  
Distributions from net realized gains     -       -       -       -       (.95 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 8.39     $ 6.83     $ 6.47     $ 5.88     $ 9.22    
Total return (a)       22.84 %     5.56 %     10.20 %     (36.16 )%     (19.29 )%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data (b)    
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 6,791     $ 7,112     $ 7,424     $ 6,222     $ 7,772    
Average net assets (000)   $ 7,017     $ 8,268     $ 5,982     $ 7,253     $ 7,782    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    2.60 % (c)       2.60 % (c)       2.60 % (c)       2.60 % (c)       2.90 % (c)    
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.60 %     1.60 %     1.60 %     1.60 %     1.90 %  
Net investment loss     (2.23 )% (c)       (2.43 )% (c)       (2.35 )% (c)       (2.34 )% (c)       (2.52 )% (c)    

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  Calculations are based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratios including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 3.06%, 3.26%, 3.51% and 3.13% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003 and July 31, 2002, respectively. The net investment loss ratios would have been (2.69)%, (3.08)%, (3.26)% and (2.87)% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003 and July 31, 2002, respectively.

76



SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, the financial highlights were part of the financial statements audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports were unqualified. The financial highlights for the periods presented through July 31, 2003 were part of the financial statements audited by another independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports on those financial statements were unqualified.

Class A Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004 (b)     2003 (b)     2002 (b)     2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 15.68     $ 12.19     $ 11.71     $ 13.18     $ 11.08    
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
     
Net investment income (loss)     .02       .02       (.09 )     (.09 )     (.02 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    4.66       3.47       2.00       (.51 )     2.49    
Total from investment operations     4.68       3.49       1.91       (.60 )     2.47    
Less Distributions:  
Distributions from net realized gains     (0.55 )     -       (1.43 )     (.87 )     (.37 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 19.81     $ 15.68     $ 12.19     $ 11.71     $ 13.18    
Total return (a)       30.31 %     28.63 %     18.99 %     (4.80 )%     22.90 %  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 56,289     $ 23,589     $ 11,151     $ 8,637     $ 7,986    
Average net assets (000)   $ 33,464     $ 14,764     $ 9,198     $ 8,818     $ 5,582    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees (d)  
    1.45 %     1.58 %     1.91 %     1.86 %     1.80 % (c)    
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.20 %     1.33 %     1.66 %     1.61 %     1.55 %  
Net investment income (loss)     .13 %     .12 %     (.82 )%     (.66 )%     (.16 )% (c)    
For Class A, B and C shares:  
Portfolio turnover rate     106 %     69 %     61 %     142 %     54 %  

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  Calculations are based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratio including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 2.46% and the net investment loss ratio would have been (.82)% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2001.

(d)  The distributor of the Fund contractually agreed to limit its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares.

77



Financial Highlights

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Class B Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004 (b)     2003 (b)     2002 (b)     2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 15.06     $ 11.79     $ 11.46     $ 13.00     $ 11.01    
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
             
Net investment loss     (.10 )     (.09 )     (.17 )     (.18 )     (.08 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    4.45       3.36       1.93       (.49 )     2.44    
Total from investment operations     4.35       3.27       1.76       (.67 )     2.36    
Less Distributions:      
Distributions from net realized gains     (0.55 )     -       (1.43 )     (.87 )     (.37 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 18.86     $ 15.06     $ 11.79     $ 11.46     $ 13.00    
Total return (a)       29.35 %     27.74 %     18.01 %     (5.44 )%     22.03 %  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 29,282     $ 21,341     $ 16,433     $ 15,818     $ 12,888    
Average net assets (000)   $ 24,672     $ 19,998     $ 14,990     $ 15,328     $ 8,432    
Ratios to average net assets:      
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    2.20 %     2.33 %     2.66 %     2.61 %     2.55 % (c)    
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.20 %     1.33 %     1.66 %     1.61 %     1.55 %  
Net investment loss     (.61 )%     (.65 )%     (1.57 )%     (1.41 )%     (.92 )% (c)    

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  Calculations are based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratio including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 3.21% and the net investment loss ratio would have been (1.58)% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2001.

78



SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Class C Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004 (b)     2003 (b)     2002 (b)     2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 15.06     $ 11.79     $ 11.46     $ 13.00     $ 11.01    
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
     
Net investment loss     (.10 )     (.09 )     (.17 )     (.18 )     (.08 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  
on investment transactions     4.45       3.36       1.93       (.49 )     2.44    
Total from investment operations     4.35       3.27       1.76       (.67 )     2.36    
Less distributions:  
Distributions from net realized gains     (.55 )     -       (1.43 )     (.87 )     (.37 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 18.86     $ 15.06     $ 11.79     $ 11.46     $ 13.00    
Total return (a)       29.35 %     27.74 %     18.01 %     (5.44 )%     22.03 %  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 39,291     $ 19,793     $ 17,437     $ 16,896     $ 8,986    
Average net assets (000)   $ 25,905     $ 19,308     $ 15,880     $ 13,161     $ 6,346    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    2.20 %     2.33 %     2.66 %     2.61 %     2.55 % (c)    
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.20 %     1.33 %     1.66 %     1.61 %     1.55 %  
Net investment loss     (.62 )%     (.67 )%     (1.57 )%     (1.41 )%     (.92 )% (c)    

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  Calculatations are based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratio including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 3.21% and the net investment loss ratio would have been (1.58)% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2001.

79



Financial Highlights

TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND

For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, the financial highlights were part of the financial statements audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports were unqualified. The financial highlights for the periods presented through July 31, 2003 were part of the financial statements audited by another independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports on those financial statements were unqualified.

Class A Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004   2003 (c)     2002 (c)     2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 10.53     $ 10.59     $ 10.35     $ 10.43     $ 9.99    
Income from investment operations:  
Net investment income     .24       .22       .34       .35       .53    
Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions
    .32       .37       .45       .19       .54    
Total from investment operations     .56       .59       .79       .54       1.07    
Less dividends and distributions:  
Dividends from net investment income     (.66 )     (.28 )     (.32 )     (.36 )     (.53 )  
Distributions from net realized gains
on investments
    (.06 )     (.37 )     (.23 )     (.26 )     (.10 )  
Total dividends and distributions     (.72 )     (.65 )     (.55 )     (.62 )     (.63 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 10.37     $ 10.53     $ 10.59     $ 10.35     $ 10.43    
Total return (a)       5.40 %     5.70 %     7.67 %     5.31 %     11.11 %  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 26,803     $ 24,280     $ 22,142     $ 20,796     $ 15,205    
Average net assets (000)   $ 26,219     $ 24,186     $ 22,632     $ 17,564     $ 10,677    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees (b)(c)  
    1.05 %     1.05 %     1.05 %     1.05 %     1.05 %  
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    .80 %     .80 %     .80 %     .80 %     .80 %  
Net investment income (c)       2.42 %     1.88 %     2.90 %     3.32 %     5.07 %  
For Classes A, B and C shares:  
Portfolio turnover rate     570 %     385 %     572 %     530 %     638 %  

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(b)  The distributor of the Fund contractually agreed to limit its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares.

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratios including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 1.47%, 1.26%, 1.10%, 1.22% and 1.36% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively. The net investment income ratios would have been 2.00%, 1.67%, 2.85%, 3.15% and 4.15% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively.

80



TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND

Class B Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004   2003 (b)     2002 (b)     2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 10.53     $ 10.59     $ 10.35     $ 10.43     $ 9.99    
Income from investment operations:  
Net investment income     .20       .17       .29       .31       .48    
Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions
    .31       .37       .45       .18       .54    
Total from investment operations     .51       .54       .74       .49       1.02    
Less dividends and distributions:  
Dividends from net investment income     (.61 )     (.23 )     (.27 )     (.31 )     (.48 )  
Distributions from net realized gains
on investments
    (.06 )     (.37 )     (.23 )     (.26 )     (.10 )  
Total dividends and distributions     (.67 )     (.60 )     (.50 )     (.57 )     (.58 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 10.37     $ 10.53     $ 10.59     $ 10.35     $ 10.43    
Total return (a)       4.87 %     5.18 %     7.14 %     4.79 %     10.57 %  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 43,939     $ 50,908     $ 64,845     $ 52,250     $ 25,376    
Average net assets (000)   $ 47,811     $ 58,123     $ 62,440     $ 36,575     $ 16,527    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees (b)(c)  
    1.55 %     1.55 %     1.55 %     1.55 %     1.55 %  
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    .80 %     .80 %     .80 %     .80 %     .80 %  
Net investment income (c)       1.88 %     1.46 %     2.40 %     2.79 %     4.57 %  

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(b)  The distributor of the Fund contractually agreed to limit its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of Class B shares

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratios including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 1.97%, 1.76%, 1.60%, 1.72% and 1.86% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively. The net investment income ratios would have been 1.46%, 1.26%, 2.35%, 2.63% and 4.26% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively.

81



Financial Highlights

TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND

Class C Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005   2004   2003 (b)     2002 (b)     2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 10.53     $ 10.59     $ 10.35     $ 10.43     $ 9.99    
Income from investment operations:  
Net investment income     .20       .17       .29       .31       .48    
Net realized and unrealized gain
on investment transactions
    .31       .37       .45       .18       .54    
Total from investment operations     .51       .54       .74       .49       1.02    
Less dividends and distributions:  
Dividends from net investment income     (.61 )     (.23 )     (.27 )     (.31 )     (.48 )  
Distributions from net realized gains
on investments
    (.06 )     (.37 )     (.23 )     (.26 )     (.10 )  
Total dividends and distributions     (.67 )     (.60 )     (.50 )     (.57 )     (.58 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 10.37     $ 10.53     $ 10.59     $ 10.35     $ 10.43    
Total return (a)       4.87 %     5.17 %     7.14 %     4.79 %     10.57 %  
Ratios/Supplemental Data  
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 23,357     $ 29,390     $ 43,274     $ 38,503     $ 14,059    
Average net assets (000)   $ 26,422     $ 35,764     $ 44,100     $ 23,935     $ 7,938    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees (b)(c)  
    1.55 %     1.55 %     1.55 %     1.55 %     1.55 %  
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    0.80 %     .80 %     .80 %     .80 %     .80 %  
Net investment income (c)       1.86 %     1.48 %     2.40 %     2.77 %     4.56 %  

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(b)  The distributor of the Fund contractually agreed to limit its distribution and service fees to .75 of 1% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares

(c)  Net of expense subsidy. If the investment manager had not subsidized expenses, the expense ratios including distribution and service (12b-1) fees would have been 1.97%, 1.76%, 1.60%, 1.72% and 1.86% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively. The net investment income ratios would have been 1.44%, 1.29%, 2.35%, 2.60% and 4.25% for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, July 31, 2004, July 31, 2003, July 31, 2002 and July 31, 2001, respectively.

82



Appendix I: Description of Security Ratings

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (MOODY'S)

Long-Term Ratings

Aaa: Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

Aa: Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A: Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa: Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba: Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B: Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa: Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca: Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C: Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Baa. 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.

Short-Term Debt Ratings

Moody's short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Those obligations have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

P-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

83



Appendix I: Description of Security Ratings

P-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.

STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS SERVICES (S&P)

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P . 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 the 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.

84



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 S&P 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 BBB 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 S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Short-Term Issue Credit Paper Ratings

A S&P short-term issue credit rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than three years.

A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P. 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

85



Appendix I: Description of Security Ratings

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 S&P 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.

FITCH RATINGS

International Long-Term Credit Ratings

Investment Grade

AAA: Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

86



A: High credit quality. A ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions that is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category.

Speculative Grade

BB: Speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B: Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC, CC, C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A CC rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. C ratings signal imminent default.

DDD, DD, D: Default. The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines. DDD obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around 90%-100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. DD indicates potential recoveries in the range of 50%-90% and D the lowest recovery potential, i.e. , below 50%. Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations.

Entities rated DDD have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated DD and D are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated DD are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated D have a poor prospect of repaying all obligations.

87



Appendix I: Description of Security Ratings

Notes:  "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA category or to categories below CCC.

Short-Term Debt Ratings

A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.

F1: Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments: may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2: Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3: Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.

B: Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D: Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.

NR: Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.

Withdrawn: A rating is withdrawn when Fitch Ratings deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or refinanced.

FitchAlert: Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an occurrence that is likely to result in a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive," indicating a potential upgrade, "Negative," for potential downgrade, or "Evolving," where ratings may be raised or lowered. FitchAlert is relatively short term, and should be resolved within 12 months.

88



Ratings Outlook: An outlook is used to describe the most likely direction of any rating change over the intermediate term. It is described as "Positive" or "Negative." The absence of a designation indicates a stable outlook.

Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major ratings categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA long-term rating category or to short-term ratings other than F1.

89



Notes

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Notes

Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds



Notes

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Notes

Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds



FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please read this prospectus before you invest in the Funds and keep it for future reference. For information or shareholder questions contact:

n   MAIL

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC P.O. Box 8098 Philadelphia, PA 19176

n   TELEPHONE

(800) 225-1852

(732) 482-7555 (Calling from outside the U.S.)

n    WEBSITE

www.strategicpartners.com

E-DELIVERY

To receive your mutual fund documents on-line, go to www.icsdelivery.com/prudential/funds and enroll. Instead of receiving printed documents by mail, you will receive notification via e-mail when new materials are available. You can cancel your enrollment or change your e-mail address at any time by clicking on the change/cancel enrollment option at the icsdelivery website address.

n   Outside Brokers should contact: Prudential Investment Management Services LLC
P.O. Box 8310
Philadelphia, PA 19101

n   TELEPHONE

(800) 778-8769

You can also obtain copies of Fund documents from the SEC as follows:

n   BY MAIL

Securities and Exchange Commission Public Reference Section Washington, DC 20549-0102

n   BY ELECTRONIC REQUEST

publicinfo@sec.gov Note: (The SEC charges a fee to copy documents)

n   IN PERSON

Public Reference Room in Washington, DC For hours of operation and location, call 1-(202)-942-8090

n   VIA THE INTERNET

on the EDGAR Database at http://www.sec.gov

Additional information about the Fund's investments is included in the Annual and Semiannual Reports. These reports and the Statement of Additional Information contain additional information. Shareholders may obtain free copies of the SAI, Annual Report and Semiannual Report as well as other information about the Fund and may make other shareholder inquiries through the telephone number, address and website listed above.

n   STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)

(incorporated by reference into this prospectus)

n   ANNUAL REPORT

(contains a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds' performance during the last fiscal year)

n   SEMIANNUAL REPORT

Large Capitalization Value Fund

Class   A   B   C  
Nasdaq     PLVAX       TLCBX       TLCCX    
CUSIP     862934403       862934502       862934601    

 

Small Capitalization Growth Fund

Class   A   B   C  
Nasdaq     PCZAX       PCZBX       PCZCX    
CUSIP     862934700       862934809       862934882    

 

Small Capitalization Value Fund

Class   A   B   C   L   M   X  
Nasdaq     PZVAX       PZVBX       PZVCX       -       -       -    
CUSIP     862934874       862934866       862934858       862934775       862934767       862934759    

 

Total Return Bond Fund

Class   A   B   C   L   M   X  
Nasdaq     TATRX       TBTRX       PTRCX       -       -       -    
CUSIP     862934817       862934791       862934783       862934742       862934734       862934726    

 

MFSP503A    Each Fund's Investment Company Act File No. is 811-09439.



Jennison Conservative Growth Fund

Formerly known as Strategic Partners Large Capitalization Growth Fund

SEPTEMBER 29, 2005

PROSPECTUS

FUND TYPE

Large Capitalization Stock

OBJECTIVE

Seeks long-term
capital appreciation

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved the Trust's shares nor has the SEC determined that this prospectus is complete or accurate. It is a criminal offense to state otherwise.



Table of Contents

  1     Risk/Return Summary  
  1     Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies and Principal Risks  
  2     Principal Risks  
  2     Evaluating Performance  
  4     Fees and Expenses  
  6     How the Fund Invests  
  6     Investment Policies  
  6     Other Investments and Strategies  
  9     Investment Risks  
  15     How the Fund is Managed  
  15     Board of Trustees  
  15     Manager  
  16     Subadvisers and Portfolio Managers  
  17     Distributor  
  17     Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings  
  18     Fund Distributions and Tax Issues  
  18     Distributions  
  19     Tax Issues  
  20     If You Sell or Exchange Your Shares  
  22     How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Fund  
  22     How to Buy Shares  
  31     How to Sell Your Shares  
  35     How to Exchange Your Shares  
  39     Telephone Redemptions or Exchanges  
  39     Expedited Redemption Privilege  
  40     Financial Highlights  
  41     Conservative Growth Fund  
  44     Appendix I - Description of Security Ratings  
        For More Information (Back Cover)  

 



Risk/Return Summary

This section highlights key information about the Jennison Conservative Growth Fund, which we refer to as the "Fund". Prior to September 20, 2005, the name of the Fund was Strategic Partners Large Capitalization Growth Fund. Additional information follows this summary.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS

The following summarizes the investment objectives, principal strategies and principal risks of the Fund. While we make every effort to achieve the investment objective of the Fund, we can't guarantee success. Although we try to invest wisely, all investments involve risk. Like any mutual fund, an investment in the Fund could lose value, and you could lose money. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

For more information about the risks associated with the Fund, see "How the Fund Invests - Investment Risks."

The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. This means that we seek investments that will increase in value. To achieve our investment objective, we purchase stocks of large companies we believe will experience earnings growth at a rate faster than that of the Standard & Poor's 500 ® Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500). We normally invest at least 80% of the Fund's investable assets in common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks of companies with a total market capitalization of $5 billion or more (measured at the time of purchase).

Effective as of December 1, 2005, the Fund's non-fundamental policy of investing at least 80% of the Fund's investable assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in the common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks of large companies will change. Effective as of December 1, 2005, large companies will be defined as those companies with market capitalizations comparable to those found in the Russell 1000 Index. As of August 31, 2005, the Russell 1000 Index market capitalization range was approximately $906 million to $381 billion. Market capitalization is measured at the time of purchase.

The Fund will provide 60 days' prior written notice to shareholders of a change in its non-fundamental policy.

1



Risk/Return Summary

Principal Risks:

Market risk. Since the Fund invests primarily in common stocks, there is the risk that the price of a particular stock the Fund owns could go down. Generally, the stock price of large companies is more stable than the stock price of smaller companies, but this is not always the case. In addition to an individual stock losing value, the value of a market sector or of the equity markets as a whole could go down. In addition, different parts of a market can react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political and economic developments.

Style risk. Since the Fund follows a growth investment style, there is the risk that the growth investment style may be out of favor for a period of time.

EVALUATING PERFORMANCE

A number of factors - including risk - can affect how the Fund performs. The following bar chart shows the Fund's performance for each full calendar year of operations. The bar chart and tables below demonstrate the risk of investing in the Fund by showing how returns can change from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual total returns compare with a broad measure of market performance and/or a group of similar mutual funds. The returns of market indexes and mutual fund peer groups do not include the effect of any sales charges or taxes that may apply for investors in the Fund. Market index returns do not reflect mutual fund operating expenses. Returns would be lower if they included the effect of these factors.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future. After-tax losses may be offset by other gains.

2



Conservative Growth Fund**

Annual Returns* (Class A shares)

BEST QUARTER:  19.05% (4th quarter 2001) WORST QUARTER: -26.04% (1st quarter 2001)

*  These annual returns do not include sales charges. If the sales charges were included, the annual returns would be lower than that shown. Without the distribution and service (12b-1) fee waiver, the annual returns would have been lower, too. The total return of the Fund's Class A shares from 1-1-0 5 to 6 -30-0 5 was –  3.43 %.

**  Prior to September 20, 2005 Columbus Circle Investors and Oak Associates Ltd. were the subadvisers to the Fu nd.

Average Annual Total Returns 1,5   (as of 12/31/04)

   
One Year
 
5 Years
  Since Inception
(11-3-99)
 
Class B shares     -2.18 %     -9.03 %     -6.10 %  
Class C shares     1.82       -8.85       -5.91    
Class A Shares  
Return Before Taxes     -2.01       -9.20       -6.23    
Return After Taxes on Distributions 6     -2.01       -9.20       -6.23    
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 6     -1.31       -7.05       -4.84    
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
S&P 500 2     10.87       -2.30       -0.75    
Russell 1000 Growth Index 3     6.30       -9.29       -6.30    
Lipper Average 4     7.79       -3.45       -1.69    

 

1  The Fund's returns are after deduction of sales charges and expenses. Without the distribution and service (12b-1) fee waiver for Class A shares the returns would have been lower.

2  The S&P 500 - an unmanaged index of 500 stocks of large U.S. companies - gives a broad look at how stock prices have performed. Source: Lipper Inc.

3  The Russell 1000 Growth Index contains those securities in the Russell 1000 index with an above-average growth orientation. Companies in this index tend to exhibit higher price-to-book and price-to-earning ratios, lower dividend yields and higher forecasted growth rates. Source: Lipper Inc.

4  The Lipper Average is based on the average return of all mutual funds in the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds category. Source: Lipper Inc.

5  Prior to September 20, 2005 Columbus Circle Investors and Oak Associates Ltd. were subadvisers to the Fund.

6  After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown only for Class B shares. After-tax returns for other classes will vary due to differing sales charges and expenses. Past performance, before and after taxes, does not mean that the Fund will achieve similar results in the future.

3



Risk/Return Summary

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table shows the sales charges, fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of each share class of the Fund - Classes A, B and C. Each share class has different (or no) sales charges - known as loads - and expenses, but represents an investment in the same Fund. For more information about which share class may be right for you, see "How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Fund."

Shareholder Fees 1 (paid directly from your investment)

    Class A   Class B   Class C  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
  5.50%   None   None  
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on
sales (as a percentage of the lower of original
purchase price or sale proceeds)
  1% 2   5% 3   1% 4  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on
reinvested dividends and other distributions
  None   None   None  
Redemption fees   None   None   None  
Exchange fee   None   None   None  

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (deducted from Fund assets)

    Class A   Class B   Class C  
Management fees     .70 %     .70 %     .70 %  
+ Distribution and service (12b-1) fees     .30 % 5     1.00 %     1.00 %  
+ Other expenses     .53 %     .53 %     .53 %  
= Total annual Fund operating expenses     1.53 %     2.23 %     2.23 %  
Fee waiver     .05 % 5     None       None    
= Net annual Fund operating expenses     1.48 %     2.23 %     2.23 %  

 

1  Your broker may charge you a separate or additional fee for purchases and sales of shares or an administrative fee on Fund balances, including income from Fund distributions.

2  Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1%. The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential).

3  The CDSC for Class B shares decreases by 1% annually to 1% in the fifth and sixth years and 0% in the seventh year. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares approximately seven years after purchase.

4  The CDSC for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase (within 18 months of purchase for Class C shares purchased prior to February 2, 2004).

5  The expense information for Class A shares has been restated to reflect current fees. For the period ending
July 31, 2006, the Distributor of the Fund has contractually agreed to reduce its distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A shares to an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the
Class A shares.

4



Example

This example is intended to help you compare the fees and expenses of the Fund's different share classes and the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same, except that the contractual waiver of distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A and Class C shares is effective in this example for the first year. Approximately seven years after purchase, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis. The information in the ten years column reflects such conversion. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A shares   $ 692     $ 1,002     $ 1,334     $ 2,269    
Class B shares     726       997       1,295       2,306    
Class C shares     326       697       1,195       2,565    

 

You would pay the following expenses on the same investment if you did not sell your shares:

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years  
Class A shares   $ 692     $ 1,002     $ 1,334     $ 2,269    
Class B shares     226       697       1,195       2,306    
Class C shares     226       697       1,195       2,565    

 

5



How the Fund Invests

INVESTMENT POLICIES

Our portfolio managers seek to invest in medium to large companies experiencing some or all of the following: above-average revenue and earnings per share growth, strong market position, improving profitability and distinctive attributes such as unique marketing ability, strong research and development, differentiated product or service and financial strength. Dividend income is only an incidental consideration. Generally, we will consider selling a security when we think it has achieved its growth potential, or when we think we can find better growth opportunities.

Additional Information on Investments and Risk

For more information, see "Investment Risks" below and the Statement of Additional Information, "Description of the Funds, Their Investments and Risks." The Statement of Additional Information - which we refer to as the SAI - contains additional information about the Fund. To obtain a copy, see the back cover page of this prospectus.

Although we make every effort to achieve the Fund's objective, we can't guarantee success. The Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. The Board of the Fund can change investment policies that are not fundamental.

OTHER INVESTMENTS AND STRATEGIES

In addition to the Fund's principal strategies described above, unless otherwise specified below, we may also use the following investment strategies to try to increase the Fund's returns or protect their assets if market conditions warrant.

Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its investable assets in foreign equity and debt securities, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and securities issued by foreign governments. For purposes of this policy, foreign companies and financial institutions are those that are organized under the laws of a foreign country. Instruments like American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), American Depositary Shares (ADSs), and similar receipts or shares traded in the U.S. markets will not be considered to be foreign securities.

Short Sales. The Fund may engage in short sales in the amounts of up to 25% of its investable assets. The ability to engage in short sales will not be a primary investment strategy, but would be used as deemed appropriate by Jennison to either increase the Fund's return or protect assets if market conditions warrant.

Other Equity-Linked Investments. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its investable assets in securities of exchange traded funds (ETFs) such as Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts (SPDRs), Barclays iShares and Dow Jones Diamonds, subject to

6



certain limits on investment in securities of non-affiliated investment companies. Securities of ETFs represent shares of ownership in either mutual funds or unit investment trusts (UITs) that hold a portfolio of common stocks that are designed to generally correspond to the price and yield performance of their underlying portfolio of securities. Such holdings may be subject to any management fees of the mutual fund or UIT. The underlying portfolio may have a broad market, sector or international focus. ETFs give investors the opportunity to buy or sell an entire portfolio of stocks in a single security transaction in a manner similar to buying or selling a share of stock.

Temporary Defensive Investments.  In response to adverse market, economic or political conditions, we may temporarily invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in money market instruments or U.S. Government securities. Investing heavily in these securities limits our ability to achieve our investment objective, but can help to preserve the Fund's assets when the markets are unstable.

Money Market Instruments.  The Fund may invest in high quality money market instruments for cash management purposes. Money market instruments include the commercial paper of U.S. and foreign corporations, obligations of U.S. and foreign banks, certificates of deposit and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or a foreign government.

The Fund will generally purchase money market instruments in one of the two highest short-term quality ratings of a major rating service. The Fund may also invest in money market instruments that are not rated, but which we believe are of comparable quality to the instruments described above.

U.S. Government Securities.  The Fund may invest in debt obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury. Treasury securities have varying interest rates and maturities, but they are all backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

The Fund may also invest in other debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and government-related entities. Some of these debt securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, like GNMA obligations. Debt securities issued by other government entities, like obligations of FNMA and the Student Loan Marketing Association (SLMA or "Sallie Mae"), are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. However, these issuers have the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet their obligations. In contrast, the debt securities of other issuers, like the Farm Credit System, depend entirely upon their own resources to repay their debt.

7



How the Fund Invests

The U.S. Government sometimes "strips" its debt obligations into their component parts: the U.S. Government's obligation to make interest payments and its obligation to repay the amount borrowed. These stripped securities are sold to investors separately. Stripped securities do not make periodic interest payments. They are usually sold at a discount and then redeemed for their face value on their maturity dates. These securities increase in value when interest rates fall and lose value when interest rates rise. However, the value of stripped securities generally fluctuates more in response to interest rate movements than the value of traditional debt obligations. The Fund may try to earn money by buying stripped securities at a discount and either selling them after they increase in value or holding them until they mature.

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may also use repurchase agreements, where a party agrees to sell a security to the Fund and then repurchase it at an agreed-upon price at a stated time. This creates a fixed return for the Fund, and is, in effect a loan by the Fund. Repurchase agreements are used for cash management purposes.

Convertible and Preferred Securities

The Fund may also invest in convertible and preferred securities, including convertible bonds, convertible preferred stock and non-convertible preferred stock. These are securities - such as bonds, corporate notes and preferred stock - that we can convert into the company's common stock or some other equity security.

Derivatives

The Fund may invest in derivatives (such as futures and options) in amounts of up to 25% of its investable assets. The ability to purchase derivatives would not be considered a primary investment strategy, but would be used as deemed appropriate by Jennison to either increase the Fund's return or protect assets if market conditions warrant.

Additional Strategies

The Fund may also use other non-principal strategies, such as purchasing debt securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. When the Fund makes this type of purchase, the price and interest rate are fixed at the time of purchase, but delivery and payment for the debt obligations take place at a later time. The Fund does not earn interest income until the date the debt obligations are delivered.

The Fund also follows certain policies when it borrows money (the Fund may borrow up to 20% of the value of its total assets); and holds illiquid securities (the Fund may hold up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities with legal or

8



contractual restrictions on resale, those without a readily available market and repurchase agreements with maturities longer than seven days).

The Fund may participate in the initial public offering (IPO) market. The prices of securities purchased in IPOs can be very volatile. The effects of IPOs on the performance of the Fund depends on a variety of factors, including the number of IPOs the Fund invests in relative to the size of the Fund and whether and to what extent a security purchased in an IPO appreciates or depreciates in value. As the Fund's asset base increases, IPOs often have a diminished effect on the Fund's performance.

The Fund is subject to certain investment restrictions that are fundamental policies, which means they cannot be changed without shareholder approval. For more information about these restrictions, see the SAI.

Portfolio Turnover

As a result of the investment strategies described above, the Fund may engage in a substantial number of portfolio transactions. The portfolio turnover rates for the Fund for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004 were 69% and 53% respectively. Prior to September 20, 2005 Columbus Circle Investors and Oak Associates Ltd. were subadvisors to the Fund. The portfolio turnover rate is generally the percentage computed by dividing the lesser of portfolio purchases or sales (excluding all securities, including options, whose maturities or expiration date at acquisition were one year or less) by the monthly average value of the portfolio. High portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which are borne directly by the Fund. In addition, high portfolio turnover may also mean that a proportionately greater amount of distributions to shareholders will be taxed as ordinary income rather than long-term capital gains compared to investment companies with lower portfolio turnover.

INVESTMENT RISKS

As noted previously, all investments involve risk, and investing in the Fund is no exception. Since the Fund's holdings can vary significantly from broad market indexes, performance of that Fund can deviate from performance of the indexes. This chart outlines the key risks and potential rewards of the Fund's principal strategies and certain of the Fund's non-principal strategies. Unless otherwise noted, the Fund's ability to engage in a particular type of investment is expressed as a percentage of investable assets. See "Description of the Funds, their Investments and Risks" in the SAI.

9



How the Fund Invests

Investment Type

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Common stocks   n Individual stocks could lose value
n The equity markets could go down, resulting in a decline in value of the Fund's investments
n Companies that pay dividends may not do so if they don't have profits or adequate cash flow
n Changes in economic or political conditions, both domestic and international, may result in a decline in value of the Fund's investments
  n Historically, stocks have outperformed other investments over the long-term
n Generally, economic growth means higher corporate profits, which leads to an increase in stock prices, known as capital appreciation
n May be a source of dividend income
 
U.S. Government securities
Percentage varies, and up to 100% on a temporary basis
  n Not all are insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, but only by the issuing agency
n Limits potential for capital appreciation
n  Market risk - the risk that the market value of an investment may move up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect an industry, a sector, or the market as a whole
n Interest rate risk - the value of most bonds will fall when interest rates rise. The longer a bond's maturity and the lower its credit quality, the more its value typically falls. It can lead to price volatility, particularly for junk bonds and stripped securities
  n Regular interest income
n The U.S. government guarantees interest and principal payments on certain securities
n Generally more secure than lower quality debt securities and equity securities
n May preserve the Fund's assets
 

 

10



Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Money market instruments
Up to 35% on a normal basis and to 100% on a temporary basis
  n U.S. government money market securities offer a lower yield than lower-quality or longer-term securities
n Limits potential for capital appreciation
n Credit risk - the default of an issuer would leave a Fund with unpaid interest or principal. The lower a bond's quality, the higher its potential volatility
n  Market risk - the risk that the market value of an investment may move up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Market risk may affect an industry, a sector, or the market as a whole
  n May preserve the Fund's assets  
When-issued and delayed-delivery securities
Percentage varies; usually less than 10%
  n May magnify underlying investment losses
n Investment costs may exceed potential underlying investment gains
  n May magnify underlying investment gains  
Borrowing
Up to 20%
  n Leverage borrowing for investments may magnify losses
n Interest costs and investment fees may exceed potential investment gains
  n Leverage may magnify investment gains  
Illiquid securities
Up to 15% (of net assets)
  n May be difficult to value precisely
n May be difficult to sell at the time or price desired
  n May offer a more attractive yield or potential for growth than more widely traded securities  

 

11



How the Fund Invests

Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Foreign securities
Up to 20% of its investable assets
  n Foreign markets, economies and political systems, particularly those in developing countries, may not be as stable as those in the U.S.
n Currency risk - adverse changes in the values of foreign currencies can cause losses (non-U.S. dollar denominated securities)
n May be less liquid than U.S. stocks and bonds
n Differences in foreign laws, accounting standards, public information, custody and settlement practices may result in less reliable information on foreign investments and involve more risks
n Investments in emerging market securities are subject to greater volatility and price declines.
  n Investors may participate in the growth of foreign markets through a Fund's investments in companies operating in those markets
n Fund may profit from a favorable change in the value of foreign currencies (non-U.S. dollar denominated securities)
n Opportunities for diversification
 

 

12



Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Derivatives
Up to 25% of the Fund's investable assets
  n The value of derivatives (such as futures, swaps and options) that are used to hedge a portfolio security is generally determined independently from the value of that security and could result in a loss to the Fund when the price movement of the derivative does not correlate with a change in the value of the portfolio security
n Derivatives may not have the intended effects and may result in losses or missed opportunities
n The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default
n Derivatives can increase share price volatility and those that involve leverage could magnify losses
n Certain types of derivatives involve costs to the Fund that can reduce returns
n It may be difficult to value precisely or sell at the time or price desired
  n Derivatives could make money and protect against losses if the investment analysis proves correct
n Derivatives used for return enhancement purposes involve a type of leverage and could generate substantial gains at low cost
n One way to manage the Fund's risk/return balance is by locking in the value of an investment ahead of time
n Hedges that correlate well with an underlying position can reduce or eliminate the volatility of investment income or capital gains at low cost
 

 

13



How the Fund Invests

Investment Type (cont'd)

% of Investable Assets   Risks   Potential Rewards  
Short sales
Up to 25% of the Fund's investable assets
  n May magnify underlying investment losses
n Share price volatility can magnify losses because underlying security must be replaced at a specific time.
n Investment costs may exceed potential underlying investment gains
n Short sales "against the box" give up the opportunity for capital appreciation in the security and pose the risk of potentially unlimited loss
  n May magnify underlying investment gains  
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
Up to 10% of the Fund's investable assets
  n The underlying assets in an ETF could lose value
n ETF's are not actively managed, and therefore, are unlikely to "beat" the market
  n ETF's provide the Fund with additional diversification  

 

14



How the Fund is Managed

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees (the Board) oversees the actions of the Manager, the subadviser and the Distributor and decides on general policies. The Board also oversees the Fund's officers, who conduct and supervise the daily business operations of the Fund.

MANAGER

Prudential Investments LLC (PI or the Manager)
Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street
Newark, NJ 07102

Under a management agreement with the Trust, PI manages the Fund's investment operations, administers its business affairs and is responsible for supervising the subadviser for the Fund. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, the Fund paid PI the management fee set forth in the table below (shown as a percentage of average
net assets).

Fund   Annual Management Fee Paid to PI  
Jennison Conservative Growth Fund     0.70 %  

 

PI and its predecessors have served as manager or administrator to investment companies since 1987. As of June 30, 2005 PI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential), served as the investment manager to all of the Prudential U.S. and offshore open-end investment companies, with aggregate assets of approximately $90.1 billion.

Subject to the supervision of the Board, PI is responsible for conducting the initial review of prospective subadvisers for the Fund. In evaluating a prospective subadviser, PI considers many factors, including the firm's experience, investment philosophy and historical performance. PI is also responsible for monitoring the performance of the Trust's Advisers.

PI and the Fund operate under an exemptive order (the Order) from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission or the SEC) that generally permits PI to enter into or amend agreements with Advisers without obtaining shareholder approval each time. This authority is subject to certain conditions, including the requirement that the Board must approve any new or amended agreements with each subadviser. Shareholders of the Fund still have the right to terminate these agreements for the Fund at any time by a vote of the majority of outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund will notify shareholders of any new subadvisers or material amendments to advisory agreements made pursuant to the Order.

15



How the Fund is Managed

SUBADVISER AND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Introduction

The subadviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, subject to the supervision of PI and the Board. The subadviser is paid by PI, not the Fund.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the Fund's investment advisory agreements is available in the Fund's annual reports (for any agreements approved during the six-month period ended July 31, 2005) and will be available in the Fund's semi-annual reports (for any agreements approved during the six-month period ended January 31, 2006).

Jennison Associates LLC is the subadviser for the Fund. Its address is 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017. As of August 31, 2005, Jennison had approximately $68.7 billion in assets under management. Jennison has served as an investment advisor since 1969, and has advised investment companies since 1990. Jennison typically follows a team approach in the management of its portfolios, while seeking to preserve individual accountability. The teams are generally organized along product strategies (e.g., large cap growth, large cap value) and meet regularly to review the core portfolio holdings and discuss purchase and sales activity of all accounts in the particular product strategy. The portfolio managers for the Fund are supported by members of Jennison's research team, which is comprised of other research analysts and other investment professionals of Jennison. Team members provide research support and make securities recommendations and support the portfolio managers in all activities. Members of the team may change from time to time.

Effective September 20, 2005, Blair A. Boyer, Spiros Segalas and Kathleen A. McCarragher became the portfolio managers for the Fund. Mr. Boyer generally has final authority over all aspects of the Fund's investment portfolio, including but not limited to, purchases and sales of individual securities, portfolio construction, risk assessment, and management of cash flows. Mr. Boyer is an Executive Vice President of Jennison, which he joined in 1993. In January 2003, Mr. Boyer joined the growth equity team, after co-managing international equity portfolios since joining Jennison. During his tenure as an international equity portfolio manager, he managed the Jennison International Growth Fund from its inception in March 2000. Mr. Boyer managed international equity portfolios at Bleichroeder from 1989 to 1993. Prior to that, he was a research analyst and then a senior portfolio manager in the Verus Capital division at Bleichroeder. Mr. Boyer graduated from Bucknell University in 1983 with a B.A. in Economics. He received an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University in 1989.

Spiros Segalas was a founding member of Jennison in 1969 and is currently a Director, President and Chief Investment Officer at Jennison. He received his B.A. from Princeton University and is a member of The New York Society of Security Analysts, Inc.

16



Kathleen A. McCarragher joined Jennison in 1998 and is an Executive Vice President at Jennison. She is also Jennison's Head of Growth Equity. Prior to joining Jennison, she was employed at Weiss, Peck & Greer L.L.C. as a managing director and director of large cap growth equities for six years. Ms. McCarragher received her B.B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin and her M.B.A. from Harvard University.

DISTRIBUTOR

Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS) distributes the Fund's shares under a Distribution Agreement with the Fund. The Trust has Distribution and Service Plans under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. Under the Plans and the Distribution Agreement, PIMS pays the expenses of distributing the Fund's Class A, B and C shares. The Fund pays distribution and other fees to PIMS as compensation for its services for each class of shares. These fees - known as 12b-1 fees - are shown in the "Fees and Expenses" tables.

Investors who buy shares of the Fund should be aware of some important tax issues. For example, the Fund distributes dividends of ordinary income and any realized net capital gains to shareholders. These distributions are subject to taxes, unless you hold your shares in a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or some other qualified tax-deferred plan or account. Dividends and distributions from the Fund also may be subject to state and local income taxes.

Also, if you sell shares of the Fund for a profit, you may have to pay capital gains taxes on the amount of your profit, again unless your shares are held in a qualified tax deferred plan or account.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

A description of the Trust's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund's portfolio securities is described in the Fund's SAI and on the Trust's website at www.jennisondryden.com. The Trust will provide a full list of the Fund's portfolio holdings as of the end of each month on its website within approximately 30 days after the end of the month. In addition, the Fund may release its top ten holdings, sector and country breakdowns, and largest industries on a monthly basis. Such information will be posted to the Trust's website no earlier than 15 days after the end of each month and will be available on the Trust's website for at least six months from the posting date. These postings can be located at www.jennisondryden.com.

17



Fund Distributions and Tax Issues

The following briefly discusses some of the important federal income tax issues you should be aware of, but is not meant to be tax advice. For tax advice, please speak with your tax adviser.

DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund distributes dividends of any net investment income to shareholders annually.

For example, if the Fund owns ACME Corp. stock and the stock pays a dividend, the Fund will pay out a portion of this dividend to its shareholders, assuming the Fund's income is more than its costs and expenses. The dividends you receive from the Fund will be taxed as ordinary income, whether or not they are reinvested in the Fund.

To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, the amount of income available for distribution to shareholders will be affected by any foreign currency gains or losses generated by the Fund and cannot be predicted. This fact, coupled with the different tax and accounting treatment of certain currency gains and losses, increases the possibility that distributions, in whole or in part, may be a return of capital to shareholders.

The Fund also distributes realized net capital gains to shareholders - typically once a year. Capital gains are generated when the Fund sells its assets for a profit. For example, if the Fund bought 100 shares of ACME Corp. stock for a total of $1,000 and more than one year later sold the shares for a total of $1,500, the Fund has net long-term capital gains of $500, which it will pass on to shareholders (assuming the Fund's total gains are greater than any losses it may have). Capital gains are taxed differently depending on how long the Fund holds the security - if a security is held more than one year before it is sold, long-term capital gains are taxed at rates of up to 15%, but if the security is held one year or less, short-term capital gains are taxed at ordinary income rates of up to 35%. Different rates apply to corporate shareholders.

Under recently enacted legislation, a portion of dividends paid to individuals and other non-corporate shareholders of the Fund may be eligible for the maximum 15% tax rate applicable for long-term capital gain. To the extent the Fund's income is derived from certain dividends received from U.S. corporations, a portion of the dividends paid to corporate shareholders of the Fund will be eligible for the 70% dividends received deduction.

For your convenience, the Fund's distributions of dividends and capital gains are automatically reinvested in the Fund without any sales charge. If you ask us to pay the distributions in cash, we will send you a check if your account is with the Transfer

18



Agent. Otherwise, if your account is with a broker, you will receive a credit to your account. Either way, the distributions may be subject to income taxes, unless your shares are held in a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account. For more information about automatic reinvestment and other shareholder services, see "Step 4: Additional Shareholder Services" in the next section.

TAX ISSUES
Form 1099

Every year, you will receive a Form 1099, which reports the amount of dividends and capital gains we distributed to you during the prior year unless you own shares of the Fund as part of a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account. If you do own shares of the Fund as part of a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account, your taxes are deferred, so you will not receive a Form 1099. However, you will receive a Form 1099 when you take any distributions from your qualified or tax-deferred plan or account.

Fund distributions are generally taxable to you in the calendar year in which they are received, except when we declare certain dividends in the fourth quarter and actually pay them in January of the following year. In such cases, the dividends are treated as if they were paid on December 31 of the prior year.

Withholding Taxes

If federal tax law requires you to provide the Fund with your taxpayer identification number and certifications as to your tax status, and you fail to do this, or if you are otherwise subject to backup withholding, we will withhold and pay to the U.S. Treasury a portion (currently 28%) of your distributions and sale proceeds. Dividends of net investment income and net short-term capital gains paid to a nonresident foreign shareholder generally will be subject to a U.S. withholding tax of 30%. This rate may be lower, depending on any tax treaty the U.S. may have with the shareholder's country.

If You Purchase Just Before Record Date

If you buy shares of a Fund just before the record date for a distribution (the date that determines who receives the distribution), we will pay that distribution to you. As explained above, the distribution may be subject to ordinary income or capital gains taxes. You may think you've done well since you bought shares one day and soon thereafter received a distribution. That is not so, because when dividends are paid out, the value of each share of the Fund decreases by the amount of the dividend to reflect the payout, although this may not be apparent because the value of each share of the Fund also will be affected by the market changes, if any. The distribution you receive makes up for the decrease in share value. However, the timing of your purchase does mean that part of your investment came back to you as taxable income.

19



Fund Distributions and Tax Issues

Qualified and Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans

Retirement plans and accounts allow you to defer paying federal income taxes on investment income and capital gains. Contributions to these plans may also be tax deductible, although distributions from these plans generally are taxable. In the case of Roth IRAs, contributions are not tax deductible, but distributions from the plan may be tax-free for federal income tax purposes.

IF YOU SELL OR EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES

If you sell any shares of the Fund for a profit, you will have realized a capital gain , which is subject to tax, unless you hold shares in a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account. The amount of tax you pay depends on how long you owned your shares and when you bought them. If you sell shares of a Fund for a loss, you may have a capital loss, which you may use to offset certain capital gains you have.

If you sell shares and realize a loss, you will not be permitted to use the loss to the extent you replace the shares (including pursuant to the reinvestment of a dividend) within a 61-day period (beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the sale of the shares). If you acquire shares of the Fund and sell your shares within 90 days, you may not be allowed to include certain charges incurred in acquiring the shares for purposes of calculating gain or loss realized upon the sale of the shares.

Exchanging your shares of the Fund for the shares of a JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual fund is considered a sale for federal income tax purposes. In other words, it's a taxable event . Therefore, if the shares you exchanged have increased in value since you purchased them, you will have capital gains, which are subject to the federal income taxes described above.

Any gain or loss you may have from selling or exchanging Fund shares will not be reported on the Form 1099; however, proceeds from the sale or exchange will be reported on Form 1099-B. Therefore, unless you hold your shares in a qualified or tax-deferred plan or account, you or your financial adviser should keep track of the dates on which you buy and sell - or exchange - Fund shares, as well as the amount of any gain or loss on each transaction. For tax advice, please see your tax adviser.

Automatic Conversion of Class B, Class M and Class X Shares

You will not have a federal tax gain or loss when Class B shares of the Fund automatically convert into Class A shares - which happens automatically approximately seven, eight or ten (eight years if purchased prior to August 19, 1998) years, respectively, after purchase - because it does not involve an actual sale of your Class B shares. For more information about the automatic conversion of Class B shares, see "Class B Shares Convert to Class A Shares" in the next section.

20



[We have obtained a legal opinion that the conversion of Class B shares into Class A shares - which happens automatically approximately seven years after purchase - is not a "taxable event" for federal income tax purposes. This opinion, however, is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).]

21



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Fund

HOW TO BUY SHARES
Step 1: Open an Account

If you don't have an account with us or a securities firm that is permitted to buy or sell shares of the Fund for you, call Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (PMFS) at (800) 225-1852 or contact:

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC
Attn: Investment Services
P.O. Box 8179
Philadelphia, PA 19176

You may purchase shares by check or wire. We do not accept cash or money orders. To purchase by wire, call the number above to obtain an application. After PMFS receives your completed application, you will receive an account number. We have the right to reject any purchase order (including an exchange into the Fund) or suspend or modify the Fund's sale of its shares.

With certain limited exceptions, shares of the Fund are only available to be sold in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Step 2: Choose a Share Class

Individual investors can choose among Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund.

Multiple share classes let you choose a cost structure that meets your needs:

n   Class A shares purchased in amounts of less than $1 million require you to pay a sales charge at the time of purchase, but the operating expenses of Class A shares are lower than the operating expenses of Class B and Class C shares. Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are also subject to a CDSC of 1%.

n   Class B shares do not require you to pay a sales charge at the time of purchase, but do require you to pay a sales charge if you sell your shares within six years (that is why it is called a CDSC). The operating expenses of Class B shares are higher than the operating expenses of Class A shares.

n   Class C shares do not require you to pay a sales charge at the time of purchase, but do require you to pay a sales charge if you sell your shares within 12 months of purchase. The operating expenses of Class C shares are higher than the operating expenses of Class A shares.

22



When choosing a share class, you should consider the following factors:

n   The amount of your investment and any previous or planned future investments, which may qualify you for reduced sales charges for Class A shares under Rights of Accumulation or a Letter of Intent.

n   The length of time you expect to hold the shares and the impact of varying distribution fees. Over time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. For this reason, Class C shares may not be appropriate for investors who plan to hold their shares for more than 4 years.

n   The different sales charges that apply to each share class - Class A's front-end sales charge vs. Class B's CDSC vs. Class C's low CDSC.

n   The fact that Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares approximately seven years after purchase.

n   Class B shares purchased in amounts greater than $100,000 for equity funds, $100,000 for taxable fixed income funds, and $250,000 for municipal bond funds are generally less advantageous than purchasing Class A shares. Purchase orders for Class B shares exceeding these amounts generally will not be accepted.

n   Class C shares purchased in amounts greater than $1 million are generally less advantageous than purchasing Class A shares. Purchase orders for Class C shares above these amounts generally will not be accepted.

n   The fact that Class A, Class B and Class C shares are available for direct purchase.

See "How to Sell Your Shares" for a description of the impact of CDSCs.

Some investors purchase or sell shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries and broker-dealers who maintain omnibus accounts that aggregate the orders of multiple investors and forward the aggregate orders to the Fund. Although the Fund is unable to monitor or enforce the above limitations for underlying shareholders submitting orders through omnibus accounts, the Fund has advised the financial intermediaries and broker-dealers who maintain such accounts of these limitations. You should consult your financial intermediary or broker for assistance in choosing a share class.

23



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Fund

Share Class Comparison. Use this chart to help you compare the Fund's different share classes. The discussion following this chart will tell you whether you are entitled to a reduction or waiver of any sales charges.

    Class A   Class B   Class C  
Minimum purchase amount 1   $ 1,000     $ 1,000             $ 2,500    
Minimum amount for subsequent purchases 1   $ 100     $ 100             $ 100    
Maximum initial sales charge
 
 
 
  5.50 % of
the public
offering
price
  None
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  None
 
 
 
 
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) 2
 
 
 
 
 
  1 % 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
  If Sold During:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Years 5/6
Year 7
 
5 %
4 %
3 %
2 %
1 %
0 %
  1 % on
sales made
within
12 months
of purchase 4
 
 
 
Annual distribution and service (12b-1) fees
shown as a percentage of average net assets 5
 
  .30 of 1%
(.25 of 1%
currently)
  1 %
(.75 % of 1%
currently)
   
 
 
  1 %
(.75 % of 1%
currently)
 

 

1  The minimum investment requirements do not apply to certain custodial accounts for minors. The minimum initial and subsequent investment for purchases made through the Automatic Investment Plan is $50. For more information, see "Additional Shareholder Services - Automatic Investment Plan."

2  For more information about the CDSC and how it is calculated, see "How to Sell Your Shares - Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC)."

3  Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1%. (The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential).

4  For Class C shares purchased before February 2, 2004, the Class C CDSC applies for shares redeemed within 18 months of purchase.

5  These distribution and service (12b-1) fees are paid from the Fund's assets on a continuous basis. The service fee for Class A, Class B and Class C shares is .25 of 1%. The distribution fee for Class A shares is .30 of 1% (including the .25 of 1% service fee). Class B and Class C shares pay a distribution fee (in addition to the service fee) of .75 of 1%. For the period ending July 31, 2006, the Distributor has contractually agreed to reduce its distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A shares of the Fund to .25 of 1% of the Fund's Class A shares' average daily net assets.

24



Reducing or Waiving Class A's Initial Sales Charge

The following describes the different ways investors can reduce or avoid paying Class A's initial sales charge.

Increase the Amount of Your Investment. You can reduce Class A's sales charge by increasing the amount of your investment. This table show you how the sales charge decreases as the amount of your investment increases.

Amount of Purchase   Sales Charge as % of
Offering Price
  Sales Charge as % of
Amount Invested
  Dealer
Reallowance
 
Less than $25,000     5.50 %     5.82 %     5.00 %  
$ 25,000 to $49,999     5.00       5.26       4.50    
$ 50,000 to $99,999     4.50       4.71       4.00    
$100,000 to $249,999     3.75       3.90       3.25    
$250,000 to $499,999     2.75       2.83       2.50    
$500,000 to $999,999     2.00       2.04       1.75    
$1 million to $4,999,999*     None       None       1.00 **  

 

*  If you purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares, you will be subject to a 1% CDSC for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. (The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential).

**  For investments of $5 million to $9,999,999, the dealer allowance is 0.50%. For investments of $10 million and over, the dealer allowance is 0.25%.

To satisfy the purchase amounts above, you can:

n   Use your Rights of Accumulation , which allow you or an eligible group of related investors to combine (1) the current value of JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual fund shares you or the group already own (2) the value of money market shares you or an eligible group of related investors have received for shares of other JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds in an exchange transaction and (3) the value of the shares you or an eligible group of related investors are purchasing, or

n   Sign a Letter of Intent , stating in writing that you or an eligible group of related investors will purchase a certain amount of shares in the Fund and other JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds within 13 months, or

n   Use your Combined Purchase and Cumulative Purchase Privilege , which allows you and an eligible group of related investors to combine the value of Class A shares of this Fund with the value of Class A shares of other JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds that you or the group are purchasing at the same time.

An eligible group of related investors includes any combination of the following:

n   an individual

n   the individual's spouse, their children and parents

n   the individual's and spouse's Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

n   any company controlled by the individual (a person, entity or group that holds 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a company will be deemed to control the company, and a partnership will be deemed to be controlled by

25



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Fund

each of its general partners), with the exception of employee benefit plans of a company controlled by the individual

n   a trust created by the individual, the beneficiaries of which are the individual, his or her spouse, parents or children

n   a Uniform Gifts to Minors Act/ Uniform Transfers to Minors Act account created by the individual or the individual's spouse

The value of shares held by you or an eligible group of related investors will be determined as follows:

n   for Class A shares, the value of existing shares is determined by the maximum offering price (NAV plus maximum sales charge) as of the previous business day.

n   for Class B shares and Class C shares, the value of existing shares is determined by the NAV as of the previous business day.

If your shares are held directly by the Transfer Agent, and you believe you qualify for a reduction or waiver of Class A's initial sales charge, you must notify the Transfer Agent at the time of the qualifying share purchase in order to receive the applicable reduction or waiver. If your shares are held through a broker or other financial intermediary, and you believe you qualify for a reduction or waiver of Class A's initial sales charge, you must notify your broker or intermediary at the time of the qualifying purchase in order to receive the applicable reduction or waiver. Shares held through a broker or other financial intermediary will not be systematically aggregated with shares held directly by the Transfer Agent for purposes of receiving a reduction or waiver of Class A's initial sales charge. The reduced or waived sales charge will be granted subject to confirmation of account holdings.

If your shares are held directly by the Transfer Agent, you must identify the eligible group of related investors. Although the Transfer Agent does not require any specific form of documentation in order to establish your eligibility to receive a waiver or reduction of Class A's initial sales charge, you may be required to provide appropriate documentation if the Transfer Agent is unable to establish your eligibility.

If your shares are held through a broker or other intermediary, the broker or intermediary is responsible for determining the specific documentation, if any, that you may need in order to establish your eligibility to receive a waiver or reduction of Class A's initial sales charge. Your broker or intermediary is also responsible for notifying the Transfer Agent if your share purchase qualifies for a reduction or waiver of Class A's initial sales charge.

26



Purchases of $1 million or more. If you purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares, you will not be subject to an initial sales charge, although a CDSC may apply, as previously noted.

Benefit Plans. Certain group retirement and savings plans may purchase Class A shares without paying the initial sales charge if they meet the required minimum for amount of assets, average account balance or number of eligible employees. For more information about these requirements, call us at (800) 353-2847.

Mutual Fund Programs. The initial sales charge will be waived for investors in certain programs sponsored by broker-dealers, investment advisers and financial planners who have agreements with the Distributor relating to:

n   Mutual fund "wrap" or asset allocation programs; where the sponsor places fund trades, links its clients' accounts to a master account in the sponsor's name and charges its clients a management, consulting or other fee for its services, or

n   Mutual fund "supermarket" programs; where the sponsor links its clients' accounts to a master account in the sponsor's name and the sponsor charges a fee for its services.

Broker-dealers, investment advisers or financial planners sponsoring these mutual fund programs may offer their clients more than one class of shares in the Fund in connection with different pricing options for their programs. 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.

Other Types of Investors. Certain other types of investors may purchase Class A shares without paying the initial sales charge, including:

n   certain directors, officers, employees (and certain members of their families) of Prudential and its affiliates, the JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds, and the investment advisers of the JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds

n   persons who have retired directly from active service with Prudential or one of its subsidiaries

n   certain real estate brokers, agents and employees of real estate brokerage companies affiliated with the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates

n   registered representatives and employees of brokers that have entered into dealer agreements with the Distributor

n   investors in Individual Retirement Accounts, provided that (a) the purchase is made either from a directed rollover to such Individual Retirement Account or with the proceeds of a tax-free rollover of assets from a Benefit Plan for which Prudential Retirement (the institutional Benefit Plan recordkeeping entity of Prudential) provides administrative or recordkeeping services, in each case provided that such purchase is made within 60 days of receipt of the Benefit Plan distribution, or (b) recordkeeping for the Individual Retirement Account is performed by Prudential Retirement as part of its "Rollover IRA" program

27



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Fund

(regardless of whether or not the assets of the Individual Retirement Account consist of proceeds of a tax-free rollover of assets from a Benefit Plan described in (a) above).

To qualify for a waiver of the Class A sales charge at the time of purchase, you must notify the Transfer Agent or the Distributor must be notified by the broker facilitating the purchase that the transaction qualifies for a waiver of the Class A sales charge. The waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of your account holdings.

Additional Information About Reducing or Waiving Class A's Sales Charge. The Fund makes available free of charge, on the Fund's website at www.jennisondryden.com, in a clear and prominent format, information relating to the Fund's Class A initial sales charge, and the different ways that investors can reduce or avoid paying the initial sales charge. The Fund's website includes hyperlinks that facilitate access to this information.

You may need to provide your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary through which you hold Fund shares with the information necessary to take full advantage of reduced or waived Class A sales charges.

The Distributor may reallow Class A's sales charge to dealers.

Class B Shares Convert to Class A Shares

If you buy Class B shares and hold them for approximately seven years, we will automatically convert them into Class A shares without charge. At that time, we will also convert any Class B shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and other distributions. Since the distribution and service (12b-1) fees for Class A shares are lower than for Class B, converting to Class A shares lowers your Fund expenses.

Class B shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions will be converted to Class A shares according to the procedures utilized by the broker-dealer through which the Class B shares were purchased, to the extent the shares are carried on the books of the broker-dealer and the broker-dealer provides subaccounting services to the Fund. Otherwise, the procedures utilized by Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, or its affiliates, will be used. The use of different procedures may result in a timing differential in the conversion of Class B shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

When we do the conversion, you will get fewer Class A shares than the number of converted Class B shares if the price of the Class A shares is higher than the price of the Class B shares. The total dollar value will be the same, so you will not have lost

28



any money by getting fewer Class A shares. We do the conversions quarterly, not on the anniversary date of your purchase. For more information, see the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Conversion Feature - Class B Shares."

Step 3: Understanding the Price You'll Pay

The price you pay for each share of the Fund is based on the share value. The share value of a mutual fund - known as the net asset value or NAV  - is determined by a simple calculation: it's the total value of the Fund (assets minus liabilities) divided by the total number of shares outstanding. For example, if the value of the investments held by Fund XYZ (minus its liabilities) is $1,000 and there are 100 shares of Fund XYZ owned by shareholders, the price of one share of the fund - or the NAV - is $10 ($1,000 divided by 100). The Fund's portfolio securities are valued based upon market quotations or, if not readily available, at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by the Board. With respect to any portion of the Fund's assets that are invested in one or more open-end investment companies, the Fund's net asset value will be calculated based upon the net asset value per share of the investment company in which the Fund invests.

The Fund may also use fair value pricing if it determines that a market quotation is not reliably based, among other things, on events or market conditions that occur after the quotation is derived or after the closing of the primary market on which the security is traded, but before the time that the Fund's NAV is determined. This use of fair value pricing most commonly occurs with securities that are primarily traded outside the U.S. because such securities present time-zone arbitrage opportunities when events or conditions affecting the prices of specific securities or the prices of securities traded in such markets generally occur after the close of the foreign markets but prior to the time the Fund determines its NAV. The Fund may also use fair value pricing with respect to U.S.-traded securities if, for example, trading in a particular security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV or the exchange on which a security is traded closes early. In addition, fair value pricing is used for securities where the pricing agent or principal market maker does not provide a valuation or methodology or provides a valuation or methodology that, in the judgment of the Manager (or Subadviser) does not represent fair value. Different valuation methods may result in differing values for the same security. The fair value of a portfolio security that the Fund uses to determine its NAV may differ from the security's quoted or published price. If the Fund needs to implement fair value pricing after the NAV publishing deadline but before shares of the Fund are processed, the NAV you receive or pay may differ from the published NAV price. For purposes of computing the Fund's NAV, we will value the Fund's futures contracts 15 minutes after

Mutual Fund Shares

The NAV of mutual fund shares changes every day because the value of a fund's portfolio changes constantly. For example, if Fund XYZ holds ACME Corp. stock in its portfolio and the price of ACME stock goes up while the value of the fund's other holdings remains the same and expenses don't change, the NAV of Fund XYZ will increase.

29



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Fund

the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Except when we fair value securities, we normally value each foreign security held by the Fund as of the close of the security's primary market. Fair value pricing procedures are designed to result in prices for the Fund's securities and its net asset value that are reasonable in light of the circumstances which make or have made market quotations unavailable or unreliable, and may have the effect of reducing arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders. There is no assurance, however, that fair value pricing will more accurately reflect the market value of a security than the market price of such security on that day or that it will prevent dilution of the Fund's NAV by short-term traders.

We determine the Fund's NAV once each business day at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time. The NYSE is closed on most national holidays and Good Friday. We do not price, and you will not be able to purchase or redeem, the Fund's shares on days when the NYSE is closed but the primary markets for the Fund's foreign securities are open, even though the value of these securities may have changed. Conversely, the Fund will ordinarily price its shares, and you may purchase and redeem shares, on days that the NYSE is open but foreign securities markets are closed. We may not determine the Fund's NAV on days when we have not received any orders to purchase, sell or exchange Fund shares, or when changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio do not materially affect its NAV. Most national newspapers report the NAVs of most mutual funds, which allows investors to check the prices of mutual funds daily.

What Price Will You Pay For Shares of the Fund?

For Class A shares, you'll pay the public offering price, which is the NAV next determined after we receive your order to purchase, plus an initial sales charge (unless you're entitled to a waiver). For Class B and Class C shares, you will pay the NAV next determined after we receive your order to purchase (remember, there are no up-front sales charges for these share classes). Your broker may charge you a separate or additional fee for purchases of shares.

Unless regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m., your order to purchase must be received by 4:00 p.m. New York time in order to receive that day's NAV. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m. New York time, you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to purchase is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE.

30



Step 4: Additional Shareholder Services

As a Fund shareholder, you can take advantage of the following services and privileges:

Automatic Reinvestment. As we explained in the "Fund Distributions and Tax Issues" section, the Fund pays out - or distributes - its net investment income and capital gains to all shareholders. For your convenience, we will automatically reinvest your distributions in the Fund at NAV without any sales charge. If you want your distributions paid in cash, you can indicate this preference on your application, notify your broker or notify the Transfer Agent in writing (at the address below) at least five business days before the date we determine who receives dividends.

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC
Attn: Account Maintenance
P.O. Box 8159
Philadelphia, PA 19176

Automatic Investment Plan. You can make regular purchases of the Fund for as little as $50 by having the funds automatically withdrawn from your bank or brokerage account at specified intervals.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan. A Systematic Withdrawal Plan is available that will provide you with monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual redemption checks. Remember, the sale of Class A and Class B and Class C shares, may be subject to a CDSC. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan is not available to participants in certain retirement plans. Please contact PMFS at (800) 225-1852 for more details.

Reports to Shareholders. Every year we will send you an annual report (along with an updated prospectus) and a semi-annual report, which contain important financial information about the Fund. To reduce Fund expenses, we may send one annual shareholder report, one semi-annual shareholder report and one annual prospectus per household, unless you instruct us or your broker otherwise. If each Fund shareholder in your household would like to receive a copy of the Fund's prospectus, shareholder report and proxy statement, please call us toll free at (800) 225-1852. We will begin sending additional copies of these documents within 30 days of receipt of your request.

HOW TO SELL YOUR SHARES

You can sell your shares of the Fund for cash (in the form of a check) at any time, subject to certain restrictions.

When you sell shares of the Fund - also known as redeeming your shares - the price you will receive will be the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or your broker receives your order to sell (less any applicable CDSC). If your broker holds your shares, your broker must receive your order to sell by 4:00 p.m. New York time to

31



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Fund

process the sale on that day. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m. New York time, you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to sell is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Otherwise contact:

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC
Attn: Redemption Services
P.O. Box 8149
Philadelphia, PA 19176

Generally, we will pay you for the shares that you sell within seven days after the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or your broker receives your sell order. If you hold shares through a broker, payment will be credited to your account. If you are selling shares you recently purchased with a check, we may delay sending you the proceeds until your check clears, which can take up to 10 days from the purchase date. You can avoid delay if you purchase shares by wire, certified check or cashier's check. Your broker may charge you a separate or additional fee for sales of shares.

Restrictions on Sales

There are certain times when you may not be able to sell shares of the Fund, or when we may delay paying you the proceeds from a sale. As permitted by the Commission, this may happen only during unusual market conditions or emergencies when the Fund can't determine the value of its assets or sell its holdings. For more information, see the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Sale of Shares."

If you hold your shares directly with the Transfer Agent, you will need to have the signature on your sell order guaranteed by an "eligible financial institution" if:

n   you are selling more than $100,000 of shares,

n   you want the redemption proceeds made payable to someone that is not in our records,

n   you want the redemption proceeds sent to some place that is not in our records, or

n   you are a business or a trust.

An "eligible financial institution" includes any bank, broker-dealer, savings association or credit union. For more information, see the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Sale of Shares - Signature Guarantee."

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC)

If you sell Class B shares within six years of purchase, Class C shares within 12 months of purchase (within 18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004), you will have to

32



pay a CDSC. In addition, investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. (The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential). To keep the CDSC as low as possible, we will sell amounts representing shares in the following order:

n   Amounts representing shares you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions,

n   Amounts representing the increase in NAV above the total amount of payments for shares made during the past 12 months for Class A shares, six years for Class B shares, 12 months for Class C shares (18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004), and

n   Amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the CDSC period (12 months for Class A shares (in certain cases), six years for Class B shares, 12 months for Class C shares (18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004).

Since shares that fall into any of the categories listed above are not subject to the CDSC, selling them first helps you to avoid - or at least minimize - the CDSC.

Having sold the exempt shares first, if there are any remaining shares that are subject to the CDSC, we will apply the CDSC to amounts representing the cost of shares held for the longest period of time within the applicable CDSC period.

As we noted before in the "Share Class Comparison" chart, if you purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares, although you are not subject to an initial sales charge, you are subject to a 1% CDSC for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. (The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential). The CDSC for Class B shares is 5% in the first year, 4% in the second, 3% in the third, 2% in the fourth and 1% in the fifth and sixth years. The rate decreases on the first day of the month following the anniversary date of your purchase, not on the anniversary date itself. The CDSC is 1% for Class C shares - which is applied to shares sold within 12 months of purchase (18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004). As previously noted, Class A shares are subject to a CDSC, in certain cases of 1% that is applied to Class A shares sold within 12 months of purchase. The CDSC is waived for purchases by certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential. For all share classes, the CDSC is calculated based on the lesser of the original purchase price or the redemption proceeds. For purposes of determining how long you've held your shares, all purchases during the month are grouped together and considered to have been made on the last day of the month.

The holding period for purposes of determining the applicable CDSC will be calculated from the first day of the month after initial purchase, excluding any time shares were held in a money market fund.

33



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Fund

Waiver of the CDSC - Class B Shares

The CDSC will be waived if the Class B shares are sold:

n   After a shareholder is deceased or disabled (or, in the case of a trust account, the death or disability of the grantor). This waiver applies to individual shareholders, as well as shares owned in joint tenancy, provided the shares were purchased before the death or disability,

n   To provide for certain distributions - made without IRS penalty - from a tax-deferred retirement plan, IRA or Section 403(b) custodial account, and

n   On certain sales effected through a Systematic Withdrawal Plan.

For more information on the above and other waivers, see the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class B Shares."

Waiver of the CDSC - Class C Shares

Benefit Plans. The CDSC will be waived for redemptions from Benefit Plans holding shares through a broker for which the broker provides administrative or recordkeeping services.

Redemption in Kind

If the sales of Fund shares you make during any 90-day period reach the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the Fund's net assets, we can then give you securities from the Fund's portfolio instead of cash. If you want to sell the securities for cash, you would have to pay the costs charged by a broker.

Small Accounts

If you make a sale that reduces your account value to less than $500, we may sell the rest of your shares (without charging any CDSC) and close your account. We would do this to minimize Fund expenses paid by other shareholders. We will give you 60 days' notice, during which time you can purchase additional shares to avoid this action. This involuntary sale does not apply to shareholders who own their shares as part of a 401(k) plan, an IRA or some other qualified or tax-deferred plan or account.

90-Day Repurchase Privilege

After you redeem your shares, you have a 90-day period during which you may reinvest any of the redemption proceeds in shares of the same Fund and account without paying an initial sales charge. Also, if you paid a CDSC when you redeemed your shares, we will credit your account with the appropriate number of shares to

34



reflect the amount of the CDSC you paid. In order to take advantage of this one-time privilege, you must notify the Transfer Agent or your broker at the time of the repurchase. See the SAI, "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Sale of Shares."

Retirement Plans

To sell shares and receive a distribution from a retirement plan or account, call your broker or the Transfer Agent for a distribution request form. There are special distribution and income tax withholding requirements for distributions from retirement plans and accounts and you must submit a withholding form with your request to avoid delay. If your retirement plan or account is held for you by your employer or plan trustee, you must arrange for the distribution request to be signed and sent by the plan administrator or trustee. For additional information, see the SAI.

HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SHARES

You can exchange your shares of the Fund for shares of the same class in any other Strategic Partners or JennisonDryden mutual fund as well as shares of Special Money Market Fund, Inc. (Special Money Fund), if you satisfy the minimum investment requirements. For example, you can exchange Class A shares of the Fund for Class A shares of another Strategic Partners or JennisonDryden mutual fund, but you can't exchange Class A shares for Class B, Class C shares. After an exchange into MoneyMart Assets, at redemption the CDSC will be calculated from the first day of the month after initial purchase, excluding any time shares were held in MoneyMart Assets. We may change the terms of the exchange privilege after giving you 60 days' notice.

If you hold shares through a broker, you must exchange shares through your broker. Otherwise contact:

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC
Attn: Exchange Processing
P.O. Box 8157
Philadelphia, PA 19176

There is no sales charge for such exchanges. However, if you exchange - and then sell - Class B shares within approximately six years of your original purchase, Class C shares within 12 months of your original purchase (18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004), you must still pay the applicable CDSC. If you have exchanged Fund shares into Special Money Fund, the time you hold the shares in that money market account will not be counted in calculating the required holding period for CDSC liability.

Remember, as we explained in the section entitled "Fund Distributions and Tax Issues - If You Sell or Exchange Your Shares," exchanging shares is considered a sale for

35



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Fund

federal income tax purposes. Therefore, if the shares you exchange are worth more than the amount that you paid for them, you may have to pay capital gains tax. For additional information about exchanging shares, see the SAI, "Shareholder Investment Account - Exchange Privilege."

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

The Trust seeks to prevent patterns of frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by its shareholders. Frequent purchases and sales of shares of the Fund may adversely affect Fund performance and the interests of long-term investors. When a shareholder engages in frequent or short-term trading, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to have the cash necessary to redeem the shareholder's shares. This can happen when it is not advantageous to sell any securities, so the Fund's performance may be hurt. When large dollar amounts are involved, frequent trading can also make it difficult to use long-term investment strategies because the Fund cannot predict how much cash it will have available to invest. In addition, if the Fund is forced to liquidate investments due to short-term trading activity, it may incur increased brokerage and tax costs. Similarly, the Fund may bear increased administrative costs as a result of the asset level and investment volatility that accompanies patterns of short-term trading. Moreover, frequent or short-term trading by certain shareholders may cause dilution in the value of Fund shares held by other shareholders. Funds that invest in foreign securities may be particularly susceptible to frequent trading because time zone differences among international stock markets can allow a shareholder engaging in frequent trading to exploit fund share prices that may be based on closing prices of foreign securities established some time before the fund calculates its own share price. Funds that invest in certain fixed-income securities, such as high-yield bonds or certain asset-backed securities, may also constitute an effective vehicle for a shareholder's frequent trading strategy.

The Board has adopted policies and procedures designed to discourage or prevent frequent trading activities by Fund shareholders. In an effort to prevent such practices, the Trust's Transfer Agent monitors trading activity on a daily basis. The Trust has implemented a trading policy that limits the number of times a shareholder may purchase Fund shares or exchange into the Fund and then sell those shares within a specified period of time (a "round-trip transaction") as established by the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). The CCO is authorized to set and modify the parameters of the trading policy at any time as required to prevent the adverse impact of frequent trading on Fund shareholders. The CCO has defined frequent trading as one or more round-trip transactions in shares of the Series within a 30-day period. A second round-trip within 60 days will begin a warning period that will remain in effect for 90 days.

36



If additional purchase activity is initiated during the warning period, the purchase activity will be cancelled. In addition, if two round-trips have already been completed within the past 90 days, a trading suspension will be placed on the account and will remain in effect for 90 days. Exceptions to the trading policy will not normally be granted.

The Trust reserves the right to reject or cancel, without prior notice, all additional purchases or exchanges into the Fund by a shareholder who has violated this policy. Moreover, the Trust may direct a broker-dealer or other intermediary to block a shareholder account from future trading in the Fund. The Transfer Agent will monitor trading activity over $25,000 per account on a daily basis for a rolling 30-day period. If a purchase into the Fund is rejected or cancelled for violations of the trading policy, the shareholder will receive a return of the purchase amount.

If the Fund is offered to qualified plans on an omnibus basis or if Fund shares may be purchased through other omnibus arrangements ("Intermediaries"), Intermediaries maintain the individual beneficial owner records and submit to the Fund only aggregate orders combining the transactions of many beneficial owners. The Trust itself generally cannot monitor trading by particular beneficial owners. The Trust communicates to Intermediaries in writing that it expects the Intermediaries to handle orders consistently with the Fund's policies as set forth in the Fund's prospectus and SAI on transfers by beneficial owners. Intermediaries may impose different or stricter restrictions on transfers by beneficial owners. Consistent with the restrictions described above, investments in the Fund through retirement programs administered by Prudential Retirement will be similarly identified for frequent purchases and redemptions and appropriately restricted.

The Transfer Agent also reviews the aggregate net flows in excess of one million dollars. In those cases, the trade detail is reviewed to determine if any of the activity relates to previously identified policy offenders. In cases of omnibus orders, the Intermediary may be contacted by the Transfer Agent to obtain additional information. The Transfer Agent has the authority to cancel all or a portion of the trade if the information reveals that the activity relates to previously identified policy offenders. In that case, the shareholder will receive a return of the purchase amount. Where appropriate, the Transfer Agent may request that the Intermediary block a financial adviser or client from accessing the Fund. If necessary, the Fund may be removed from a particular Intermediary's platform.

Shareholders seeking to engage in frequent trading activities may use a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the Trust to prevent such trading, there is no guarantee that the Trust, the Transfer Agent or Intermediaries will be able to identify these shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The Fund does not have any arrangements intended to permit trading of its shares in contravention of the policies described above.

37



How to Buy, Sell and
Exchange Shares of the Fund

Payments to Financial Services Firms

The Manager, Distributor or their affiliates have entered into revenue sharing or other similar arrangements with financial services firms, including affiliates of the Manager. These revenue sharing arrangements are intended to promote the sale of Fund shares or to compensate the financial services firms for marketing or marketing support activities in connection with the sale of Fund shares. Revenue sharing payments may be used by financial services firms in a variety of ways, including defraying costs incurred by the firms to educate their registered representatives about the Fund, as well as defraying costs incurred by the firms in providing or facilitating shareholder recordkeeping as well as the servicing or maintenance of shareholder accounts.

In exchange for revenue sharing payments, the Fund may receive placement on a financial service firm's preferred or recommended product list. Financial services firms and registered representatives participating in a revenue sharing program may receive greater compensation for selling shares of the Fund than for selling other mutual funds, and your individual registered representative may receive some or all of the revenue sharing amounts paid to the firm that employs him or her. Revenue sharing payments may provide an incentive for financial services firms and their registered representatives to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you and in doing so may create conflicts of interest between the firms' financial interests and their duties to customers. In exchange for revenue sharing payments, the Fund also may receive preferred access to registered representatives of a financial services firm (for example, the ability to make presentations in branch offices or at conferences) or preferred access to customers of the financial services firm (for example, the ability to advertise to the firm's customers).

Payments under revenue sharing arrangements are made out of the Manager's or Distributor's own resources and without additional direct cost to the Fund or its shareholders. Revenue sharing payments may be in addition to the sales charges (including Rule 12b-1 fees) or other amounts paid by the Fund, which are also used to compensate financial services firms and their registered representatives for the marketing and distribution of the Fund.

Revenue sharing payments are usually calculated based on a percentage of Fund sales and/or Fund assets attributable to a particular financial services firm. Revenue sharing payments may also be based on other criteria or factors, such as a percentage of a registered representative's charges applicable to the sale of Fund shares, a networking fee based on the number of accounts at the firm holding shares of the Fund, a periodic flat fee for set-up and maintenance of the Fund on the computer systems of a financial services firm, or a flat fee for marketing services, such as access to registered

38



representatives. Specific payment formulas are negotiated based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, reputation in the industry, ability to attract and retain assets, target markets, customer relationships and scope and quality of services provided. The amount of revenue sharing also may vary based on the class of shares purchased.

No one factor is determinative of the type or amount of additional compensation to be provided. Please contact your financial services provider for details about any revenue sharing payments it may receive.

TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS OR EXCHANGES

You may redeem or exchange your shares in any amount by calling the Fund at (800) 225-1852 before 4:00 p.m. New York time to receive a redemption or exchange amount based on that day's NAV. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m. New York time, you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to sell or exchange is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE.

The Transfer Agent will record your telephone instructions and request specific account information before redeeming or exchanging shares. The Fund will not be liable if it follows instructions that it reasonably believes are made by the shareholder. If a Fund does not follow reasonable procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.

In the event of drastic economic or market changes, you may have difficulty in redeeming or exchanging your shares by telephone. If this occurs, you should consider redeeming or exchanging your shares by mail.

The telephone redemption and exchange privileges may be modified or terminated at any time. If this occurs, you will receive a written notice from the Fund.

EXPEDITED REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE

If you have selected the Expedited Redemption Privilege, you may have your redemption proceeds sent directly to your bank account. Expedited redemption requests may be made by telephone or letter, must be received by the relevant Fund prior to 4:00 p.m. New York time, to receive a redemption amount based on that day's NAV and are subject to the terms and conditions regarding the redemption of shares. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m. New York time, you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to sell is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE. For more information, see "Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares - Expedited Redemption Privilege" in the SAI. The Expedited Redemption Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time without notice.

39



Financial Highlights

The financial highlights will help you evaluate the Fund's financial performance. The  total return in each chart represents the rate that a shareholder earned (or lost) on an investment in one share of that share class of the Fund held throughout the year, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. The information is for each share class for the periods indicated.

A copy of the Fund's annual report, along with the Fund's audited financial statements and report of independent registered public accounting firm, is available, upon request, at no charge, as described on the back cover of this prospectus.

40



CONSERVATIVE GROWTH FUND

For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, the financial highlights were part of the financial statements audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports were unqualified. The financial highlights for the periods presented through July 31, 2003 were part of the financial statements audited by another independent registered public accounting firm, whose reports on those financial statements were unqualified. Prior to September 20, 2005 Columbus Circle Investors and Oak Associates Ltd. were subadvisers to the Fund.

Class A Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005 (c)     2004 (c)     2003 (c)     2002 (c)     2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 6.81     $ 6.55     $ 5.68     $ 8.45     $ 13.19    
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
     
Net investment loss     (.01 )     (.05 )     (.04 )     (.05 )     (.06 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    .91       .31       .91       (2.72 )     (4.68 )  
Total from investment operations     .90       .26       .87       (2.77 )     (4.74 )  
Net asset value, end of year     7.71     $ 6.81     $ 6.55     $ 5.68     $ 8.45    
Total return (a)       13.22 %     3.97 %     15.32 %     (32.78 )%     (35.94 )%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data                      
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 18,614     $ 22,195     $ 23,355     $ 19,187     $ 33,180    
Average net assets (000)   $ 20,234     $ 24,075     $ 19,782     $ 27,440     $ 40,028    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees (b)  
    1.48 %     1.43 %     1.50 %     1.36 %     1.34 %  
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.23 %     1.18 %     1.25 %     1.11 %     1.09 %  
Net investment loss     (0.19 )%     (.69 )%     (.68 )%     (.65 )%     (.60 )%  
For Classes A, B and C shares:  
Portfolio turnover rate     69 %     53 %     57 %     74 %     64 %  

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  The distributor of the Fund contractually agreed to limit its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .25 of 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares.

(c)  Calculations based on average shares outstanding for the year.

41



Financial Highlights

CONSERVATIVE GROWTH FUND*

Class B Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005 (b)     2004 (b)     2003 (b)     2002 (b)     2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 6.58     $ 6.37     $ 5.56     $ 8.34     $ 13.11    
Income (loss) from investment
operations:
             
Net investment loss     (.06 )     (.10 )     (.08 )     (.10 )     (.15 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    .86       .31       .89       (2.68 )     (4.62 )  
Total from investment operations     .80       .21       .81       (2.78 )     (4.77 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 7.38     $ 6.58     $ 6.37     $ 5.56     $ 8.34    
Total return (a)       12.16 %     3.30 %     14.57 %     (33.33 )%     (36.38 )%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data                      
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 25,440     $ 30,055     $ 32,505     $ 33,990     $ 59,452    
Average net assets (000)   $ 27,444     $ 33,995     $ 30,456     $ 48,934     $ 75,820    
Ratios to average net assets:      
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    2.23 %     2.18 %     2.25 %     2.11 %     2.09 %  
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.23 %     1.18 %     1.25 %     1.11 %     1.09 %  
Net investment loss     (0.93 )%     (1.44 )%     (1.42 )%     (1.40 )%     (1.35 )%  

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

(b)  Calculations based on average shares outstanding for the year.

*  Prior to September 20, 2005, Columbus Circle Investors and Oak Associates Ltd. were subadvisers to the Fund.

42



CONSERVATIVE GROWTH FUND*

Class C Shares (fiscal year ended 7-31)

Per Share Operating Performance   2005 (b)     2004 (b)     2003 (b)     2002 (b)     2001  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 6.58     $ 6.37     $ 5.56     $ 8.34     $ 13.11    
Income (loss) from investment operations:  
Net investment loss     (.06 )     (.10 )     (.08 )     (.10 )     (.15 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
    .86       .31       .89       (2.68 )     (4.62 )  
Total from investment operations     .80       .21       .81       (2.78 )     (4.77 )  
Net asset value, end of year   $ 7.38     $ 6.58     $ 6.37     $ 5.56     $ 8.34    
Total return (a)       12.16 %     3.30 %     14.57 %     (33.33 )%     (36.38 )%  
Ratios/Supplemental Data                      
Net assets, end of year (000)   $ 35,714     $ 45,695     $ 53,817     $ 53,328     $ 98,015    
Average net assets (000)   $ 40,132     $ 53,712     $ 49,591     $ 78,451     $ 129,942    
Ratios to average net assets:  
Expenses, including distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    2.23 %     2.18 %     2.25 %     2.11 %     2.09 %  
Expenses, excluding distribution and
service (12b-1) fees
    1.23 %     1.18 %     1.25 %     1.11 %     1.09 %  
Net investment loss     (0.92 )%     (1.44 )%     (1.43 )%     (1.40 )%     (1.35 )%  

 

(a)  Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. 

(b)  Calculations based on average shares outstanding for the year.

*  Prior to September 20, 2005, Columbus Circle Investors and Oak Associates Ltd. were subadvisers to the Fund.

43



Appendix I: Description of Security Ratings

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (MOODY'S)

Long-Term Ratings

Aaa: Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

Aa: Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A: Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa: Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba:  Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B:  Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa:  Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca:  Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C:  Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Baa. 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.

Short-Term Debt Ratings

Moody's short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Those obligations have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

P-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

44



P-2:  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3:  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP:  Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.

STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS SERVICES (S&P)

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P . 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 the 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.

45



Appendix I: Description of Security Ratings

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 S&P 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 BBB 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 S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Short-Term Issue Credit Paper Ratings

A S&P short-term issue credit rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than three years.

A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P. 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

46



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 S&P 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.

FITCH RATINGS

International Long-Term Credit Ratings

Investment Grade

AAA: Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

47



Appendix I: Description of Security Ratings

A: High credit quality. A ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions that is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category.

Speculative Grade

BB: Speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B: Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC, CC, C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A CC rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. C ratings signal imminent default.

DDD, DD, D: Default.  The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines. DDD obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around 90%-100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. DD indicates potential recoveries in the range of 50%-90% and D the lowest recovery potential, i.e. , below 50%. Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations.

Entities rated DDD have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated DD and D are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated DD are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated D have a poor prospect of repaying all obligations.

48



Notes:  "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA category or to categories below CCC.

Short-Term Debt Ratings

A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.

F1: Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments: may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2: Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3: Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.

B: Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D: Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.

NR: Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.

Withdrawn: A rating is withdrawn when Fitch Ratings deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or refinanced.

FitchAlert:  Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an occurrence that is likely to result in a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive," indicating a potential upgrade, "Negative," for potential downgrade, or "Evolving," where ratings may be raised or lowered. FitchAlert is relatively short term, and should be resolved within 12 months.

49



Appendix I: Description of Security Ratings

Ratings Outlook:  An outlook is used to describe the most likely direction of any rating change over the intermediate term. It is described as "Positive" or "Negative." The absence of a designation indicates a stable outlook.

Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major ratings categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA long-term rating category or to short-term ratings other than F1.

50



Notes



Notes

Visit our website at www.jennisondryden.com



Notes



FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please read this prospectus before you invest in the Fund and keep it for future reference. For information or shareholder questions contact:

n   MAIL

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC P.O. Box 8098 Philadelphia, PA 19176

n   TELEPHONE

(800) 225-1852

(732) 482-7555 (Calling from outside the U.S.)

n    WEBSITE

www.jennisondryden.com

E-DELIVERY

To receive your mutual fund documents on-line, go to www.icsdelivery.com/prudential/funds and enroll. Instead of receiving printed documents by mail, you will receive notification via e-mail when new materials are available. You can cancel your enrollment or change your e-mail address at any time by clicking on the change/cancel enrollment option at the icsdelivery website address.

n   Outside Brokers should contact: Prudential Investment Management Services LLC
P.O. Box 8310
Philadelphia, PA 19101

n   TELEPHONE

(800) 778-8769

You can also obtain copies of Fund documents from the SEC as follows:

n   BY MAIL

Securities and Exchange Commission Public Reference Section Washington, DC 20549-0102

n   BY ELECTRONIC REQUEST

publicinfo@sec.gov Note: (The SEC charges a fee to copy documents)

n   IN PERSON

Public Reference Room in Washington, DC For hours of operation and location, call 1-(202)-942-8090

n   VIA THE INTERNET

on the EDGAR Database at http://www.sec.gov

Additional information about the Fund's investments is included in the Annual and Semiannual Reports. These reports and the Statement of Additional Information contain additional information. Shareholders may obtain free copies of the SAI, Annual Report and Semiannual Report as well as other information about the Fund and may make other shareholder inquiries through the telephone number, address and website listed above.

n   STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)

(incorporated by reference into this prospectus)

n   ANNUAL REPORT

(contains a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during the last fiscal year)

n   SEMIANNUAL REPORT

Jennison Conservative Growth Fund

Class   A   B   C  
Nasdaq     TBDAX       TBDBX       TBDCX    
CUSIP     862934106       862934205       862934304    

 

MF503A    The Fund's Investment Company Act File No. is 811-09439.



STRATEGIC PARTNERS STYLE SPECIFIC FUNDS

Statement of Additional Information
September 29 2005

Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds (the Trust) is an open-end, management investment company currently composed of five separate investment portfolios (the Funds) professionally managed by Prudential Investments LLC (PI or the Manager). Each Fund benefits from discretionary advisory services provided by one or more subadvisers (each, an Adviser, collectively, the Advisers) identified, retained, supervised and compensated by the Manager. The Trust consists of the following five Funds:

•   Jennison Conservative Growth Fund (the Conservative Growth Fund)

•   Strategic Partners Large Capitalization Value Fund (the Large Cap Value Fund)

•   Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Growth Fund (the Small Cap Growth Fund)

•   Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Value Fund (the Small Cap Value Fund)

•   Strategic Partners Total Return Bond Fund (the Total Return Bond Fund)

The Trust's address is Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102, and its telephone number is (800) 225-1852.

This statement of additional information (SAI) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Funds' prospectus is dated September 29, 2005, a copy of which may be obtained at no charge from the Trust upon request at the address or telephone number noted above. The Trust's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005 are incorporated in this SAI by reference to the Trust's 2005 annual report to shareholders (File No. 811-09439). You may obtain a copy of the Trust's annual report at no charge by request to the Trust at the address or telephone number noted above.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Page  
History of the Trust   B-2  
Description of the Funds, Their Investments and Risks   B-2  
Investment Restrictions   B-28  
Management of the Trust   B-30  
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities   B-36  
Investment Advisory and Other Services   B-38  
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices   B-64  
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings   B-66  
Capital Shares, Other Securities and Organization   B-68  
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Fund Shares   B-68  
Shareholder Investment Account   B-75  
Net Asset Value   B-79  
Taxes, Dividends and Distributions   B-80  
Financial Statements   B-84  
Appendix I-General Investment Information   I-1  
Appendix II-Description of Proxy Voting Policies and Recordkeeping Procedures   II-1  

 

MFSP503B



HISTORY OF THE TRUST

The Trust was organized as a statutory trust on July 8, 1999 under the laws of the State of Delaware under the name "Target Funds." On September 4, 2001, the Trust amended its Certificate of Trust, changing its name to "Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds."

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS, THEIR INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

Classification

The Trust is an open-end management investment company. Each of the Funds is classified as a diversified fund.

Investment Strategies, Policies and Risks

The investment objectives are set forth in the Trust's prospectus. This section provides additional information on the principal investment policies and strategies of the Funds, as well as information on certain non-principal investment policies and strategies. The Funds may not be successful in achieving their respective objectives and you could lose money.

U.S. Government Securities

Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities.

U.S. Treasury Securities. U.S. Treasury securities include bills, notes, bonds and other debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. These instruments are direct obligations of the U.S. Government and, as such, are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States. They differ primarily in their interest rates, the lengths of their maturities and the dates of their issuances.

Obligations Issued or Guaranteed by U.S. Government Agencies and Instrumentalities. Securities issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government include, but are not limited to, GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC securities. Obligations of GNMA, the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration and the Export-Import Bank are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. In the case of securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the Trust must look principally to the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitments. Such securities include obligations issued by the Student Loan Marketing Association (SLMA), FNMA and FHLMC, each of which may borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations, although the U.S. Treasury is under no obligation to lend to such entities. GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC may also issue collateralized mortgage obligations.

Stripped U.S. Government Securities. A Fund may invest in component parts of U.S. Government securities, namely either the corpus (principal) of such obligations or one of the interest payments scheduled to be paid on such obligations. These obligations may take the form of (1) obligations from which the interest coupons have been stripped; (2) the interest coupons that are stripped; and (3) book-entries at a Federal Reserve member bank representing ownership of obligation components.

Mortgage-Related Securities Issued or Guaranteed by U.S. Government Agencies and Instrumentalities. A Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities and other derivative mortgage products, including those representing an undivided ownership interest in a pool of mortgages, e.g. , GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC certificates where the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities guarantees the payment of interest and principal of these securities. However, these guarantees do not extend to the securities' yield or value, which are likely to vary inversely with fluctuations in interest rates, nor do these guarantees extend to the yield or value of a Fund's shares. See "Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset Backed Securities" below.

Mortgages backing the securities that a Fund may purchase include conventional thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages, graduated payment mortgages, fifteen-year mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages and balloon payment mortgages. A balloon payment mortgage-backed security is an amortized mortgage security with installments of principal and interest, the last installment of which is predominantly principal. All of these mortgages can be used to create "pass-through securities." A pass-through security is formed when mortgages are pooled together and undivided interests in the pool or pools are sold. The cash flow from the mortgages is passed through to the holders of the securities in the form of periodic payments of interest, principal and prepayments (net of a service fee). Prepayments occur when the holder of an undivided mortgage prepays the remaining principal before the mortgage's scheduled maturity date. As a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying securities, mortgage-backed securities are often subject to more rapid prepayment of principal than their stated maturity would indicate. The remaining expected average life of a pool of mortgage loans underlying a mortgage-backed security is a prediction of when the mortgage loans will be repaid and is based upon a variety of factors, such as the

B-2



demographic and geographic characteristics of the borrowers and the mortgaged properties, the length of time that each of the mortgage loans has been outstanding, the interest rates payable on the mortgage loans and the current interest rate environment.

In addition to GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC certificates through which the holder receives a share of all interest and principal payments from the mortgages underlying the certificate, a Fund may also invest in mortgage pass-through securities issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities, commonly referred to as mortgage-backed security strips or MBS strips. MBS strips are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of stripped mortgage security will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or "IO" class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or "PO" class). The yields to maturity on IOs and POs are sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and principal payments may have a material effect on yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may not fully recoup its initial investment in IOs. Conversely, if the underlying mortgage assets experience less than anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield on POs could be materially adversely affected.

During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. When mortgage obligations are prepaid, a Fund reinvests the prepaid amounts in securities, the yields which reflect interest rates prevailing at that time. Therefore, a Fund's ability to maintain a portfolio of high-yielding mortgage-backed securities will be adversely affected to the extent that prepayments of mortgages are reinvested in securities that have lower yields than the prepaid mortgages. Moreover, prepayments of mortgages that underlie securities purchased at a premium generally will result in capital losses. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of prepayment of mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities can be expected to decline, extending the projected average maturity of the mortgage-backed securities. This maturity extension risk may effectively change a security which was considered short- or intermediate-term at the time of purchase into a long-term security. Long-term securities generally fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates than short- or intermediate-term securities.

Zero Coupon Securities. 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 also 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. A Fund accrues income on these investments for tax and accounting purposes, which is distributable to shareholders and that, 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 forego 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.

Special Considerations. U.S. Government securities are considered among the most creditworthy of fixed-income investments. The yields available from U.S. Government securities are generally lower than the yields available from corporate debt securities. The values of U.S. Government securities will change as interest rates fluctuate. During periods of falling U.S. interest rates, the values of outstanding long-term fixed-rate U.S. Government securities generally rise and conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values of such securities generally decline. The magnitude of these fluctuations will generally be greater for securities with longer maturities. Although changes in the value of U.S. Government securities will not affect investment income from those securities, they may affect the net asset value (NAV) of a Fund.

At a time when a Fund has written call options on a portion of its U.S. Government securities, its ability to profit from declining interest rates will be limited. Any appreciation in the value of the securities held in the Fund above the strike price would likely be partially or wholly offset by unrealized losses on call options written by a Fund. The termination of option positions under these conditions would generally result in the realization of capital losses, which would reduce a Fund's capital gains distribution. Accordingly, a Fund would generally seek to realize capital gains to offset realized losses by selling portfolio securities. In such circumstances, however, it is likely that the proceeds of such sales would be reinvested in lower yielding securities.

B-3



Custodial Receipts

Each Fund may invest in receipts evidencing the component parts (corpus or coupons) of U.S. Government obligations that have not actually been stripped. Such receipts evidence ownership of component parts of U.S. Government obligations (corpus or coupons) purchased by a third party (typically an investment banking firm) and held on behalf of the third party in physical or book entry form by a major commercial bank or trust company pursuant to a custody agreement with the third party. These custodial receipts include "Treasury Receipts," "Treasury Investment Growth Receipts" (TIGRs) and "Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities" (CATS). Each Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in such custodial receipts.

Custodial receipts held by a third party are not issued or guaranteed by the United States Government and are not considered U.S. Government securities. Each Fund also may invest in such custodial receipts.

Exchange Traded Funds

The Fund may invest up to 10% of its investable assets in securities of exchange traded funds (ETFs) such as Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts (SPDRs), Barclays iShares and Dow Jones Diamonds, subject to certain limits on investment in securities of non-affiliated investment companies. Securities of ETFs represent shares of ownership in either mutual funds or unit investment trusts (UITs) that hold a portfolio of common stocks that are designed to generally correspond to the price and yield performance of their underlying portfolio of securities. Such holdings may be subject to any management fees of the mutual fund or UIT. The underlying portfolio may have a broad market, sector or international focus. ETFs give investors the opportunity to buy or sell an entire portfolio of stocks in a single security transaction in a manner similar to buying or selling a share of stock.

Money Market Instruments

Each Fund may invest in high-quality money market instruments, including commercial paper of a U.S. or non-U.S. company or foreign government securities, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and time deposits of domestic and foreign banks, and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities. Money market obligations will be generally U.S. dollar denominated. Commercial paper will be rated, at the time of purchase, at least "A-2" by Standard & Poor's (S&P) or "Prime-2" by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's), or the equivalent by another nationally recognized securities rating organization (NRSRO) or, if not rated, issued by an entity having an outstanding unsecured debt issue rated at least "A" or "A-2" by S&P or "A" or "Prime-2" by Moody's or the equivalent by another NRSRO.

Corporate and Other Debt Obligations

The Large Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund and Total Return Bond Fund may each invest in corporate and other debt obligations. Except where otherwise indicated, each such Fund will invest in securities rated A or better, except that the Total Return Bond Fund may invest in securities rated B or better, or determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. These debt securities may have adjustable or fixed rates of interest and in certain instances may be secured by assets of the issuer. Adjustable rate corporate debt securities may have features similar to those of adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities, but corporate debt securities, unlike mortgage-backed securities, are not subject to prepayment risk other than through contractual call provisions that generally impose a penalty for prepayment. Fixed-rate debt securities may also be subject to call provisions.

The market value of fixed-income obligations of the Funds will be affected by general changes in interest rates, which will result in increases or decreases in the value of the obligations held by the Funds. The market value of the obligations held by a Fund can be expected to vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates. Investors also should recognize that, in periods of declining interest rates, a Fund's yield will tend to be somewhat higher than prevailing market rates and, in periods of rising interest rates, a Fund's yield will tend to be somewhat lower. Also, when interest rates are falling, the inflow of net new money to a Fund from the continuous sale of its shares will tend to be invested in instruments producing lower yields than the balance of its portfolio, thereby reducing the Fund's current yield. In periods of rising interest rates, the opposite can be expected to occur. In addition, securities in which a Fund may invest may not yield as high a level of current income as might be achieved by investing in securities with less liquidity, less creditworthiness or longer maturities.

Ratings made available by S&P, Moody's and other NRSROs are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Although these ratings are initial criteria for selection of portfolio investments, each Adviser will also make its own evaluation of these securities on behalf of the Fund. Among the factors that will be considered are the long-term ability of the issuers to pay principal and interest and general economic trends.

B-4



Medium and Lower-Rated Securities. The Total Return Bond Fund may invest in medium ( i.e. , rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P or the equivalent by another NRSRO) and lower-rated securities ( i.e. , rated lower than Baa by Moody's or lower than BBB by S&P or the equivalent by another NRSRO) or determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality. However, the Fund will not purchase any security rated lower than B by Moody's or S&P or the equivalent by another NRSRO or determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality. Securities rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P or the equivalent by another NRSRO, although considered investment grade, possess speculative characteristics, including the risk of default, and changes in economic or other conditions are more likely to impair the ability of issuers of these securities to make interest and principal payments than is the case with respect to issuers of higher-grade bonds.

Generally, medium or lower-rated securities and unrated securities of comparable quality, sometimes referred to as "junk bonds" ( i.e. , securities rated lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P or the equivalent by another NRSRO), offer a higher current yield than is offered by higher-rated securities, but also (i) will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of the rating organizations, are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values of certain of these securities also tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher-quality bonds. In addition, medium and lower-rated securities and comparable unrated securities generally present a higher degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to default by these issuers is significantly greater because medium and lower-rated securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. The Advisers, under the supervision of the Manager and the Trustees, in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issue whether rated or unrated, take various factors into consideration, which may include, as applicable, the issuer's financial resources, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the operating history of and the community support for the facility financed by the issue, the ability of the issuer's management and regulatory matters.

In addition, the market value of securities in lower-rated categories is more volatile than that of higher-quality securities, and the markets in which medium and lower-rated or unrated securities are traded are more limited than those in which higher-rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets may make it more difficult for each Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value. Moreover, the lack of a liquid trading market may restrict the availability of securities for a Fund to purchase and may also have the effect of limiting the ability of a Fund to sell securities at their fair value either to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in the economy or the financial markets.

Lower-rated debt obligations also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption, a Fund may have to replace the security with a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, as the principal value of bonds moves inversely with movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of the securities held by a Fund may decline proportionately more than a portfolio consisting of higher-rated securities. If a Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions, it may be forced to sell its higher-rated bonds, resulting in a decline in the overall credit quality of the securities held by the Fund and increasing the exposure of the Fund to the risks of lower-rated securities.

Ratings of fixed-income securities represent the rating agency's opinion regarding their credit quality and are not a guarantee of quality. Rating agencies attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. Also, rating agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings in response to subsequent events, so that an issuer's current financial condition may be better or worse than a rating indicates. See "Description of Security Ratings" in the Prospectus.

Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund. Neither event will require sale of these securities by the Fund, but the Adviser will consider this event in its determination of whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities.

During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, the monthly dollar-weighted average ratings of the debt obligations held by the Total Return Bond Fund, expressed as a percentage of the Fund's total investments, were as follows:

    Percentage of Total Investments  
Ratings   Total Return Bond Fund  
AAA/Aaa     18.25 %  
AA/Aa     0.91 %  
A/A     1.49 %  
BBB/Baa     7.92 %  

 

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    Percentage of Total Investments  
Ratings   Total Return Bond Fund  
BB/Ba     1.67 %  
B/B     1.44 %  
Caa     1.09 %  
Unrated     0.16 %  

 

Commercial Paper. Each Fund may invest in commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. A variable amount master demand note (which is a type of commercial paper) represents a direct borrowing arrangement involving periodically fluctuating rates of interest under a letter agreement between a commercial paper issuer and an institutional lender pursuant to which the lender may determine to invest varying amounts.

Adjustable Rate Securities. The Large Cap Value Fund and Total Return Bond Fund may each invest in adjustable rate securities. Adjustable rate securities are debt securities having interest rates which are adjusted or reset at periodic intervals ranging from one month to three years. The interest rate of an adjustable rate security typically responds to changes in general market levels of interest. The interest paid on any particular adjustable rate security is a function of the index upon which the interest rate of that security is based.

The adjustable rate feature of the securities in which a Fund may invest will tend to reduce sharp changes in a Fund's net asset value in response to normal interest rate fluctuations. As the coupon rates of a Fund's adjustable rate securities are reset periodically, yields of these portfolio securities will reflect changes in market rates and should cause the net asset value of a Fund's shares to fluctuate less dramatically than that of a fund invested in long-term fixed-rate securities. However, while the adjustable rate feature of such securities will tend to limit sharp swings in a Fund's net asset value in response to movements in general market interest rates, it is anticipated that during periods of fluctuations in interest rates, the net asset value of a Fund will fluctuate.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds. The Total Return Bond Fund may invest in inflation-indexed bonds issued by governmental entities and corporations. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. Such bonds generally are issued at an interest rate lower than typical bonds, but are expected to retain their principal value over time. The interest rate on these bonds is fixed at issuance, but over the life of the bond this interest may be paid on an increasing principal value, which has been adjusted for inflation.

Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.

Foreign Securities

The Total Return Bond Fund may invest in foreign equity and debt securities, including securities of foreign corporations, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and securities issued by foreign governments. For purposes of this policy, foreign companies and financial institutions are those that are organized under the laws of a foreign country, those that derive more than 50% of their revenues from activities in foreign countries, and companies and financial institutions that have at least 50% of their assets located abroad.

The Conservative Growth Fund may invest up to 20% of its investable assets in foreign equity and debt securities, obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks and securities issued by foreign governments. For purposes of this policy, foreign companies and financial institutions are those that are organized under the laws of a foreign country. Instruments like ADRs, ADSs, and similar receipts or shares traded in the U.S. markets will not be considered to be foreign securities.

The funds' investments in foreign government securities may include debt securities issued or guaranteed, as to payment of principal and interest, by governments, semi-governmental entities, governmental agencies, supranational entities and other governmental entities (collectively, the Government Entities) of countries considered stable by an Adviser. A "supranational entity" is an entity constituted by the national governments of several countries to promote economic development. Examples of such supranational entities include, among others, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Debt securities of "semi-governmental entities" are issued by entities owned by a national, state, or equivalent government or are obligations of a political unit that are not backed by the national government's "full faith and credit" and general taxing powers. Examples of semi-governmental issuers include, among others, the Province of Ontario and the City of Stockholm. Foreign government securities also include mortgage-backed securities issued by foreign government entities including semi-governmental entities.

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The funds may also invest in mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by foreign government entities including semi-governmental entities, and Brady Bonds, which are long-term bonds issued by government entities in developing countries as part of a restructuring of their commercial loans.

The values of foreign investments are affected by changes in currency rates or exchange control regulations, restrictions or prohibitions on the repatriation of foreign currencies, application of foreign tax laws, including withholding taxes, changes in governmental administration or economic or monetary policy (in the United States or abroad) or changed circumstances in dealings between nations. Costs are also incurred in connection with conversions between various currencies. In addition, foreign brokerage commissions and custody fees are generally higher than those charged in the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental supervision than in the United States. Investments in foreign countries could be affected by other factors not present in the United States, including expropriation, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations and could be subject to extended clearance and settlement periods.

Special Considerations of Investing in Euro-Denominated Securities

The adoption by the participating member states of the euro beginning January 1, 2002 has eliminated the substantial currency risk among participating member states that formerly each used a unique currency, and will likely affect the investment process and considerations of a Fund's investment adviser. To the extent a Fund holds non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities, including those denominated in the euro, the Fund will still be subject to currency risk due to fluctuations in those currencies as compared to the U.S. dollar.

The medium- to long-term impact of the introduction of the euro in member states cannot be determined with certainty at this time. In addition to the effects described above, it is likely that more general short- and long-term ramifications can be expected, such as changes in economic environment and change in behavior of investors, all of which will impact the Fund's investments.

Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-backed Securities

Mortgage-Backed Securities-General.  The Total Return Bond Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities are securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. There are currently three basic types of mortgage-backed securities: (1) those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, such as GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, described under "U.S. Government Securities" above; (2) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by mortgage backed securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities; and (3) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by whole mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities without a government guarantee but usually having some form of private credit enhancement.

GNMA Certificates.  Certificates of the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA Certificates) are mortgage-backed securities that evidence an undivided interest in a pool or pools of mortgages. GNMA Certificates are the "modified pass-through" type, which entitle the holder to receive timely payment of all interest and principal payments due on the mortgage pool, net of fees paid to the "issuer" and GNMA, regardless of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the payment. The GNMA Certificates will represent a pro rata interest in one or more pools of the following types of mortgage loans: (1) fixed rate level payment mortgage loans; (2) fixed rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (3) fixed rate growing equity mortgage loans; (4) fixed rate mortgage loans secured by manufactured (mobile) homes; (5) mortgage loans on multifamily residential properties under construction; (6) mortgage loans on completed multifamily projects; (7) fixed rate mortgage loans as to which escrowed funds are used to reduce the borrower's monthly payments during the early years of the mortgage loans ("buydown" mortgage loans); (8) mortgage loans that provide for adjustments in payments based on periodic changes in interest rates or in other payment terms of the mortgage loans; and (9) mortgage-backed serial notes. All of these mortgage loans will be FHA Loans or VA Loans and, except as otherwise specified above, will be fully-amortizing loans secured by first liens on one-to-four family housing units.

FNMA Certificates.  The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) is a federally chartered and privately owned corporation organized and existing under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act. FNMA provides funds to the mortgage market primarily by purchasing home mortgage loans from local lenders, thereby replenishing their funds for additional lending. FNMA acquires funds to purchase home mortgage loans from many capital market investors that may not ordinarily invest in mortgage loans directly.

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Each FNMA Certificate will entitle the registered holder thereof to receive amounts, representing such holder's pro rata interest in scheduled principal payments and interest payments (at such FNMA Certificate's pass-through rate, which is net of any servicing and guarantee fees on the underlying mortgage loans), and any principal prepayments on the mortgage loans in the pool represented by such FNMA Certificate and such holder's proportionate interestin the full principal amount of any foreclosed or otherwise finally liquidated mortgage loan. The full and timely payment of principal and interest on each FNMA Certificate will be guaranteed by FNMA, which guarantee is not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

FHLMC Securities.  The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) is a corporate instrumentality of the United States created pursuant to the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as amended (the FHLMC Act). Its purpose is to promote development of a nationwide secondary market in conventional residential mortgages. The principal activity of FHLMC consists of the purchase of first lien, conventional, residential mortgage loans and participation interests in such mortgage loans and the resale of the mortgage loans so purchased in the form of mortgage securities, primarily FHLMC Certificates.

FHLMC issues two types of mortgage pass-through securities, mortgage participation certificates (PCs) and guaranteed mortgage certificates (GMCs).PCs resemble GNMA Certificates in that each PC represents a pro rata share of all interest and principal payments made and owned on the underlying pool. FHLMC guarantees timely monthly payment of interest on PCs and the ultimate payment of principal.

FHLMC Certificates.  FHLMC guarantees to each registered holder of the FHLMC Certificate the timely payment of interest at the rate provided for by such FHLMC Certificate, whether or not received. FHLMC also guarantees to each registered holder of a FHLMC Certificate ultimate collection of all principal on the related mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but does not, generally, guarantee the timely payment of scheduled principal. The obligations of FHLMC under its guarantee are obligations solely of FHLMC and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

FHLMC Certificates represent a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage loans (a FHLMC Certificate group) purchased by FHLMC. The mortgage loans underlying the FHLMC Certificates will consist of fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of between ten and thirty years, substantially all of which are secured by first liens on one-to four-family residential properties or multifamily projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the FHLMC Act. An FHLMC Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans and undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another FHLMC Certificate group.

The market value of mortgage securities, like other securities, will generally vary inversely with changes in market interest rates, declining when interest rates rise and rising when interest rates decline. However, mortgage securities, while having comparable risk of decline during periods of rising rates, usually have less potential for capital appreciation than other investments of comparable maturities due to the likelihood of increased prepayments of mortgages as interest rates decline. In addition, to the extent such mortgage securities are purchased at a premium, mortgage foreclosures and unscheduled principal prepayments generally will result in some loss of the holders' principal to the extent of the premium paid. On the other hand, if such mortgage securities are purchased at a discount, an unscheduled prepayment of principal will increase current and total returns and will accelerate the recognition of income that, when distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities.  Adjustable rate mortgage securities (ARMs) are pass-through mortgage securities collateralized by mortgages with adjustable rather than fixed rates. Generally, ARMs have a specified maturity date and amortize principal over their life. In periods of declining interest rates, there is a reasonable likelihood that ARMs will experience increased rates of prepayment of principal.

The amount of interest on an ARM is calculated by adding a specified amount, the "margin," to the index, subject to limitations on the maximum and minimum interest that can be charged. Because the interest rate on ARMs generally moves in the same direction as market interest rates, the market value of ARMs tends to be more stable than that of long-term fixed rate securities.

Private Mortgage Pass-Through Securities.  Private mortgage pass-through securities are structured similarly to GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including depository institutions, mortgage banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of conventional fixed-rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans. Since private mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit status of GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement. Types of credit enhancements are described under "Types of Credit Enhancement" below.

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Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Multiclass Pass-Through Securities.  CMOs are debt obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities. Typically, CMOs are collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC Certificates, but also may be collateralized by whole loans or private mortgage pass-through securities (such collateral collectively hereinafter referred to as "Mortgage Assets"). Multiclass pass-through securities are equity interests in a trust composed of Mortgage Assets. Payments of principal and interest on the Mortgage Assets, and any reinvestment income thereon, provide the funds to pay debt service on the CMOs or make scheduled distributions on the multiclass pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including depository institutions, mortgage banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. The issuer of a series of CMOs may elect to be treated as a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC). All future references to CMOs include REMICs.

In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a specific fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis. The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of a CMO series in a number of different ways. Generally, the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the various classes is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to the individual tranches than exists with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general rule, the more predictable the cash flow on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield will be on that tranche at the time of issuance relative to prevailing market yields on mortgage-backed securities.

The Total Return Bond Fund may invest in other classes or series of bonds. The Total Return Bond Fund also may invest in, among other things, parallel pay CMOs and Planned Amortization Class CMOs (PAC Bonds). Parallel pay CMOs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class that, as with other CMO structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date but may be retired earlier. PAC Bonds generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date. PAC Bonds always are parallel pay CMOs with the required principal payment on such securities having the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes.

In reliance on a Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission) interpretation, the Fund's investments in certain qualifying collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), including CMOs that have elected to be treated as REMICs, are not subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), limitation on acquiring interests in other investment companies. In order to be able to rely on the Commission's interpretation, the CMOs and REMICs must be unmanaged, fixed-asset issuers, that (1) invest primarily in mortgage-backed securities, (2) do not issue redeemable securities, (3) operate under general exemptive orders exempting them from all provisions of the 1940 Act and (4) are not registered or regulated under the 1940 Act as investment companies. To the extent that the Fund selects CMOs or REMICs that do not meet the above requirements, the Fund may not invest more than 10% of its assets in all such entities, may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in a single entity, and may not acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any single such entity.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities or MBS strips are derivative multiclass mortgage securities. In addition to MBS strips issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, the Total Return Bond Fund may purchase MBS strips issued by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including depository institutions, mortgage banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. See "U.S. Government Securities-Mortgage-Related Securities Issued or Guaranteed by U.S. Government Agencies and Instrumentalities" above.

Asset-Backed Securities.  Each of the Large Cap Value, Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds may invest in asset-backed securities. Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, various types of assets, primarily automobile and credit card receivables and home equity loans, have been securitized in pass-through structures similar to the mortgage pass-through structures or in a pay-through structure similar to the CMO structure. A Fund may invest in these and other types of asset-backed securities that may be developed in the future. Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. Primarily, these securities do not have the benefit of a security interest in the related collateral. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, some of which may reduce the ability to obtain full payment. In the case of automobile receivables, the security interests in the underlying automobiles are often not transferred when the pool is created, with the resulting possibility that the collateral could be resold. In general, these types of loans are of shorter average life than mortgage loans and are less likely to have substantial prepayments.

Types of Credit Enhancement.  Mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying

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assets to make payments, those securities may contain elements of credit support that fall into two categories: (1) liquidity protection and (2) protection against losses resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to seek to ensure that the receipt of payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default seeks to ensure ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in a security. A Fund will not pay any additional fees for credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

Risk Factors Relating to Investing in Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities.  The yield characteristics of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities differ from traditional debt securities. Among the major differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying mortgage loans or other assets generally may be prepaid at any time. As a result, if a Fund purchases such a security at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than expected will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity. Alternatively, if a Fund purchases these securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will reduce, yield to maturity. Moreover, slower than expected prepayments may effectively change a security that was considered short- or intermediate-term at the time of purchase into a long-term security. Long-term securities generally lead to increased volatility of net asset value because they tend to fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates than short- or intermediate-term securities. The Total Return Bond Fund may invest a portion of its assets in derivative mortgage backed securities such as MBS strips, that are highly sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest rates. Each Adviser will seek to manage these risks (and potential benefits) by diversifying its investments in such securities and, in certain circumstances, through hedging techniques.

In addition, mortgage-backed securities that are secured by manufactured (mobile) homes and multi-family residential properties, such as GNMA and FNMA certificates, are subject to a higher risk of default than are other types of mortgage-backed securities.

Although the extent of prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans depends on various economic and other factors, as a general rule prepayments on fixed-rate mortgage loans will increase during a period of falling interest rates and decrease during a period of rising interest rates. Accordingly, amounts available for reinvestment by the Total Return Bond Fund are likely to be greater during a period of declining interest rates and, as a result, likely to be reinvested at lower interest rates than during a period of rising interest rates. Asset-backed securities, although less likely to experience the same prepayment rates as mortgage-backed securities, may respond to certain of the same factors influencing prepayments, while at other times different factors will predominate. Mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities may decrease in value as a result of increases in interest rates and may benefit less than other fixedincome securities from declining interest rates because of the risk of prepayment. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of prepayment of mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities can be expected to decline, extending the projected average maturity of the mortgage-backed securities. This maturity extension risk may effectively change a security that was considered short- or intermediate-term at the time of purchase into a long-term security. Long-term securities generally fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates than short- or intermediate-term securities.

Convertible Securities

Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is typically a bond, debenture, corporate note, preferred stock or other similar security that may be converted at a stated price within a specified period of time into a specified number of shares of common stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities are generally senior to common stocks in a corporation's capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar nonconvertible securities. While providing a fixed income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from a common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also affords an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation attendant upon a market price advance in the convertible security's underlying common stock. Convertible securities also include preferred stocks, which technically are equity securities.

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In general, the market value of a convertible security is at least the higher of its "investment value" ( i.e. , its value as a fixed-income security) or its "conversion value" ( i.e. , its value upon conversion into its underlying common stock). As a fixed-income security, a convertible security tends to increase in market value when interest rates decline and tends to decrease in value when interest rates rise. However, the price of a convertible security is also influenced by the market value of the security's underlying common stock. The price of a convertible security tends to increase as the market value of the underlying common stock rises, whereas it tends to decrease as the market value of the underlying stock declines. While no securities investment is without some risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in the common stock of the same issuer.

Loan Participations

The Total Return Bond Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in high quality participation interests having remaining maturities not exceeding one year in loans extended by banks to United States and foreign companies. In a typical corporate loan syndication, a number of lenders, usually banks (co-lenders), lend a corporate borrower a specified sum pursuant to the terms and conditions of a loan agreement. One of the co-lenders usually agrees to act as the agent bank with respect to the loan. The loan agreement among the corporate borrower and the co-lenders identifies the agent bank as well as sets forth the rights and duties of the parties. The agreement often (but not always) provides for the collateralization of the corporate borrower's obligations thereunder and includes various types of restrictive covenants that must be met by the borrower.

The participation interests acquired by the Fund may, depending on the transaction, take the form of a direct or co-lending relationship with the corporate borrower, an assignment of an interest in the loan by a co-lender or another participant, or a participation in the seller's share of the loan. Typically, the Fund will look to the agent bank to collect principal of and interest on a participation interest, to monitor compliance with loan covenants, to enforce all credit remedies, such as foreclosures on collateral, and to notify co-lenders of any adverse changes in the borrower's financial condition or declarations of insolvency. The agent bank in such cases will be qualified to serve as a custodian for a registered investment company such as the Trust. The agent bank is compensated for these services by the borrower pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement.

When the Fund acts as co-lender in connection with a participation interest or when the Fund acquires a participation interest the terms of which provide that the Fund will be in privity with the corporate borrower, the Fund will have direct recourse against the borrower in the event the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. In cases where the Fund lacks such direct recourse, the Fund will look to the agent bank to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower.

The Manager believes that the principal credit risk associated with acquiring participation interests from a co-lender or another participant is the credit risk associated with the underlying corporate borrower. The Fund may incur additional credit risk, however, when it is in the position of participant rather than a co-lender because it must assume the risk of insolvency of the co-lender from which the participation interest was acquired and that of any person interpositioned between the Fund and the co-lender. However, in acquiring participation interests, the Fund will analyze and evaluate the financial condition of each such co-lender and participant to ensure that the participation interest meets the Fund's high quality standard and will continue to do so as long as it holds a participation. For purposes of the Fund's requirement to maintain diversification for tax purposes, the issuer of a loan participation will be the underlying borrower. In cases where the Fund does not have recourse directly against the borrower, both the borrower and each agent bank and co-lender interposed between the Fund and the borrower will be deemed issuers of the loan participation for tax diversification purposes.

For purposes of the Fund's fundamental investment restriction against investing 25% or more of its total assets in any one industry, the Fund will consider all relevant factors in determining who is the issuer of a loan participation including the credit quality of the underlying borrower, the amount and quality of the collateral, the terms of the loan participation agreement and other relevant agreements (including any intercreditor agreements), the degree to which the credit of such intermediary was deemed material to the decision to purchase the loan participation, the interest environment, and general economic conditions applicable to the borrower and such intermediary.

Repurchase Agreements

A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, whereby the seller of the security agrees to repurchase that security from the Fund at a mutually agreed-upon time and at a price in excess of the purchase price, reflecting an agreed-upon rate of return effective for the period of time the Fund's money is invested in the repurchase agreement. The period of maturity is usually quite short, possibly overnight or a few days, although it may extend over a number of months. A Fund's repurchase agreements will at all times be fully collateralized in an amount at least equal to the resale price. The instruments held as collateral are valued daily, and if the value of instruments decline, a Fund will require additional collateral. If the seller defaults, the Fund will require additional collateral. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement declines, the Fund may incur a loss.

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A Fund will enter into repurchase transactions only with parties meeting creditworthiness standards approved by the Fund's Adviser. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a seller, the Fund may liquidate the collateral.

A Fund may participate in a joint repurchase account with other investment companies managed by PI pursuant to an order of the Commission. On a daily basis, any uninvested cash balances of a Fund may be aggregated with those of such investment companies and invested in one or more repurchase agreements. Each Fund participates in the income earned or accrued in the joint account based on the percentage of its investment.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls

The Total Return Bond Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. The proceeds from such transactions will be used for the clearance of transactions or to take advantage of investment opportunities.

Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of securities concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a later date at a fixed price. During the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments on these securities.

Dollar rolls involve sales by the Fund of securities for delivery in the current month and a simultaneous contract to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date from the same party. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop") as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. A "covered roll" is a specific type of dollar roll for which there is an offsetting cash position or a cash equivalent security position that matures on or before the forward settlement date of the dollar roll transaction.

The Fund will segregate with its custodian cash or other liquid assets equal in value to its obligations in respect of reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase under the agreement. If the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund's use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities.

Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls, including covered dollar rolls, are speculative techniques involving leverage and are considered borrowings by the Fund for purposes of the percentage limitations applicable to borrowings. See "Borrowing" below.

Swap Agreements

The Total Return Bond Fund may enter into interest rate, index, credit, currency exchange rate, long and short credit default and total return swap agreements (or a combination of these swap agreements or other similar swap agreements). The Fund may also enter into options on swap agreements (swap options). These transactions may be entered into in an attempt to obtain a particular return when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost to the Fund than if it had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods typically ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In one type of "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on, or calculated with respect to particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a "notional amount,"  i.e. , the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index or other investments or instruments. In another type of swap one party (a credit protection seller) receives a premium from another party (a credit protection buyer) for assuming the credit risk of a specified issuer and/or reference obligation. In exchange for the premium, the credit protection seller has the obligation to purchase obligations of the issuer at par upon the occurrence of a credit event. Typical credit events include the bankruptcy of the issuer and the failure by the issuer to pay when due obligations in respect of borrowed money. Alternatively, the credit protection seller may be required to make a cash payment to the credit protection buyer. This cash payment is typically equal to the difference between the par value of the reference obligation and its market value following the relevant credit event. Other forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or "cap"; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or "floor"; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. A swap option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right

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(but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swap options.

Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund would calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis." Consequently, the Fund's current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the net amount). The Fund's net obligations in respect of all swap agreements ( i.e. the aggregate net amount owed by the Fund) is limited to 15% of the Fund's net assets. The Fund's current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the segregation of assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board, to avoid any potential leveraging of the Portfolio's portfolio. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be considered "senior securities" for purposes of the Portfolio's investment restriction concerning senior securities.

For purposes of applying the Funds' investment policies and restrictions (as stated in the prospectuses and this SAI) swap agreements are generally valued by the Funds at market value. In the case of a credit default swap sold by a Fund ( i.e. , where the Fund is selling credit default protection), however, the Fund will generally value the swap at its notional amount. The manner in which certain securities or other instruments are valued by the Funds for purposes of applying investment policies and restrictions may differ from the manner in which those investments are valued by other types of investors.

Whether the Fund's use of swap agreements or swap options will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the Adviser's ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce a better result than other investments. Because they are two party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. The Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness (generally, such counterparties would have to be eligible counterparties under the terms of the Funds' repurchase agreement guidelines). The Fund may engage in swap agreements of any duration with a counterparty whose long-term credit is rated at least "A" by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Certain restrictions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, may limit the Fund's ability to use swap agreements. Developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, may adversely affect the Fund's ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swap option than it will incur when it purchases a swap option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when a Fund writes a swap option, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying swap agreement.

Certain swap agreements are exempt from most provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act ("CEA") and therefore, are not regulated as futures or commodity option transactions under the CEA, pursuant to regulations approved by the CFTC. To qualify for this exemption, a swap agreement must be entered into by "eligible contract participants," which includes the following, provided the participants' total assets exceed established levels: a bank or trust company, savings association or credit union, insurance company, investment company subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, commodity pool, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, organization, trust or other entity, employee benefit plan, governmental entity, broker-dealer, futures commission merchant, natural person, or regulated foreign person. To be eligible, natural persons and most other entities must have total assets exceeding $10 million; commodity pools and employee benefit plans must have assets exceeding $5 million. In addition, the swap agreement must be subject to individual negotiation by the parties and not be executed or transacted on a trading facility.

Event-Linked Bonds

The Total Return Bond Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in event-linked bonds. Event-linked bonds are fixed income securities for which the return of principal and payment of interest is contingent on the non-occurrence of a specific "trigger" event, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or other physical or weather-related phenomenon. Some event-linked bonds are commonly referred to as "catastrophe bonds." If a trigger event causes losses exceeding a specific amount in the geographic region and time period specified in a bond, a Fund may lose a portion or all of its principal invested in the bond. If no trigger event occurs, the Fund will recover its principal plus interest. For some event-linked bonds, the trigger event or losses may be based on company-wide losses, index-portfolio losses, industry indexes, or readings of scientific instruments rather than specified actual losses. Often the event-linked bonds provide for extensions of maturity that are mandatory, or optional at the discretion of the issuer, in order to process and audit loss claims in those cases where a trigger event has, or possibly has, occurred. In addition to the specified trigger events, event-linked bonds may also expose the portfolio to certain

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unanticipated risks including but not limited to issuer (credit) default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences. Event-linked bonds may also be subject to liquidity risk. Issuers of event-linked bonds include government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other on-shore or offshore entities. The Total Return Bond Fund may invest in these type of bonds.

Emerging Markets Debt

The Total Return Bond Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in emerging markets debt, including (but not limited to) Brady Bonds. The Fund may invest in corporate debt securities of foreign issuers (including preferred or preference stock), certain foreign bank obligations and U.S. dollar or foreign currency-denominated obligations of foreign governments or their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, international agencies and supranational entities.

Securities traded in certain emerging market countries, including the emerging market countries in Eastern Europe, may be subject to risks in addition to risks typically posed by international investing due to economies that are generally less diverse and mature, political systems which can be expected to have less stability than those of developed countries, the inexperience of financial intermediaries, the lack of modern technology and the lack of a sufficient capital base to expand business operations. Additionally, former Communist regimes of a number of Eastern European countries previously expropriated a large amount of property, the claims on which have not been entirely settled. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investments in Eastern Europe will not also be expropriated, nationalized or otherwise confiscated.

The Fund may invest in Brady Bonds. Brady Bonds are securities created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to sovereign entities for new obligations in connection with debt restructurings under a debt restructuring plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the Brady Plan). Brady Plan debt restructurings have been implemented in a number of countries, including: Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jordan, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Uruguay and Venezuela. In addition, Brazil has concluded a Brady-like plan. It is expected that other countries will undertake a Brady Plan in the future, including Panama and Peru.

Brady Bonds do not have a long payment history. Brady Bonds may be collateralized or uncollateralized, are issued in various currencies (primarily the U.S. dollar) and are actively traded in the over-the-counter secondary market. Brady Bonds are not considered to be U.S. Government securities. U.S. dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed rate par bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are generally collateralized in full as to principal by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity as the Brady Bonds. Interest payments on these Brady Bonds generally are collateralized on a one-year or longer rolling-forward basis by cash or securities in an amount that, in the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of interest payments or, in the case of floating rate bonds, initially is equal to at least one year's interest payments based on the applicable interest rate at that time and is adjusted at regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to "value recovery payments" in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Brady Bonds are often viewed as having three or four valuation components: (1) the collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity; (2) the collateralized interest payments; (3) the uncollateralized interest payments; and (4) any uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized amounts constitute the "residual risk").

Most Mexican Brady Bonds issued to date have principal repayments at final maturity fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds (or comparable collateral denominated in other currencies) and interest coupon payments collateralized on an 18-month rolling-forward basis by funds held in escrow by an agent for the bondholders. A significant portion of the Venezuelan Brady Bonds and the Argentine Brady Bonds issued to date have principal repayments at final maturity collateralized by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds (or comparable collateral denominated in other currencies) and/or interest coupon payments collateralized on a 14-month (for Venezuela) or 12-month (for Argentina) rolling-forward basis by securities held by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as collateral agent.

Brady Bonds involve various risk factors including residual risk and the history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds and therefore are to be viewed as speculative. In addition, in the event of a default with respect to collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of which the payment obligations of the issuer are accelerated, the U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations held as collateral for the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors, nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds which will continue to be outstanding at which time the face amount of the collateral will equal the principal payments which would have then been due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. There can be no assurance that Brady Bonds in which the Fund may invest will not be subject to restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit, which may cause the Fund to suffer a loss of interest or principal on any of its holdings.

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Investment in sovereign debt can involve a high degree of risk. The government entity that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of the debt. A governmental entity's willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the governmental entity's policy toward the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a governmental entity may be subject. Governmental entities may also depend on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a governmental entity's implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor's obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties' commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its debts in a timely manner. Consequently, governmental entities may default on their sovereign debt. Holders of sovereign debt (including the Funds) may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental entities. There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which sovereign debt on which governmental entities have defaulted may be collected in whole or in part.

A Fund's investments in foreign currency denominated and certain other debt obligations and hedging activities will likely produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. This difference may cause a portion of the Fund's income distributions to constitute returns of capital for tax purposes or require the Fund to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal tax purposes.

Each Fund will consider an issuer to be economically tied to a country with an emerging securities market if (1) it is organized under the laws of, or maintains its principal place of business in, the country, (2) its securities are principally traded in the country's securities markets, or (3) it derived at least half of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in the country, or has at least half of its assets in that country.

Illiquid Securities

Each Fund may hold up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. If a Fund were to exceed this limit, the Adviser(s) would take prompt action to reduce the Fund's holdings in illiquid securities to no more than 15% of its net assets as required by applicable law. Illiquid securities include repurchase agreements that have a maturity of longer than seven days, certain securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale (restricted securities). Repurchase agreements subject to demand are deemed to have a maturity equal to the notice period.

Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), securities that are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a maturity of longer than seven days. Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and a mutual fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven days. A mutual fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

In recent years, a large institutional market has developed for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act including repurchas agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities, convertible securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments.

Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows for a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers.

Restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and privately placed commercial paper for which there is a readily available market are treated as liquid only when deemed liquid under procedures established by the Trustees. The Advisers will monitor the liquidity of such restricted securities subject to the supervision of the Trustees.

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In reaching liquidity decisions, the Advisers will consider, among others, the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security and (4) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades (that is, the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer). In addition, in order for commercial paper that is issued in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act to be considered liquid, (1) it must be rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSRO), or if only one NRSRO rates the securities, by that NRSRO, or, if unrated, be of comparable quality in the view of the Adviser; and (2) it must not be "traded flat" ( i.e. , without accrued interest) or in default as to principal or interest. A Fund's investments in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing illiquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing Rule 144A securities.

The staff of the Commission has taken the position that purchased over-the-counter options and the assets used as "cover" for written over-the-counter options are illiquid securities unless the Fund and the counterparty have provided for the Fund, at the Fund's election, to unwind the over-the-counter option. The exercise of such an option ordinarily would involve the payment by the Fund of an amount designated to effect the counterparty's economic loss from an early termination, but does allow the Fund to treat the assets used as "cover" as "liquid."

When a Fund enters into interest rate swaps on other than a net basis, the entire amount of the Fund's obligations, if any, with respect to such interest rate swaps will be treated as illiquid. To the extent that a Fund enters into interest rate swaps on a net basis, the net amount of the excess will be treated as illiquid. The Funds will also treat non-U.S. Government POs and IOs as illiquid securities so long as the staff of the Commission maintains its position that such securities are illiquid.

Investment Company Securities

The Funds may invest in securities issued by other investment companies that invest in short-term debt securities and that seek to maintain a $1.00 net asset value per share (money market funds). The Funds may also invest in securities issued by other investment companies with similar investment objectives. Securities of other investment companies will be acquired within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act. As a shareholder of another investment company, a Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the expenses each Fund bears in connection with its own operations.

Risk Management and Return Enhancement Strategies

The Total Return Bond Fund and the Conservative Growth Fund may engage in various portfolio strategies, including using derivatives, to seek to reduce certain risks of its investments and to enhance return. The Funds, and thus their investors, may lose money through any unsuccessful use of these strategies. These strategies currently include with respect to the Total Return Bond Fund the use of foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, options, futures contracts and options thereon. With respect to the Conservative Growth Fund, these strategies include options, futures contracts and options thereon. The Funds' ability to use these strategies may be limited by various factors, such as market conditions, regulatory limits and tax considerations, and there can be no assurance that any of these strategies will succeed. See "Taxes, Dividends and Distributions." If new financial products and risk management techniques are developed, each Fund may use them to the extent consistent with its investment objectives and policies. All references to Fund in the "Risk Management and Return Enhancement Strategies" section are references to the Total Return Bond Fund and all references to funds in this section are references to the Total Return Bond Fund and the Conservative Growth Fund.

Risks of Risk Management and Return Enhancement Strategies-General.  Participation in the options and futures markets and in currency exchange transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs to which a Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. The Funds, and thus their investors, may lose money through any unsuccessful use of these strategies. If an Adviser's predictions of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency or interest rate markets are inaccurate, the adverse consequences to the funds may leave the Funds in a worse position than if such strategies were not used. Risks inherent in the use of these strategies include (but is not limited to) (1) dependence on the Adviser's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest rates, securities prices and currency markets; (2) imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities being hedged; (3) the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select portfolio securities; (4) the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time; (5) the risk that the counterparty may be unable to complete the transaction; and (6) the possible inability of the Funds to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for the Fund to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time, due to the need for the funds to maintain "cover" or to segregate assets in connection with hedging transactions.

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Options Transactions.  The Funds may purchase and write (that is, sell) put and call options on securities, currencies and financial indexes that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market (OTC) to seek to enhance return or to protect against adverse price fluctuations in securities in its portfolio. These options will be on debt securities, aggregates of debt securities, financial indexes (for example, S&P 500), futures contracts and U.S. Government securities. The Funds may write covered put and call options to attempt to generate additional income through the receipt of premiums, purchase put options in an effort to protect the value of a security that it owns against a decline in market value and purchase call options in an effort to protect against an increase in price of securities or currencies it intends to purchase. The Funds may also purchase put and call options to offset previously written put and call options of the same series.

A call option gives the purchaser, in exchange for a premium paid, the right for a specified period of time to purchase the securities or currency subject to the option at a specified price (the exercise price or strike price) or, depending on the terms of the option contract, to receive a specified amount of cash. The writer of a call option, in return for the premium, has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver, depending upon the terms of the option contract, the underlying securities or a specified amount of cash to the purchaser upon receipt of the exercise price. When the funds write a call option, the Funds give up the potential for gain on the underlying securities or currency in excess of the exercise price of the option during the period that the option is open. There is no limitation on the amount of call options the Fund may write. The Conservative Growth  Fund may write covered call options to the extent that cover for such options does not exceed 25% of the fund's investable assets.

A put option gives the purchaser, in return for a premium, the right, for a specified period of time, to sell the securities or currency subject to the option to the writer of the put at the specified exercise price. The writer of the put option, in return for the premium, has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to acquire the securities or currency underlying the option at the exercise price. The funds, as the writers of a put option, might, therefore, be obligated to purchase the underlying securities or currency for more than their current market price.

The writer of an option retains the amount of the premium, although this amount may be offset or exceeded, in the case of a covered call option, by an increase and, in the case of a covered put option, by a decline in the market value of the underlying security during the option period.

The Funds will write only "covered" options. A written option is covered if, so long as the Funds are obligated under the option, they (1) own an offsetting position in the underlying security or currency or (2) segregate cash or other liquid assets, in an amount equal to or greater than its obligation under the option. Under the first circumstance, the Funds' losses are limited because it owns the underlying security; under the second circumstance, in the case of a written call option, the Funds' losses are potentially unlimited. The Funds may only write covered put options to the extent that cover for such options does not exceed 25% of the fund's net assets (in the case of the Fund) and 25% of the fund's investable assets (in the case of the Conservative Growth Fund). The Fund will not purchase an option if, as a result of such purchase, more than 20% of its total assets would be invested in premiums for options and options on futures.

Options on Securities.  The purchaser of a call option has the right, for a specified period of time, to purchase the securities subject to the option at a specified price (the exercise price or strike price) or depending on the terms of the option contract, to receive a specified amount of cash. By writing a call option, the Funds become obligated during the term of the option, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying securities or a specified amount of cash to the purchaser against receipt of the exercise price. When the Funds write a call option, the Funds lose the potential for gain on the underlying securities in excess of the exercise price of the option during the period that the option is open.

The purchaser of a put option has the right, for a specified period of time, to sell the securities subject to the option to the writer of the put at the specified exercise price. By writing a put option, the Funds become obligated during the term of the option, upon exercise of the option, to purchase the securities underlying the option at the exercise price. The Funds might, therefore, be obligated to purchase the underlying securities for more than their current market price.

The writer of an option retains the amount of the premium, although this amount may be offset or exceeded, in the case of a covered call option, by an increase and, in the case of a covered put option, by a decline in the market value of the underlying security during the option period.

The Funds may wish to protect certain portfolio securities against a decline in market value at a time when put options on those particular securities are not available for purchase. The Funds may therefore purchase a put option on other securities, the values of which the Adviser expects will have a high degree of positive correlation to the values of such portfolio securities. If the Adviser's judgment is correct, changes in the value of the put options should generally offset changes in the value of the portfolio securities being hedged. If the subadviser's judgment is not correct, the value of the securities underlying the put option may decrease less than the value of the Funds' investments and therefore the put option may not provide complete protection against a decline in the value of the Funds' investments below the level sought to be protected by the put option.

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The Funds may similarly wish to hedge against appreciation in the value of debt securities that it intends to acquire at a time when call options on such securities are not available. The funds may, therefore, purchase call options on other debt securities the values of which the Adviser expects will have a high degree of positive correlation to the values of the debt securities that the funds intend to acquire. In such circumstances the funds will be subject to risks analogous to those summarized above in the event that the correlation between the value of call options so purchased and the value of the securities intended to be acquired by the funds is not as close as anticipated and the value of the securities underlying the call options increases less than the value of the securities to be acquired by the funds.

The funds may write options on securities in connection with buy-and-write transactions; that is, the funds may purchase a security and concurrently write a call option against that security. If the call option is exercised, the funds' maximum gain will be the premium it received for writing the option, adjusted upwards or downwards by the difference between the funds' purchase price of the security and the exercise price of the option. If the option is not exercised and the price of the underlying security declines, the amount of the decline will be offset in part, or entirely, by the premium received.

The exercise price of a call option may be below (in-the-money), equal to (at-the-money) or above (out-of-the-money) the current value of the underlying security at the time the option is written. The funds may also buy and write straddles ( i.e. , a combination of a call and a put written on the same security at the same strike price where the same segregated collateral is considered "cover" for both the put and the call). In such cases, the funds will segregate with its custodian cash or other liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is "in-the-money,"  i.e. , the amount by which the exercise price of the put exceeds the current market value of the underlying security. It is contemplated that the funds' use of straddles will be limited to 5% of the funds' net assets (meaning that the securities used for cover or segregated as described above will not exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets at the time the straddle is written). The writing of a call and a put on the same security at the same stock price where the call and put are covered by different securities is not considered a straddle for the purposes of this limit. Buy-and-write transactions using in-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the price of the underlying security will remain flat or decline moderately during the option period. Buy-and-write transactions using at-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the price of the underlying security will remain fixed or advance moderately during the option period. A buy-and-write transaction using an out-of-the-money call option may be used when it is expected that the premium received from writing the call option plus the appreciation in the market price of the underlying security up to the exercise price will be greater than the appreciation in the price of the underlying security alone. If the call option is exercised in such a transaction, the funds' maximum gain will be the premium received by it for writing the option, adjusted upwards or downwards by the difference between the Fund's purchase price of the security and the exercise price of the option. If the option is not exercised and the price of the underlying security declines, the amount of the decline will be offset in part, or entirely, by the premium received.

Prior to being notified of exercise of the option, the writer of an exchange-traded option that wishes to terminate its obligation may effect a "closing purchase transaction" by buying an option of the same series as the option previously written. (Options of the same series are options with respect to the same underlying security, having the same expiration date and the same strike price.) The effect of the purchase is that the writer's position will be cancelled by the exchange's affiliated clearing organization. Likewise, an investor who is the holder of an exchange-traded option may liquidate a position by effecting a "closing sale transaction" by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased. There is no guarantee that either a closing purchase or a closing sale transaction can be effected.

Exchange-traded options are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on which the option is listed that, in effect, gives its guarantee to the fulfillment of every exchange-traded option transaction. In contrast, OTC options are contracts between the fund and its counter-party with no clearing organization guarantee. Thus, when the funds purchase an OTC option, they rely on the dealer from which it has purchased the OTC option to make or take delivery of the securities underlying the option. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the funds as well as the loss of the expected benefit of the transaction. As such, the value of an OTC option is particularly dependent upon the financial viability of the OTC counterparty.

Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while OTC options may not. When the funds write an OTC option, they generally will be able to close out the OTC options prior to their expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to which the funds originally wrote the OTC option. While the funds will enter into OTC options only with dealers who agree to, and who are expected to be capable of, entering into closing transactions with the funds, there can be no assurances that the funds will be able to liquidate an OTC option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Until the funds are able to effect a closing purchase transaction in a covered OTC call option the funds have written, it will not be able to liquidate securities used as cover until the option expires or is exercised or different cover is substituted. In the event of insolvency of the counter party, the funds may be unable to liquidate an OTC option. With respect to options written by the funds, the inability to enter into a closing purchase transaction could result in material losses to the funds.

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OTC options purchased by a fund will be treated as illiquid securities subject to any applicable limitation on such securities. Similarly, the assets used to "cover" OTC options written by funds will be treated as illiquid unless the OTC options are sold to qualified dealers who agree that the funds may repurchase any OTC options it writes for a maximum price to be calculated by a formula set forth in the option agreement. The "cover" for an OTC option written subject to this procedure would be considered illiquid only to the extent that the maximum repurchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option.

A call option written by the funds is "covered" if the funds own the security underlying the option or have an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional consideration (or for additional consideration segregated by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the funds hold on a share-for-share basis a call on the same security as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written; where the exercise price of the call held is greater than the exercise price of the call written, the funds will segregate cash or other liquid assets with its custodian. With respect to the Conservative Growth Fund, a call option is also covered if the fund segregates with a custodian cash or other liquid assets in the amount of the market value of the underlying security. A put option written by the funds is "covered" if the funds hold on a share-for-share basis a put on the same security as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written; otherwise the funds will segregate cash or other liquid assets with its custodian equivalent in value to the exercise price of the option. This means that so long as the funds are obligated as the writers of a call option, they will own the underlying securities subject to the option or an option to purchase the same underlying securities, having an exercise price equal to or less than the exercise price of the "covered" option, or will segregate with its custodian for the term of the option cash or other liquid assets having a value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the option. In the case of a straddle written by the funds, the amount segregated will equal the amount, if any, by which the put is "in-the-money."

Options on GNMA Certificates.  Options on GNMA Certificates are not currently traded on any exchange. However, the Total Return Bond Fund may purchase and write such options should they commence trading on any exchange and may purchase or write OTC Options on GNMA certificates.

Since the remaining principal balance of GNMA Certificates declines each month as a result of mortgage payments, the Fund, as a writer of a covered GNMA call holding GNMA Certificates as "cover" to satisfy its delivery obligation in the event of assignment of an exercise notice, may find that its GNMA Certificates no longer have a sufficient remaining principal balance for this purpose. Should this occur, the Fund will enter into a closing purchase transaction or will purchase additional GNMA Certificates from the same pool (if obtainable) or replacement GNMA Certificates in the cash market in order to remain covered.

A GNMA Certificate held by the Fund to cover an option position in any but the nearest expiration month may cease to represent cover for the option in the event of a decline in the GNMA coupon rate at which new pools are originated under the FHA/VA loan ceiling in effect at any given time. Should this occur, the Fund will no longer be covered, and the Fund will either enter into a closing purchase transaction or replace the GNMA Certificate with a GNMA Certificate that represents cover. When the Fund closes its position or replaces the GNMA Certificate, it may realize an unanticipated loss and incur transaction costs.

Risks of Options Transactions.  An exchange-traded option position may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the funds 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, and for some exchange-traded 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 funds would have to exercise its exchange-traded options in order to realize any profit and may incur transaction costs in connection therewith. If the Funds as covered call option writers are unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, they will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon exercise.

Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (1) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (2) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (3) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; (4) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (5) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (6) 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 the class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at

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times, render certain of the facilities of any of the clearing corporations inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by an exchange of special procedures that may interfere with the timely execution of customers' orders.

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the funds engage in options transactions, the funds could experience delays and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur a loss of all or part of their margin deposits with the broker. Similarly, in the event of the bankruptcy of the writer of an OTC option purchased by the funds, the funds could experience a loss of all or part of the value of the option. Transactions are entered into by the funds only with brokers or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.

Options on Securities Indexes.  The Total Return Bond Fund and the Conservative Growth Fund may purchase and write call and put options on securities indexes in an attempt to hedge against market conditions affecting the value of securities that the funds own or intend to purchase, and not for speculation. Through the writing or purchase of index options, the funds can achieve many of the same objectives as through the use of options on individual securities. Options on securities indexes are similar to options on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities indexes gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the securities index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option.

This amount of cash is equal to such difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. Unlike security options, all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends upon price movements in the market generally (or in a particular industry or segment of the market), rather than upon price movements in individual securities. Price movements in securities that the funds own or intend to purchase will probably not correlate perfectly with movements in the level of an index and, therefore, the funds bear the risk that a loss on an index option would not be completely offset by movements in the price of such securities.

When the funds write an option on a securities index, they will be required to deposit with their custodian, and mark-to-market, eligible securities equal in value to 100% of the exercise price in the case of a put, or the contract value in the case of a call. In addition, where the funds write a call option on a securities index at a time when the contract value exceeds the exercise price, the funds will segregate and mark-to-market, until the option expires or is closed out, cash or cash equivalents equal in value to such excess.

Options on a securities index involve risks similar to those risks relating to transactions in financial futures contracts described below. Also, an option purchased by the funds may expire worthless, in which case the funds would lose the premium paid therefor.

Risks of Options on Indexes.  The funds' purchase and sale of options on indexes will be subject to risks described above under "Risks of Options Transactions." In addition, the distinctive characteristics of options on indexes create certain risks that are not present with stock options.

Index prices may be distorted if trading of certain stocks included in the index is interrupted. Trading in index options also may be interrupted in certain circumstances, such as if trading were halted in a substantial number of stocks included in the index. If this occurred, the funds would not be able to close out options that it had purchased or written and, if restrictions on exercise were imposed, may be unable to exercise an option it holds, which could result in substantial losses to the funds. It is the policy of the funds to purchase or write options only on indexes that include a number of stocks sufficient to minimize the likelihood of a trading halt in the index.

The ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that this market will develop in all index option contracts. The funds will not purchase or sell any index option contract unless and until, in the Adviser's opinion, the market for such options has developed sufficiently that the risk in connection with such transactions is no greater than the risk in connection with options on securities in the index.

Special Risks of Writing Calls on Indexes.  Because exercises of index options are settled in cash, call writers such as the funds cannot determine the amount of its settlement obligations in advance and, unlike call writing on specific stocks, cannot provide in advance for, or cover, its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities. However, the funds will write call options on indexes only under the circumstances described herein.

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Price movements in the funds' security holdings probably will not correlate precisely with movements in the level of the index and, therefore, the funds bear the risk that the price of the securities held by the funds may not increase as much as the index. In such event, the funds would bear a loss on the call that is not completely offset by movements in the price of the funds' security holdings. It is also possible that the index may rise when the funds' stocks do not rise. If this occurred, the funds would experience a loss on the call that is not offset by an increase in the value of its' portfolio and might also experience a loss in its portfolio. However, because the value of a diversified portfolio will, over time, tend to move in the same direction as the market, movements in the value of the funds in the opposite direction as the market would be likely to occur for only a short period or to a small degree.

Unless the funds have other liquid assets that are sufficient to satisfy the exercise of a call, the funds would be required to liquidate portfolio securities in order to satisfy the exercise. Because an exercise must be settled within hours after receiving the notice of exercise, if the funds fail to anticipate an exercise, they may have to borrow from a bank pending settlement of the sale of securities in its portfolio and would incur interest charges thereon.

When the funds have written a call, there is also a risk that the market may decline between the time the funds have a call exercised against them, at a price that is fixed as of the closing level of the index on the date of exercise, and the time the funds are able to sell stocks in its portfolio. As with stock options, the funds will not learn that an index option has been exercised until the day following the exercise date but, unlike a call on stock where the funds would be able to deliver the underlying securities in settlement, the funds may have to sell part of its' investment portfolio in order to make settlement in cash, and the price of such securities might decline before they can be sold. This timing risk makes certain strategies involving more than one option substantially more risky with index options than with stock options. For example, even if an index call that the funds have written are "covered" by an index call held by the funds with the same strike price, the funds will bear the risk that the level of the index may decline between the close of trading on the date the exercise notice is filed with the clearing corporation and the close of trading on the date the funds exercise the call they hold or the time the funds sell the call that, in either case, would occur no earlier than the day following the day the exercise notice was filed.

If the funds hold an index option and exercises it before final determination of the closing index value for that day, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may change before closing. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the funds will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer. Although the funds may be able to minimize this risk by withholding exercise instructions until just before the daily cutoff time or by selling rather than exercising an option when the index level is close to the exercise price, it may not be possible to eliminate this risk entirely because the cutoff times for index options may be earlier than those fixed for other types of options and may occur before definitive closing index values are announced.

Futures Contracts.  The Total Return Bond Fund and the Conservative Growth Fund may enter into futures contracts and related options that are traded on a commodities exchange or board of trade to reduce certain risks of its investments and to attempt to enhance returns, in each case in accordance with regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The funds, and thus their investors, may lose money through any unsuccessful use of these strategies.

As a purchaser of a futures contract (futures contract), the funds incur an obligation to take delivery of a specified amount of the obligation underlying the futures contract at a specified time in the future for a specified price. As a seller of a futures contract, the funds incur an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying obligation at a specified time in return for an agreed upon price. The funds may purchase futures contracts with respect to, but not limited to, interest rate, debt securities, aggregates of debt securities, financial indexes and U.S. Government securities including futures contracts or options linked to LIBOR.

Although most futures contracts call for actual delivery or acceptance of securities, the contracts usually are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. A futures contract sale is closed out by effecting a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of security and the same delivery date. If the sale price exceeds the offsetting purchase price, the seller would be paid the difference and would realize a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the seller would pay the difference and would realize a loss. Similarly, a futures contract purchase is closed out by effecting a futures contract sale for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of security and the same delivery date. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the purchaser would realize a gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the purchaser would realize a loss. There is no assurance that the funds will be able to enter into a closing transaction.

When the funds enter into a futures contract it is initially required to deposit with its custodian, in a segregated account in the name of the broker performing the transaction an "initial margin" of cash or other liquid securities equal to approximately 2-3% of the contract amount. Initial margin requirements are established by the exchanges on which futures contracts trade

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and may, from time to time, change. In addition, brokers may establish margin deposit requirements in excess of those required by the exchanges.

Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by a brokers' client but is, rather, a good faith deposit on a futures contract that will be returned to the funds upon the proper termination of the futures contract. The margin deposits made are marked-to-market daily and the funds may segregate with its custodian, cash or U.S. Government securities, called "variation margin," in the name of the broker, which are reflective of price fluctuations in the futures contract.

The funds may also invest in futures contracts on interest rate swaps ("Swap Futures") to hedge the funds' assets, that is, to protect the funds' assets from a decline in value.

Futures contracts on Swap Futures, introduced by the Chicago Board of Trade in October 2001, are a vehicle for hedging credit and interest rate exposure, referenced to long-dated LIBOR. Swap Futures cash settle at expiration at a price based on the International Swaps and Derivatives Association Benchmark Rate for a 10-year U.S. dollar interest rate swap on the last day of trading, as published on the following business day by the Federal Reserve Board in its Daily Update to the H. 15 Statistical Release. Swap Futures attempt to replicate the pricing of interest rate swaps.

The $100,000 par value trading unit of a Swap Futures contract represents the fixed-rate side of a 10-year interest rate swap with a $100,000 notional value that exchanges semiannual fixed-rate payments at a 6% annual rate for floating-rate payments based on 3-month LIBOR. Swap Futures trade in price terms quoted in points ($1,000) and 32nds of a point ($31.25) of the $100,000 notional par value. The contract settlement-date cycle is March, June, September and December, which is comparable to other fixed-income futures contracts.

Because Swap Futures are traded on an exchange and cleared through the AAA-rated Chicago Board of Trade Clearing Corporation, there is minimal counterparty or default risk, although, as with all futures contracts, the funds could experience delays and/or losses associated with the bankruptcy of a broker through which the funds engage in futures transactions or the failure of the Chicago Board of Trade Clearing Corporation. Investing in Swap Futures is subject to the same risks of investing in other futures contracts on financial instruments.

Options on Futures Contracts. The Total Return Bond Fund and the Conservative Growth Fund may purchase call and put options on futures contracts that are traded on an exchange and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an existing position. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (in return for the premium paid), and the writer the obligation, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the assumption of an offsetting futures position by the writer and holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated cash balance in the writer's futures margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract at exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract.

The funds may only write "covered" put and call options on futures contracts. The funds will be considered "covered" with respect to the call options they write on a futures contract if the funds own the assets that are deliverable under the futures contract or an option to purchase that futures contract having a strike price equal to or less than the strike price of the "covered" option and having an expiration date not earlier than the expiration date of the "covered" option, or if they segregate with their custodian for the term of the option cash or other liquid assets equal to the fluctuating value of the optioned future. Each fund will be considered "covered" with respect to a put option it writes on a futures contract if it owns an option to sell that futures contract having a strike price equal to or greater than the strike price of the "covered" option, or if it segregates with its custodian for the term of the option cash or other liquid assets at all times equal in value to the exercise price of the put (less any initial margin deposited by the funds with the funds' Custodian with respect to such option). There is no limitation on the amount of the funds' assets that can be segregated.

The funds will purchase options on futures contracts for identical purposes to those set forth above for the purchase of a futures contract (purchase of a call option or sale of a put option) and the sale of a futures contract (purchase of a put option or sale of a call option), or to close out a long or short position in futures contracts. If, for example, the Adviser wished to protect against an increase in interest rates and the resulting negative impact on the value of a portion of its U.S. Government securities holdings, it might purchase a put option on an interest rate futures contract, the underlying security that correlates with the portion of the securities holdings the Adviser seeks to hedge.

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Risks of Transactions in Futures Contracts and Related Options.  The funds' successful use of futures contracts and related options depends upon the Adviser's ability to predict the direction of the market and is subject to various additional risks. The correlation between movements in the price of a futures contract and the price of the securities or currencies being hedged is imperfect and there is a risk that the value of the securities or currencies being hedged may increase or decrease at a greater rate than a specified futures contract resulting in losses to the funds.

The funds may sell a futures contract to protect against the decline in the value of securities or currencies held by the Funds. However, it is possible that the futures market may advance and the value of securities held in the funds' portfolio may decline. If this were to occur, the funds will lose money on the futures contracts and also experience a decline in value in its' portfolio securities.

If the funds purchase a futures contract to hedge against the increase in value of securities it intends to buy, and the value of such securities decreases, then the funds may determine not to invest in the securities as planned and will realize a loss on the futures contract that is not offset by a reduction in the price of the securities.

As described above, the funds' futures-related investment activity will be limited in accordance with one (or both) of the Alternative Commodity Trading Limits. In addition, if the funds maintain a short position in a futures contract, they will cover this position by segregating with its' custodian, cash or other liquid assets equal in value (when added to any initial or variation margin on deposit) to the market value of the securities underlying the futures contract. Such a position may also be covered by owning the securities underlying the futures contract, or by holding a call option permitting the funds to purchase the same contract at a price no higher than the price at which the short position was established. If the funds hold a long position in a futures contract, they will designate as segregated cash or other liquid assets equal to the purchase price of the contract (less the amount of initial or variation margin on deposit) with its custodian. Alternatively, the funds could cover their long position by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with an exercise price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the funds.

Exchanges limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may move on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily limit moves have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the funds will continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin on open futures positions. In such situations, if the funds have insufficient cash, it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the funds may be required to take or make delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it holds at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. The ability to close out options and futures positions could also have an adverse impact on the funds' ability to hedge its portfolio effectively.

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the funds engage in transactions in futures or options thereon, the funds could experience delays and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur a loss of all or part of its' margin deposits with the broker. Transactions are entered into by the funds only with brokers or financial institutions deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.

There are risks inherent in the use of futures contracts and options transactions for the purpose of hedging the funds' securities. One such risk that may arise in employing futures contracts to protect against the price volatility of portfolio securities is that the prices of securities subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures contract prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash prices of the funds' portfolio securities. Another such risk is that prices of futures contracts may not move in tandem with the changes in prevailing interest rates against which the funds seek a hedge. A correlation may also be distorted by the fact that the futures market is dominated by short-term traders seeking to profit from the difference between a contract or security price objective and their cost of borrowed funds. Such distortions are generally minor and would diminish as the contract approached maturity.

Successful use of futures contracts is also subject to the ability of an Adviser to forecast movements in the direction of the market and interest rates and other factors affecting equity securities and currencies generally. In addition, there may exist an imperfect correlation between the price movements of futures contracts purchased by the funds and the movements in the prices of the securities that are the subject of the hedge. If participants in the futures market elect to close out their contracts through offsetting transactions rather than meet margin deposit requirements, distortions in the normal relationships between the debt securities and futures market could result. Price distortions could also result if investors in futures contracts elect to make or take delivery of underlying securities rather than engage in closing transactions due to the resultant reduction in the liquidity of the futures market. In addition, due to the fact that, from the point of view of speculators, the deposit requirements in the futures markets are less onerous than margin requirements in the cash market, increased participation by speculators in the futures markets could cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortions in the futures market

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and because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of securities and movements in the prices of futures contracts, a correct forecast of interest rate trends by the Adviser may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.

Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call or put options on futures contracts involve less potential risk to the funds because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to the funds notwithstanding that the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not result in a loss, as in the instance where there is no movement in the prices of the futures contracts or underlying U.S. Government securities.

Options on Currencies.  Instead of purchasing or selling futures, options on futures or forward currency exchange contracts, the Total Return Bond Fund and the Conservative Growth Fund may attempt to accomplish similar objectives by purchasing put or call options on currencies either on exchanges or in over-the-counter markets or by writing put options or covered call options on currencies. A put option gives the funds the right to sell a currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option gives the funds the right to purchase a currency at the exercise price until the option expires. Both options serve to insure against adverse currency price movements in the underlying portfolio assets designated in a given currency.

Risks of Options on Foreign Currencies.  Because there are two currencies involved, developments in either or both countries affect the values of options on foreign currencies. Risks include government actions affecting currency valuation and the movements of currencies from one country to another. The quantity of currency underlying option contracts represent odd lots in a market dominated by transactions between banks; this can mean extra transaction costs upon exercise. Option markets may be closed while round-the-clock interbank currency markets are open, and this can create price and rate discrepancies.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts.  The Total Return Bond Fund may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to protect the value of its assets against future changes in the level of currency exchange rates. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a spot, i.e. , cash, basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a price set on the date of the contract.

The Fund's dealings in forward contracts will be limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of a forward contract with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund generally arising in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities and accruals of interest or dividends receivable and Fund expenses. Position hedging is (1) the sale of a foreign currency with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in that currency or in a currency bearing a substantial correlation to the value of that currency (cross-hedge) or (2) the purchase of a foreign currency when the Adviser believes that the U.S. dollar may decline against that foreign currency. Although there are no limits on the number of forward contracts that the Fund may enter into, the Fund may not position hedge with respect to a particular currency for an amount greater than the aggregate market value (determined at the time of making any purchase or sale of foreign currency) of the securities being hedged.

The precise matching of forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible since the future value of securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. The projection of short-term currency market movement is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain. The Fund does not intend to enter into such forward contracts to protect the value of its portfolio securities on a regular or continuous basis. The Fund does not intend to enter into such forward contracts or maintain a net exposure to such contracts where the consummation of the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of the Fund's securities holdings or other assets denominated in that currency.

The Fund generally will not enter into a forward contract with a term of greater than one year. At the maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may either sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency, or it may retain the security and terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the foreign currency by purchasing an "offsetting" contract with the same currency trader obligating it to purchase, on the same maturity date, the same amount of the foreign currency.

It is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the market value of a particular portfolio security at the expiration of the forward contract. Accordingly, if a decision is made to sell the security and make delivery of the foreign currency and if the market value of the security is less than the amount of foreign currency that the Fund is obligated to deliver, then it would be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase).

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If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting transaction, the Fund would incur a gain or a loss to the extent that there has been movement in forward contract prices. Should forward contract prices decline during the period between the Fund's entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the foreign currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent that the price of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward contract prices increase, the Fund will suffer a loss to the extent that the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to sell.

The Fund's dealing in foreign currency forward contracts will generally be limited to the transactions described above. Of course, the Fund is not required to enter into such transactions with regard to its foreign currency-denominated securities. Also this method of protecting the value of the Fund's securities holdings against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities that are unrelated to exchange rates. Additionally, although such contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they tend to limit any potential gain that might result should the value of such currency increase.

Although the Fund values its assets daily in terms of U.S. dollars, it does not intend physically to convert its holdings of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars on a daily basis. It will do so from time to time, and investors should be aware of the costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.

An Adviser may use foreign currency hedging techniques, including cross-currency hedges, to attempt to protect against declines in the U.S. dollar value of income available for distribution to shareholders and declines in the net asset value of the Fund's shares resulting from adverse changes in currency exchange rates. For example, the return available from securities denominated in a particular foreign currency would diminish in the event the value of the U.S. dollar increased against such currency. Such a decline could be partially or completely offset by an increase in value of a position hedge involving a foreign currency forward contract to (1) sell the currency in which the position being hedged is denominated, or a currency bearing a substantial correlation to the value of such currency, or (2) purchase either the U.S. dollar or a foreign currency expected to perform better than the currency being sold. Position hedges may, therefore, provide protection of net asset value in the event of a general rise in the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies. However, a cross- currency hedge cannot protect against exchange rates perfectly, and if the Adviser is incorrect in its judgment of future exchange rate relationships, the Fund could be in a less advantageous position than if such a hedge had not been established.

Indexed Commercial Paper.  The Total Return Bond Fund may invest in commercial paper that is indexed to certain specific foreign currency exchange rates. The terms of such commercial paper provide that its principal amount is adjusted upwards or downwards (but not below zero) at maturity to reflect changes in the exchange rate between two currencies while the obligation is outstanding. The Fund will purchase such commercial paper with the currency in which it is denominated and, at maturity, will receive interest and principal payments thereon in that currency, but the amount of principal payable by the issuer at maturity will change in proportion to the change (if any) in the exchange rate between the two specified currencies between the date the instrument is issued and the date the instrument matures. With respect to its investments in this type of commercial paper, the Fund will segregate cash or other liquid assets having a value at least equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding commercial paper of this type. While such commercial paper entails the risk of loss of principal, the potential for realizing gains as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates enables the Fund to hedge (or cross-hedge) against a decline in the U.S. dollar value of investments denominated in foreign currencies while providing an attractive money market rate of return.

Limitations on Purchase and Sale of Stock Options and Options on Stock Indexes, Foreign Currencies and Futures Contracts on Foreign Currencies.  The funds may write put and call options on stocks only if they are covered, and such options must remain covered so long as the Fund is obligated as a writer. The funds will write put options on foreign currencies and futures contracts on foreign currencies for bona fide hedging purposes only if there is segregated with the funds' custodian an amount of cash or other liquid assets equal to or greater than the aggregate exercise price of the puts. In addition, the funds may use futures contracts or related options for non-hedging or speculative purposes to the extent that aggregate initial margin and option premiums do not exceed 5% of the market value of the funds' assets. The funds do not intend to purchase options on equity securities or securities indexes if the aggregate premiums paid for such outstanding options would exceed 10% of the funds' total assets.

Except as described below, the funds will write call options on indexes only if they hold a portfolio of stocks at least equal to the value of the index times the multiplier times the number of contracts. When the funds write a call option on a broadly-based stock market index, the Funds will segregate with its custodian, or pledge to a broker as collateral for the option, cash

B-25



or other liquid assets or "qualified securities" with a market value at the time the option is written of not less than 100% of the current index value times the multiplier times the number of contracts.

If the funds have written an option on an industry or market segment index, they will segregate with its custodian or pledge to a broker as collateral for the option, at least ten "qualified securities," which are stocks of issuers in such industry or market segment, with a market value at the time the option is written of not less than 100% of the current index value times the multiplier times the number of contracts. Such stocks will include stocks that represent at least 50% of the weighting of the industry or market segment index and will represent at least 50% of the Fund's holdings in that industry or market segment. No individual security will represent more than 15% of the amount so segregated or pledged in the case of broadly-based stock market index options or 25% of such amount in the case of industry or market segment index options.

If at the close of business on any day the market value of such qualified securities so segregated or pledged falls below 100% of the current index value times the multiplier times the number of contracts, the funds will so segregate or pledge an amount in cash or other liquid assets equal in value to the difference. In addition, when a fund writes a call on an index that is in-the-money at the time the call is written, the fund will segregate with its custodian or pledge to the broker as collateral cash or other liquid assets equal in value to the amount by which the call is in-the-money times the multiplier times the number of contracts. Any amount segregated pursuant to the foregoing sentence may be applied to the funds' obligation to segregate additional amounts in the event that the market value of the qualified securities falls below 100% of the current index value times the multiplier times the number of contracts. A "qualified security" is an equity security that is listed on a national securities exchange or listed on Nasdaq against which the funds have not written a stock call option and that has not been hedged by the funds by the sale of stock index futures. However, if the funds holds a call on the same index as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is segregated by the funds in cash or other liquid assets with its custodian, it will not be subject to the requirements described in this paragraph.

The funds may engage in futures contracts and options on futures transactions as a hedge against changes, resulting from market or political conditions, in the value of the currencies to which the funds are subject or to which the funds expect to be subject in connection with future purchases. The funds may engage in such transactions when they are economically appropriate for the reduction of risks inherent in the ongoing management of the Fund. The funds may write options on futures contracts to realize through the receipt of premium income a greater return than would be realized in the Fund's securities holdings alone.

Other Investment Strategies

Lending of Securities.  Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, the Total Return Bond Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund, and are at all times secured by cash or equivalent collateral (including a line of credit) that is equal to at least 100% of the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund an amount equivalent to any dividend or interest paid on such securities and the Fund may invest the cash collateral and earn additional income, or it may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the borrower. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive payments in lieu of the interest and dividends of the loaned securities, while at the same time earning interest either directly from the borrower or on the collateral that will be invested in short-term obligations.

A loan may be terminated by the borrower or by the Fund at any time. If the borrower fails to maintain the requisite amount of collateral, the loan automatically terminates and the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Fund's Adviser to be creditworthy pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board) and when the income that can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during the loan period would inure to the Fund.

Since voting or consent rights that accompany loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, in whole or in part as may be appropriate, to permit the exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund's investment in such loaned securities. The Fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities or may share the interest earned on collateral with the borrower.

B-26



When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities.  Each Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. When-issued or delayed-delivery transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by a Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A Fund's custodian will segregate cash or other liquid assets having a value equal to or greater than the Fund's purchase commitments. The securities so purchased are subject to market fluctuation and no interest accrues to the purchaser during the period between purchase and settlement. At the time of delivery of the securities, the value may be more or less than the purchase price and an increase in the percentage of a Fund's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may increase the volatility of a Fund's net asset value.

Short Sales.  The Total Return Bond Fund and the Conservative Growth Fund may sell a security they do not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security ( i.e. , make short sales). Generally, to complete the transaction, the funds will borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The funds are then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the funds. Until the security is replaced, the funds are required to pay to the lender any interest that accrues during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the funds may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements until the short position is closed out. Until the funds replace the borrowed security, they will (1) segregate with its custodian cash or other liquid assets at such a level that the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current market value of the security sold short (2) otherwise cover its short position.

The funds will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the funds replace the borrowed security. The funds will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. This result is the opposite of what one would expect from a cash purchase of a long position in a security. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss will be increased, by the amount of any premium or interest paid in connection with the short sale. No more than 25% of the value of the Fund's net assets and of the value of the Conservative Growth Fund's investable assets will be, when added together: (1) deposited as collateral for the obligation to replace securities borrowed to effect short sales and (2) segregated in connection with short sales.

The Total Return Bond and the Conservative Growth Fund may also make short sales against-the-box. A short sale against-the-box is a short sale in which the funds own an equal amount of the securities sold short or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, with or without payment of any further consideration, such securities; provided that if further consideration is required in connection with the conversion or exchange, cash or other liquid assets, in an amount equal to such consideration must be segregated for an equal amount of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short.

Borrowing.  The Total Return Bond Fund may borrow from banks or through dollar rolls or reverse repurchase agreements an amount equal to no more than 33 1 / 3 % of the value of its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) from banks for temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes, for the clearance of transactions or to take advantage of investment opportunities. The Fund may pledge up to 33 1 / 3 % of its total assets to secure these borrowings.

The other Funds may each borrow from banks or through dollar rolls or reverse repurchase agreements an amount equal to no more than 20% of the value of its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) for temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes, or for the clearance of transactions. Each of these Funds may pledge up to 20% of its total assets to secure these borrowings.

If a Fund borrows to invest in securities, or if a Fund purchases securities at a time when borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets, any investment gains made on the securities in excess of interest paid on the borrowing will cause the net asset value of the shares to rise faster than would otherwise be the case. On the other hand, if the investment performance of the additional securities purchased fails to cover their cost (including any interest paid on the money borrowed) to a Fund, the net asset value of the Fund's shares will decrease faster than would otherwise be the case. This is the speculative characteristic known as "leverage." See "Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Rolls" above. No Fund will purchase securities if its borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

If any Fund's asset coverage for borrowings falls below 300%, such Fund will take prompt action (within 3 days) to reduce its borrowings even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time.

B-27



Segregated Assets

When a fund is required to segregate assets in connection with certain portfolio transactions, it will designate cash or liquid assets as segregated with the Trust's custodian, The Bank of New York (BNY) or earmark such assets as segregated on the Adviser's records. "Liquid assets" mean cash, U.S. Government securities, equity securities (including foreign securities), debt securities or other liquid, unencumbered assets equal in value to its obligations in respect of potentially leveraged transactions, marked-to-market daily. These include forward contracts, when-issued and delayed delivery securities, futures contracts, written options and options on futures contracts (unless otherwise covered). If collateralized or otherwise covered, in accordance with Commission guidelines, these will not be deemed to be senior securities.

Temporary Defensive Strategy and Short-Term Investments

When conditions dictate a temporary defensive strategy or pending investment of proceeds from sales of the Funds' shares, the Funds may invest without limit in money market instruments, including commercial paper of domestic and foreign corporations, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and other obligations of domestic and foreign banks, and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its instrumentalities and its agencies. Commercial paper will be rated, at the time of purchase, at least A-2 by S&P or Prime-2 by Moody's, or the equivalent by another NRSRO or, if not rated, issued by an entity having an outstanding unsecured debt issue rated at least A or A-2 by S&P or A or Prime-2 by Moody's or the equivalent by another NRSRO. In addition, each of the Large Cap Value and Small Cap Value Funds may invest without limit in corporate and other debt obligations and the Conservative Growth Fund may invest without limit in repurchase agreements when the Adviser believes that a temporary defensive position is appropriate. With respect to the Total Return Bond Fund, the Adviser will determine whether a high concentration of investments in money market instruments represents a temporary defensive position.

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio turnover rate is generally the percentage computed by dividing the lesser of portfolio purchases or sales (excluding all securities, including options, whose maturities or expiration date at acquisition were one year or less) by the monthly average value of the long-term portfolio. High portfolio turnover (100% or more) may involve correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by each Fund. See "Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices." In addition, high portfolio turnover may result in increased short-term capital gains, which when distributed to shareholders, are treated as ordinary income. See "Taxes, Dividends, and Distributions."

The portfolio turnover rates for the Funds for the past two fiscal years ended July 31 were as follows:

Fund   2005   2004  
Conservative Growth Fund     69 %     53 %  
Large Cap Value Fund     47 %     57 %  
Small Cap Growth Fund     88 %     165 %  
Small Cap Value Fund     106 %     69 %  
Total Return Bond Fund     570 %     385 %  

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The following restrictions are fundamental policies. Fundamental policies are those that cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. The term "majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities" for this purpose means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the voting shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund are present in person or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of outstanding voting shares of the Fund.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

A Fund may not:

1.  Purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, the Fund would fail to be a diversified company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as each may be amended from time to time except to the extent that the Fund may be permitted to do so by exemptive order, SEC release, no-action letter or similar relief or interpretations (collectively, the "1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions").

B-28



2.  Issue senior securities or borrow money or pledge its assets, except as permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions. For purposes of this restriction, the purchase or sale of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, short sales, derivative and hedging transactions such as interest rate swap transactions, and collateral arrangements with respect thereto, and transactions similar to any of the foregoing and collateral arrangements with respect thereto, and obligations of the Fund to Trustees pursuant to deferred compensation arrangements are not deemed to be a pledge of assets or the issuance of a senior security.

3.  Buy or sell real estate, except that investment in securities of issuers that invest in real estate and investments in mortgage-backed securities, mortgage participations or other instruments supported or secured by interests in real estate are not subject to this limitation, and except that the Fund may exercise rights relating to such securities, including the right to enforce security interests and to hold real estate acquired by reason of such enforcement until that real estate can be liquidated in an orderly manner.

4.  Buy or sell physical commodities or contracts involving physical commodities. The Fund may purchase and sell (i) derivative, hedging and similar instruments such as financial futures and options thereon, and (ii) securities or instruments backed by, or the return from which is linked to, physical commodities or currencies, such as forward currency exchange contracts, and the Fund may exercise rights relating to such instruments, including the right to enforce security interests and to hold physical commodities and contracts involving physical commodities acquired as a result of the Fund's ownership of instruments supported or secured thereby until they can be liquidated in an orderly manner.

5.  Purchase any security if as a result 25% or more of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry or group of industries, except for temporary defensive purposes, and except that this limitation does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

6.  Act as underwriter except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, it may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws. The Fund may purchase restricted securities without limit.

7.  The Fund may make loans, including loans of assets of the Fund, repurchase agreements, trade claims, loan participations or similar investments, or as permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions. The acquisition of bonds, debentures, other debt securities or instruments, or participations or other interests therein and investments in government obligations, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances or instruments similar to any of the foregoing will not be considered the making of a loan, and is permitted if consistent with the Fund's investment objective.

For purposes of investment restriction number 2, under the 1940 Act, a Fund can borrow money from a bank provided that immediately after such borrowing there is asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings. If the asset coverage falls below 300%, the Fund must, within three business days, reduce the amount of its borrowings to satisfy the 300% requirement.

The foregoing restrictions are fundamental policies that may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the affected Fund's voting securities.

Whenever any fundamental investment policy or investment restriction states a maximum percentage of a Fund's assets, it is intended that if the percentage limitation is met at the time the investment is made, a later change in percentage resulting from changing total or net asset values will not be considered a violation of such policy. However, in the event that the Fund's asset coverage for borrowings falls below 300%, the Fund will take prompt action to reduce its borrowings, as required by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretation and exemptions.

As a matter of non-fundamental operating policy, a Fund will not purchase rights if as a result the Fund would then have more than 5% of its assets (determined at the time of investment) invested in rights.

The Trust will provide 60 days' prior written notice to shareholders of a change in any Fund's non-fundamental policy of investing a certain percentage of its "investable assets" (that is, net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in the type of investments suggested by the Fund's name.

As a non-fundamental operating policy, a Fund may not invest in the securities of other investment companies, except that (a) subject to certain restrictions, each Fund may purchase securities of other investment companies in the open market involving customary brokerage commissions as described above under "Description of the Funds, their Investments and Risks Investment Company Securities" and (b) pursuant to an SEC exemptive order, each Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in shares of an affiliated mutual fund.

As a non-fundamental operating policy, a Fund may not make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.

B-29



MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

Information pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust is set forth below. Trustees who are not deemed to be "interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as "Independent Trustees." Trustees who are deemed to be "interested persons" of the Trust are referred to as "Interested Trustees." "Fund Complex" consists the Trust and any other investment companies managed by PI.

Independent Trustees

Name, Address 1  and Age   Position(s)
Held with
each Trust
  Term of 2
Office and
Length of
Time
Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Currently
Overseen by
Trustee
  Other Directorships 3
Held by Trustee
 
Linda W. Bynoe (53)   Director/
Trustee
  Since 2005   President and Chief Executive Officer (since March 1995) of Telemat Ltd.; formerly Vice President at Morgan Stanley & Co; Director of Dynegy Inc. (since September 2002) and Simon Property Group, Inc. (since May 2003).     88        
David E. A. Carson (71)   Trustee   Since 2003   Director (January 2000 to May 2000), Chairman (January 1999 to December 1999), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (January 1998 to December 1998) and President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of People's Bank (1983-1997).     92        
Robert E. La Blanc (71)   Trustee   Since 1999   President (since 1981) of Robert E. La Blanc Associates, Inc. (telecommunications); formerly General Partner at Salomon Brothers and Vice-Chairman of Continental Telecom. Trustee of Manhattan College.     89     Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, Ltd. (since 1998), Titan Corporation (electronics, since 1995), Computer Associates International, Inc. (since 2002) (software company); FiberNet Telecom Group Inc. (telecom company) (since 2003); Director (since 1999) of The High Yield Plus Fund, Inc.  
Douglas H. McCorkindale (66)   Trustee   Since 1998   Chairman (since February 2001), Chief Executive Officer (since June 2000) and President (since September 1997) of Gannett Co. Inc. (publishing and media); formerly Vice Chairman (March 1984-May 2000) of Gannett Co. Inc.     89     Director of Gannett Co., Inc., Director of Continental Airlines, Inc., (since May 1993), Director of Lockheed Martin Corp. (aerospace and defense) (since May 2001); Director of The High Yield Plus Fund, Inc. (since 1996).  
Richard A. Redeker (62)   Trustee   Since 2003   Management Consultant     89     Director of Invesmart Inc. (since 2001) and Director of PennTank Lines, Inc. (since 1999).  
Robin B. Smith (65)   Trustee   Since 2003   Chairman of the Board (since January 2003) of Publishers Clearing House (direct marketing), formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (August 1996-January 2003) of Publishers Clearing House.     90     Director of BellSouth Corporation (since 1992).  

 

B-30



Name, Address 1  and Age   Position(s)
Held with
each Trust
  Term of 2
Office and
Length of
Time
Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Currently
Overseen by
Trustee
  Other Directorships 3
Held by Trustee
 
Stephen G. Stoneburn (62)   Trustee   Since 1999   President and Chief Executive Officer (since June 1996) of Quadrant Media Corp. (a publishing company); formerly President (June 1995-June 1996) of Argus Integrated Media, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Managing Director (January 1993-1995) of Cowles Business Media and Senior Vice President of Fairchild Publications, Inc. (1975-1989).     89     None  
Clay T. Whitehead (66)   Trustee   Since 1999   President (since 1983) of National Exchange Inc. (new business development firm).     90     Director (since 2000) of The High Yield Plus Fund, Inc.  

 

Interested Trustees 4

Name, Address 1  and Age   Position(s)
Held with
each Trust
  Term of 2
Office and
Length of
Time
Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Currently
Overseen by
Trustee
  Other Directorships 3
Held by Trustee
 
Judy A. Rice (57)     President and Trustee   Trustee since 2000 and President since 2003   President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Officer-In-Charge (since 2003) of Prudential Investments LLC (PI); Director, Officer-in-Charge, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (since May 2003) of American Skandia Advisory Services, Inc.; and American Skandia Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President (since February 1999) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; President, Chief Executive Officer and Officer-In-Charge (since April 2003) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC; Director, Officer-in-Charge, President, Chief Executive Officer (since May 2003) of American Skandia Fund Services, Inc.; formerly various positions to Senior Vice President (1992-1999) of Prudential Securities and various positions to Managing Director (1975-1992) of Salomon Smith Barney; Member of Board of Governors of the Money Management Institute.     89     None  

 

B-31



Name, Address 1  and Age   Position(s)
Held with
each Trust
  Term of 2
Office and
Length of
Time
Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Currently
Overseen by
Trustee
  Other Directorships 3
Held by Trustee
 
Robert F. Gunia (58)   Vice President and Director/ Trustee   Since 1999   Chief Administrative Officer (since June 1999) of Prudential Investments LLC (PI); Executive Vice President (since December 1996) of PI; President (since April 1999) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS); Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer (since May 2003) of American Skandia Investment Services, Inc, American Skandia Advisory Services, Inc., and American Skandia Fund Services, Inc.; Executive Vice President (since March 1999) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC; formerly Senior Vice President (March 1987-May 1999) of Prudential Securities Incorporated (Prudential Securities)     160     Vice President and Director (since May 1989) and Treasurer (since 1999) of The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc.  

 

Information pertaining to Officers of the Trust who are not also Trustees is set forth below.

Officers

Name, Address 1  and Age   Position(s)
with the Trust
  Term of
Office 2 and
Length of
Time
Served
  Principal Occupations
During Past Five Years
 
Lee Augsburger (46)   Chief Compliance Officer   Since 2004   Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since May 2003) of PI; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since October 2000) of Prudential Investment Management, Inc.; formerly Vice President and Chief Legal Officer-Annuities (August 1999-October 2000) of Prudential Insurance Company of America; Vice President and Corporate Counsel (November 1997-August 1999) of Prudential Insurance Company of America.  
Deborah A. Docs (47)   Secretary   Since 2004   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2001) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since December 1996) of PI; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since May 2003) of American Skandia Investment Services, Inc.  
Kathryn Quirk (52)   Chief Legal Officer   Since 2005   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2004) of Prudential; Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since November 2004) of Prudential Investments LLC; previously General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Risk Officer and Corporate Secretary (1997-2002) of Zurich Scudder Investments, Inc.  
Maryanne Ryan (40)   Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer   Since 2002   Vice President, Prudential (since November 1998); First Vice President of Prudential Securities (March 1997-May 1998); Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer (since 2003) of American Skandia Investment Services, Inc., American Skandia Advisory Services, Inc. and American Skandia Marketing, Inc.  
Jonathan D. Shain (47)   Assistant Secretary of the below referenced funds   Since 2005   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since August 1998) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since May 2003) of American Skandia Investment Services, Inc. and American Skandia Fund Services, Inc.
Number of Portfolios Overseen 97
 

 

B-32



Name, Address 1  and Age   Position(s)
with the Trust
  Term of
Office 2 and
Length of
Time
Served
  Principal Occupations
During Past Five Years
 
Grace C. Torres (46)   Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer   Since 1998   Senior Vice President (since January 2000) of PI; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since May 2003) of American Skandia Investment Services, Inc. and American Skandia Advisory Services, Inc.; formerly First Vice President (December 1996-January 2000) of PI and First Vice President (March 1993-1999) of Prudential Securities.  

 

1   Unless otherwise noted, the address of the Trustees and Officers is c/o Prudential Investments LLC, Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4077.

2   There is no set term of office for Trustees and Officers. The Independent Trustees have adopted a retirement policy, which calls for retirement of Trustees on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 75. The table shows the number of years for which they have served as Trustee and/or Officer.

3   This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., "public companies") or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

4   "Interested" Trustee, as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of employment with the Manager, an Adviser or the Distributor.

  The Fund Complex consists of all investment companies managed by PI. The Funds for which PI serves as manager include JennisonDryden Mutual Funds, Strategic Partners Funds, American Skandia Advisor Funds, Inc., The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts 2, 10, 11, The Target Portfolio Trust, The Prudential Series Fund, Inc., American Skandia Trust, and Prudential's Gibraltar Fund.

The Trust has Trustees who, in addition to overseeing the actions of the Fund's Manager, Advisers and Distributor, decide upon matters of general policy, in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and the 1940 Act. In addition to their functions set forth under "Investment Advisory and Other Services-Manager and Advisers" and "Principle Underwriter, Distributor and Rule 12b-1 Plans," the Trustees also review the actions of the Trust's Officers, who conduct and supervise the daily business operations of the Funds. Pursuant to the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Board may contract for advisory and management services for the Trust or for any of its series (or class thereof). Any such contract may permit the Manager to delegate certain or all of its duties under such contracts to qualified investment advisers and administrators.

Trustees and Officers of the Trust are also trustees, directors and officers of some or all of the other investment companies advised by the Trust's Manager and distributed by PIMS.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement with the Trust, the Manager pays all compensation of Officers and employees of the Trust as well as the fees and expenses of all Interested Trustees.

The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer, Lee D. Augsburger, on behalf of the Fund. Mr. Augsburger oversees the implementation of policies and procedures for the Fund to ensure compliance with the applicable federal securities laws, and related rules. Mr. Augsburger serves in this capacity for all of the funds in the Fund Complex. In addition, Mr. Augsburger serves as Chief Compliance Officer of the Manager.

Standing Board Committees

The Board has established three standing committees in connection with the governance of the Fund-Audit, Nominating and Governance, and Valuation.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee consists of the following Independent Trustees: Ms. Bynoe, Messrs. Carson (Chair), Stoneburn and Whitehead. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is not an "interested person" as defined in the 1940 Act. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board in overseeing the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, accounting policies and procedures, and other areas relating to the Fund's auditing processes. The scope of the Audit Committee's responsibilities is oversight. It is management's responsibility to maintain appropriate systems for accounting and internal control and the independent registered public accounting firm's responsibility to plan and carry out an audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). The Audit Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005.

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board is responsible for nominating trustees and making recommendations to the Board concerning Board composition, committee structure and governance, trustee education, and governance practices. The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Mr. Redeker (Chair), Mr. LaBlanc, Mr. McCorkindale and Ms. Smith (ex-officio). The Board has determined that each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee is not an "interested person" as defined in the 1940 Act. The Nominating and

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Governance Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005. The Nominating and Governance Committee Charter is available on the Funds' website at www.strategicpartners.com.

Selection of Trustee Nominees. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for considering nominees for trustees at such times as it considers electing new members to the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee may consider recommendations by business and personal contacts of current Board members, and by executive search firms which the Committee may engage from time to time and will also consider shareholder recommendations. The Nominating and Governance Committee has not established specific, minimum qualifications that it believes must be met by a nominee. In evaluating nominees, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers, among other things, an individual's background, skills, and experience; whether the individual is an "interested person" as defined in the 1940 Act; and whether the individual would be deemed an "audit committee financial expert" within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. The Nominating and Governance Committee also considers whether the individual's background, skills, and experience will complement the background, skills, and experience of other nominees and will contribute to the diversity of the Board. There are no differences in the manner in which the Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates nominees for the Board based on whether the nominee is recommended by a shareholder.

A shareholder who wishes to recommend a trustee nominee should submit his or her recommendation in writing to the Chair of the Board (Robin Smith) or the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (Richard Redeker), in either case at Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds, P.O. Box 13964, Philadelphia, PA 19176. At a minimum, the recommendation should include:

•  the name, address, and business, educational, and/or other pertinent background of the person being recommended;

•  a statement concerning whether the person is an "interested person" as defined in the 1940 Act;

•  any other information that the Fund would be required to include in a proxy statement concerning the person if he or she was nominated; and

•  the name and address of the person submitting the recommendation, together with the number of Fund shares held by such person and the period for which the shares have been held.

The recommendation also can include any additional information which the person submitting it believes would assist the Nominating and Governance Committee in evaluating the recommendation.

Shareholders should note that a person who owns securities issued by Prudential Financial, Inc. (the parent company of the Fund's investment adviser) would be deemed an "interested person" under the 1940 Act. In addition, certain other relationships with Prudential Financial, Inc. or its subsidiaries, with registered broker-dealers, or with the Fund's outside legal counsel may cause a person to be deemed an "interested person."

Before the Nominating and Governance Committee decides to nominate an individual to the Board, Committee members and other Board members customarily interview the individual in person. In addition, the individual customarily is asked to complete a detailed questionnaire which is designed to elicit information which must be disclosed under SEC and stock exchange rules and to determine whether the individual is subject to any statutory disqualification from serving on the board of a registered investment company.

Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee consists of at least two Board members or an officer of the Trust and one Board member (in both instances the Valuation Committee may include employees of the Manager who may constitute a majority of the Valuation Committee). The Valuation Committee supervises the valuation of each of the Fund's portfolio securities and other assets and meets on an as needed basis. There are no appointed members of the Valuation Committee. If there is a need for a Valuation Committee decision to be made, the Manager will determine the composition of the Valuation Committee based on Board member and Fund officer availability. The Valuation Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005. For more information about the Valuation Committee, see "Net Asset Value" below.

Shareholder Communications with Trustees

Shareholders of the Funds can communicate directly with the Board by writing to the Chair of the Board, Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds, P.O. Box 13964, Philadelphia, PA 19176. Shareholders can communicate directly with an individual Trustee by writing to that trustee at Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds, Philadelphia, PA 19176. Such communications to the Board or individual trustees are not screened before being delivered to the addressee.

Compensation

The Trust pays each of its Independent Trustees annual compensation in addition to certain out-of-pocket expenses. Trustees who serve on the Committees may receive additional compensation. The amount of compensation paid to each

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Independent Trustee may change as a result of the introduction of additional funds upon whose Boards the Trustees may be asked to serve.

Independent Trustees may defer receipt of their Trustees' fees pursuant to a deferred fee agreement with the Trust. Under the terms of such agreement, the Trust accrues daily deferred Trustees fees which, in turn, accrue interest at a rate equivalent to the prevailing rate of 90-day U.S. Treasury bills at the beginning of each calendar quarter or, at the daily rate of return of any Prudential mutual fund chosen by the Trustee. The Trust's obligation to make payments of deferred Trustees' fees, together with interest thereon, is a general obligation of the Trust.

The Trust has no retirement or pension plan for its Trustees.

The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid by the Trust to the Trustees who are not affiliated with the Manager for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005 and the aggregate compensation paid to such Trustees for service on the Trust's Board and the boards of all other investment companies managed by PI (Fund Complex) for the calendar year ended December 31, 2004.

Compensation Table 1




Name of Independent
Trustee 1  
 

Aggregate
Compensation
from the Trust
 
Pension or
Retirement Benefits
Accrued as Part of
Trust Expenses
 

Estimated
Annual Benefits
Upon Retirement
  Total 2004
Compensation From
Trust and Fund
Complex
Paid to Trustee
 
Linda W. Bynoe*     $ N /A     None   None   $ N /A  
David E.A. Carson   $ 7,258     None   None   $ 199,750 (38/92) 3  
Robert E. La Blanc   $ 7,166     None   None   $ 204,500 (38/92) 3  
Douglas H. McCorkindale 2     $ 7,150     None   None   $ 176,916 (38/92) 3  
Richard A. Redeker   $ 7,228     None   None   $ 184,833 (37/91) 3  
Robin B. Smith 2     $ 7,375     None   None   $ 206,500 (37/91) 3  
Stephen G. Stoneburn 2     $ 3,265     None   None   $ 194,000 (37/91) 3  
Clay T. Whitehead   $ 7,205     None   None   $ 201,500 (38/92) 3  

 

*  Ms. Bynoe became a Trustee on March 2, 2005.

1   Interested Trustees and Officers do not receive any compensation from the Fund or the Fund Complex and therefore are not shown in the Compensation Table.

2   Although the last column shows the total amount paid to Trustees from the Fund Complex during the calendar year ended December 31, 2004, such compensation was deferred at the election of this Trustee, in total or in part, under the Fund's deferred fee agreements. Including accrued interest and the selected fund's rate of return on amounts deferred through December 31, 2004, the total amount of compensation for the year amounted to $291,729, $423,670 and $195,039 for Mr. McCorkindale, Ms. Smith and Mr. Stoneburn, respectively.

3   Number of funds/portfolios which existed at December 31, 2004 and excludes funds/portfolios which liquidated/merged out of existence during 2004.

The following tables set forth the dollar range of equity securities in the Trust beneficially owned by a Trustee, and, on an aggregate basis, in all registered investment companies overseen by a Trustee in the Fund Complex as of December 31, 2004.

Trustee Share Ownership Table

Independent Trustees

Name of Trustee   Dollar Range of
Securities in Each Fund
  Aggregate Dollar Range
of Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Trustee in Family
of Investment Companies
 
Linda W. Bynoe   None   None  
David E. A. Carson   None   None  
Robert E. La Blanc   None   Over $100,000  
Douglas H. McCorkindale   None   Over $100,000  
Richard A. Redeker   None   Over $100,000  
Robin B. Smith   None   Over $100,000  
Stephen G. Stoneburn   None   Over $100,000  
Clay T. Whitehead   None   Over $100,000  

 

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Interested Trustees

Name of Trustee  



Dollar Range of
Securities in Each Fund
  Aggregate Dollar Range
of Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Trustee in Family
of Investment Companies
 
Judy A. Rice   None   Over $100,000  
Robert F. Gunia   None   Over $100,000  

 

None of the Independent Trustees, or any member of his/her immediate family, owned beneficially or of record any securities in an investment adviser or principal underwriter of a Fund or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of a Fund as of December 31, 2004.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

As of September 16, 2005, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Funds.

As of September 16, 2005, the owners, directly or indirectly, of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of any Fund were as follows:

Conservative Growth Fund

Name   Address   Class   Shares/%  
PIMS/Prudential Retirement   134 Great East Neck Road   A   177,080 /7.6%  
As Nominee For The TTEE   West Babylon NY 11704          
Customer Plan              
East Neck Nursing Center, Inc              
PIMS/Prudential Retirement   5900 Corporate Drive   A   121,766 /5.2%  
As Nominee For The TTEE   Suite 200          
Customer Plan   Pittsburgh PA 15237          
Tri-State Orthopadedics & Sprts              
PIMS/Prudential Retirement   431 Crocker Street   A   118,698 /5.1%  
As Nominee For The TTEE   Los Angeles CA 90013          
Customer Plan              
Mutual Trading Company, Inc              

 

Large Cap Value Fund

Name   Address   Class   Shares/%  
PIMS/Prudential Retirement   5900 Corporate Drive   A   98,300 /5.4%  
As Nominee For The TTEE   Suite 200          
Customer Plan   Pittsburgh PA 15237          
Tri-State Orthopadedics & Sprts  

 

Small Cap Growth Fund

Name   Address   Class   Shares/%  
PIMS/Prudential Retirement   5900 Corporate Drive   A   68,824 /13.3%  
As Nominee For The TTEE   Suite 200          
Customer Plan   Pittsburgh PA 15237          
Tri-State Orthopadedics & Sprts  

 

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Small Cap Value Fund

Name   Address   Class   Shares/%  
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &   4800 Deer Lake Drive East   A   778,556 /23.1%  
For The Sole Benefit Of   Jacksonville FL 32246          
It's Customers              
Lin (K) and Simple IRA   100 Mulberry Street # 3   A   251,414 /7.5%  
PMFS Transfer Agent For   Newark NJ 07102          
The Fund              
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &   4800 Deer Lake Drive East   C   539,668 /12.6%  
For The Sole Benefit Of   Jacksonville FL 32246          
It's Customers              
Lin (K) and Simple IRA   100 Mulberry Street # 3   C   231,327 /5.4%  
PMFS Transfer Agent For   Newark NJ 07102          
The Fund              
Lin (K) and Simple IRA   100 Mulberry Street # 3   L   179,507 /10.7%  
PMFS Transfer Agent For   Newark NJ 07102          
The Fund              
Lin (K) and Simple IRA   100 Mulberry Street # 3   X   160,237 /12.2%  
PMFS Transfer Agent For   Newark NJ 07102          
The Fund              

 

Total Return Bond Fund

Name   Address   Class   Shares/%  
PIMS/Prudential Retirement   134 Great East Neck Road   A   243,470 /5.8%  
As Nomine For The TTEE/   West Babylon NY 11704          
Customer Plan  
East Neck Nursing Center, Inc  
Lin (K) and Simple IRA   100 Mulberry Street #3   A   552,004 /13.1%  
PMFS Transfer Agent For   Newark NJ 07102          
The Fund  
PIMS/Prudential Retirement   1030 Titan Court   A   341,077 /8.1%  
As Nominee For The Fund   FT Walton Beach          
Customer Plan   FL 32547          
Tybrin Corp 401 (K) Plan & Trust  
Lin (K) and Simple IRA   100 Mulberry Street #3   C   374,165 /6.4%  
PMFS Transfer Agent For   Newark NJ 07102          
The Fund  
Lin (K) and Simple IRA   100 Mulberry Street #3   L   356,502 /10.5%  
PMFS Transfer Agent For   Newark NJ 07102          
The Fund  
Lin (K) and Simple IRA   100 Mulberry Street #3   X   144,346 /6.6%  
PMFS Transfer Agent For   Newark NJ 07102          
The Fund  

 

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As of September 16, 2005, Wachovia Securities LLC (Wachovia Securities) was record holder for beneficial owners of the following shares of beneficial interest in each Fund:

Fund   Shares/%  
Conservative Growth Fund      
Class A   1,002,296 /42.9%  
Class B   2,119,705 /64.3%  
Class C   3,798,754 /81.7%  
Large Cap Value Fund      
Class A   654,823 /35.9%  
Class B   1,182,378 /59.8%  
Class C   1,139,528 /57.6%  
Small Cap Growth Fund      
Class A   267,404 /51.7%  
Class B   487,608 /58.2%  
Class C   653,672 /82.9%  
Small Cap Value Fund      
Class A   538,926 /16.0%  
Class B   939,751 /56.0%  
Class C   1,036,598 /24.1%  
Class L   25,912 /1.6%  
Class M   222,679 /5.0%  
Class X   21,771 /1.7%  
Total Return Bond Fund      
Class A   700,444 /16.6%  
Class B   2,461,083 /57.2%  
Class C   1,713,911 /29.1%  
Class L   45,534 /1.3%  
Class M   943,214 /7.1%  
Class X   39,132 /1.8%  

 

In the event of any meetings of shareholders, Wachovia Securities will forward, or cause the forwarding of, proxy materials to beneficial owners for which it is the recordholder.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Manager and Advisers

The Manager of the Trust is Prudential Investments LLC (PI or the Manager), Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, New Jersey 07102. PI serves as manager to all of the other investment companies that, for purposes of this SAI, together with the Trust and the other Strategic Partners mutual funds, comprise the Prudential mutual funds. See "How the Trust is Managed-Manager" in the Prospectus. As of June 30, 2005, PI served as the investment manager to all of the Prudential U.S. and off-shore investment companies, and as manager or administrator to closed-end investment companies, with assets of approximately $90.1 billion.

PI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PIFM Holdco, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential Asset Management Holding Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential). Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (PMFS), an affiliate of PI, serves as the transfer agent for the Prudential mutual funds and, in addition, provides customer service, recordkeeping and management and administrative services to qualified plans.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement with the Trust (the Management Agreement), PI, subject to the supervision of the Trustees and in conformity with the stated policies of the Trust, manages both the investment operations of the Trust and the composition of the Funds' portfolios, including the purchase, retention, disposition and loan of securities. In connection therewith, PI is obligated to keep certain books and records of the Trust. The Manager is authorized to enter into subadvisory agreements for investment advisory services in connection with the management of the Trust and each Fund thereof. The Manager will continue to have responsibility for all investment advisory services furnished pursuant to any such investment advisory agreements.

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The Manager will review the performance of all Advisers, and make recommendations to the Trustees with respect to the retention and renewal of contracts. PI also administers the Trust's business affairs and, in connection therewith, furnishes the Trust with office facilities, together with those ordinary clerical and bookkeeping services that are not being furnished by the Custodian and PMFS, the Trust's transfer and dividend disbursing agent. The management services of PI for the Trust are not exclusive under the terms of the Management Agreement and PI is free to, and does, render management services to others.

The following table sets forth the annual management fee rates payable by each Fund to PI pursuant to the Management Agreement, and the amount of such fees that may be retained by PI, each expressed as a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets:

Fund   Total
Management Fee
  Amount Retained
By PI
 
Conservative Growth Fund     .70% of the first $500 million,       0.40 %  
      .65% of the next $500 million            
      and .60% of the average daily            
      net assets in excess of $1 billion            
Large Cap Value Fund     0.70 %     0.40 %  
Small Cap Growth Fund     0.70 %     0.20 %  
Small Cap Value Fund     0.70 %     0.30 %  
Total Return Bond Fund     0.50 %     0.25 %  

 

The fee is computed daily and payable monthly. The Management Agreement also provides that, in the event the expenses of the Trust (including the fees of PI, but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, distribution fees and litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust's business) for any fiscal year exceed the lowest applicable annual expense limitation established and enforced pursuant to the statutes or regulations of any jurisdiction in which the Trust's shares are qualified for offer and sale, the compensation due to PI will be reduced by the amount of such excess. Reductions in excess of the total compensation payable to PI will be paid by PI to the Trust. No jurisdiction currently limits the Trust's expenses.

In connection with its management of the business affairs of the Trust, PI bears the following expenses:

(1) the salaries and expenses of all of its and the Trust's personnel except the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of PI or the Advisers;

(2) all expenses incurred by PI or by the Trust in connection with managing the ordinary course of the Trust's business, other than those assumed by the Trust as described below; and

(3) the fees payable to each Adviser pursuant to the subadvisory agreements between PI and each Adviser (the Subadvisory Agreement).

Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Trust is responsible for the payment of the following expenses: (1) the fees payable to the Manager, (2) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Manager or the Advisers, (3) the fees and certain expenses of the custodian and transfer and dividend disbursing agent, including the cost of providing records to the Manager in connection with its obligation of maintaining required records of the Trust and of pricing the Trust's shares, (4) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the Trust, (5) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Trust in connection with its securities transactions, (6) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Trust to governmental agencies, (7) the fees of any trade associations of which the Trust may be a member, (8) the cost of share certificates representing shares of the Trust, (9) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (10) certain organization expenses of the Trust and the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Trust and of its shares with the Commission including the preparation and printing of the Trust's registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (11) allocable communications expenses with respect to investor services and all expenses of shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders and (12) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust's business.

The Management Agreement provides that PI will not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which the Management Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty. The Management Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically if assigned, and that it may be terminated without penalty by either party upon not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice. The Management Agreement will continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date of execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the 1940 Act. As discussed in the Prospectus, PI employs each Adviser under a "manager-of-managers" structure that allows PI to replace the Adviser or amend the Advisory Agreement without seeking shareholder approval.

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For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, PI received the following management fees:

Fund   2005   2004   2003  
Conservative Growth Fund   $ 614,675     $ 782,470     $ 698,808    
Large Cap Value Fund   $ 469,743     $ 403,013     $ 306,413    
Small Cap Growth Fund   $ 134,501     $ 146,014     $ 108,131    
Small Cap Value Fund   $ 588,282     $ 378,488     $ 280,476    
Total Return Bond Fund   $ 502,260     $ 590,373     $ 645,857    

 

As noted in the Prospectus, subject to the supervision and direction of the Manager and, ultimately, the Board, pursuant to a Subadvisory Agreement, each Adviser manages the securities held by the portion of the Fund it serves in accordance with the Fund's stated investment objectives and policies, makes investment decisions for the portion of the Fund and places orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the portion of the Fund it manages. In connection therewith, the Advisers are obligated to keep certain books and records of the Trust.

Each Advisory Agreement provides that the applicable Adviser will furnish investment advisory services to the applicable Fund's portfolio in connection with the management of the Fund. In connection therewith, J.P. Morgan, Hotchkis and Wiley, Jennison, Transamerica, PIMCO, EARNEST, RS Investments, NFJ Investment Group, Lee Munder and Vaughan Nelson, are obligated to keep certain books and records of their respective Fund(s). Under the Subadvisory Agreements, each Adviser, subject to the supervision of PI, is responsible for managing the assets of each respective Fund in accordance with its investment objective, investment program and policies. Each Adviser determines what securities and other instruments are purchased and sold for its respective Fund and is responsible for obtaining and evaluating financial data relevant to the Fund. PI continues to have responsibility for all investment advisory services pursuant to the Management Agreement.

Each Subadvisory Agreement provides that it will terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. Each Subadvisory Agreement may be terminated by the Trust, PI or the Adviser upon not more than 60 days' written notice. Each Subadvisory Agreement provides that it will continue in effect for a period of more than two years from its execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

The Manager and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the Commission that permits the Manager, subject to certain conditions, to enter into or amend advisory agreements without obtaining shareholder approval each time. With Board approval, the Manager is permitted to employ new Advisers, change the terms of the Funds' subadvisory agreements or enter into a new subadvisory agreement with an existing Adviser after events that cause an automatic termination of the old advisory agreement with that Adviser. Shareholders of a Fund continue to have the right to terminate a subadvisory agreement for the Fund at any time by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Shareholders will be notified of any Adviser changes or other material amendments to subadvisory agreements that occur under these arrangements.

The Advisers have agreed to annual subadvisory fee rates paid by the Manager pursuant to the subadvisory agreements. These fees are computed daily and payable monthly.

Fund   Annual Fee Payable
by the Manager
to the Adviser(s)
(as % of average
daily net assets)
 
Conservative Growth Fund*     0.35 of 1% of 
average daily 
net assets up to 
and including 
$1 billion; 0.325 
of 1% of average 
daily net assets 
over $1 billion
   
Large Cap Value Fund     0.30 %  
Small Cap Growth Fund     0.50 %  
Small Cap Value Fund     0.40 %  
Total Return Bond Fund     0.25 %  

 

*  This fee is payable to Jennison Associates LLC, a subadvisor to the fund as of September 20, 2005

B-40



For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, PI paid the following amounts to the Advisers:

Fund   2005   2004   2003  
Conservative Growth Fund   $ 263,432     $ 335,344     $ 299,490    
Large Cap Value Fund   $ 201,328     $ 172,720     $ 131,320    
Small Cap Growth Fund   $ 95,850     $ 99,032     $ 61,789    
Small Cap Value Fund   $ 336,161     $ 216,279     $ 160,735    
Total Return Bond Fund   $ 251,130     $ 295,187     $ 322,929    

 

The Advisers perform all administrative functions associated with serving as Adviser to a Fund. Subject to the supervision and direction of the Manager and, ultimately, the Trustees, each Adviser's responsibilities are limited to managing the securities held by the portion of the Fund it serves in accordance with the Fund's stated investment objective and policies, making investment decisions for that portion of the Fund and placing orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the portion of the Fund it manages.

The following table identifies each Fund's Adviser(s) and indicates the month and year that the Adviser began service as a subadviser.

Fund   Adviser   Began Service as
an Adviser
 
Conservative Growth Fund   Jennison Associates, LLC 8     September 20, 2005  
Large Cap Value Fund   J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
(J.P. Morgan) 1
Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC 2  
 
May 24, 2000
October 9, 2001
 
Small Cap Growth Fund   Transamerica Investment Management, LLC
 (Transamerica) 3  
 
July 23, 2003
 
    RS Investment Management, LP
(RS Investments) 4  
  October 3, 2003
 
 
Small Cap Value Fund   NFJ Investment Group (NFJ) 5
EARNEST Partners 6  
  October 8, 2003
 
 
    Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, LP 7     July 13, 2005  
    J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.      
    (J.P. Morgan)      
    Lee Munder Investments Ltd.   July 13, 2005  
    (Lee Munder)   December 20, 2001  
Total Return Bond Fund   Pacific Investment Management Company LLC   November 3, 1999  

 

1   From November 3, 1999 to May 24, 2000, INVESCO Capital Management, Inc. served as an Adviser to the Large Cap Value Fund and was paid at the same fee rate that J.P. Morgan currently is paid for managing its segment of the Fund.

2   From November 3, 1999 to October 8, 2001, Mercury Advisors served as a subadviser to the Large Cap Value Portfolio and received the same fee that Hotchkis and Wiley currently receives for managing its segment of the Fund.

3   From November 3, 1999 to July 23, 2003, Sawgrass Asset Management, L.L.C. served as subadviser to the Small Cap Growth Fund and received 0.40% annually of the assets it managed for the Fund.

4   From November 3, 1999 to October 3, 2003, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. served as an Adviser to the Small Cap Growth Fund and received 0.40% annually of the assets it managed for the Fund.

5   From May 2, 2002 to October 8, 2003, National City Investment Management Company and its predecessor entities served as a subadviser to the Small Cap Value Fund and received the same fee that NFJ currently receives for managing its segment of the Fund.

6   From November 3, 1999 to December 19, 2001, Lazard served as a subadviser to the Small Cap Value Portfolio and received the same fee that EARNEST Partners currently receives for managing its segment of the Fund.

7   Vaughan Nelson is not expected to assume responsibility for managing Fund assets until the 4th quarter of 2005.

8   From November 3, 1999 to September 19, 2005, Colombus Circle Investors and Oak Associates, Ltd. served as subadvisers to Conservative Growth Fund and received 0.30% annually of the assets managed for the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the portfolio managers for each of the Fund's Portfolios. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of July 31, 2005.

A. Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers. The table below identifies, for each portfolio manager, the number of accounts managed and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment

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companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts whose fees are based on performance is indicated in italics typeface

Conservative Growth Fund

Portfolio Manager(s)   Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
  Other Accounts  
Jennison Associates, LLC 
Blair A. Boyer
  6 Registered Mutual Funds with $6,169,307,748 in total assets under management.   4 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $377,821,758, in assets under management.   20 Other Accounts with $2,197,308,647 in total assets under management*  
Kathleen A. McCarragher   12 Registered Mutual Funds with $8,378,779,180 in total assets under management.   5 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $483,011,202 in assets under management.   48 Other Accounts with $5,162,447,061 in total assets under management.  
Spiros Segalas   19 Registered Mutual Funds with $20,849,243,160 in total assets under management.   2 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $274,778,955 in assets under management.   9 Other Accounts with $2,728,723,782 in total assets under management.  

 

*  Other Accounts excludes the assets and number of accounts in wrap fee programs that are managed using a model portfolio and excludes a model portfolio and its assets because Jennison does not have discretion to trade securities in the model portfolio.

Large Cap Value Fund

Portfolio Manager(s)   Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
  Other Accounts  
J.P. Morgan
Raffaele Zingone
  (7) Registered Mutual Funds with $(801,000,000) in total assets under management.   (2) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(2,000,000,000) in assets under management.   (27) Other Accounts with $(13,400,000,000) in total assets under management.  
    1 Registered Mutual Funds with $135,000,000 in total assets under management.   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 in assets under management.   3 Other Accounts with $5,500,000,000 in total assets under management.  
Cris Posada*   (0) Registered Mutual Funds with $(0) in total assets under management.   (0) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(0) in assets under management.   (0) Other Accounts with $(0) in total assets under management.  

 

*  Cristian Posada is the client portfolio manager responsible for providing servicing, attribution and market updates specific to the Fund

Hotchkis and Wiley Sheldon Lieberman   18 Registered Mutual Funds with $14.3 billion in total assets under management   9 Unregistered Pooled Investment vehicle with $1.2 billion in assets under management   126 Other Accounts with $12.0 billion in total assets under management  
    1 Registered Mutual Fund with $2.2 billion in total assets under management   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 billion in assets under management   6 Other accounts with $1.1 billion in total assets under management  

 

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Portfolio Manager(s)   Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
  Other Accounts  
George Davis   18 Registered Mutual Funds with $14.3 billion in total assets under management   9 Unregistered Pooled Investment vehicle with $1.2 billion in assets under management   126 Other Accounts with $12.0 billion in total assets under management  
    1 Registered Mutual Fund with $2.2 billion in total assets under management   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 billion in assets under management   6 Other accounts with $1.1 billion in total assets under management  
Joe Huber   18 Registered Mutual Funds with $14.3 billion in total assets under management   9 Unregistered Pooled Investment vehicle with $1.2 billion in assets under management   126 Other Accounts with $12.0 billion in total assets under management  
    1 Registered Mutual Fund with $2.2 billion in total assets under management   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 billion in assets under management   6 Other accounts with $1.1 billion in total assets under management  
Patty McKenna   18 Registered Mutual Funds with $14.3 billion in total assets under management   9 Unregistered Pooled Investment vehicle with $1.2 billion in assets under management   126 Other Accounts with $12.0 billion in total assets under management  
    1 Registered Mutual Fund with $2.2 billion in total assets under management   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 billion in assets under management   6 Other accounts with $1.1 billion in total assets under management  
Stan Majcher   18 Registered Mutual Funds with $14.3 billion in total assets under management   9 Unregistered Pooled Investment vehicle with $1.2 billion in assets under management   126 Other Accounts with $12.0 billion in total assets under management  
    1 Registered Mutual Fund with $2.2 billion in total assets under management   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 billion in assets under management   6 Other accounts with $1.1 billion in total assets under management  

 

Small Cap Growth Fund

Portfolio Manager(s)   Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
  Other Accounts  
Transamerica
Gregory S. Weirick
  45 Registered Mutual Funds with $9,499,000,000 in total assets under management.   19 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $4,427,000,000 in assets under management.   504 Other Accounts with $6,585,000,000 in total assets under management.  
    0 Registered Mutual Funds with $0 in total assets under management.   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 in assets under management.    1 Other Accounts with $1,400,000 in total assets under management.  

 

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Portfolio Manager(s)   Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
  Other Accounts  
Joshua D. Shaskan   45 Registered Mutual Funds with $9,499,000,000 in total assets under management.   19 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $4,427,000,000 in assets under management.   504 Other Accounts with $6,585,000,000 in total assets under management.  
    0 Registered Mutual Funds with $0 in total assets under management.   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 in assets under management.    1 Other Accounts with $1,400,000 in total assets under management.  
Jeffrey J. Hoo   45 Registered Mutual Funds with $9,499,000,000 in total assets under management.   19 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $4,427,000,000 in assets under management.   504 Other Accounts with $6,585,000,000 in total assets under management.  
    0 Registered Mutual Funds with $0 in total assets under management.   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 in assets under management.   1 Other Accounts with $1,400,000 in total assets under management.  
John H. Huber   45 Registered Mutual Funds with $9,499,000,000 in total assets under management.   19 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $4,427,000,000 in assets under management.   504 Other Accounts with $6,585,000,000 in total assets under management.  
    0 Registered Mutual Funds with $0 in total assets under management.   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 in assets under management.   1 Other Accounts with $1,400,000 in total assets under management.  
RS Investments
Bill Wolfenden
  (10) Registered Mutual Funds with $(772,473,658) in total assets under management.   (0) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(0) in assets under management.   (4) Other Accounts with $(37,736,482) in total assets under management.  

 

Small Cap Value Fund

Portfolio Manager(s)   Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
  Other Accounts  
NFJ 
Ben Fischer
  (3) Registered Mutual Funds with $(1,831,550,357) in total assets under management.   (8) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(204,296,070) in assets under management.   (26) Other Accounts with $(808,730,235) in total assets under management.  
Cliff Hoover   (1) Registered Mutual Funds with $(318,494,714) in total assets under management.   (8) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(731,415,373) in assets under management.   (4) Other Accounts with $(101,434,991) in total assets under management.  
Paul Magnuson   (4) Registered Mutual Funds with $(316,861,691) in total assets under management.   (4) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(100,958,716) in assets under management.   (3) Other Accounts with $(991,833,475) in total assets under management.  
Earnest Partners
Paul E. Viera, Jr.
  (12) Registered Mutual Funds with $(2,580,210,000) in total assets under management.   (16) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(6,547,000) in assets under management.   (235) Other Accounts with $(13,420,352,000) in total assets under management.  
    (0) Registered Mutual Funds with $(0) in total assets under management.   (1) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(2,686,000) in assets under management.   (7) Other Accounts with $(537,267,000) in total assets under management.  

 

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Registered Investment
Portfolio Manager(s)
  Other Pooled
Companies
  Investment Vehicles   Other Accounts  
Lee Munder
R. Todd Vingers
  (5) Registered Mutual Funds with $(538,600,000) in total assets under management.   (1) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(4,000,000) in assets under management.   (28) Other Accounts with $334,000,000 in total assets under management.  
J.P. Morgan
Christopher T. Blum
  15 Registered Mutual Funds with $3,900,000,000 in total assets under management.   12 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $982,000,000 in total assets under management.   12 Other Accounts with $991,000,000 in total assets under management.  
    0 Registered Mutual Funds with $0 in total assets under management.   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 in total assets under management.   2 Other Accounts with $68,000,000 in total assets under management.  
Dennis S. Ruhl   15 Registered Mutual Funds with $3,900,000,000 in total assets under management.   12 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $982,000,000 in total assets under management.   12 Other Accounts with $991,000,000 in total assets under management.  
    0 Registered Mutual Funds with $0 in total assets under management.   0 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $0 in total   assets under management.   2 Other Accounts with $68,000,000 in total assets under management.  
Vaughan Nelson
Chris Wallis
  9 Registered Mutual Funds with $250,000,000 in total assets under management.   6 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $86,000,000 in assets under management.   43 Other Accounts with $660,000,000 in total assets under management.  
            1 Other accounts with $<1,000,000 in total assets under management.  
Mark Roach   9 Registered Mutual Funds with $250,000,000 in total assets under management.   6 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $86,000,000 in assets under management.   42 Other Accounts with $660,000,000 in total assets under management.  
Scott Weber   9 Registered Mutual Funds with $250,000,000 in total assets under management.   6 Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $86,000,000 in assets under management.   42 Other Accounts with $660,000,000 in total assets under management.  

 

Total Return Bond Fund

Portfolio Manager(s)   Registered Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
  Other Accounts  
PIMCO
William H. Gross
  (29) Registered Mutual Funds with $(122,009,000,000) in total assets under management.   (15) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $(4,922,000,000) in assets under management.   (41) Other Accounts with $(21,258,280,000) in total assets under management.  
    ( 0 ) Registered Mutual Funds with $( 0 ) in total assets under management.   ( 0 ) Unregistered Pooled Investment Vehicle with $( 0 ) in assets under management.   ( 20 ) Other Accounts with $( 21,142,060,000 ) in total assets under management.  

 

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B. Portfolio Manager Compensation / Material Conflicts of Interest. The table below identifies, for each Portfolio Manager, the structure of, and method(s) used to determine, portfolio manager compensation. The table below also identifies, for each Portfolio Manager, any material conflicts of interest that may arise between a Portfolio Manager's management of a Portfolio's investments and investments in other accounts.

Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
Conservative Growth Fund   Compensation  
    Jennison seeks to maintain a highly competitive compensation program designed to attract and retain outstanding investment professionals, which includes portfolio managers and research analysts, and to align the interests of its investment professionals with that of its clients and overall firm results. Overall firm profitability determines the total amount of incentive compensation pool that is available for investment professionals. Investment professionals are compensated with a combination of base salary and discretionary cash bonus. In general, the cash bonus comprises the majority of the compensation for investment professionals.  
    Investment professionals' total compensation is determined through a subjective process that evaluates numerous qualitative and quantitative factors. There is no particular weighting or formula for considering the factors. In addition, some portfolio managers may manage or contribute ideas to more than one product strategy and are evaluated accordingly. The factors that may be reviewed include the following:  
    • One and three year pre-tax investment performance of groupings of accounts (a "Composite") relative to pre-determined passive indices and industry peer group data for the product strategy (e.g., large cap growth, large cap value) for which the portfolio manager is responsible.  
    • Historical and long-term business potential of the product strategies;  
    • Qualitative factors such as teamwork and responsiveness; and  
    • Other factors such as experience and other responsibilities such as being a team leader or supervisor may also affect an investment professional's total compensation.  
    Potential Conflicts of Interest  
    In managing other portfolios (including affiliated accounts), certain potential conflicts of interest may arise. Potential conflicts include, for example, conflicts among investment strategies, conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities, or conflicts due to different fees. As part of its compliance program, Jennison has adopted policies and procedures that seek to address and minimize the effects of these conflicts.  
    Jennison's portfolio managers typically manage multiple accounts. These accounts may include, among others, mutual funds, separately managed advisory accounts (assets managed on behalf of institutions such as pension funds, colleges and universities, foundations), commingled trust accounts, affiliated single client and commingled insurance separate accounts, model nondiscretionary portfolios, and model portfolios used for wrap fee programs. Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each portfolio based on the investment objectives, policies, practices and other relevant investment considerations that the managers believe are applicable to that portfolio. Consequently, portfolio managers may recommend the purchase (or sale) of certain securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio. Securities purchased in one portfolio may perform better than the securities purchased for another portfolio. Similarly, securities sold from one portfolio may result in better performance if the value of that security declines. Generally, however, portfolios in a particular product strategy (e.g., large cap growth equity) with similar objectives are managed similarly. Accordingly, portfolio holdings and industry and  

 

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Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    sector exposure tend to be similar across a group of accounts in a strategy that have similar objectives, which tend to minimize the potential for conflicts of interest. While these accounts have many similarities, the investment performance of each account will be different primarily due to differences in guidelines, fees, expenses and cash flows.  
    In addition, Jennison has adopted trade aggregation and allocation procedures that seek to treat all clients (including affiliated accounts) fairly and equitably. These policies and procedures address the allocation of limited investment opportunities, such as IPOs and the allocation of transactions across multiple accounts. Currently, while no equity accounts under Jennison's management have performance fees, some accounts have higher fees than others. These differences may give rise to a potential conflict that a portfolio manager may allocate more time to the management of one account over another. While Jennison does not monitor the specific amount of time that a portfolio manager spends on a single portfolio, senior Jennison personnel periodically review the performance of Jennison's portfolio managers as well as periodically assess whether the portfolio manager has adequate resources to effectively manage the accounts assigned to that portfolio manager. Jennison also believes that its compensation structure tends to mitigate this conflict.  
Large Cap Value
Hotchkis & Wiley
  Compensation  
    Portfolio Managers of the Fund are supported by the full research team of Hotchkis and Wiley. Compensation is used to reward, attract and retain high quality investment professionals. An investment professional, such as a Portfolio Manager, has a base salary and is eligible for an annual bonus. Some Portfolio Managers also are involved in client servicing, marketing and in the general management of Hotchkis and Wiley and are evaluated and compensated based on these functions as well as their investment management activities.  
    Hotchkis and Wiley believes consistent execution of the proprietary research process results in superior, risk-adjusted portfolio returns. It is the quality of the investment professional's execution of this process rather than the performance of particular securities that is evaluated in determining compensation. Compensation likewise is not tied to performance of the Fund or separate accounts, of specific industries within the Fund or separate accounts or to any type of asset or revenue related objective, other than to the extent that the overall revenues of Hotchkis and Wiley attributable to such factors may affect the size of Hotchkis and Wiley's overall bonus pool.  
    Bonuses and salaries for investment professionals are determined by the Chief Executive Officer of Hotchkis and Wiley using annual evaluations, compensation surveys, feedback from other employees and advice from members of Hotchkis and Wiley's Executive Committee and Hotchkis and Wiley's Compensation Committee. The amount of the bonus usually is shaped by the total amount of Hotchkis and Wiley's bonus pool available for the year, which is generally a function of net income, but no investment professional receives a bonus that is a pre-determined percentage of net income.  
    Each of the Portfolio Managers owns equity in Hotchkis and Wiley. Hotchkis and Wiley believes that the ownership structure of the firm is a significant factor in ensuring a motivated and stable employee base.  
    Potential Conflicts  
    The Fund is managed by Hotchkis and Wiley's investment team ("Investment Team"). The Investment Team also manages institutional accounts and other  

 

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Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    mutual funds in several different investment strategies. The portfolios within an investment strategy are managed using a target portfolio; however, each portfolio may have different restrictions, cash flows, tax and other relevant considerations which may preclude a portfolio from participating in certain transactions for that investment strategy. Consequently, the performance of portfolios may vary due to these different considerations. The Investment Team may place transactions for one investment strategy that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of another investment strategy. Hotchkis and Wiley may be restricted from purchasing more than a limited percentage of the outstanding shares of a company. If a company is a viable investment for more than one investment strategy, Hotchkis and Wiley has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that all of its clients are treated fairly and equitably.  
    Different types of accounts and investment strategies may have different fee structures. Additionally, certain accounts pay Hotchkis and Wiley performance-based fees, which may vary depending on how well the account performs compared to a benchmark. Because such fee arrangements have the potential to create an incentive for Hotchkis and Wiley to favor such accounts in making investment decisions and allocations, Hotchkis and Wiley has adopted polices and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that all of its clients are treated fairly and equitably, including in respect of allocation decisions, such as initial public offerings.  
    Since all accounts are managed to a target portfolio by the Investment Team, adequate time and resources are consistently applied to all accounts in the same investment strategy.  
JPMorgan   Conflicts of Interest  
    The potential for conflicts of interest exists when portfolio managers manage other accounts with similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund ("Similar Accounts"). Potential conflicts may include, for example, conflicts between investment strategies and conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities.  
    Responsibility for managing the Adviser's clients' portfolios is organized according to investment strategies within asset classes. Generally, client portfolios with similar strategies are managed by portfolio managers in the same portfolio management group using the same objectives, approach and philosophy. Therefore, portfolio holdings, relative position sizes and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar portfolios, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest.  
    The Adviser may receive more compensation with respect to certain Similar Accounts than that received with respect to the Fund or may receive compensation based in part on the performance of certain Similar Accounts. This may create a potential conflict of interest for the Adviser or its portfolio managers by providing an incentive to favor these Similar Accounts when, for example, placing securities transactions. In addition, the Adviser could be viewed as having a conflict of interest to the extent that the Adviser or an affiliate has a proprietary investment in Similar Accounts, the portfolio managers have personal investments in Similar Accounts or the Similar Accounts are investment options in the Adviser's employee benefit plans. Potential conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of limited investment opportunities. Allocations of aggregated trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially completed due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as the Adviser may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to favored accounts. Initial public offerings, in particular, are frequently of very limited availability. The Adviser may be perceived as causing  

 

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Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    accounts it manages to participate in an offering to increase the Adviser's overall allocation of securities in that offering. A potential conflict of interest also may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in a different account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by another account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account. If the Adviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, the Adviser could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall.  
    The Adviser has policies and procedures designed to manage these conflicts described above such as allocation of investment opportunities to achieve fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities among its clients over time. For example:  
    Orders for the same equity security are aggregated on a continual basis throughout each trading day consistent with the Adviser's duty of best execution for its clients. If aggregated trades are fully executed, accounts participating in the trade will be allocated their pro rata share on an average price basis. Partially completed orders generally will be allocated among the participating accounts on a pro-rata average price basis, subject to certain limited exceptions. For example, accounts that would receive a de minimis allocation relative to their size may be excluded from the order. Another exception may occur when thin markets or price volatility require that an aggregated order be completed in multiple executions over several days. If partial completion of the order would result in an uneconomic allocation to an account due to fixed transaction or custody costs, the adviser may exclude small orders until 50% of the total order is completed. Then the small orders will be executed. Following this procedure, small orders will lag in the early execution of the order, but will be completed before completion of the total order.  
    Purchases of money market instruments and fixed income securities cannot always be allocated pro-rata across the accounts with the same investment strategy and objective. However, the Adviser attempts to mitigate any potential unfairness by basing non-pro rata allocations upon an objective predetermined criteria for the selection of investments and a disciplined process for allocating securities with similar duration, credit quality and liquidity in the good faith judgment of the Adviser so that fair and equitable allocation will occur over time.  
    Portfolio Manager Compensation  
    The Adviser's portfolio managers participate in a competitive compensation program that is designed to attract and retain outstanding people and closely link the performance of investment professionals to client investment objectives. The total compensation program includes a base salary fixed from year to year and a variable performance bonus consisting of cash incentives and restricted stock and, in some cases, mandatory deferred compensation. These elements reflect individual performance and the performance of the Adviser's business as a whole.  
    Each portfolio manager's performance is formally evaluated annually based on a variety of factors including the aggregate size and blended performance of the portfolios such portfolio manager manages. Individual contribution relative to client goals carries the highest impact. Portfolio manager compensation is primarily driven by meeting or exceeding clients' risk and return objectives, relative performance to competitors or competitive indices and compliance with firm policies and regulatory requirements. In evaluating each portfolio manager's  

 

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Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    performance with respect to the mutual funds he or she manages, the funds' pre-tax performance is compared to the appropriate market peer group and to each fund's benchmark index listed in the fund's prospectus over one, three and five year periods (or such shorter time as the portfolio manager has managed the fund). Investment performance is generally more heavily weighted to the long-term.  
    Stock awards are granted as part of an employee's annual performance bonus and comprise from 0% to 35% of a portfolio manager's total award. As the level of incentive compensation increases, the percentage of compensation awarded in restricted stock also increases. Certain investment professionals may also be subject to a mandatory deferral of a portion of their compensation into proprietary mutual funds based on long-term sustained investment performance.  
Small Cap Growth
Transamerica
  Conflicts of Interest  
    A. A description of any material conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with your management of the Fund and management of Non-Fund Accounts ( e.g. , conflicts in allocations of investment opportunities or competing investment strategies).  
    At Transamerica, individual portfolio managers may manage multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition to the sub-advisory management of the Fund, Transamerica manages separate accounts for institutions and individuals. Transamerica manages potential conflicts between accounts through its allocation policies and procedures, internal review processes and oversight by senior management and its Investment Policy Committee. Transamerica has developed trade allocation policies to address potential conflicts in situations where two or more accounts participate in investment decisions involving the same securities using procedures that it considers to be fair and equitable.  
    Portfolio Manager Compensation  
    B. A description of the structure and method used to determine the portfolio manager's compensation, including:  
    i. a description of the various types of cash and non-cash compensation received or to be received, including salary, bonus and deferred compensation (identify group life, health, disability, medical reimbursement, relocation and pension and retirement plans only if they discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of portfolio managers and are not available generally to all salaried employees).  
    ii. for each type of compensation described in response to question H(i) above, the specific criteria on which such compensation is based ( e.g. , fixed amount, performance or asset-based);  
    i. for compensation structures that contain a variable component ( e.g., performance or asset-based), include the details of how the variable component is calculated, such as over what time period performance or asset levels are measured, whether performance is pre-tax or after-tax, and any benchmarks used in the calculation.  
    iii. a description of any differences between the method used to determine your compensation with respect to management of the Fund, and management of any Non-Fund Accounts.  
    Portfolio Manager compensation is a combination of base salary, bonus incentive and profit sharing. Base salaries are reviewed and adjusted annually based on additional duties and experience. For purposes of determining the level of  

 

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Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    incentive compensation potential; track records (pre-tax) are based on full years of portfolio management for TIM. Therefore, for example, should an eligible participant hold a one and a half year track record, the eligible incentive compensation would be based on the manager's one year relative ranking. There are two weighted components taken into consideration for determining maximum incentive compensation amounts. These total 100% and consist of an objective and subjective component as further describes below:  
    •   80% Objective-portfolio performance based calculation; based upon relative rankings of track record and return formula criteria. A portion of the objective component is necessarily subjective taking such items as co/multi-management responsibilities; portfolio performance upon assignment; length of time managing portfolio, customized client benchmarks, etc. into account in determining the Portfolio Manager's relative ranking. Senior management, at its discretion, determines the criteria to be used for evaluating how the rankings are determined for each Portfolio Manager under this objective component.  
    •   20% Subjective-based upon additional contributions to the firm as a whole and consistent with responsibilities identified on position descriptions as updated on an annual basis, for example, general research contribution, behavioral competencies (e.g. team contributions; decision making capabilities; work ethic) quality of investment ideas, managerial duties outside of core responsibility, as determined by Senior Management.  
    The method used to determine the compensation for a portfolio manager is the same for all accounts managed by that portfolio manager, including the Fund.  
RS Investments   Conflicts of Interest  
    Whenever a portfolio manager of a Fund manages other accounts, potential conflicts of interest exist, including potential conflicts between the investment strategy of the Fund and the investment strategy of the other accounts and potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and such other accounts. In addition, in certain instances, a portfolio manager may take conflicting positions in a particular security. For example, a portfolio manager may sell short a security for one account that another account holds long, or may take a long position in a security for one account that the portfolio manager has sold short for another account. RS Investments seeks to identify potential conflicts of interest resulting from a portfolio manager's management of both the Fund and other accounts, and has adopted policies and procedures, including a Code of Ethics, designed to address such conflicts.  
    RS Investments and each of the portfolio managers attempt to resolve any conflicts in a manner that is generally fair over time to all of its clients. RS Investments may give advice and take action with respect to any of its clients that may differ from advice given or the timing or nature of action taken with respect to any particular account so long as it is RS Investments' policy, to the extent practicable, to allocate investment opportunities over time on a fair and equitable basis relative to other accounts. It is RS Investments' policy that, when the amount of securities of a particular issuer available to RS Investments' client accounts in an initial public offering is insufficient to meet the requirements of each account that will purchase securities in the IPO, RS Investments generally will allocate those securities among those accounts based on the size of each account as of the close of business on the preceding day. It is also RS Investments' policy that it may aggregate sale and purchase orders of securities for accounts with similar orders being made simultaneously for other clients if, in RS Investments' reasonable judgment, such aggregation is reasonably likely to  

 

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Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    result generally in lower per-share brokerage commission costs. In many instances, the purchase or sale of securities for accounts will be effected simultaneously with the purchase or sale of like securities for other accounts. Such transactions may be made at slightly different prices, due to the volume of securities purchased or sold. In such event, each client may be charged or credited, as the case may be, the average transaction price of all securities purchased or sold in such transaction. As a result, however, the price may be less favorable to a client than it would be if similar transactions were not being executed concurrently for other accounts.  
    Portfolio Manager Compensation.  
    RS Investments is an employee-owned investment firm. The firm has two separate investment advisory operating divisions, each with separate compensation and profit-sharing structures. Each of the Funds' portfolio managers is part of either the Growth Group or the Value Group. William J. Wolfenden III is a member of the Growth Group (the "Group").  
    In establishing salaries and bonuses, RS Investments considers information regarding industry compensation levels, which is prepared by a leading consulting firm. RS Investments sets salary and bonus levels by reference to other investment firms investing in similar categories.  
    In consultation with G. Randall Hecht and Terry R. Otton, Co-Chief Executive Officers of RS Investments, the leaders of the Group (James L. Callinan, John L. Wallace, and William J. Wolfenden III), determined all salaries and bonuses for their respective Groups for the Funds' fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. Salaries were based on industry standards, as described above.  
    Bonuses within the Group were based on a number of factors, including (1) pre-tax investment performance for each account (including Funds) managed by a portfolio manager compared to a relevant peer group over one- and three-year periods, with an emphasis on the most recent one-year period, and (2) experience.  
    Assets under management did not directly affect any individual's salary or bonus, although the amount of the Group's assets under management affected the fee revenue attributable to the Group, which in turn affected the maximum amount of money available for the Group's aggregate salaries and bonuses.  
    In addition, most of the Group's portfolio managers participated in the profits of the Group based on their profit-sharing percentages. The Group's leaders, in consultation with Mr. Hecht and Mr. Otton, set these percentages at the beginning of each year based on a number of factors, including tenure, assets under management, long-term investment performance (compared to appropriate benchmarks), and overall contribution to the Group's investment process.  
    Certain portfolio managers also have an equity interest in RS Investments and so participate in overall firm profits, in addition to Group profits.  
Small Cap Value
EARNEST
  Compensation  
    All EARNEST Partners personnel are paid a salary and a discretionary bonus. A portion of the bonus may consist of profit sharing and/or deferred compensation. The Company also matches a portion of employees' 401(k) contributions, if any. The bonus is a function of client satisfaction with respect to investment results and service. Equity ownership is another component of compensation for the portfolio manager. The Firm is employee-owned.  

 

B-52



Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    Conflicts of Interest  
    No material conflicts of interest exist. All accounts are managed to model portfolios that are approved by the investment committee, and trades are allocated pro-rata to all accounts so that no one account is advantaged over another pursuant to trade allocation policies and procedures.  
Lee Munder Investments Ltd.   Compensation  
    Portfolio managers at Lee Munder Ltd. (LMIL) are compensated through a combination of salary, bonus and partnership participation. Bonuses are formula driven based on assets managed, revenues, and performance relative to peer groups. Partnership units will be granted, at no cost, based on achieving certain asset or revenue hurdles.  
    Conflicts of Interest  
    LMIL's portfolio managers are often responsible for managing one or more funds as well as other accounts, including proprietary accounts, separate accounts and other pooled investment vehicles, such as unrestricted partnerships. A portfolio manager may manage a separate account or other pooled investment vehicle which may have materially higher fee arrangements than the Fund and may also have a performance-based fee. The side-by-side management of these funds may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to cross trading, the allocation of investment opportunities and the aggregation and allocation of trades.  
    LMIL has fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. It seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and aggregate and then allocate securities to client accounts in a fair and timely manner. To this end, LMIL has developed policies and procedures designed to mitigate and manage the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from side-by-side management. In addition, LMIL has adopted policies limiting the circumstances under which cross-trades may be effected between a Fund and another client account. LMIL conducts periodic reviews of trades for consistency with these policies.  
NFJ   Compensation  
    NFJ compensation levels are on par with other industry firms. Employees are provided very competitive compensation packages with incentives, including salary, annual bonuses, a benefits package, vacation, sick leave, etc. Compensation is fixed and is not based on the fund's performance or the assets held in the fund's portfolio. All NFJ employees at the same level are compensated in the same way. There is no difference between the structure and method used to compensate the portfolio manager assigned to the fund's account and other portfolio managers in the Company.  
    Conflicts of Interest  
    When a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. While the portfolio managers of NFJ are subject to a written Code of Ethics that is designed to ensure that the personal securities transactions of covered persons will not interfere with making decisions in the best interest of advisory clients, the portfolio managers may, from time to time, acquire, possess, manage, and dispose of securities or other investment assets for their own accounts, for the accounts of their families, for the account of any entity in which they have a beneficial interest or for the accounts of others for whom they may provide investment advisory services (collectively, "Managed  

 

B-53



Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    Accounts"), in transactions which may or may not correspond with transactions effected or positions held in the Small Cap Value Fund. When NFJ determines that it would be appropriate for the Small Cap Value Fund and one or more Managed Account to participate in an investment opportunity, NFJ will seek to execute orders for the Small Cap Value Fund and for such Managed Accounts on a basis which it considers equitable, but that equality of treatment of the Small Cap Value Fund and one or more other Managed Accounts is not assured. In such situations, NFJ may (but is not be required to) place orders for the Small Cap Value Fund and each other Managed Account simultaneously and if all such orders are not filled at the same price, NFJ may cause the Small Cap Value Fund and each Managed Account to pay or receive the average of the prices at which the orders were filled. If all such orders cannot be fully executed under prevailing market conditions, NFJ may allocate the securities traded among the Small Cap Value Fund and other Managed Accounts, pursuant to policies and procedures adopted to address these potential conflicts of interest, in a manner which it considers equitable, taking into account the size of the order placed for the Small Cap Value Fund and each other Managed Account as well as any other factors which it deems relevant.  
    NFJ Investment Group may have conflicts that can affect how it votes its clients' proxies. For example, NFJ may manage a pension plan whose management is sponsoring a proxy proposal. NFJ may also be faced with clients having conflicting views on the appropriate manner of exercising shareholder voting rights in general or in specific situations. Regardless, votes are cast only in what NFJ believes in good faith to be in the best interests of the client accounts affected by the shareholder right. Comprehensive written Proxy Voting Guidelines have been established and votes are cast in accordance with those Guidelines with the prior approval of a portfolio manager.  
JPMorgan   Conflicts of Interest  
    The potential for conflicts of interest exists when portfolio managers manage other accounts with similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund ("Similar Accounts"). Potential conflicts may include, for example, conflicts between investment strategies and conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities.  
    Responsibility for managing the Adviser's clients' portfolios is organized according to investment strategies within asset classes. Generally, client portfolios with similar strategies are managed by portfolio managers in the same portfolio management group using the same objectives, approach and philosophy. Therefore, portfolio holdings, relative position sizes and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar portfolios, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest.  
    The Adviser may receive more compensation with respect to certain Similar Accounts than that received with respect to the Fund or may receive compensation based in part on the performance of certain Similar Accounts. This may create a potential conflict of interest for the Adviser or its portfolio managers by providing an incentive to favor these Similar Accounts when, for example, placing securities transactions. In addition, the Adviser could be viewed as having a conflict of interest to the extent that the Adviser or an affiliate has a proprietary investment in Similar Accounts, the portfolio managers have personal investments in Similar Accounts or the Similar Accounts are investment options in the Adviser's employee benefit plans. Potential conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of limited investment opportunities. Allocations of aggregated trades, particularly trade  

 

B-54



Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    orders that were only partially completed due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as the Adviser may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to favored accounts. Initial public offerings, in particular, are frequently of very limited availability. The Adviser may be perceived as causing accounts it manages to participate in an offering to increase the Adviser's overall allocation of securities in that offering. A potential conflict of interest also may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in a different account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by another account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account. If the Adviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, the Adviser could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall.  
    The Adviser has policies and procedures designed to manage these conflicts described above such as allocation of investment opportunities to achieve fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities among its clients over time. For example:  
    Orders for the same equity security are aggregated on a continual basis throughout each trading day consistent with the Adviser's duty of best execution for its clients. If aggregated trades are fully executed, accounts participating in the trade will be allocated their pro rata share on an average price basis. Partially completed orders generally will be allocated among the participating accounts on a pro-rata average price basis, subject to certain limited exceptions. For example, accounts that would receive a de minimis allocation relative to their size may be excluded from the order. Another exception may occur when thin markets or price volatility require that an aggregated order be completed in multiple executions over several days. If partial completion of the order would result in an uneconomic allocation to an account due to fixed transaction or custody costs, the adviser may exclude small orders until 50% of the total order is completed. Then the small orders will be executed. Following this procedure, small orders will lag in the early execution of the order, but will be completed before completion of the total order.  
    Purchases of money market instruments and fixed income securities cannot always be allocated pro-rata across the accounts with the same investment strategy and objective. However, the Adviser attempts to mitigate any potential unfairness by basing non-pro rata allocations upon an objective predetermined criteria for the selection of investments and a disciplined process for allocating securities with similar duration, credit quality and liquidity in the good faith judgment of the Adviser so that fair and equitable allocation will occur over time.  
    Portfolio Manager Compensation  
    The Adviser's portfolio managers participate in a competitive compensation program that is designed to attract and retain outstanding people and closely link the performance of investment professionals to client investment objectives. The total compensation program includes a base salary fixed from year to year and a variable performance bonus consisting of cash incentives and restricted stock and, in some cases, mandatory deferred compensation. These elements reflect individual performance and the performance of the Adviser's business as a whole.  
    Each portfolio manager's performance is formally evaluated annually based on a variety of factors including the aggregate size and blended performance of the portfolios such portfolio manager manages. Individual contribution relative to client goals carries the highest impact. Portfolio manager compensation is primarily  

 

B-55



Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    driven by meeting or exceeding clients' risk and return objectives, relative performance to competitors or competitive indices and compliance with firm policies and regulatory requirements. In evaluating each portfolio manager's performance with respect to the mutual funds he or she manages, the funds' pre-tax performance is compared to the appropriate market peer group and to each fund's benchmark index listed in the fund's prospectus over one, three and five year periods (or such shorter time as the portfolio manager has managed the fund). Investment performance is generally more heavily weighted to the long-term.  
    Stock awards are granted as part of an employee's annual performance bonus and comprise from 0% to 35% of a portfolio manager's total award. As the level of incentive compensation increases, the percentage of compensation awarded in restricted stock also increases. Certain investment professionals may also be subject to a mandatory deferral of a portion of their compensation into proprietary mutual funds based on long-term sustained investment performance.  
Vaughan Nelson   Compensation  
    Compensation at Vaughan Nelson is determined by the Compensation Committee at the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. Portfolio management professionals are compensated through a fixed base salary, incentive bonus, a contribution to the firm's retirement plan and stock options. The bonus component is based primarily upon the performance of the strategy managed, as represented by a composite of all accounts qualifying for such composite relative to the Russell Universe peer group on a one year and rolling three year basis, an assessment of the quality of client service provided and the overall profitability of Vaughan Nelson. The contribution to the firm's retirement plan is based on a percentage (at the discretion of the Vaughan Nelson Board) of total cash compensation (subject to IRS limits) and such percentage is the same for all firm personnel. Key employees are allocated stock options at the discretion of the Compensation Committee as part of a long-term incentive package.  
    There is no distinction of compensation amongst the Portfolio and any other accounts managed.  
    Conflicts of Interest  
    Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day responsibilities with respect to more than one investment account. Portfolio managers who manage other investment accounts in addition to a portion of the Strategic Partners Style Specific Fund may be presented with the following potential conflicts:  
    1) a conflict between the investment strategy of the Strategic Partners Style Specific portfolio and the other strategies and accounts managed by the portfolio manager with regard to the allocation of limited investment opportunities that may be appropriate for more than one investment strategy;  
    2) a conflict in the allocation of investment opportunities amongst accounts within the strategy employed by the Strategic Partners Style Specific portfolio; and  
    3) a conflict in the allocation of limited investment opportunities between the strategy employed by the Strategic Partners Style Specific portfolio and other managed accounts for which advisory fees are based upon the performance of the account  
    Vaughan Nelson maintains policies and procedures in place that address these potential conflict of interest issues to aid in assuring that investment opportunities are allocated fairly and equitably amongst all client accounts.  

 

B-56



Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
Total Return Bond
Pimco
  Conflicts of Interest  
    From time to time, potential conflicts of interest may arise between a portfolio manager's management of the investments of a Fund, on the one hand, and the management of other accounts, on the other. The other accounts might have similar investment objectives or strategies as the Funds, track the same index a Fund tracks or otherwise hold, purchase, or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Funds. The other accounts might also have different investment objectives or strategies than the Funds.  
    Knowledge and Timing of Fund Trades. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio manager's day-to-day management of a Fund. Because of their positions with the Funds, the portfolio managers know the size, timing and possible market impact of a Fund's trades. It is theoretically possible that the portfolio managers could use this information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of a Fund.  
    Investment Opportunities.  A potential conflict of interest may arise as result of the portfolio manager's management of a number of accounts with varying investment guidelines. Often, an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a Fund and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the Fund and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a Fund and another account. PIMCO has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time.  
    Under PIMCO's allocation procedures, investment opportunities are allocated among various investment strategies based on individual account investment guidelines and PIMCO's investment outlook. PIMCO has also adopted additional procedures to complement the general trade allocation policy that are designed to address potential conflicts of interest due to the side-by-side management of the Funds and certain pooled investment vehicles, including investment opportunity allocation issues.  
    Performance Fees. A portfolio manager may advise certain accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based entirely or partially on performance. Performance fee arrangements may create a conflict of interest for the portfolio manager in that the portfolio manager may have an incentive to allocate the investment opportunities that he or she believes might be the most profitable to such other accounts instead of allocating them to a Fund. PIMCO has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities between such other accounts and the Funds on a fair and equitable basis over time.  
    Portfolio Manager Compensation  
    PIMCO has adopted a "Total Compensation Plan" for its professional level employees, including its portfolio managers, that is designed to pay competitive compensation and reward performance, integrity and teamwork consistent with the firm's mission statement. The Total Compensation Plan includes a significant incentive component that rewards high performance standards, work ethic and consistent individual and team contributions to the firm. The compensation of portfolio managers consists of a base salary, a bonus, and may include a retention bonus. Portfolio managers who are Managing Directors of PIMCO also receive compensation from PIMCO's profits. Certain employees of PIMCO, including portfolio managers, may elect to defer compensation through PIMCO's deferred compensation plan. PIMCO also offers its employees a non-contributory defined contribution plan through which PIMCO makes a contribution based on the  

 

B-57



Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    employee's compensation. PIMCO's contribution rate increases at a specified compensation level, which is a level that would include portfolio managers.  
    Salary and Bonus. Base salaries are determined by considering an individual portfolio manager's experience and expertise and may be reviewed for adjustment annually. Portfolio managers are entitled to receive bonuses, which may be significantly more than their base salary, upon attaining certain performance objectives based on predetermined measures of group or department success. These goals are specific to individual portfolio managers and are mutually agreed upon annually by each portfolio manager and his or her manager. Achievement of these goals is an important, but not exclusive, element of the bonus decision process.  
    In addition, the following non-exclusive list of qualitative criteria (collectively, the "Bonus Factors") may be considered when determining the bonus for portfolio managers:  
    • 3-year, 2-year and 1-year dollar-weighted and account-weighted investment performance as judged against benchmarks and relative to applicable industry peer groups;  
    • Appropriate risk positioning that is consistent with PIMCO's investment philosophy and the Investment Committee/CIO approach to the generation of alpha;  
    • Amount and nature of assets managed by the portfolio manager;  
    • Consistency of investment performance across portfolios of similar mandate and guidelines (reward low dispersion);  
    • Generation and contribution of investment ideas in the context of PIMCO's secular and cyclical forums, portfolio strategy meetings, Investment Committee meetings, and on a day-to-day basis;  
    • Absence of defaults and price defaults for issues in the portfolios managed by the portfolio manager;  
    • Contributions to asset retention, gathering and client satisfaction;  
    • Contributions to mentoring, coaching and/or supervising; and  
    • Personal growth and skills added.  
    Final award amounts are determined by the PIMCO Compensation Committee.  
    Retention Bonuses. Certain portfolio managers may receive a discretionary, fixed amount retention bonus, based upon the Bonus Factors and continued employment with PIMCO. Each portfolio manager who is a Senior Vice President or Executive Vice President of PIMCO receives a variable amount retention bonus, based upon the Bonus Factors and continued employment with PIMCO.  
    Investment professionals, including portfolio managers, are eligible to participate in a Long Term Cash Bonus Plan ("Cash Bonus Plan"), which provides cash awards that appreciate or depreciate based upon the performance of PIMCO's parent company, Allianz Global Investors of America L.P. ("AGI"), and PIMCO over a three-year period. The aggregate amount available for distribution to participants is based upon AGI's profit growth and PIMCO's profit growth. Participation in the Cash Bonus Plan is based upon the Bonus Factors, and the payment of benefits from the Cash Bonus Plan, is contingent upon continued employment at PIMCO.  
    Profit Sharing Plan. Instead of a bonus, portfolio managers who are Managing Directors of PIMCO receive compensation from a non-qualified profit sharing plan consisting of a portion of PIMCO's net profits. Portfolio managers who are Managing Directors receive an amount determined by the Managing Director Compensation Committee, based upon an individual's overall contribution to the firm and the Bonus Factors. Under his employment agreement, William Gross receives a fixed percentage of the profit sharing plan.  

 

B-58



Fund   Compensation Structure and Method(s)/Material Conflicts of Interest  
    Allianz Transaction Related Compensation. In May 2000, a majority interest in the predecessor holding company of PIMCO was acquired by a subsidiary of Allianz AG ("Allianz"). In connection with the transaction, Mr. Gross received a grant of restricted stock of Allianz, the last of which vests on May 5, 2005.  
    From time to time, under the PIMCO Class B Unit Purchase Plan, Managing Directors and certain executive management (including Executive Vice Presidents) of PIMCO may become eligible to purchase Class B Units of PIMCO. Upon their purchase, the Class B Units are immediately exchanged for Class A Units of PIMCO Partners, LLC, a California limited liability company that holds a minority interest in PIMCO and is owned by the Managing Directors and certain executive management of PIMCO. The Class A Units of PIMCO Partners, LLC entitle their holders to distributions of a portion of the profits of PIMCO. The PIMCO Compensation Committee determines which Managing Directors and executive management may purchase Class B Units and the number of Class B Units that each may purchase. The Class B Units are purchased pursuant to full recourse notes issued to the holder. The base compensation of each Class B Unit holder is increased in an amount equal to the principal amortization applicable to the notes given by the Managing Director or member of executive management.  
    Portfolio managers who are Managing Directors also have long-term employment contracts, which guarantee severance payments in the event of involuntary termination of a Managing Director's employment with PIMCO.  

 

C. Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership. The table below identifies, for each Portfolio Manager, ownership of Fund securities by each Portfolio Manager.

Portfolio   Portfolio Manager(s)   Ownership of Fund Securities  
Conservative Growth Fund   Jennison Associates LLC      
    Blair A. Boyer   None  
    Kathleen A. McCarragher   None  
    Spiros Segalas   None  
Large Cap Value   J.P. Morgan      
    Raffaele Zingone   None   
    Cris Posada   None   
    Hotchkis and Wiley      
    Sheldon Lieberman   None   
    George Davis   None   
    Joe Huber   None   
    Patty McKenna   None   
    Stan Majcher   None   
Small Cap Growth   Transamerica      
    Gregory Weirick   None   
    Joshua D. Shaskan   None   
    Jeffrey J. Hoo   None   
    John H. Huber   None   
    RS Investments      
    Bill Wolfenden   None   
Small Cap Value   NFJ      
    Ben Fischer   None   
    Cliff Hoover   None   
    Paul Magnuson   None   
    Earnest Partners      
    Paul E. Viera, Jr.   None   
    Lee Munder      
    R. Todd Vingers   None   

 

B-59



Portfolio   Portfolio Manager(s)   Ownership of Fund Securities  
    J.P. Morgan      
    Christopher T. Blum   None   
    Dennis S. Ruhl   None   
    Vaughan Nelson      
    Chris Wallis   None   
    Mark Roach   None   
    Scott Weber   None   
Total Return Bond   PIMCO      
    William H. Gross   None   

 

Principal Underwriter, Distributor and Rule 12b-1 Plans

Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS or the Distributor), Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102, acts as the distributor of the shares of the Trust. See "How the Trust is Managed Distributor" in the Prospectus. PIMS is a subsidiary of Prudential.

Pursuant to separate Distribution and Service Plans (the Class A Plan, the Class B Plan, the Class C Plan for all Funds, and the Class L Plan, the Class M Plan and the Class X Plan for the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds only, collectively, the Plans) adopted by the Trust under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and a distribution agreement (the Distribution Agreement), the Distributor incurs the expenses of distributing the Funds' shares. See "How the Trust is Managed-Distributor" in the Prospectus.

The expenses incurred under the Plans include commissions and account servicing fees paid to, or on account of, brokers or financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Distributor, advertising expenses, the cost of printing and mailing prospectuses to potential investors and indirect and overhead costs of the Distributor associated with the sale of Fund shares, including lease, utility, communications and sales promotion expenses.

Under the Plans, each Fund is obligated to pay distribution and/or service fees to the Distributor as compensation for its distribution and service activities, not as reimbursement for specific expenses incurred. If the Distributor's expenses exceed its distribution and service fees, a Fund will not be obligated to pay any additional expenses. If the Distributor's expenses are less than such distribution and service fees, it will retain its full fees and realize a profit.

The distribution and/or service fees may also be used by the Distributor to compensate on a continuing basis brokers in consideration for the distribution, marketing, administrative and other services and activities provided by brokers with respect to the promotion of the sale of the Funds' shares and the maintenance of related shareholder accounts.

Class A Plan.  Under the Class A Plan, each Fund may pay the Distributor for its distribution-related expenses with respect to Class A shares at an annual rate of up to .30% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. The Class A Plan provides that (1) up to .25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts (service fee) and (2) total distribution fees (including the service fee of .25%) may not exceed .30% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares. The Distributor also receives an initial sales charge from shareholders.

The table below sets forth the payments received by the Distributor under the Class A Plan, the amount spent by the Distributor in distributing Class A shares and the amount of initial sales charges received by the Distributor in connection with the sale of Class A shares for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and July 31, 2004.

Amounts Received by the Distributor for Class A Shares

    Distribution Fees   Amount Spent
Distributing Class A
Shares
  Approximate
Initial Sales Charges
 
Fund   2005 1   2004 1   2005   2004   2005   2004  
Conservative Growth Fund   $ 50,585     $ 60,188     $ 32,166     $ 37,893     $ 30,000     $ 44,900    
Large Cap Value Fund   $ 47,316     $ 33,260     $ 35,000     $ 24,200     $ 88,000     $ 81,200    
Small Cap Growth Fund   $ 12,250     $ 12,596     $ 8,761     $ 8,400     $ 21,000     $ 22,100    
Small Cap Value Fund   $ 83,660     $ 36,911     $ 60,570     $ 22,131     $ 256,000     $ 74,100    
Total Return Bond Fund   $ 65,548     $ 60,466     $ 31,014     $ 434,300     $ 60,800     $ 62,800    

 

1    For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2004 and 2005, the Distributor limited its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares.

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The amount spent by the Distributor in distributing Class A shares were primarily for the payment of account servicing fees to financial advisers and other persons who sell Class A shares.

Class B and Class C Plans. Under the Class B and Class C Plans, each Fund may pay the Distributor for its distribution-related expenses with respect to these shares at an annual rate of up to 1% of the average daily net assets of each of the applicable class of shares. The Class B and Class C Plans provide for the payment to the Distributor of (1) an asset-based sales charge of .75% of the average daily net assets of each of the Class B and Class C shares, respectively, and (2) a service fee of .25% of the average daily net assets of each of the Class B and Class C shares. The service fee is used to pay for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Distributor also receives contingent deferred sales charges from certain redeeming shareholders and, with respect to Class C shares, an initial sales charge. The Distributor limited its distribution and service (12b-1) fees payable under the Class B and Class C Plans to .75% of the average daily net assets of each of the Class B and Class C shares of the Total Return Bond Fund for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, and for the period ending November 30, 2005, the Distributor has contractually agreed to limit its distribution and service (12b-1) fees payable under the Class B and Class C Plans to .75% of the average daily net assets of the Class B and Class C shares, respectively, of the Total Return Bond Fund.

Class B Plan. For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, the Distributor received payments under the Class B Plans and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs) paid by investors on the redemption of Class B shares, as set forth below.

Amounts Received by the Distributor for Class B Shares

    Distribution Fees   Approximate
CDSCs
 
Fund   2005   2004   2005   2004  
Conservative Growth Fund   $ 274,442     $ 339,946     $ 75,800     $ 75,700    
Large Cap Value Fund   $ 267,740     $ 230,512     $ 55,200     $ 55,500    
Small Cap Growth Fund   $ 72,972     $ 75,529     $ 18,200     $ 14,900    
Small Cap Value Fund   $ 246,717     $ 199,977     $ 33,600     $ 32,300    
Total Return Bond Fund   $ 358,581 1     $ 435,926 1     $ 140,200     $ 235,700    

 

1   For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, the Distributor limited its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .75% of the average daily net assets of Class B shares.

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, the Distributor spent approximately the following amounts on behalf of Class B shares of each Fund.

Amounts Spent by the Distributor in Connection with Class B Shares

Fund   Printing and
Mailing
Prospectuses
to Other Than
Current
Shareholders
  Compensation to
Broker/Dealers
for Commissions
to Representatives
and Other
Expenses
  Commission
Payments to
Financial
Advisors of
Wachovia
Securities
  Overhead
Costs 1  
  Total
Amount
Spent By
Distributor
 
Conservative Growth Fund   $ 2,100 (1.9%)   $ 26,400 (24.3%)   $ 68,400 (62.9%)   $ 11,800 (10.9%)   $ 108,700    
Large Cap Value Fund   $ 1,300 (0.7%)   $ 79,300 (42.9%)   $ 66,600 (36.1%)   $ 37,600 (20.3%)   $ 184,800    
Small Cap Growth Fund   $ 800 (2.0%)   $ 13,400 (33.9%)   $ 18,200 (46.0%)   $ 7,100 (18.1%)   $ 39,500    
Small Cap Value Fund   $ 1,700 (0.9%)   $ 61,800 (32.5%)   $ 61,200 (32.2%)   $ 65,200 (34.4%)   $ 189,900    
Total Return Bond Fund   $ 300 (0.1%)   $ 186,400 (79.2%)   $ 9,200 (3.9%)   $ 39,500 (16.8%)   $ 235,400    

 

1   Includes (a) the expenses of operating the branch offices of Wachovia Securities and Prusec in connection with the sale of Fund shares, including lease costs, the salaries and employee benefits of operations and sales support personnel, utility costs, communication costs and the costs of stationery and supplies, (b) the cost of client sales seminars, (c) expenses of mutual fund sales coordinators to promote the sale of Fund shares and (d) other incidental expense relating to branch promotion of Fund sales.

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Class C Plan.  For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, the Distributor received payments under the Class C Plans, initial sales charges and the proceeds of CDSCs paid by investors on the redemption of Class C shares, as set forth below.

Amounts Received by the Distributor for Class C Shares

    Distribution Fees   Approximate Initial Sales
Charges
  Approximate
CDSCs
 
Fund   2005   2004   2005   2004   2005   2004  
Conservative Growth Fund   $ 401,323     $ 537,118     $ -     $ 15,900     $ 4,300     $ 6,500    
Large Cap Value Fund   $ 214,057     $ 212,181     $ -     $ 14,700     $ 4,300     $ 6,300    
Small Cap Growth Fund   $ 70,173     $ 82,675     $ -     $ 5,900     $ 2,300     $ 2,900    
Small Cap Value Fund   $ 259,048     $ 193,077     $ -     $ 12,500     $ 5,000     $ 9,600    
Total Return Bond Fund   $ 198,165 1     $ 268,238 1     $ -     $ 13,700     $ 6,100     $ 32,600    

 

1   For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005 and 2004, the Distributor limited its distribution and service (12b-1) fees to .75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

2   Class C shares purchased on or after February 2, 2004 are not subject to a front end sales charge and have a CDSC of 1% during the first 12 months.

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, the Distributor spent approximately the following amounts on behalf of Class C shares of each Fund.

Amounts Spent by the Distributor in Connection with Class C Shares

Fund   Printing and
Mailing
Prospectuses
to Other Than
Current
Shareholders
  Compensation to
Broker/Dealers
for Commissions
to Representatives
and Other
Expenses
  Commission
Payments to
Financial
Advisors of
Wachovia
Securities
  Overhead
Costs 1  
  Total
Amount
Spent By
Distributor
 
Conservative Growth   $ 3,200 (0.8%)   $ 100 (0.0%)   $ 389,500 (94.2%)   $ 20,600 (5.0%)   $ 413,400    
Large Cap Value Fund   $ 1,100 (0.5%)   $ 8,500 (3.8%)   $ 198,700 (89.8%)   $ 12,900 (5.9%)   $ 221,200    
Small Cap Growth Fund   $ 800 (1.1%)   $ 70 (0.1%)   $ 65,600 (92.9%)   $ 4,200 (5.9%)   $ 70,670    
Small Cap Value Fund   $ 1,500 (0.6%)   $ 1,000 (0.4%)   $ 192,200 (79.1%)   $ 48,500 (19.9%)   $ 243,200    
Total Return Bond Fund   $ 100 (0.1%)   $ 175,800 (95.9%)   $ 2,200 (1.2%)   $ 5,200 (2.8%)   $ 183,300    

 

1   Includes (a) the expenses of operating the branch offices of Wachovia Securities and Prusec in connection with the sale of Fund shares, including lease costs, the salaries and employee benefits of operations and sales support personnel, utility costs, communication costs and the costs of stationery and supplies, (b) the cost of client sales seminars, (c) expenses of mutual fund sales coordinators to promote the sale of Fund shares and (d) other incidental expense relating to branch promotion of Fund sales.

Class L Plan. Under the Class L Plan, each Fund pays the Distributor at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to the Class L shares. The Class L Plan provides that (1) up to .25% of the average daily net assets of the Class L shares may be used to pay for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts (service fee) and (2) total distribution fees (including the service fee of .25%) may not exceed .50% of the average daily net assets of the Class L shares.

Class M and Class X Plans. Under the Class M and Class X Plans, each Fund pays the Distributor for its distribution-related expenses with respect to these shares at an annual rate of up to 1% of the average daily net assets of each of the applicable shares. The Class M and Class X Plans provide that (1) up to .25% of the average daily net assets of the Class M and Class X shares, respectively, may be used to pay for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts (service fee) and (2) total distribution fees (including the service fee of .25%) may not exceed .50% of the average daily net assets of the Class M and Class X shares, respectively.

Distribution expenses attributable to the sale of Class A, Class B, Class C and, with respect to the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds, Class L, Class M and Class X shares of each Fund will be allocated to each such class based upon the ratio of sales of each such class to the sales of Class A, Class B, Class C, Class L, Class M and Class X shares of the Fund other than expenses allocable to a particular class. The distribution fee and sales charge of one class will not be used to subsidize the sale of another class.

Each Plan will continue in effect from year to year, provided that each such continuance is approved at least annually by a vote of the Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans or in any agreement related to the Plans (the Rule 12b-1 Trustees), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance. A Plan may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable class on not more than 60 days', nor less than 30 days', written notice

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to any other party to the Plan. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amounts to be spent for the services described therein without approval by the shareholders of the applicable class, and all material amendments are required to be approved by the Board in the manner described above. Each Plan will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. A Fund will not be obligated to pay expenses incurred under any Plan if it is terminated or not continued.

Pursuant to each Plan, the Board will review at least quarterly a written report of the distribution expenses incurred on behalf of each class of shares of the Funds by the Distributor. The report will include an itemization of the distribution expenses and the purposes of such expenditures. In addition, as long as any of the Plans remain in effect, the selection and nomination of Rule 12b-1 Trustees shall be committed to the Rule 12b-1 Trustees.

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify the Distributor to the extent permitted by applicable law against certain liabilities under the Securities Act.

In addition to distribution and service fees paid by each Fund under the Class A, Class B, Class C and, with respect to the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds, Class L, Class M and Class X Plans, the Manager (or one of its affiliates) may make payments to dealers (including Wachovia Securities) and other persons who distribute shares of the Fund. Such payments may be calculated by reference to the net asset value of shares sold by such persons or otherwise.

Fee Waivers/Subsidies

PI may from time to time waive all or a portion of its management fee and subsidize all or a portion of the operating expenses of a Fund. Fee waivers and subsidies will increase a Fund's total return.

NASD Maximum Sales Charge Rule

Pursuant to rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Conduct Rules, the Distributor is required to limit aggregate initial sales charges, deferred sales charges and asset-based sales charges to 6.25% of total gross sales of each class of shares. Interest charges equal to the prime rate plus one percent per annum may be added to the 6.25% limitation. Sales from the reinvestment of dividends and distributions are not included in the calculation of the 6.25% limitation. The annual asset-based sales charge of a Fund may not exceed .75 of 1%. The 6.25% limitation applies to each class of a Fund rather than on a per shareholder basis. If aggregate sales charges were to exceed 6.25% of total gross sales of any class, all sales charges on shares of that class would be suspended.

Other Service Providers

The Bank of New York (BNY), located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, will serve as custodian for the Trust's portfolio securities and cash, and in that capacity maintain certain financial and accounting books and records pursuant to an agreement with the Trust. Subcustodians provide custodial services for each Fund's foreign assets held outside the United States.

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (PMFS), P.O. Box 8098, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101, serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent of each Fund. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PIFM Holdco Inc., the parent of PI, the Manager. PMFS provides customary transfer agency services to the Trust, including the handling of shareholder communications, the processing of shareholder transactions, the maintenance of shareholder account records, the payment of dividends and distributions and related functions. For these services, PMFS receives an annual fee per shareholder account of $10.00, a new account set-up fee for each manually established account of $2.00 and a monthly inactive zero balance account fee per shareholder account of $.20. PMFS is also reimbursed for its out-of-pocket expenses, including but not limited to postage, stationery, printing, allocable communications and other costs. In addition, the Trust may pay fees for recordkeeping services in respect of certain eligible defined benefit plan investors.

KPMG LLP 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154 serves as the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm and, in that capacity, audits the Trust's financial statements. Other accountants previously served as independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust.

Code of Ethics

The Board has adopted a Code of Ethics. In addition, the Manager, Subadviser and Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics (the Codes). The Codes apply to access persons (generally persons who have access to information about a Fund's  investment program) and permit personnel subject to the Codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. However, the protective provisions of the Codes prohibit certain investments and limit such personnel from making investments during periods when the Fund is making such investments. The Codes are on public file with, and are available from, the Commission.

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Description of Proxy Voting Policies and Recordkeeping Procedures

The Board has delegated to PI the responsibility for voting any proxies and maintaining proxy recordkeeping with respect to the Fund. The Fund authorized PI to delegate, in whole or in part, its proxy voting authority to its subadvisers or third party vendors, consistent with the policies set forth below. The proxy voting process shall remain subject to the supervision of the Board, including any committee thereof established for that purpose.

PI and the Board view the proxy voting process as a component of the investment process and, as such, seek to ensure that all proxy proposals are voted with the primary goal of seeking the optional benefit for the Funds. Consistent with this goal, the Board views the proxy voting process as a means to encourage strong corporate governance practices and ethical conduct by corporate management. PI and the Board maintain a policy of seeking to protect the best interests of the Funds should a proxy issue potentially implicate a conflict of interest between a Fund and PI or its affiliates.

PI delegates to the subadvisers the responsibility for voting a Fund's proxies. The subadvisers are expected to identify and seek to obtain the optional benefit for the Fund, and to adopt written policies that meet certain minimum standards, including that the policies be reasonably designed to protect the best interests of the Funds and delineate procedures to be followed when a proxy vote presents a conflict between the interests of a Fund and the interests of the subadvisers or their affiliates. PI and the Board expect that the subadvisers will notify PI and the Board at least annually of any such conflicts identified and confirm how the issue was resolved. In addition, PI expects that the subadvisers will deliver to PI, or its appointed vendor, information required for filing the Form N-PX with the Commission.

Summaries of the proxy voting policies of the subadvisers are set forth in Appendix II of this SAI.

Information about how each of the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended July 31 is available, without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852 or by visiting the Commission's website, http://www.sec.gov.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

The Trust has adopted a policy pursuant to which the Funds and their Manager, Subadvisers, and principal underwriter are prohibited from directly or indirectly compensating a broker-dealer for promoting or selling Fund shares by directing brokerage transactions to that broker. The Trust has adopted procedures for the purpose of deterring and detecting any violations of the policy. The policy permits the Funds, the Manager, and the subadvisers to use selling brokers to execute transactions in portfolio securities so long as the selection of such selling brokers is the result of a decision that executing such transactions is in the best interest of the Fund and is not influenced by considerations about the sale of Fund shares.

The Manager is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities, futures contracts and options thereon for the Funds, the selection of brokers, dealers and futures commission merchants to effect the transactions and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. For purposes of this section, the term "Manager" includes the Advisers. Brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants may receive brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions, including options, futures, and options on futures transactions and the purchase and sale of underlying securities upon the exercise of options. Brokerage commissions on United States securities, options and futures exchanges or boards of trade are subject to negotiation between the Manager and the broker or futures commission merchant.

In the over-the-counter market, securities are generally traded on a "net" basis, with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price that includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter's concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid. No Fund will deal with an affiliated broker in any transaction in which an affiliated broker acts as principal. Thus, it will not deal in the over-the-counter market with an affiliated broker acting as market maker, and it will not execute a negotiated trade with an affiliated broker if execution involves an affiliated broker acting as principal with respect to any part of the Fund's order.

In placing orders for portfolio securities of a Fund, the Manager's overriding objective is to obtain the best possible combination of price and efficient execution. The Manager seeks to effect each transaction at a price and commission that provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably attainable in the circumstances. The factors that the Manager may consider in selecting a particular broker, dealer or futures commission merchant (firms) are the Manager's knowledge of negotiated commission rates currently available and other current transaction costs; the nature of the portfolio transaction; the size of the transaction; the desired timing of the trade; the activity existing and expected in the market for the particular transaction; confidentiality; the execution, clearance and settlement capabilities of the firms; the availability of research and research related services provided through such firms; the Manager's knowledge of the financial stability of the firms; the

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Manager's knowledge of actual or apparent operational problems of firms; and the amount of capital, if any, that would be contributed by firms executing the transaction. Given these factors, the Fund may pay transaction costs in excess of that which another firm might have charged for effecting the same transaction.

When the Manager selects a firm that executes orders or is a party to portfolio transactions, relevant factors taken into consideration are whether that firm has furnished research and research-related products and/or services, such as research reports, research compilations, statistical and economic data, computer data bases, quotation equipment and services, research-oriented computer software, hardware and services, reports concerning the performance of accounts, valuations of securities, investment related periodicals, investment seminars and other economic services and consultants. Such services are used in connection with some or all of the Manager's investment activities; some of such services, obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for one investment account, may be used in managing other accounts, and not all of these services may be used in connection with a Fund.

The Manager maintains an internal allocation procedure to identify those firms who have provided it with research and research-related products and/or services, and the amount that was provided, and to endeavor to direct sufficient commissions to them to ensure the continued receipt of those services that the Manager believes provide a benefit to the Trust and its other clients. The Manager makes a good faith determination that the research and/or service is reasonable in light of the type of service provided and the price and execution of the related portfolio transactions.

When the Manager deems the purchase or sale of equities to be in the best interests of the Trust or its other clients, including Prudential, the Manager may, but is under no obligation to, aggregate the transactions in order to obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the transactions, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Manager in the manner it considers to be most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to its clients.

The allocation of orders among firms and the commission rates paid are reviewed periodically by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Portfolio securities may not be purchased from any underwriting or selling syndicate of which an affiliated broker, during the existence of the syndicate, is a principal underwriter (as defined in the 1940 Act), except in accordance with rules of the Commission. This limitation, in the opinion of the Trust, will not significantly affect any Fund's ability to pursue its present investment objective. However, in the future in other circumstances, a Fund may be at a disadvantage because of this limitation in comparison to other funds with similar objectives but not subject to such limitations.

Subject to the above considerations, an affiliated broker may act as a securities broker or futures commission merchant for the Trust. In order for an affiliated broker or Wachovia Securities (or any affiliate) to effect any portfolio transactions for the Trust, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by the affiliated broker must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to other firms in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities or futures contracts being purchased or sold on an exchange or board of trade during a comparable period of time. This standard would allow the affiliated broker to receive no more than the remuneration that would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated firm in a commensurate arm's-length transaction. Furthermore, the Board, including a majority of Independent Trustees, has adopted procedures that are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to the affiliated broker are consistent with the foregoing standard. In accordance with Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Wachovia Securities may not retain compensation for effecting transactions on a national securities exchange for the Trust unless the Trust has expressly authorized the retention of such compensation. Wachovia Securities must furnish to the Trust at least annually a statement setting forth the total amount of all compensation retained by Wachovia Securities from transactions effected for the Trust during the applicable period. Brokerage and futures transactions with or Wachovia Securities (or any affiliate) are also subject to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Wachovia Securities (or such affiliate) by applicable law.

The table below sets forth certain information concerning the payment of commissions by the Trust, including the commissions paid to an affiliated broker for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

    Conservative
Growth Fund
  Large Cap
Value Fund
 
    2005   2004   2003   2005   2004   2003  
Total brokerage commissions   $ 185,774     $ 218,131     $ 232,359     $ 34,844     $ 48,022     $ 48,657    
Total brokerage commissions paid to
affiliated brokers
  $ 2,801     $ 4,070     $ 0     $ 341     $ 3,503     $ 1,965    
Percentage of total brokerage commissions
paid to affiliated brokers
    0.13 %     1.9 %     0 %     1.0 %     7.3 %     4.0 %  
Percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of
portfolio transactions involving the payment
of commissions to affiliated brokers
    0.17 %     2.4 %     0 %     0.80 %     .01 %     1.4 %  

 

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    Small Cap
Growth Fund
  Small Cap
Value Fund
 
    2005   2004   2003   2005   2004   2003  
Total brokerage commissions   $ 84,227     $ 132,422     $ 98,142     $ 120,595     $ 80,950     $ 168,029    
Total brokerage commissions paid to
affiliated brokers
  $ 0     $ 108     $ 15     $ 0     $ 105     $ 46    
Percentage of total brokerage commissions
paid to affiliated brokers
    0 %     .08 %     .02 %     0 %     .13 %     .03 %  
Percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of
portfolio transactions involving the payment 
of commissions to affiliated brokers
    0 %     .08 %     .02 %     0 %     .11 %     .05 %  
    Total Return
Bond Fund
     
    2005   2004   2003          
Total brokerage commissions           $ 23,778     $ 25,900     $ 20,913                    
Total brokerage commissions paid to
affiliated brokers
          $ 0     $ 0     $ 0                    
Percentage of total brokerage commissions
paid to affiliated brokers
            0 %     0 %     0 %                  
Percentage of the aggregate dollar amount of
portfolio transactions involving the payment
of commissions to affiliated brokers
            0 %     0 %     0 %                  

 

The Trust is required to disclose the Funds' holdings of securities of the Trust's regular brokers and dealers (as defined under the Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act) and their parents at July 31, 2005. The following table shows such holdings as of that date.

Fund   Broker Dealer   Amount   Debt/Equity  
Conservative Growth Fund   Citigroup, Inc.   $ 1,344,150     Equity  
    Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   $ 1,182,280     Equity  
    Legg Mason, Inc.   $ 408,600     Equity  
Large Cap Value   Morgan Stanley   $ 498,670     Equity  
    Citigroup, Inc.   $ 1,479,000     Equity  
    Goldman Sachs & Co.     419,172     Equity  
    Banc of America Securities LLC     1,050,760     Equity  
Small Cap Value   Jefferies & Co., Inc.   $ 987,788     Equity  
Total Return Bond   UBS Warburg   $ 1,984,103     Debt  
    Bear Stearns   $ 739,874     Debt  

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Funds' portfolio holdings are made public, as required by law, in the Funds' annual and semi-annual reports. These reports are filed with the SEC and mailed to shareholders within 60 days after the end of the relevant period. In addition, as required by law, the Funds' portfolio holdings as of the fiscal quarter end are reported to the SEC within approximately 60 days after the end of the Funds' first and third fiscal quarters. The Funds will provide a full list of its portfolio holdings as of the end of each month on its website within approximately 30 days after the end of the month. In addition, a Fund may release its top ten holdings, sector and country breakdowns, and largest industries on a monthly basis, with the information as of a date 15 days prior to the release. Such information will be posted to the Funds' website within 15 days after the end of each month. These postings can be located at www.strategicpartners.com, and are available for at least six months from the date of their posting.

When authorized by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust and an officer of the Trust, portfolio holdings information may be disseminated more frequently or at different periods than those described above to intermediaries that distribute shares of the Funds, third-party providers of auditing, custody, proxy voting and other services for the Funds, rating and ranking

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organizations, and certain affiliated persons of the Funds, as described below. The procedures used to determine eligibility are set forth below:

Procedures for Release of Portfolio Holdings Information:

1.  A request for release of the holdings of the Funds' portfolios shall be prepared setting forth a legitimate business purpose for such release which shall specify the Portfolio(s), the terms of such release and frequency (e.g., level of detail staleness). Such request shall address whether there are any conflicts of interest between the Fund and the investment adviser, sub-adviser, principal underwriter or any affiliated person thereof and how such conflicts shall be dealt with to demonstrate that the disclosure is in the best interests of the shareholders of the Fund.

2.  The request shall be forwarded to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust, or his delegate, for review and approval.

3.  A confidentiality agreement in the form approved by an officer of the Trust must be executed with the recipient of the holdings information.

4.  An officer of the Trust shall approve the release agreement. Copies of the release and agreement shall be sent to PI's law department.

5.  Written notification of the approval shall be sent by such officer to PI's Fund Administration Department to arrange the release of holdings information.

6.  PI's Fund Administration Department shall arrange for the release of holdings information by the custodian banks.

As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Funds will provide:

1.  Traditional External Recipients / Vendors

•  Full holdings on a daily basis to Investor Responsibility Research Center (IRRC), Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) (proxy voting agents) at the end of each day.

•  Full holdings on a daily basis to the Funds' subadvisers, custodians, sub-custodians (if any) and accounting agents at the end of each day.

•  Full holdings to the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm as soon as practicable following the Fund's fiscal year-end or on an as-needed basis.

•  Full holdings to financial printers as soon as practicable following the end of the Funds' quarterly, semi and annual period-ends.

2.  Analytical Service Providers

•  All Fund trades on a quarterly basis to Abel/Noser Corp. (an agency-only broker and transaction cost analysis company) as soon as practicable following the Fund fiscal quarter-end.

•  Full holdings on a daily basis to FT Interactive Data (a fair value information service) at the end of each day.

•  Full holdings to FactSet (and Lipper Inc. investment research providers) on a daily and monthly basis, respectively.

In each case, the information disclosed must be for a legitimate business purpose and is subject to a confidentiality agreement intended to prohibit the recipient from trading on or further disseminating such information. Such arrangements will be monitored on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed by the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer and PI's Law Department on an annual basis.

In addition, certain authorized employees of PI receive portfolio holdings information on a quarterly, monthly or daily basis or upon request, in order to perform their business functions. All PI employees are subject to the requirements of the personal securities trading policy of Prudential Financial, Inc., which prohibits employees from trading on, or further disseminating confidential information, including portfolio holdings information.

The Board of the Trust has approved PI's Policy for the Dissemination of Portfolio Holdings. The Board shall, on a quarterly basis, receive a report from PI detailing the recipients of the portfolio holdings information and the reason for such disclosure. The Board has delegated oversight of the Fund's disclosure of portfolio holdings to the Chief Compliance Officer.

There can be no assurance that the Funds' policies and procedures on portfolio holdings information will protect a Fund from the potential misuse of such information by individuals or entities that come into possession of the information.

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CAPITAL SHARES, OTHER SECURITIES AND ORGANIZATION

The Trust, organized as a statutory trust in 1999 under the laws of Delaware, is a trust fund of the type commonly known as a "business trust."

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, $.001 par value per share, divided into five series and six classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C, Class L, Class M and Class X shares. Class L, Class M and Class X shares are only offered through exchanges in the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds. Each class of shares represents an interest in the same assets of a Fund and is identical in all respects except that (1) each class is subject to different sales charges and distribution and/or service fees which may affect performance, (2) each class has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class, (3) each class has a different exchange privilege, (4) Class B, Class M and Class X shares have a conversion feature. In accordance with the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series and classes within such series, with such preferences, privileges, limitations and voting and dividend rights as the Trustees may determine. The voting rights of the shareholders of a series or class can be modified only by the vote of shareholders of that series or class.

Shares of the Trust, when issued, are fully paid, nonassessable, fully transferable and redeemable at the option of the holder. Shares are also redeemable at the option of the Trust under certain circumstances. Each share of each class is equal as to earnings, assets and voting privileges, except as noted above, and each class of shares bears the expenses related to the distribution of its shares. Except for the conversion feature applicable to the Class B, Class M and Class X shares, there are no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. In the event of liquidation, each share of a Fund is entitled to its portion of all of the Fund's assets after all debt and expenses of the Fund have been paid. Since Class B, Class C, Class M and Class X shares generally bear higher distribution expenses than Class A and Class L shares, the liquidation proceeds to shareholders of those classes are likely to be lower than to Class A and Class L shareholders.

The Trust does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders unless otherwise required by law. The Trust will not be required to hold meetings of shareholders unless, for example, the election of Trustees is required to be acted on by shareholders under the 1940 Act. Shareholders have certain rights, including the right to call a meeting upon the vote of 10% of the Trust's outstanding shares for the purpose of voting on the removal of one or more Trustees or to transact any other business. The Trust will render assistance to those shareholders who call such a meeting.

Under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize the creation of additional series of shares (the proceeds of which would be invested in separate, independently managed portfolios with distinct investment objectives and policies and share purchase, redemption and net asset value procedures) with such preferences, privileges, limitations and voting and dividend rights as the Trustees may determine. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional series, and all assets in which such consideration is invested, would belong to that series (subject only to the rights of creditors of that series) and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Under the 1940 Act, shareholders of any additional series of shares would normally have to approve the adoption of any advisory contract relating to such series and of certain changes in the investment policies related thereto.

The Trustees have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees, provided that always at least a majority of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of the Trust. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative, so that holders of more than 50 percent of the shares voting can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected, while the holders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees.

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF FUND SHARES

Shares of a Fund may be purchased at a price equal to the next determined net asset value (NAV) per share plus a sales charge that, at the election of the investor, may be imposed either (1) at the time of purchase (Class A shares) or (2) on a deferred basis (Class B or Class C shares (and Class A, in certain cases)). Class L, Class M and Class X shares of the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds are available only through exchange. Class L shares (in certain cases), Class M shares and Class X shares have a sales charge that may be imposed on a deferred basis. See "How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Funds" in the Funds' prospectus.

Each class of shares represents an interest in the same assets of a Fund and is identical in all respects except that (i) each class is subject to different sales charges and distribution and/or service fees, which may affect performance; (ii) each class has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its arrangement and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class; (iii) each class has a different exchange privilege; and (iv) Class B, Class M and Class X shares have a conversion feature.

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Purchase by Wire

For an initial purchase of shares of a Fund by wire, you must complete an application and telephone PMFS at (800) 225-1852 (toll-free) to receive an account number. The following information will be requested: your name, address, tax identification number, class election, dividend distribution election, amount being wired and wiring bank. For Conservative Growth Fund you should then give instructions to your bank to transfer funds by wire to The Bank of New York (BNY), Boston, Massachusetts, Custody and Shareholder Services Division, Attention: Jennison Conservative Growth Fund, specifying on the wire the account number assigned by PMFS and your name and identifying the Fund and class in which you are eligible to invest (Class A, Class B or Class C shares).

For all other funds you should then give instructions to your bank to transfer funds by wire to PFPC Trust Company Wilmington Delaware Custody and Shareholder Services Division, Attention: [Fund name], specifying on the wire the account number assigned by PMFS and your name and identifying the Fund and class in which you are eligible to invest (Class A, Class B or Class C shares).

If you arrange for receipt by BNY or PFPC of federal funds prior to the calculation of NAV (once each business day at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), usually 4:00 p.m. New York time), on a business day, you may purchase shares of a Fund as of that day. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4:00 p.m. New York time, you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to purchase is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE.

In making a subsequent purchase order by wire, you should wire the appropriate bank as noted above directly and should be sure that the wire specifies the Fund in which you would like to invest, the name of the share class you have selected and your name and individual account number. It is not necessary to call PMFS to make subsequent purchase orders utilizing Federal Funds.

Issuance of Fund Shares for Securities

Transactions involving the issuance of Fund shares for securities (rather than cash) will be limited to (1) reorganizations, (2) statutory mergers, or (3) other acquisitions of portfolio securities that: (a) meet the investment objective and policies of the Fund, (b) are liquid and not subject to restrictions on resale, (c) have a value that is readily ascertainable via listing on or trading in a recognized United States or international exchange or market, and (d) are approved by an Adviser.

Specimen Price Make-up **

Under the current distribution arrangements between the Trust and the Distributor, Class A shares are sold with a maximum sales charge of 5.50% (4.50% for Total Return Bond), Class B and Class C shares are sold at NAV. Using the NAV of the Fund at July 31, 2005, the maximum offering price of the Funds' shares is as follows:

    Conservative
Growth
Fund
  Large Cap
Value
  Small Cap
Growth
  Small Cap
Value
  Total Return
Bond
 
Class A                                      
NAV and redemption price per
Class A share*
  $ 7.71     $ 14.58     $ 8.72     $ 19.81     $ 10.37    
Maximum sales charge     0.45       0.85       0.51       1.15       0.49    
Maximum offering price to public   $ 8.16     $ 15.43     $ 9.23     $ 20.96     $ 10.86    
Class B      
NAV, offering price and redemption price per
Class B share*
  $ 7.38     $ 14.29     $ 8.40     $ 18.86     $ 10.37    
Class C      
NAV, offering price and redemption price per
Class C share*
  $ 7.38     $ 14.29     $ 8.39     $ 18.86     $ 10.37    

 

*  Class A, Class B and Class C shares are subject to a CDSC on certain redemptions. See "How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Funds-How to Sell Your Shares-Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" in the Prospectus.

**  Class L, Class M and Class X shares of the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds were not available at July 31, 2004.

Selecting a Purchase Alternative

The following is provided to assist you in determining which method of purchase best suits your individual circumstances and is based on current fees and expenses being charged to the Funds. Additional share classes are available through exchange to the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds, as described below.

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If you intend to hold your investment in a Fund for less than 4 years and do not qualify for a reduced sales charge on Class A shares, since Class A shares are subject to an initial sales charge of 5.50% and Class B shares are subject to a CDSC of 5% that declines to zero over a 6 year period, you should consider purchasing Class C shares over either Class A or Class B shares.

If you intend to hold your investment for longer than 4 years, but less than 5 years, and do not qualify for a reduced sales charge on Class A shares, you should consider purchasing Class B or Class C shares over Class A shares. This is because the initial sales charge plus the cumulative annual distribution-related fee on Class A shares would exceed those of the Class B and Class C shares if you redeem your investment during this time period. In addition, all of your money would be invested initially in the case of Class B and Class C shares, which are sold at NAV.

If you intend to hold your investment for longer than 5 years, you should consider purchasing Class A shares over either Class B or Class C shares. This is because the maximum sales charge plus the cumulative annual distribution-related fee on Class A shares would be less than those of the Class B and Class C shares.

If you qualify for a reduced sales charge on Class A shares, it generally may be more advantageous for you to purchase Class A shares over either Class B or Class C shares regardless of how long you intend to hold your investment. However, unlike Class B and Class C shares, you would not have all of your money invested initially because the sales charge on Class A shares is deducted at the time of purchase. In addition, if you purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares, you are subject to a 1% CDSC on shares sold within 12 months (18 months for shares purchased before February 2, 2004).

If you do not qualify for a reduced sales charge on Class A shares and you purchase Class B or Class C shares, you would have to hold your investment for more than 6 years in the case of Class B shares and for more than 5 years in the case of Class C shares for the higher cumulative annual distribution-related fee on those shares to exceed the initial sales charge plus the cumulative annual distribution-related fees on Class A shares. This does not take into account the time value of money, which further reduces the impact of the higher Class B or Class C distribution-related fee on the investment, fluctuations in NAV, the effect of the return on the investment over this period of time or redemptions when the CDSC is applicable.

Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds Only

With respect to Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds, investors can directly purchase Class A, Class B and Class C shares. Class L, Class M and Class X shares are available only through exchanges from the same share class of certain Strategic Partners mutual funds. There are no sales charges on exchanges. The minimum investment for exchanges on Class L, Class M and Class X is $1,000.

With Class A shares, you pay an initial sales charge of 5.5% for Small Cap Value and 4.5% for Total Return Bond Fund and the minimum purchase amount is $1,000. In addition, you may be subject to a 1% CDSC for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. With Class B shares, you only pay a sales charge if you sell your shares within 6 years of purchase (that is why it is called a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, or CDSC), but the operating expenses each year may be higher than Class A share expenses. With Class C shares, you pay a 1% CDSC if you sell within 12 months of purchase, but the operating expenses may be higher then the expenses for Class A shares. With Class L shares, you pay no initial sales charge but you may be subject to a 1% CDSC for shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. With Class M and Class X shares, you pay no initial sales charge but you may be subject to a CDSC for shares redeemed within seven and eight years (seven years in the case of Class X shares purchases prior to August 19, 1998), respectively.

Class B and Class C Shares

The offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing one of the deferred sales charge alternatives is the NAV next determined following receipt of an order in proper form by the transfer agent, your broker or the Distributor. Although there is no sales charge imposed at the time of purchase, redemptions of Class B and Class C shares may be subject to a CDSC. See "Sale of Shares-Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below.

The Distributor will pay, from its own resources, sales commissions of up to 4% of the purchase price of Class B shares to brokers, financial advisers and other persons who sell Class B shares at the time of sale. This facilitates the ability of the Trust to sell the Class B shares without an initial sales charge being deducted at the time of purchase. The Distributor anticipates that it will recoup its advancement of sales commissions from the combination of the CDSC and the distribution fee. In connection with the sale of Class C shares, the Distributor will pay, from its own resources, brokers, financial advisers and other persons which distribute Class C shares a sales commission of up to 2% of the purchase price at the time of the sale.

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Rights of Accumulation

Reduced sales charges are also available through rights of accumulation, under which an investor or an eligible group of related investors, as described above under "Combined Purchase and Cumulative Purchase Privilege," may aggregate the value of their existing holdings of shares of the Funds and shares of other Strategic Partners and JennisonDryden mutual funds (excluding money market funds, other than those acquired pursuant to the exchange privilege) to determine the reduced sales charge. However, the value of shares held directly with the Transfer Agent and through your broker will not be aggregated to determine the reduced sales charge. The value of existing holdings for purposes of determining the reduced sales charge is calculated using the maximum offering or price (NAV plus maximum sales charge) as of the previous business day.

The Distributor, your broker or the transfer agent must be notified at the time of purchase that the investor is entitled to a reduced sales charge. The reduced sales charges will be granted subject to confirmation of the investor's holdings.

Sale of Shares

You can redeem your shares at any time for cash at the NAV next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (in accordance with procedures established by the transfer agent in connection with investors' accounts) by the transfer agent, the Distributor or your broker. In certain cases, however, redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount of any applicable CDSC, as described below. See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below. If you are redeeming your shares through a broker, your broker must receive your sell order before a Fund computes its NAV for that day (at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time) in order to receive that day's NAV. In the event that regular trading on the NYSE closes before 4 p.m. New York Time you will receive the following day's NAV if your order to sell is received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your broker will be responsible for furnishing all necessary documentation to the Distributor and may charge you for its services in connection with redeeming shares of a Fund.

If you hold shares in non-certificate form, a written request for redemption signed by you exactly as the account is registered is required. If you hold certificates, the certificates must be received by the transfer agent, the Distributor or your broker in order for the redemption request to be processed. If redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, written evidence of authority acceptable to the transfer agent must be submitted before such request will be accepted. All correspondence and documents concerning redemptions should be sent to the Trust in care of its transfer agent, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Attention: Redemption Services, P.O. Box 8149, Philadelphia, PA 19101, to the Distributor or to your broker.

Expedited Redemption Privilege. By electing the Expedited Redemption Privilege, you may arrange to have redemption proceeds sent to your bank account. The Expedited Redemption Privilege may be used to redeem shares in an amount of $200 or more, except if an account for which an expedited redemption is requested has a net asset value of less than $200, the entire account will be redeemed. Redemption proceeds in the amount of $1,000 or more will be remitted by wire to your bank account at a domestic commercial bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve system. Redemption proceeds of less than $1,000 will be mailed by check to your designated bank account. Any applicable CDSC will be deducted from the redemption proceeds. Expedited redemption requests may be made by telephone or letter, must be received by your Fund prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, to receive a redemption amount based on that day's NAV and are subject to the terms and conditions as set forth in the Funds' prospectus regarding redemption of shares. For more information, see "How to Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares of the Funds Telephone Redemptions or Exchanges" in the Funds' prospectus. The Expedited Redemption Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. To receive further information, shareholders should contact PMFS at (800) 225-1852.

Payment for redemption of recently purchased shares will be delayed until the Fund or its Transfer Agent has been advised that the purchase check has been honored, which may take up to 10 calendar days from the time of receipt of the purchase check by the Transfer Agent. Such delay may be avoided by purchasing shares by wire or by certified or cashier's check.

Signature Guarantee

If the proceeds of the redemption (1) exceed $100,000, (2) are to be paid to a person other than the record owner, (3) are to be sent to an address other than the address on the transfer agent's records, or (4) are to be paid to a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, and are held directly with the transfer agent, the signature(s) on the redemption request or stock power must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution." An "eligible guarantor institution" includes any bank, broker, dealer, savings association or credit union. PMFS reserves the right to request additional information from, and make reasonable inquiries of, any eligible guarantor institution.

Payment for shares presented for redemption will be made by check within seven days after receipt by the transfer agent, the Distributor or your broker of the certificate and/or written request, except as indicated below. If you hold shares through

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a broker, payment for shares presented for redemption will be credited to your account at your broker, unless you indicate otherwise. Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended at times (1) when the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekends and holidays, (2) when trading on the NYSE is restricted, (3) when 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 a Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or (4) during any other period when the Commission, by order, so permits; provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Commission shall govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (2), (3) or (4) exist.

Redemption in Kind

If the Board determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of a Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities from the investment portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable rules of the Commission. Securities will be readily marketable and will be valued in the same manner as in a regular redemption. If your shares are redeemed in kind, you would incur transaction costs in converting the assets into cash. The Trust, however, has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, under which each Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the NAV of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.

Involuntary Redemption

In order to reduce expenses of the Funds, the Board may redeem all of the shares of any shareholder, other than a shareholder that is an IRA or other tax-deferred retirement plan, whose account has an account value of less than $500 due to a redemption. The Trust will give such shareholders 60 days' prior written notice in which to purchase sufficient additional shares to avoid such redemption. No CDSC will be imposed on any such involuntary redemption.

90-Day Repurchase Privilege

If you redeem your shares and have not previously exercised the repurchase privilege, you may reinvest any portion or all of the proceeds of such redemption in shares of the same Fund and account at the NAV next determined after the order is received, which must be within 90 days after the date of the redemption. Any CDSC paid in connection with such redemption will be credited (in shares) to your account. (If less than a full repurchase is made, the credit will be on a pro rata basis.) You must notify the transfer agent, either directly or through the Distributor or your broker, at the time the repurchase privilege is exercised to adjust your account for the CDSC you previously paid. Thereafter, any redemptions will be subject to the CDSC applicable at the time of the redemption. See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" below. Exercise of the repurchase privilege will generally not affect federal tax treatment of any gain realized upon redemption. However, if the redemption was made within a 30 day period of the repurchase and if the redemption resulted in a loss, some or all of the loss, depending on the amount reinvested, may not be allowed for federal income tax purposes.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

Certain redemptions of Class A and Class L shares within 12 months of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. (The CDSC is waived for certain retirement and/or benefit plans affiliated with Prudential.) Redemptions of Class B shares will be subject to a CDSC declining from 5% to zero over a six-year period. Class C shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase (18 months if purchased prior to February 2, 2004) will be subject to a 1% CDSC. Redemptions of Class M shares will be subject to a CDSC declining from 6% to zero over a seven-year period. Redemptions of Class X shares will be subject to a CDSC declining from 6% to zero over an eight-year period (seven years in the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998). The CDSC will be deducted from the redemption proceeds and reduce the amount paid to you. The CDSC will be imposed on any redemption that reduces the current value of your Class A, Class B, Class C, Class L, Class M or Class X shares to an amount that is lower than the amount of all payments by you for shares during the preceding 12 months in the case of Class A and Class L shares (in certain cases), six years in the case of Class B shares, 12 months in the case of Class C shares, seven years in the case of Class M shares, and eight years in the case of Class X shares (seven years in the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998). A CDSC will be applied on the lesser of the original purchase price or the current value of the shares being redeemed. Increases in the value of your shares or shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions are not subject to a CDSC. The amount of any CDSC will be paid to and retained by the Distributor. If you purchased or hold your shares through a broker, third party administrator or other authorized entity that maintains subaccount recordkeeping, any applicable CDSC that you will pay will be calculated and reported to PMFS by such broker, administrator or other authorized entity.

The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of payment for the purchase of shares until the time of redemption of such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the time

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of any payment for the purchase of shares, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the last day of the month. The CDSC will be calculated from the first day of the month after the initial purchase, excluding the time shares were held in a money market fund.

The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC applicable to redemption of Class B, Class M and Class X shares:

    Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge as a Percentage of Dollars
Invested or Redemption Proceeds
 
Year Since Purchase
Payment Made
  Class B
Shares
  Class M
Shares
  Class X
Shares*
 
First     5.0 %     6 %     6 %  
Second     4.0 %     5 %     5 %  
Third     3.0 %     4 %     4 %  
Fourth     2.0 %     3 %     4 %  
Fifth     1.0 %     2 %     3 %  
Sixth     1.0 %     2 %     2 %  
Seventh     None       1 %     2 %  
Eighth     None       None       1 %  
Ninth     None       None       None    
Tenth     None       None       None    

 

*The CDSC for Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998 is 6% in the first year, 5% in the second, 4% in the third, 3% in the fourth, 2% in the fifth and sixth years, and 1% in the seventh year.

In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation will be made in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate. It will be assumed that the redemption is made first of amounts representing shares acquired pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends and distributions; then of amounts representing the increase in NAV above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class A and Class L shares made during the preceding 12 months (in certain cases), six years for Class B shares, 12 months for Class C shares (18 months if purchased before February 2, 2004), seven years in the case of Class M shares, and eight years in the case of Class X shares (seven years in the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998); then of amounts representing the cost of shares held beyond the applicable CDSC period; and finally, of amounts representing the cost of shares held for the longest period of time within the applicable CDSC period.

For example, assume you purchased 100 Class B shares at $10 per share for a cost of $1,000. Subsequently, you acquired 5 additional Class B shares through dividend reinvestment. During the second year after the purchase you decide to redeem $500 of your investment. Assuming at the time of the redemption the NAV had appreciated to $12 per share, the value of your Class B shares would be $1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value of the reinvested dividend shares and the amount that represents appreciation ($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260) would be charged at a rate of 4% (the applicable rate in the second year after purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.

For federal income tax purposes, the amount of the CDSC will reduce the gain, or increase the loss, as the case may be, on the amount recognized on the redemption of shares.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge-Class B, Class M and Class X Shares

The CDSC will be waived in the case of a redemption following the death or disability of a shareholder or, in the case of a trust account, following the death or disability of the grantor. The waiver is available for total or partial redemptions of shares owned by a person, either individually or in joint tenancy (with rights of survivorship), at the time of death or initial determination of disability, provided that the shares were purchased prior to death or disability.

The CDSC will also be waived in the case of a total or partial redemption in connection with certain distributions under the Internal Revenue Code from a tax-deferred retirement plan, an IRA or Section 403(b) custodial account. For more information, call Prudential at (800) 353-2847.

For distributions from an IRA or a 403(b) Custodial Account, the shareholder must submit a copy of the distribution form from the custodial firm indicating (i) the date of birth of the shareholder and (ii) that the shareholder is over age 70 1 / 2 . The distribution form must be signed by the shareholder.

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The waiver does not apply in the case of a tax-free rollover or transfer of assets, other than one following a separation from service (that is, following voluntary or involuntary termination of employment or following retirement). Under no circumstances will the CDSC be waived on redemptions resulting from the termination of a tax-deferred retirement plan, unless such redemptions otherwise qualify for a waiver as described above. Shares purchased with amounts used to repay a loan from such plans on which a CDSC was not previously deducted will thereafter be subject to a CDSC without regard to the time such amounts were previously invested. In the case of a 401(k) plan, the CDSC will also be waived upon the redemption of shares purchased with amounts used to repay loans made from the account to the participant and from which a CDSC was previously deducted.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan. The CDSC will be waived (or reduced) on certain redemptions effected through a Systematic Withdrawal Plan. On an annual basis, up to 12% of the total dollar amount subject to the CDSC may be redeemed without charge. The Transfer Agent will calculate the total amount available for this waiver annually on the anniversary date of your purchase. The CDSC will be waived (or reduced) on redemptions until this threshold 12% is reached. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan is not available to participants in certain retirement plans. Please contact PMFS for more details.

In addition, the CDSC will be waived on redemptions of shares held by Trustees of the Trust.

You must notify the transfer agent either directly or through your broker at the time of redemption, that you are entitled to waiver of the CDSC and provide the transfer agent with such supporting documentation as it may deem appropriate. The waiver will be granted subject to confirmation of your entitlement.

In connection with these waivers, the transfer agent will require you to submit the supporting documentation set forth below.

Category of Waiver   Required Documentation  
Death   A copy of the shareholder's death certificate or, in the case of a trust, a copy of the grantor's death certificate, plus a copy of the trust agreement identifying the grantor.  
Disability-An individual will be considered disabled if he or she is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or to be of long-continued and indefinite duration.   A copy of the Social Security Administration award letter or a letter from a physician on the physician's letterhead stating that the shareholder (or, in the case of a trust, the grantor (a copy of the trust agreement identifying the grantor will be required as well)) is permanently disabled. The letter must also indicate the date of disability.  
Distribution from an IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account   A copy of the distribution form from the custodial firm indicating (i) the date of birth of the shareholder and (ii) that the shareholder is over age 70 1 / 2 and is taking a normal distribution-signed by the shareholder.  
Distribution from Retirement Plan   A letter signed by the plan administrator/trustee indicating the reason for the distribution.  
Excess Contributions   A letter from the shareholder (for an IRA) or the plan administrator/trustee on company letterhead indicating the amount of the excess and whether or not taxes have been paid.  

 

PMFS reserves the right to request such additional documents as it may deem appropriate.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge-Class C Shares

Benefit Plans. The CDSC will be waived on redemptions from Benefit Plans holding shares through a broker for which the broker provides administrative or recordkeeping services.

Conversion Feature-Class B, Class M and Class X Shares

Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately seven years after purchase. Class M shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately eight years after purchase. Class X shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a quarterly basis approximately ten years after purchase

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(eight years in the case of Class X shares purchased prior to August 19, 1998). Conversions will be effected at relative net asset value without the imposition of any additional sales charge.

Since the Trust tracks amounts paid rather than the number of shares bought on each purchase of Class B, Class M and Class X shares, the number of Class B, Class M and Class X shares eligible to convert to Class A shares (excluding shares acquired through the automatic reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) (Eligible Shares) will be determined on each conversion date in accordance with the following formula: (1) the ratio of (a) the amounts paid for Class B, Class M and Class X shares purchased at least seven, eight or ten years, respectively, prior to the conversion date to (b) the total amount paid for all Class B, Class M and Class X shares purchased and then held in your account (2) multiplied by the total number of Class B, Class M and Class X shares purchased and then held in your account. Each time any Eligible Shares in your account convert to Class A shares, all shares or amounts representing Class B, Class M and Class X shares then in your account that were acquired through the automatic reinvestment of dividends and other distributions will convert to Class A shares.

For purposes of determining the number of Eligible Shares, if the Class B, Class M and Class X shares in your account on any conversion date are the result of multiple purchases at different NAVs per share, the number of Eligible Shares calculated as described above will generally be either more or less than the number of shares actually purchased approximately seven, eight or ten years, respectively, before such conversion date. For example, if 100 Class B shares were initially purchased at $10 per share (for a total of $1,000) and a second purchase of 100 shares was subsequently made at $11 per share (for a total of $1,100), 95.24 shares would convert approximately seven years from the initial purchase (that is, $1,000 divided by $2,100 (47.62%), multiplied by 200 shares equals 95.24 shares). The Manager reserves the right to modify the formula for determining the number of Eligible Shares in the future as it deems appropriate on notice to shareholders.

Since annual distribution-related fees are lower for Class A shares than Class B, Class M and Class X shares, the per share NAV of the Class A shares may be higher than that of the Class B, Class M and Class X shares at the time of conversion. Thus, although the aggregate dollar value will be the same, you may receive fewer Class A shares than Class B, Class M and Class X shares converted.

For purposes of calculating the applicable holding period for conversions, all payments for Class B, Class M and Class X shares during a month will be deemed to have been made on the last day of the month, or for Class B, Class M and Class X shares acquired through exchange, or a series of exchanges, on the last day of the month in which the original payment for purchases of such Class B, Class M and Class X shares was made. For Class B shares previously exchanged for shares of Special Money Market Fund, Inc. (Special Money Fund), the time period during which such shares were held in that money market fund will be excluded. For example, Class B shares held in Special Money Fund for one year would not convert to Class A shares until approximately eight years from purchase. For purposes of measuring the time period during which shares are held in Special Money Fund, exchanges will be deemed to have been made on the last day of the month. Class B, Class M and Class X shares acquired through exchange will convert to Class A shares after expiration of the conversion period applicable to the original purchase of such shares.

Class B, Class M and Class X shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions will be converted to Class A shares according to the procedures utilized by the broker-dealer through which the Class B, Class M and Class X shares were purchased, to the extent the shares are carried on the books of the broker-dealer and the broker-dealer provides subaccounting services to the Fund. Otherwise, the procedures utilized by PMFS, or its affiliates, will be used. The use of different procedures may result in a timing differential in the conversion of Class B, Class M and Class X shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

The conversion feature applicable to a share class may be subject to the continuing availability of opinions of counsel or rulings of the Internal Revenue Service (1) that the dividends and other distributions paid on such class of shares will not constitute "preferential dividends" under the Internal Revenue Code and (2) that the conversion of shares does not constitute a taxable event. The conversion of Class B, Class M and Class X shares into Class A shares may be suspended if such opinions or rulings are no longer available. If conversions are suspended, Class B, Class M and Class X shares of a Fund will continue to be subject, possibly indefinitely, to their higher annual distribution and service fee.

SHAREHOLDER INVESTMENT ACCOUNT

Upon the initial purchase of Trust shares, a Shareholder Investment Account is established for each investor under which a record of the shares is maintained for the investor by the transfer agent. If a share certificate is desired, it must be requested in writing for each transaction. Certificates are issued only for full shares and may be redeposited in the Account

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at any time. There is no charge to the investor for issuance of a certificate. The Trust makes available to its shareholders the following privileges and plans.

Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions

For the convenience of investors, all dividends and distributions are automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Fund in which they have invested at net asset value per share. An investor may direct the transfer agent in writing not less than five full business days prior to the record date to have subsequent dividends or distributions sent in cash rather than reinvested. In the case of recently purchased shares for which registration instructions have not been received on the record date, cash payment will be made directly to the broker. Any shareholder who receives a dividend or distribution in cash may reinvest any such dividend or distribution at NAV by returning the check or the proceeds to the transfer agent within 30 days after the payment date. Such reinvestment will be made at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of the check or proceeds by the transfer agent. Shares purchased with reinvested dividends and/or distributions will not be subject to any CDSC upon redemption.

Exchange Privilege

Each Fund makes available to its shareholders the privilege of exchanging their shares of the Fund for shares of the other Funds of the Trust, and other Strategic Partners and JennisonDryden mutual funds, including Special Money Fund, subject in each case to the minimum investment requirements of such funds. Shares of such other Strategic Partners and JennisonDryden mutual funds may also be exchanged for shares of each Fund. All exchanges are made on the basis of the relative NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form. An exchange will be treated as a redemption and purchase for tax purposes. For retirement and group plans offering only certain of the Strategic Partners or JennisonDryden mutual funds, the exchange privilege is available for those funds eligible for investment in the particular program.

It is contemplated that the exchange privilege may be applicable to new Strategic Partners or JennisonDryden mutual funds whose shares may be distributed by the Distributor.

In order to exchange shares by telephone, you must authorize telephone exchanges on your initial application form or by written notice to the transfer agent and hold shares in non-certificate form. Thereafter, you may call the Fund whose shares you wish to exchange at (800) 225-1852 to execute a telephone exchange of shares, on weekdays, except holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., New York time. For your protection and to prevent fraudulent exchanges, your telephone call will be recorded and you will be asked to provide your personal identification number. A written confirmation of the exchange transaction will be sent to you. Neither the Trust nor its agents will be liable for any loss, liability or cost that results from acting upon instructions reasonably believed to be genuine under the foregoing procedures. All exchanges will be made on the basis of the relative NAV of the two funds next determined after the request is received in good order.

If you hold shares through Wachovia Securities, you must exchange your shares by contacting your Wachovia Securities financial adviser.

If you hold certificates, the certificates must be returned in order for the shares to be exchanged.

You may also exchange shares by mail by writing to Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Attention: Exchange Processing, P.O. Box 8157, Philadelphia, PA 19101.

In periods of severe market or economic conditions the telephone exchange of shares may be difficult to implement and you should make exchanges by mail by writing to Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC at the address noted above.

Class A. Shareholders of a Fund may exchange their Class A shares for Class A shares of the other Strategic Partners and JennisonDryden mutual funds and shares of Special Money Fund. No fee or sales load will be imposed upon the exchange.

Class B and Class C. Shareholders of a Fund may exchange their Class B and Class C shares of the Fund for Class B and Class C shares, respectively, of other Strategic Partners and JennisonDryden mutual funds and shares of Special Money Fund. No CDSC will be payable upon such exchange, but a CDSC may be payable upon the redemption of the Class B and Class C shares acquired as a result of an exchange. The applicable sales charge will be that imposed by the fund in which shares were initially purchased and the purchase date will be deemed to be the first day of the month after the initial purchase, rather than the date of the exchange.

Class B and Class C shares of a Fund may also be exchanged for shares of Special Money Fund, without imposition of any CDSC at the time of exchange. Upon subsequent redemption from such money market fund or after re-exchange into the Fund, such shares will be subject to the CDSC calculated without regard to the time such shares were held in the money market fund. In order to minimize the period of time in which shares are subject to a CDSC, shares exchanged out of the money market

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fund will be exchanged on the basis of their remaining holding periods, with the longest remaining holding periods being transferred first. In measuring the time period shares are held in a money market fund and "tolled" for purposes of calculating the CDSC holding period, exchanges are deemed to have been made on the last day of the month. Thus, if shares are exchanged into a Fund from a money market fund during the month (and are held in the Fund at the end of the month), the entire month will be included in the CDSC holding period. Conversely, if shares are exchanged into a money market fund prior to the last day of the month (and are held in the money market fund on the last day of the month), the entire month will be excluded from the CDSC holding period. For purposes of calculating the seven year holding period applicable to the Class B conversion feature, the time period during which Class B shares were held in a money market fund will be excluded.

At any time after acquiring shares of other funds participating in the Class B or Class C exchange privilege, a shareholder may again exchange those shares (and any reinvested dividends and distributions) for Class B or Class C shares of a Fund, respectively, without subjecting such shares to any CDSC. Shares of any fund participating in the Class B or Class C exchange privilege that were acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions may be exchanged for Class B or Class C shares of other funds, respectively, without being subject to any CDSC.

Class L, Class M and Class X. Shareholders of the Small Cap Value and Total Return Bond Funds may exchange their Class L, Class M and Class X shares of the Fund for Class L, Class M and Class X shares, respectively, of other JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds that offer such share classes. No CDSC will be payable upon such exchange, but a CDSC may be payable upon the redemption of Class M and Class X shares acquired as a result of the exchange. The applicable sales charge will be that imposed by the fund in which shares were initially purchased and the purchase date will be deemed to be the first day of the month after the initial purchase, rather than the date of the exchange.

At any time after acquiring shares of other funds participating in the Class L, Class M or Class X exchange privilege, a shareholder may again exchange those shares (and any reinvested dividends and distributions) for Class L, Class M or Class X shares of the Small Cap Value or Total Return Bond Funds without subjecting such shares to any CDSC. Shares of any fund participating in the Class L, Class M or Class X exchange privilege that were acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions may be exchanged for Class L, Class M or Class X shares of other funds, respectively, without being subject to any CDSC.

Dollar Cost Averaging

Dollar cost averaging is a method of accumulating shares by investing a fixed amount of dollars in shares at set intervals. An investor buys more shares when the price is low and fewer shares when the price is high. The average cost per share is lower than it would be if a constant number of shares were bought at set intervals.

Dollar cost averaging may be used, for example, to plan for retirement, to save for a major expenditure, such as the purchase of a home, or to finance a college education. The cost of a year's education at a four-year college today averages around $24,728 at a private college and around $9,663 at a public university. Assuming these costs increase at a rate of 7% a year, as has been projected, the cost of one year at a private college could reach $45,463 and over $17,765 at a public university in 10 years. 1

The following chart shows how much you would need in monthly investments to achieve specified lump sums to finance your investment goals. 2

Period of
Monthly Investments:
  $100,000   $150,000   $200,000   $250,000  
25 Years   $ 105     $ 158     $ 210     $ 263    
20 Years     170       255       340       424    
15 Years     289       433       578       722    
10 Years     547       820       1,093       1,366    
5 Years     1,361       2,041       2,721       3,402    

 

  See "Automatic Investment Plan"

1 Source: The College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2002 . Average costs include tuition, fees, room and board for the 2002-2003 academic year.

2 The chart assumes an effective rate of return of 8% (assuming monthly compounding). This example is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to reflect the performance of an investment in shares of the Fund. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original cost.

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Automatic Investment Plan (AIP)

Under AIP, an investor may arrange to have a fixed amount automatically invested in shares of a Fund monthly by authorizing his or her bank account or brokerage account to be debited to invest specified dollar amounts in shares of the Fund. The investor's bank must be a member of the Automated Clearing House System.

Further information about this program and an application form can be obtained from the transfer agent, the Distributor or your broker.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

A systematic withdrawal plan is available to shareholders through the transfer agent, the Distributor or your broker. The systematic withdrawal plan provides for monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual redemption checks in any amount, except as provided below, up to the value of the shares in the shareholder's account. Systematic withdrawals of Class A, Class B, Class C, Class L, Class M or Class X shares may be subject to a CDSC.

In the case of shares held through the transfer agent (1) a $10,000 minimum account value applies, (2) systematic withdrawals may not be for less than $100 and (3) the shareholder must elect to have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in additional full and fractional shares at NAV on shares held under this plan.

The transfer agent, the Distributor or your broker acts as an agent for the shareholder in redeeming sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the amount of the systematic withdrawal. The systematic withdrawal plan may be terminated at any time, and the Distributor reserves the right to initiate a fee of up to $5 per withdrawal, upon 30 days' written notice to the shareholder.

Systematic withdrawals should not be considered as dividends, yield or income. If systematic withdrawals continuously exceed reinvested dividends and distributions, the shareholder's original investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.

Furthermore, each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares, and any gain or loss realized must be recognized for federal income tax purposes. In addition, systematic withdrawals made concurrently with purchases of additional shares are inadvisable because of the sales charges applicable to (1) the purchase of Class A shares and (2) the redemption of Class B, Class C, Class M and Class X (and Class A and Class L, in certain cases) shares. Each shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax consequences of the plan, particularly if used in connection with a retirement plan.

Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans

Various qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, self-directed individual retirement accounts and "tax-deferred accounts" under Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code are available through the Distributor. These plans are for use by both self-employed individuals and corporate employers. These plans permit either self-direction of accounts by participants, or a pooled account arrangement. Information regarding the establishment of these plans, and the administration, custodial fees and other details are available from the Distributor or the Transfer Agent.

Investors who are considering the adoption of such a plan should consult with their own legal counsel or tax adviser with respect to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan.

Tax-deferred Retirement Accounts

Individual Retirement Accounts. An IRA permits the deferral of federal income tax on income earned in the account until the earnings are withdrawn. The following chart represents a comparison of the earnings in a personal savings account with those in an IRA, assuming a $2,000 annual contribution, an 8% rate of return and a 35% federal income tax bracket and shows how much more retirement income can accumulate within an IRA as opposed to a taxable individual savings account.

Tax-Deferred Compounding 1

Contributions
Made Over:
  Personal
Savings
  IRA  
10 years   $ 26,712     $ 31,291    
15 years     46,091       58,649    
20 years     71,060       98,846    
25 years     103,232       157,909    
30 years     144,685       244,692    

 

1   The chart is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the performance of the Fund or any specific investment. It shows taxable versus tax-deferred compounding for the periods and on the terms indicated. Earnings in a traditional IRA account will be subject to tax when withdrawn from the account. Distributions from a Roth IRA that meet the conditions required under the Internal Revenue Code will not be subject to tax upon withdrawal from the account.

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NET ASSET VALUE

The price an investor pays for each share is based on the share value. Each Fund's share value-known as the net asset value per share or NAV-is determined by subtracting its liabilities from the value of its assets and dividing the remainder by the number of outstanding shares. NAV is calculated separately for each class. Each Fund will compute its NAV once each business day at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time. For purposes of computing the Fund's NAV, the Fund will value the Fund's futures contracts generally 15 minutes after the close of regular trading on the NYSE. A Fund may not compute its NAV on days on which no orders to purchase, sell or exchange shares of the Fund have been received or on days on which changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities do not materially affect its NAV. The NYSE is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, the value of investments listed on a securities exchange and Nasdaq National Market System securities (other than options on stock and stock indices) are valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation or, if there was no sale on such day, the mean between the last bid and asked prices on such day, as provided by a pricing service or principal market marker. Securities included on the Nasdaq Market are valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (NOCP) on the day of valuation, or if there was no NOCP, at the last sale price. Nasdaq Market Securities for which there was no NOCP or last sale price are valued at the mean between the last bid and asked prices on the day of valuation, or the last bid price in the absence of an asked price. Corporate bonds (other than convertible debt securities) and U.S. Government securities that are actively traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed securities for which the primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued on the basis of valuations provided by a pricing service which uses information with respect to transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, agency ratings, market transactions in comparable securities and various relationships between securities in determining value. Convertible debt securities that are actively traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed securities for which the primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices provided by principal market makers. Options on stock and stock indices traded on an exchange are valued at the mean between the most recently quoted bid and asked prices on the respective exchange and futures contracts and options thereon are valued at their last sale prices as of the close of trading on the applicable commodities exchange. Quotations of foreign securities in a foreign currency are converted to U.S. dollar equivalents at the current rate obtained from a recognized bank or dealer, and forward currency exchange contracts are valued at the current cost of covering or offsetting such contacts. Should an extraordinary event, which is likely to affect the value of the security, occur after the close of an exchange on which a portfolio security is traded, such security will be valued at fair value considering factors determined in good faith by the investment adviser under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's Board.

Under the 1940 Act, the Board is responsible for determining in good faith the fair value of securities of the Funds. Portfolio securities for which reliable market quotations are not readily available or for which the pricing agent or principal market maker does not provide a valuation or methodology or provides a valuation or methodology that, in the judgment of the Manager or Subadviser (or Valuation Committee or Board) does not represent fair value (Fair Value Securities), are valued by the Valuation Committee or Board in consultation with the Subadviser or Manager, including, as applicable, their portfolio managers, traders, research and credit analysts, and legal and compliance personnel, on the basis of the following factors: the nature of any restrictions on disposition of the securities; assessment of the general liquidity/illiquidity of the securities; the issuer's financial condition and the markets in which it does business; the cost of the investment; the size of the holding and the capitalization of issuer; the prices of any recent transactions or bids/offers for such securities or any comparable securities; any available analyst, media or other reports or information deemed reliable by the Manager or Subadviser regarding the issuer or the markets or industry in which it operates; other analytical data; consistency with valuation of similar securities held by other JennisonDryden or Strategic Partners mutual funds; and such other factors as may be determined by the Subadviser, Manager, Board or Valuation Committee to materially affect the value of the security. Fair Value Securities may include, but are not limited to, the following: certain private placements and restricted securities that do not have an active trading market; securities whose trading has been suspended or for which market quotes are no longer available; debt securities that have recently gone into default and for which there is no current market; securities whose prices are stale; securities affected by significant events; and securities that the Subadviser or Manager believes were priced incorrectly.

A "significant event" (which includes, but is not limited to, an extraordinary political or market event) is an event that the Subadviser or Manager believes with a reasonably high degree of certainty has caused the closing market prices of a Fund's portfolio securities to no longer reflect their value at the time of the Funds' NAV calculation. On a day that the Manager may determine that one or more of the Fund's portfolio securities constitute Fair Value Securities, the Manager may determine the fair value of these securities without the supervision of the Fund's Valuation Committee if the fair valuation of all such securities results in a change of less than $0.01 to the Funds' NAV and the Manager presents these valuations to the Board for its

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ratification. Short-term debt securities are valued at cost, with interest accrued of discount amortized to the date of maturity, if their original maturity was 60 days or less, unless this is determined by the Board not to represent fair value. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of more than 60 days, for which market quotations are readily available are valued at their current market quotations as supplied by an independent pricing agent or more than one principal market maker (if available otherwise a primary market maker).

Although the legal rights of each class of shares are substantially identical, the different expenses borne by each class will result in different NAVs and dividends. NAV is calculated separately for each class. The NAVs of Class B, Class C, Class L, Class M and Class X shares will generally be lower than the NAV of Class A shares as a result of the larger distribution-related fee to which Class B and Class C, Class L, Class M and Class X shares are subject. It is expected, however, that the NAV of each Fund's share classes will tend to converge immediately after the recording of dividends, if any, that will differ by approximately the amount of the distribution and/or service fee expense accrual differential among the classes.

TAXES, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Each Fund is qualified as, intends to remain qualified as and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. This relieves each Fund (but not its shareholders) from paying federal income tax on income and capital gains that are distributed to shareholders, and permits net capital gains of each Fund ( i.e.,  the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) to be treated as long-term capital gains of the shareholders, regardless of how long shareholders have held their shares. Net capital gains of each Fund that are available for distribution to shareholders will be computed by taking into account any applicable capital loss carryforward.

For federal income tax purposes, Conservative Growth Fund, Large Cap Value Fund and Small Cap Growth Fund each had a capital loss carryforward as of July 31, 2005. Accordingly, no capital gain distributions are expected to be paid to shareholders of these Funds until future net gains have been realized in excess of such carryforward.

The post-October losses and the capital loss carryforwards were as follows:

    Post-October Losses   Capital Loss  
Fund   Currency   Capital   Carryforward  
Conservative Growth  -   $         -     $ 88,969,000 (a)  
Large Capitalization Value     -       -       (b)    
Small Capitalization Growth     -       -       7,055,000 (c)  
Small Capitalization Value     -       -       -    
Total Return Bond     -     $ 585,432       -    

 

(a) Approximately $10,021,000 expiring in 2009. $32,296,000 expiring in 2010, and $36,576,000 expiring in 2011, 9,421,000 expiring in 2012 and $655,000 expiring in 2013.

(b) Approximately $584,000 of its capital loss carryforward was used to offset net taxable gains realized in the fiscal year end July 31, 2005.

(c) Approximately $2,086,000 expiring in 2010, $4,260,000 expiring in 2011 and $709,000 expiring in 2012. Approximately $1,084,000 of its capital loss carryforward was used to offset net taxable gains realized in the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005.

Qualification of each Fund as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code requires, among other things, that (1) the Fund derive at least 90% of its annual gross income each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stocks, securities or currencies; (2) the Fund diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. Government securities and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's assets and 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 assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issues which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses; and (3) the Fund distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its net investment income and net short-term gains (that is, the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) in each year.

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In addition, each Fund is required to distribute 98% of its ordinary income in the same calender year in which it is earned. Each Fund is also required to distribute during the calendar year 98% of the capital gain net income it earned during the twelve months ending on October 31 of such calendar year or at the election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November 30 or December 31, for its taxable year. In addition, the Fund must distribute during the calendar year all undistributed ordinary income and undistributed capital gain net income from the prior calendar year or the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of such prior calendar year, respectively. To the extent it does not meet these distribution requirements, the Fund will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amount. For purposes of this excise tax, income on which the Fund pays income tax is treated as distributed.

Fund Investments

Gains or losses on sales of securities by each Fund generally will be treated as long-term capital gains or losses if the securities have been held by it for more than one year, except in certain cases where a Fund acquires a put or writes a call or otherwise holds an offsetting position, with respect to the securities. Other gains or losses on the sale of securities will be short-term capital gains or losses taxable at ordinary income tax rates. Gains and losses on the sale, lapse or other termination of options on securities will be treated as gains and losses from the sale of securities. If an option written by each Fund on securities lapses or is terminated through a closing transaction, such as a repurchase by a Fund of the option from its holder, the Fund will generally realize short-term capital gain or loss. If securities are sold by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a call option written by it, the Fund will include the premium received in the sale proceeds of the securities delivered in determining the amount of gain or loss on the sale. Certain Funds' transactions may be subject to wash sale, short sale, constructive sale, conversion transition, constructive ownership transactions and straddle provisions of the Code that may, among other things, require each Fund to defer recognition of losses or convert long-term capital gain into ordinary income or short-term capitable gain taxable as ordinary income. In addition, debt securities acquired by each Fund may be subject to original issue discount and market discount rules which, respectively, may cause each Fund to accrue income in advance of the receipt of cash with respect to interest or cause gains to be treated as ordinary income subject to the distribution requirement referred to above.

Certain futures contracts and certain listed options (referred to as Section 1256 contracts) held by the Funds will be required to be "marked to market" for federal income tax purposes at the end of each Fund's taxable year; that is, treated as having been sold at the fair market value on the last business day of the Fund's taxable year. Except with respect to certain foreign currency forward contracts, sixty percent of any gain or loss recognized on these deemed sales and on actual dispositions will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the remainder will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Any net marked to market gains may be subject to distribution requirements referred to above, even though a Fund may receive no corresponding cash amounts, possibly requiring the disposition of portfolio securities or borrowing to obtain the necessary cash.

Gain or loss on the sale, lapse or other termination of options acquired by a Fund on stock and on narrowly-based stock indexes will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term or short-term depending on the holding period of the option. In addition, positions that are part of a "straddle" will be subject to certain wash sale, short sale and constructive sale provisions of the Code. In the case of a straddle, a Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on positions it holds to the extent of any unrecognized gain with respect to offsetting positions held by the Fund.

Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time each Fund accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time a Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts or dispositions of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency that are attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition thereof generally also are treated as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses, referred to under the Code as "Section 988" gains or losses, increase or decrease the amount of a Fund's investment company taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of the Fund's net capital gain. If Section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable income during a taxable year, a Fund would not be able to make any ordinary dividend distributions, and distributions made before the losses were realized would be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders, rather than as an ordinary dividend, thereby reducing each shareholder's basis in his or her Fund shares.

Each Fund may, from time to time, invest in passive foreign investment companies (PFICs). A PFIC is a foreign corporation that, in general, meets either of the following tests: (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive or (2) an average of at least 50% of its assets produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. If a Fund acquires and holds stock in a PFIC beyond the end of the year of its acquisition, the Fund will be subject to federal income tax on a portion of any "excess distribution" received on the stock or on any gain from disposition of the stock (collectively, PFIC income), plus certain

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interest changes, even if the Fund distributes the PFIC income as a taxable dividend to its shareholders. The balance of the PFIC income will be included in the Fund's investment company taxable income and, accordingly, will not be taxable to it to the extent that income is distributed to its shareholders. Each Fund may make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to any marketable stock it holds of a PFIC. For this purpose, all stock in a PFIC that is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Fund is treated as marketable stock. If the election is in effect, at the end of a Fund's taxable year, the Fund will recognize the amount of net gain, if any, as ordinary income with respect to PFIC stock. No ordinary loss will be recognized on the marking to market of PFIC stock, except to the extent of mark-to market gains recognized in prior years. Alternatively, a Fund, if it meets certain requirements, may elect to treat any PFIC in which it invests as a "qualified electing fund," in which case, in lieu of the foregoing tax and interest obligation, the Fund will be required to include in income each year its pro rata share of the qualified electing Fund's annual ordinary earnings and net capital gain, even if they are not distributed to the Fund; those amounts would be subject to the distribution requirements applicable to the Fund described above. In order to make this election, a Fund would be required to obtain certain information from the PFIC, which, in many cases, may be difficult to do. A fund may not be able to make this election with respect to many PFICs because of certain requirements that the PFICs would have to satisfy.

Fund Distributions

Certain dividends received by non-corporate shareholders (including individuals) that are designated as qualified dividends may be eligible for the maximum 15% tax rate applicable in the case of long-term capital gain. Such rate may not apply to dividends received from the Total Return Bond Fund. Dividends received by corporate shareholders are generally eligible for a dividends-received deduction of 70% to the extent a Fund's income is derived from qualified dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations. However, the Total Return Bond Fund does not expect to receive substantial amounts of such qualified dividends. Dividends attributable to certain foreign corporations, interest income, capital gain and currency gain, gain or loss from Section 1256 contracts (described above), and income from certain other sources will not constitute qualified dividends. Individual shareholders are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

Ordinarily shareholders are required to take taxable distributions by a fund into account in the year in which the distributions are made. However, for federal income tax purposes, dividends that are declared by a Fund in October, November or December as of a record date in such month and actually paid in January of the following year will be treated as if they were paid on December 31 of the year declared. Therefore, such dividends will generally be taxable to a shareholder in the year declared rather than the year paid.

Each Fund may either retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. Each Fund currently intends to distribute any such amounts. If net capital gain is distributed and designated as a "capital gain dividend", it will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares or whether such gain was recognized by a Fund prior to the date on which the shareholder acquired its shares. Capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. shareholder that is recognized before January 1, 2009 is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% where the property is held by a Fund for more than one year. Capital gain of a corporate shareholder is taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.

Conversely, if a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the 35% corporate tax rate. In such a case, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders of record on the last day of its taxable year treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

Distributions in excess of a Fund's current or accumulated earning 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; any excess will be treated as a capital gain from the sale of its shares, as discussed below.

Distributions by a Fund will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund (or of another fund).

Shareholders electing to receive dividends and distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the NAV of a share of each Fund on the reinvestment date.

Any dividends or distributions paid shortly after a purchase by an investor may have the effect of reducing the per share NAV of the investor's shares by the per share amount of the dividends or distributions. Furthermore, such dividends or distributions, although in effect a return of capital, are subject to federal income taxes. In addition, dividends, and capital gains

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distributions also may be subject to state and local income taxes. Therefore, prior to purchasing shares of each Fund, the investor should carefully consider the impact of dividends or capital gains distributions that are expected to be or have been announced.

Sale or Redemption of Shares

A shareholder will recognize gain or loss on the sale or redemption of Fund shares in an amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the sale or redemption and the shareholder' adjusted tax basis in the shares. All or a portion of any loss so recognized may be disallowed if the shareholder acquires other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before such disposition, such as pursuant to reinvestment of a dividend in shares of the Fund. Additionally, if a shareholder disposes of shares of a Fund within 90 days following their acquisition, and the shareholder subsequently re-acquires shares of the Fund pursuant to a reinvestment right received upon the purchase of the original shares, any load charge ( i.e. , sales or additional charge) incurred upon the acquisition of the original shares will not be taken into account as part of the shareholder's basis for computing profit or loss upon the sale of the shares.

In general, any gain or loss arising from (or treated as arising from) the sale of redemption of shares of a Fund will be considered capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received on (or undistributed capital gains credited with respect to) such shares. Capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. shareholder that is recognized before January 1, 2009 is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% where the property is held by the shareholder for more than one year. Capital gain of a corporate shareholder is taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.

The per share dividends on Class B, Class C, Class L, Class M and Class X shares will be lower than the per share dividends on Class A shares as a result of the higher distribution-related fee applicable to the Class B, Class C, Class L, Class M and Class X shares. The per share distributions of net capital gains, if any, will be paid in the same amount for Class A, Class B, Class C, Class L, Class M and Class X shares. See "Net Asset Value."

Foreign Shareholders

Dividends of net investment income and distributions of net short-term capital gains paid to a shareholder (including a shareholder acting as a nominee or fiduciary) who is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign entity foreign shareholder are subject to a 30% (or lower treaty rate) withholding tax upon the gross amount of the dividends unless, in general, the dividends are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder. Net capital gain distributions paid to a foreign shareholder are generally not subject to withholding tax. A foreign shareholder will, however, be required to pay U.S. income tax on any dividends and capital gain distributions that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the foreign shareholder. Foreign shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the particular tax consequences resulting from their investments in the Funds.

Unrelated Business Taxable Income

Generally, an exempt organization (including an individual retirement account) is exempt from U.S. federal income tax on its passive investment income, such as dividends, interest and capital gains. This general exemption from tax does not apply to the "unrelated business taxable income" ("UBTI") of an exempt organization. Generally, income and gain derived by an exempt organization from the ownership and sale of debt-financed property is UBTI and, thus, taxable in the proportion to which such property is financed by "acquisition indebtedness" during the relevant period of time. However, a tax-exempt U.S. person investing in a Fund will not realize UBTI with respect to an unleveraged investment in Shares. Tax-exempt U. S. persons are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the U. S. federal tax consequences of an investment in a Fund.

Backup Withholding

Each Fund will be required in certain cases to backup withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a portion of qualified dividend income, ordinary income dividends and capital gain dividends, and the proceeds of redemption of shares, paid to any shareholder (1) who has provided either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, (2) who is subject to backup withholding by the IRS for failure to report the receipt of interest or dividend income properly or (3) who has failed to certify to the Fund that it is not subject to backup withholding or that it is a corporation or other "exempt recipient". Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against a shareholder's federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

B-83



Foreign Taxes

Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Income tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine in advance the effective rate of foreign tax to which a Fund will be subject, since the amount of each Fund's assets to be invested in various countries will vary. The Funds do not expect to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code for "passing-through" to their shareholders any foreign income taxes paid for purposes of determining such shareholders foreign tax credit.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the federal, state and local tax consequences resulting from their investment in the Funds.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Trust's financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005, incorporated in this SAI by reference to the Trust's 2004 annual report to shareholders (File No. 811-9439), have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. You may obtain a copy of the Trust's annual report at no charge by request to the Trust by calling (800) 225-1852, or by writing to the Trust at Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102.

B-84



APPENDIX I-GENERAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION

The following terms are used in mutual fund investing.

Asset Allocation

Asset allocation is a technique for reducing risk and providing balance. Asset allocation among different types of securities within an overall investment portfolio helps to reduce risk and to potentially provide stable returns, while enabling investors to work toward their financial goal(s). Asset allocation is also a strategy to gain exposure to better performing asset classes while maintaining investment in other asset classes.

Diversification

Diversification is a time-honored technique for reducing risk, providing "balance" to an overall portfolio and potentially achieving more stable returns. Owning a portfolio of securities mitigates the individual risks (and returns) of any one security. Additionally, diversification among types of securities reduces the risks (and general returns) of any one type of security.

Duration

Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to interest rates. As interest rates fluctuate, the value of a bond (or a bond portfolio) will increase or decrease. Longer term bonds are generally more sensitive to changes in interest rates. When interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

Duration is an approximation of the price sensitivity of a bond (or a bond portfolio) to interest rate changes. It measures the weighted average maturity of a bond's (or a bond portfolio's) cash flows, i.e., principal and interest rate payments. Duration is expressed as a measure of time in years the longer the duration of a bond (or a bond portfolio), the greater the impact of interest rate changes on the bond's (or the bond portfolio's) price. Duration differs from effective maturity in that duration takes into account call provisions, coupon rates and other factors. Duration measures interest rate risk only and not other risks, such as credit risk and, in the case of non-U.S. dollar denominated securities, currency risk. Effective maturity measures the final maturity dates of a bond (or a bond portfolio).

Market Timing

Market timing-buying securities when prices are low and selling them when prices are relatively higher-may not work for many investors because it is impossible to predict with certainty how the price of a security will fluctuate. However, owning a security for a long period of time may help investors offset short-term price volatility and realize positive returns.

Power of Compounding

Over time, the compounding of returns can significantly impact investment returns. Compounding is the effect of continuous investment on long-term investment results, by which the proceeds of capital appreciation (and income distributions, if elected) are reinvested to contribute to the overall growth of assets. The long-term investment results of compounding may be greater than that of an equivalent initial investment in which the proceeds of capital appreciation and income distributions are taken in cash.

Standard Deviation

Standard deviation is an absolute (non-relative) measure of volatility that, for a mutual fund, depicts how widely the returns varied over a certain period of time. When a fund has a high standard deviation, its range of performance has been very wide, implying greater volatility potential. Standard deviation is only one of several measures of a fund's volatility.

I-1



APPENDIX II-DESCRIPTION OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND
RECORDKEEPING PROCEDURES

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated to the Manager the responsibility for voting any proxies and maintaining proxy recordkeeping with respect to the Funds. The Funds authorize the Manager to delegate, in whole or in part, its proxy voting authority to the adviser or third party vendors, consistent with the policies set forth below. The proxy voting process shall remain subject to the supervision of the Board of the fund, including any Committee thereof established for that purpose.

The Manager and the Board view the proxy voting process as a component of the investment process and, as such, seek to ensure that all proxy proposals are voted with the primary goal of seeking the optimal benefit for the Fund. Consistent with this goal, the Board views the proxy voting process as a means to encourage strong corporate governance practices and ethical conduct by corporate management. The Manager and the Board maintain a policy of seeking to protect the best interests of the Fund should a proxy issue potentially implicate a conflict of interest between the Fund and the Manager or its affiliates.

The Manager delegates to each Fund's advisers the responsibility for voting the Fund's proxies. The adviser is expected to identify and seek to obtain the optimal benefit for each Fund it manages, and to adopt written policies that meet certain minimum standards, including that the policies be reasonably designed to protect the best interests of the Fund and delineate procedures to be followed when a proxy vote presents a conflict between the interests of the Fund and the interests of the adviser or its affiliates. The Manager expects that the adviser will notify the Manager at least annually of any such conflicts identified and confirm how the issue was resolved. In addition, the Manager expects that the adviser will deliver to the Manager, or its appointed vendor, information required for filing Form N-PX with the SEC.

A copy of the proxy voting policies of each Fund's Subadvisers follows

EARNEST Partners, LLC

Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC

Jennison Associates LLC

Lee Munder Investments Ltd.

PIMCO

JP Morgan Investment Management

NFJ Investment Group

RS Investment Management, LP (RS Investments)

Transamerica Investment Management LLC (formerly Westcap Investors, LLC)

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P.

II-1



APPENDIX II-I

EARNEST PARTNERS

PROXY VOTING POLICIES

II-2



SUMMARY PROXY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Proxy Policies

The best interest of clients and plan participants (the "Client") will be the sole consideration of EARNEST Partners (the "Adviser") when voting proxies of portfolio companies. Each proxy issue will receive individual consideration based on the relevant facts and circumstances. As a general rule, the Adviser will vote against actions which would reduce the rights or options of shareholders, reduce shareholder influence over the board of directors and management, reduce the alignment of interests between management and shareholders, or reduce the value of shareholders' investments. Following is a partial list of issues that require special attention: classified boards, change of state of incorporation, poison pills, unequal voting rights plans, provisions requiring supermajority approval of a merger, executive severance agreements, and provisions limiting shareholder rights.

In addition, the following will be adhered to unless the Adviser is instructed otherwise in writing by the Client:

•  The Adviser will not actively engage in conduct that involves an attempt to change or influence the control of a portfolio company.

•  The Adviser will not announce its voting intentions or the reasons for a particular vote.

•  The Advisor will not participate in a proxy solicitation or otherwise seek proxy voting authority from any other portfolio company shareholder.

•  The Adviser will not act in concert with any other portfolio company shareholders in connection with any proxy issue or other activity involving the control or management of a portfolio company.

•  All communications with portfolio companies or fellow shareholders will be for the sole purpose of expressing and discussing the Adviser's concerns for its Clients' interests and not in an attempt to influence the control of management.

With respect to ERISA accounts, the Adviser will act prudently, solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to them. It is the Adviser's policy to fully comply with all ERISA provisions regarding proxy voting for ERISA accounts and to the extent possible, amend its policies and procedures from time to time to reflect the Department of Labor's views of the proxy voting duties and obligations imposed by ERISA with respect to ERISA accounts.

Proxy Procedures

The Adviser has designated a Proxy Director. The Proxy Director will consider each issue presented on each portfolio company proxy. Proxy issues presented to the Proxy Director will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the Proxy Director, taking into account the general policies outlined above. In the case where the Adviser has a material conflict of interest with a Client, the Proxy Director will utilize the services of outside third party professionals (such as Institutional Shareholder Services) to assist in its analysis of voting issues and the actual voting of proxies to ensure that a decision to vote the proxies was based on the Client's best interest and was not the product of a conflict of interest. In the event the services of an outside third party professional are not available in connection with a conflict of interest, the Adviser will seek the advice of the Client. The circumstances underlying each proxy issue will be given careful individual attention. The Proxy Director will also use all available resources, including proxy evaluation services, to assist in the analysis of proxy issues.

A detailed description of the Adviser's specific proxy voting guidelines will be furnished upon request. You may also obtain information about how the Adviser has voted with respect to portfolio company securities by calling, writing, or emailing us at:

EARNEST Partners
75 Fourteenth Street, Suite 2300
Atlanta, GA 30309
invest@earnestpartners.com
404-815-8772

The Adviser reserves the right to change these policies and procedures at any time without notice.  

 

II-3



APPENDIX II-II

HOTCHKIS AND WILEY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

II-4



HOTCHKIS AND WILEY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SUMMARY

HWCM acts as disc retionary investment adviser for various clients, including clients governed by the Employee Retirem ent Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). Unless a client (including a "named fiduciary" under ERIS A) specifically reserves the right to vote its own proxies, HWCM will vote all proxies in sufficient time prior to their deadlines as part of its full discretionary authority over the assets.

When vot ing proxies for clients, HWCM's primary concern is that all decisions be made solely in the best int erest of the shareholder (for ERISA accounts, plan beneficiaries and participants, in accordance wit h the letter and spirit of ERISA). HWCM will act in a manner it deems prudent and diligent and which is intended to enhance the economic value of the assets of the account.

Each proxy issue will be co nsidered individually. Under ERISA standards, it is inappropriate to use (vote) plan assets to carry out social agendas or purposes. Thus, shareholder proposals are examined closely for their relation ship to the best interest of beneficiaries, and economic impact. In general, HWCM will vote in accor dance with the recommendation of the company's board of directors on all shareholder proposals. Howe ver, HWCM will support shareholder proposals that are consistent with HWCM's proxy voting guidelines for board-approved proposals

Due to the nature of HWCM's business and its small size, it is unlikel y that conflicts of interest will arise in voting proxies of public companies,. However, if a potent ial conflict of interest did arise it would typically be a proxy for a company that is also HWCM's c lient. In this event, the Compliance Department will review these votes to make sure that HWCM's pro posed votes are consistent with the established guidelines and not prompted by any conflict of inter est.

HWCM's Portfolio Services Department is responsible for ensuring that all proxies received by H WCM are voted in a timely manner and voted consistently across all portfolios. Although many proxy p roposals can be voted in accordance with our established guidelines, we recognize that some proposal s require special consideration, which may dictate that we make an exception to our broad guidelines .

HWCM subscribes to an independent third party proxy research firm which provides analysis and reco mmendation for company proxies. On specific items where the board-approved recommendation and the re search firm's recommendation do not agree, HWCM will generally approve the board-approved recommenda tion if it is consistent with our established guidelines. The HWCM analyst responsible for research for the company makes a determination on how to vote the proxies using our established guidelines.

W henever HWCM is proposing to vote against the board-approved recommendations or against its establis hed guidelines, the Compliance Department will review these votes to make sure that HWCM's proposed vote is not prompted by any conflict of interest.

II-5



APPENDIX II-III 

JENNISON ASSOCIATES



JENNISON ASSOCIATES LLC PROXY VOTING POLICY SUMMARY

Jennison Associates LLC ("Jennison") actively manages publicly traded equity securities and fixed income securities. It is the policy of Jennison that where proxy voting authority has been delegated to and accepted by Jennison, all proxies shall be voted by investment professionals in the best interest of the client without regard to the interests of Jennison or other related parties, based on recommendations as determined by pre-established guidelines either adopted by Jennison or provided by the client. Secondary consideration may be given to the public and social value of each issue. For purposes of this policy, the "best interests of clients" shall mean, unless otherwise specified by the client, the clients' best economic interests over the long term-that is, the common interest that all clients share in seeing the value of a common investment increase over time. Any proxy vote that may represent a potential material conflict is reviewed by Jennison Compliance and referred to the Proxy Voting Committee to determine how to vote the proxy if Compliance determines that a material conflict exists.

In voting proxies for international holdings, we will generally apply the same principles as those for U.S. holdings. However, in some countries, voting proxies result in additional restrictions that have an economic impact or cost to the security, such as "share blocking", where Jennison would be restricted from selling the shares of the security for a period of time if Jennison exercised its ability to vote the proxy. As such, we consider whether the vote, either itself or together with the votes of other shareholders, is expected to have an effect on the value of the investment that will outweigh the cost of voting. Our policy is to not vote these types of proxies when the cost far outweighs the benefit of voting, as in share blocking.

It is further the policy of Jennison that complete and accurate disclosure concerning its proxy voting policies and procedures and proxy voting records, as required by the Advisers Act, is to be made available to clients.

II-7



APPENDIX II-IV

LEE MUNDER INVESTMENTS LTD. L.P.

II-8



LEE MUNDER CAPITAL GROUP
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINE SUMMARY

Voting Guidelines for the Lee Munder Capital Group (the "Firm") are outlined below and generally seek to maximize shareholder value.

Board of Directors: Our investment strategies seek to favor companies in which we believe there is positive growth potential or other attributes. We generally do not take positions in companies with the intent of effecting change. As a result, we would normally vote in favor of the Board slate presented. However, there are some actions by directors that would result in votes being withheld. These instances may include: unsatisfactory attendance; actions that appear to not be in the best interests of shareholders, including implementation of poison pills, ignoring a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of the shares outstanding, failing to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders have tendered their shares; where such directors are inside directors and the inside directors represent a large percentage of the board, and may also sit on the audit, compensation, or nominating committees; directors who enacted egregious corporate governance polices or fail to replace management as appropriate would be subject to recommendations to withhold votes. Auditors: We would generally vote in favor of the Board recommendation, unless an auditor has financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; or there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company's financial position. Option plans: Option plans are generally reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The major factor we consider is dilution (no more than 10%-12%), although reload and re-pricing options also factor in (which we do not support either). We will also consider the shareholder cost of the plan. Employee stock purchase plans: We would review on a case-by-case basis, however, pricing is an important factor, where in general we would support a purchase price at least 85 percent of fair market value. We would vote against proposals to eliminate cumulative voting. Vote for proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting on a case-by-case basis relative to the company's other governance provisions. We would vote against proposals to classify the board and vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually. We would vote against open-ended "any other business". Mergers and Corporate restructuring: Would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Other Proposals: Generally reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Shareholder proposals: Would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Conflicts of Interest: Could exist when the Firm holds a security issued by a client in client portfolios, and the Firm is required to vote that security. When there is a potential conflict with a client the Firm will look to these Guidelines and the ISS recommendation for voting guidance.

II-9



APPENDIX II-V

PIMCO

II-10



PACIFIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC
DESCRIPTION OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Pacific Investment Management Company LLC ("PIMCO") has adopted written proxy voting policies and procedures ("Proxy Policy") as required by Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. PIMCO has implemented the Proxy Policy for each of its clients as required under applicable law, unless expressly directed by a client in writing to refrain from voting that client's proxies. Recognizing that proxy voting is a rare event in the realm of fixed income investing and is typically limited to solicitation of consent to changes in features of debt securities, the Proxy Policy also applies to any voting rights and/or consent rights of PIMCO, on behalf of its clients, with respect to debt securities, including but not limited to, plans of reorganization, and waivers and consents under applicable indentures.

The Proxy Policy is designed and implemented in a manner reasonably expected to ensure that voting and consent rights are exercised in the best interests of PIMCO's clients. Each proxy is voted on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration any relevant contractual obligations as well as other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote. In general, PIMCO reviews and considers corporate governance issues related to proxy matters and generally supports proposals that foster good corporate governance practices. PIMCO may vote proxies as recommended by management on routine matters related to the operation of the issuer and on matters not expected to have a significant economic impact on the issuer and/or its shareholders.

PIMCO will supervise and periodically review its proxy voting activities and implementation of the Proxy Policy. PIMCO will review each proxy to determine whether there may be a material conflict between PIMCO and its client. If no conflict exists, the proxy will be forwarded to the appropriate portfolio manager for consideration. If a conflict does exist, PIMCO will seek to resolve any such conflict in accordance with the Proxy Policy. PIMCO seeks to resolve any material conflicts of interest by voting in good faith in the best interest of its clients. If a material conflict of interest should arise, PIMCO will seek to resolve such conflict in the client's best interest by pursuing any one of the following courses of action: (i) convening a committee to assess and resolve the conflict; (ii) voting in accordance with the instructions of the client; (iii) voting in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third-party service provider; (iv) suggesting that the client engage another party to determine how the proxy should be voted; (v) delegating the vote to a third-party service provider; or (vi) voting in accordance with the factors discussed in the Proxy Policy.

Clients may obtain a copy of PIMCO's written Proxy Policy and the factors that PIMCO may consider in determining how to vote a client's proxy. Except as required by law, PIMCO will not disclose to third parties how it voted on behalf of a client. However, upon request from an appropriately authorized individual, PIMCO will disclose to its clients or the entity delegating the voting authority to PIMCO for such clients, how PIMCO voted such client's proxy. In addition, a client may obtain copies of PIMCO's Proxy Policy and information as to how its proxies have been voted by contacting PIMCO.

II-11



APPENDIX II-VI

J.P MORGAN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.

GLOBAL PROXY VOTING
PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES

2003 Edition

July 1, 2003

PX-PROC-703

01077

II-12



VOTING POLICY

As an investment adviser within JPMorgan Asset Management, each of the entities listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (each referred to individually as a "JPMAM Entity" and collectively as "JPMAM"), may be granted by their clients the authority to vote the proxies of the securities held in client portfolios. To ensure that the proxies are voted in the best interests of its clients, JPMAM has adopted detailed proxy voting procedures ("Procedures") that incorporate detailed proxy guidelines ("Guidelines") for voting proxies on specific types of issues. The JPMorgan Funds, with the exception of JPMorgan Value Opportunities Fund, JPMorgan Multi-Manager Small Cap Growth Fund and the portion of the JPMorgan Multi-Manager Small Cap Value Fund not sub-advised by JPMIM, Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Growth Fund, Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund, and Undiscovered Managers Small Cap Growth Fund, have granted JPMAM the authority to vote proxies for the Funds in accordance with these Procedures and Guidelines.* The JPMorgan Value Opportunities Fund votes proxies in accordance with its own voting policies. The JPMorgan Multi-Manager Small Cap Growth Fund and the portion of the JPMorgan Multi-Manager Small Cap Value Fund that is not sub-advised by JPMIM, vote proxies in accordance with the voting policies of their subadvisers. The Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Growth Fund, Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund and Undiscovered Managers Small Cap Growth Fund vote proxies in accordance with the voting policies of their subadvisers.

JPMAM currently has separate guidelines for each of the following regions: (1) North America, (2) Europe, Middle East, Africa, Central America and South America, (3) Asia (ex-Japan) and (4) Japan. As a general rule, in voting proxies of a particular security, each JPMAM Entity will apply the guidelines of the region in which the issuer of such security is organized.

Pursuant to the Procedures, most routine proxy matters will be voted in accordance with the Guidelines, which have been developed with the objective of encouraging corporate action that enhances shareholder value. For proxy matters that are not covered by the Guidelines, matters that require a case-by-case determination or where a vote contrary to the Guidelines is considered appropriate, the Procedures require a certification and review process to be completed before the vote is cast. That process is designed to identify actual or potential material conflicts of interest and ensure that the proxy vote is cast in the best interests of clients.

To oversee and monitor the proxy-voting process, each JPMAM advisory entity has established a proxy committee and appointed a proxy administrator in each global location where proxies are voted. Each proxy committee will meet periodically to review general proxy-voting matters, review and approve the Guidelines annually, and provide advice and recommendations on general proxy-voting matters as well as on specific voting issues implemented by the relevant JPMAM entity. The procedures permit an independent proxy voting service to perform certain services otherwise carried out or coordinated by the proxy administrator.

A copy of the JPMAM Global Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines, the JPMorgan Value Opportunities Fund Proxy Voting Procedures and Policy, and the policies of the subadvisers to the JPMorgan Multi-Manager Small Cap Growth Fund, the JPMorgan Multi-Manager Small Cap Value Fund, Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Growth Fund, Undiscovered Managers Behavioral Value Fund, and Undiscovered Managers Small Cap Growth Fund are available upon request by contacting our Service Center at 1-800-480-4111.

*The JPMorgan Multi-Manager Funds are only available through JPMorgan Private Bank.

II-13



EXHIBIT A

JPMorgan High Yield Partners LLC

JPMorgan Investment Advisors Inc.

Bank One Trust Company, NA

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA

J.P. Morgan Fleming Asset Management (London) Limited

J.P. Morgan Fleming Asset Management (UK) Limited

J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.

J.P. Morgan Investment Management Limited

JF Asset Management Limited

JF Asset Management (Singapore) Limited

JF International Management Inc.

Security Capital Research & Management Incorporated

II-14



APPENDIX II-VII

NFJ INVESTMENT GROUP LP

PART II FORM ADV DISCLOSURE

GENERAL PROXY VOTING POLICY

NFJ INVESTMENT GROUP L.P. (the "Company") typically votes proxies as part of its discretionary authority to manage accounts, unless the client has explicitly reserved the authority for itself. When voting proxies, the Company's primary objective is to make voting decisions solely in the best economic interests of its clients. The Company will act in a manner that it deems prudent and diligent and which is intended to enhance the economic value of the underlying portfolio securities held in its clients' accounts.

The Company has adopted written Proxy Policy Guidelines and Procedures (the "Proxy Guidelines") that are reasonably designed to ensure that the Company is voting in the best interest of its clients. The Proxy Guidelines reflect the Company's general voting positions on specific corporate governance issues and corporate actions. Some issues may require a case by case analysis prior to voting and may result in a vote being cast that will deviate from the Proxy Guideline. Upon receipt of a client's written request, the Company may also vote proxies for that client's account in a particular manner that may differ from the Proxy Guideline. Deviation from the Proxy Guidelines will be documented and maintained in accordance with Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

In accordance with the Proxy Guidelines, the Company may review additional criteria associated with voting proxies and evaluate the expected benefit to its clients when making an overall determination on how or whether to vote the proxy. The Company may vote proxies individually for an account or aggregate and record votes across a group of accounts, strategy or product. In addition, the Company may refrain from voting a proxy on behalf of its clients' accounts due to de-minimis holdings, impact on the portfolio, items relating to foreign issuers, timing issues related to the opening/closing of accounts and contractual arrangements with clients and/or their authorized delegate. For example, the Company may refrain from voting a proxy of a foreign issuer due to logistical considerations that may have a detrimental effect on the Company's ability to vote the proxy. These issues may include, but are not limited to: (i) proxy statements and ballots being written in a foreign language, (ii) untimely notice of a shareholder meeting, (iii) requirements to vote proxies in person, (iv) restrictions on foreigner's ability to exercise votes, (v) restrictions on the sale of securities for a period of time in proximity to the shareholder meeting, or (vi) requirements to provide local agents with power of attorney to facilitate the voting instructions. Such proxies are voted on a best-efforts basis.

To assist in the proxy voting process, the Company may retain an independent third party service provider to assist in providing research, analysis and voting recommendations on corporate governance issues and corporate actions as well as assist in the administrative process. The services provided offer a variety of proxy-related services to assist in the Company's handling of proxy voting responsibilities.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The Company may have conflicts of interest that can affect how it votes its clients' proxies. For example, the Company or an affiliate may manage a pension plan whose management is sponsoring a proxy proposal. The Proxy Guidelines are designed to prevent material conflicts of interest from affecting the manner in which the Company votes its clients' proxies. In order to ensure that all material conflicts of interest are addressed appropriately while carrying out its obligation to vote proxies, the Chief Investment Officer of the Company may designate an employee or a proxy committee to be responsible for addressing how the Company resolves such material conflicts of interest with its clients.

To obtain a copy of the Policy Guidelines or to obtain information on how your account's securities were voted, please contact your account representative.

II-15



APPENDIX II-VIII

RS Investment Management, L.P.
RS Investment Management, Inc.
RS Growth Group LLC
RS Value Group LLC

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Each of the RS investment advisory firms (each, an "Adviser") has adopted policies and procedures (the "Policies") that govern how it votes proxies relating to securities owned by its advisory clients for which the Adviser exercises voting authority and discretion (the "Proxies"). The advisory clients for which the Advisers vote Proxies are registered investment companies and certain other institutional accounts. The Policies do not apply to any client that has explicitly retained authority and discretion to vote its own proxies or delegated that authority and discretion to a third party.

The guiding principle by which the Advisers vote on all matters submitted to security holders is to act in a manner consistent with the best interest of their clients, without subrogating the clients' interests to those of the Advisers. The Policies are designed to ensure that material conflicts of interest on the part of an Adviser or its affiliates do not affect voting decisions on behalf of the Advisers' clients.

The Advisers have adopted detailed proxy voting guidelines (the "Guidelines") that set forth how they plan to vote on specific matters presented for shareholder vote. In most cases, the Guidelines state specifically whether Proxies will be voted by the Advisers for or against a particular type of proposal. The indicated vote in the Guidelines is the governing position on any matter specifically addressed by the Guidelines.

Because the Guidelines have been pre-established by the Advisers, voting of Proxies in accordance with the Guidelines is intended to limit the possibility that any conflict of interest might motivate an Adviser's voting decision with respect to a proposal. However, an Adviser is permitted to override the Guidelines (an "Override") with respect to a particular shareholder vote when the Adviser believes the Override to be in a client's best interest. In addition, there may be situations involving matters presented for shareholder vote that are not governed by the Guidelines (any such vote being a "Special Vote"). In connection with any Override or Special Vote, a determination is made by the Advisers' chief compliance officer whether there is any material conflict of interest between the Adviser, on the one hand, and the relevant advisory clients, on the other, arising out of the provision of certain services or products by an Adviser to the company on whose behalf Proxies are being solicited, personal shareholdings of any Adviser personnel in the company, or any other relevant material conflict of interest. Any such determination must be reviewed by the chief operating officer of the Advisers.

Certain aspects of the administration of the Policies are governed by a Proxy Policy Committee comprised of senior management personnel and compliance personnel. The Committee oversees the Proxy voting process generally and may be consulted in specific cases concerning the voting of Proxies.

The Advisers have retained Investor Responsibility Research Center ("IRRC") to handle the administrative aspects of voting proxies for the accounts of our advisory clients. IRRC monitors the accounts and their holdings to be sure that all Proxies are received and votes are cast. In addition, the Advisers' compliance department monitors matters presented for shareholder votes and tracks the voting of the Proxies on a regular basis.

Clients may obtain a copy of the Policies and information regarding how the Advisers have voted securities held in their accounts, by contacting John Sanders at (415) 591-2768.

The Policies are subject to change at any time without notice.

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APPENDIX II-IX

WESTCAP INVESTORS, LLC*

PROXY POLICY & PROCEDURES

A.  Policy

Westcap acts as investment manager or inv estment adviser for various clients, including clients governed by the Employee Retirement Income Se curity Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). As "investment manager" or "investment adviser" we vote proxies as par t of our authority to manage, acquire and dispose of account assets when delegated by the client (or for ERISA accounts, unless the "named fiduciary" has explicitly reserved that authority for itself) . When voting proxies for clients, our utmost concern is that all decisions be made solely in the be st interest of our clients (for ERISA accounts, "plan beneficiaries and participants", in accordance with the letter and spirit of ERISA) in their capacity as shareholders. We will act in a manner we deem prudent and diligent and which is intended to enhance the economic value of the assets of the a ccount.

B.  Purpose

The purpose of these Proxy Policy and Procedures is to memorialize the procedures and policies adopted by Westcap to enable it to comply with its accepted responsibilities.

C.  Procedures

The Proxy Policy Committee ("PPC") is responsible for establishing the guidelines by which we vote our proxies. The Proxy Administrator is responsible for reviewing the proxy proposals to determ ine which proposals may be voted in accordance with previously established guidelines or precedents. The proposals which are not clearly governed by the guidelines will require the further review and approval of the members of PPC. In addition, PPC will meet briefly whenever necessary or desirable t o review proxy voting matters.

While how best to vote a proxy to maximize investment return may not be clear or be able to be decided with certainty in all cases, Westcap will exercise its best judgme nt to vote proxies so as to maximize investment return.

* The proxy policy summary set forth herein is the proxy policy summary for Westcap Investors. Transamerica Investment Management LLC has advised that it intends to adopt a new proxy voting policy in the near future, which is expected to replace the existing proxy policy summary for Westcap Investors.

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APPENDIX II-X

VAUGHAN NELSON INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P.

DESCRIPTION OF PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Policy

Vaughan Nelson undertakes to vote all client proxies in a manner reasonably expected to ensure the client's best interest is upheld and in a manner that does not subrogate the client's best interest to that of the firm's in instances where a material conflict exists.

Approach

Vaughan Nelson has created a Proxy Voting Guideline ("Guideline") believed to be in the best interest of clients relating to common and recurring issues found within proxy voting material. The Guideline is the work product of Vaughan Nelson's Investment Committee and it considers the nature of it's business, the types of securities being managed and other sources of information including, but not limited to, research provided by an independent research firm (Institutional Shareholder Services), internal research, published information on corporate governance and experience. The Guideline helps to ensure voting consistency on issues common amongst issuers and to serve as evidence that a vote was not the product of a conflict of interest but rather a vote in accordance with a pre-determined policy. However, in many recurring and common proxy issues a "blanket voting approach" cannot be applied. In these instances the Guideline indicates that such issues will be addressed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with a portfolio manager to determine how to vote the issue in your best interest.

Vaughan Nelson in executing their duty to vote proxies, may encounter a material conflict of interest. Vaughan Nelson does not envision a large number of situations where a conflict of interest would exist, if any, given the nature of Vaughan Nelson's business, client base, relationships, the types of securities managed and the fact Vaughan Nelson is not affiliated with an investment banking or similar firm. Notwithstanding, if a conflict of interest arises we will undertake to vote the proxy or proxy issue in your continued best interest. This will be accomplished by either casting the vote in accordance with the Guideline, if the application of such policy to the issue at hand involves little discretion on Vaughan Nelson's part, or casting the vote as indicated by the independent third-party research firm, Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS").

Finally, there may be circumstances or situations that may preclude or limit the manner in which a proxy is voted. These may include: 1) Mutual funds-whereby voting may be controlled by restrictions within the fund or the actions of authorized persons, 2) International Securities-whereby the perceived benefit of voting an international proxy does not outweigh the anticipated costs of doing so, 3) New Accounts-instances where security holdings assumed will be sold in the near term thereby limiting any benefit to be obtained by a vote of proxy material, or 4) Unsupervised Securities-where the firm does not have a basis on which to offer advice.

In summary, Vaughan Nelson's goal is to vote proxy material in a manner that is believed to assist in maximizing the value of a portfolio.

Vaughan Nelson's procedures in practice involve forwarding a listing of client holdings to ISS each day in order to assist with identifying upcoming proxy votes. Vaughan Nelson arranges for the custodians associated with each client to forward all client proxy forms to ISS. Once a "proxy analysis" is received from ISS the individual issues are matched to the Vaughan Nelson Proxy Voting Guideline. Areas not covered by the Guideline (such as votes on mergers/acquisitions) are routed to the portfolio manager for vote indications. Completed proxy analyses are voted electronically through an interface with ISS who then completes the actual proxy vote on Vaughan Nelson's behalf. All analyses with vote indications are retained. Reports concerning votes made on behalf of an account are accessible through ISS.

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PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 23. Exhibits.

(a)  (1) Certificate of Trust. Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N1- A filed on July 9, 1999 (File No. 333-82621).

(2) Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated September 4, 2001. Incorporated by reference to Post Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on September 30, 2002.

(3) Agreement and Declaration of Trust. Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on July 9, 1999 (File No. 333-82621).

(4) Certificate of Correction of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated May 14, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on September 30, 2002.

(b)  By-Laws, amended as of November 16, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(c)  In response to this item, Registrant incorporates by reference the following provisions of its Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, filed herewith as Exhibit (a)(3) and Exhibit (b), defining the rights of the Trust's shareholders: Articles III and V of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Article III of the By-Laws.

(d)  (1) Management Agreement between Registrant and Prudential Investments Fund Management LLC (now known as Prudential Investments LLC) (PI). Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 30, 2000. 

(i)  Amendment to Management Agreement between Registrant and Prudential Investments Fund Management LLC.

(2) (i)  Subadvisory Agreement between PI and J. P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 31, 2000.

(ii)  Subadvisory Agreement between PI and Transamerica Investment Management LLC. Filed herewith.

(iii)  Subadvisory Agreement between PI and Jennison Associates LLC. Filed herewith.

(iv)  Subadvisory Agreement between PI and Pacific Investment Management Company. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 31, 2000.

(v)  Subadvisory Agreement between PI and Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC ("Hotchkis and Wiley"). Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on September 30, 2002.

(vi)  Subadvisory Agreement between PI and Robert Fleming Inc. (d/b/a J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 31, 2000.

(vii)  Subadvisory Agreement between PI and EARNEST Partners, LLC ("EARNEST") dated December 13, 2001. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on September 30, 2002.

(vii)  Form of Subadvisory Agreement between PI and RS Investments. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(ix)  Subadvisory Agreement between PI and NFJ Investment Group, L.P. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(x)  Form of Subadvisory Agreement between PI and Lee Munder Capital Group L.P. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

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(xi)  Form of Subadvisory Agreement between PI and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(e)  (1) Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS). Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 31, 2000 (File No. 333-82621).

(2) Selected Dealer Agreement. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement filed on Form N1-A on August 1, 2000 (File No. 333-82621).

(f)  Not applicable.

(g)  (1) Custodian Contract between the Registrant and The Bank of New York (BNY) dated November 7, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement filed on Form N1-A on October 2, 2003 (File No. 333-82621).

(2) Form of Custodian Services Agreement between the Registrant and PFPC Trust Company (PFPC) dated July 1, 2005. Filed herewith.

(h)  (1) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 31, 2000 (File No. 333-82621).

(2) Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated September 4, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 2, 2003 (File No. 333-82621).

(i)  Opinion of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell dated September 27, 2002. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on September 30, 2002.

(j)  Consent of independent registered public accounting firm. Filed herewith.

(k)  Not applicable.

(l)  Not applicable.

(m)  (1) 12b-1 Fee Waivers and Expense Limitations for Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Filed herewith.

(2) (i)  Distribution and Service Plan for Class L Shares of Small Cap Value Fund. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(ii)  Distribution and Service Plan for Class L Shares of Total Return Bond Fund. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2)(ii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(3) (i)  Distribution and Service Plan for Class M Shares of Small Cap Value Fund. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(ii)  Distribution and Service Plan for Class M Shares of Total Return Bond Fund. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(1i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(4) (i)  Distribution and Service Plan for Class X Shares of Small Cap Value Fund. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(ii)  Distribution and Service Plan for Class X Shares of Total Return Bond Fund. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(ii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(n)  Rule 18f-3 Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

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(p)  (1) Amended Code of Ethics of Registrant. Filed herewith.

(2) Amended Code of Ethics of PI and PIMS (Personal Securities Trading Policy). Filed herewith.

(3) Code of Ethics of J. P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 31, 2000 (File No. 333-82621).

(4) Code of Ethics of Transamerica Investment Management LLC. Filed herewith.

(5) Code of Ethics of NFJ Investment Group. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement filed on Form N1-A on October 2, 2003.

(6)  Code of Ethics of Pacific Investment Management Company. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 31, 2000 (File No. 333-82621)

(7) Code of Ethics of Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(8) Code of Ethics of Robert Fleming Inc. (d/b/a J. P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.)

(9) Code of Ethics of EARNEST Partners, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on September 30, 2002.

(10) Code of Ethics of RS Investments. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on October 2, 2003.

(11) Code of Ethics of Lee Munder Capital Group L.P. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(13) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N1-A filed on November 22, 2004.

(12) Code of Ethics of Jennison Associates LLC. Filed herewith.

(q)  Powers of attorney. Filed herewith.

Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.

Not Applicable.

Item 25. Indemnification.

As permitted by Sections 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and pursuant to Article VII of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust (Exhibit (a)(3) to this Registration Statement) and Article XI of the Trust's By-Laws (Exhibit (b) to the Registration Statement), officers, trustees, employees and agents of Registrant will not be liable to Registrant, any stockholder, officer, director, employee, agent or other person for any action or failure to act, except for bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties, and those individuals may be indemnified against liabilities in connection with Registrant, subject to the same exceptions. Section 3817 of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act permits indemnification of trustees who acted in good faith and reasonably believed that the conduct was in the best interest of the Trust. As permitted by Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act, pursuant to Section 10 of the Distribution Agreement (Exhibit (e)(1) to this Registration Statement), the Distributor of Registrant may be indemnified against liabilities which it may incur, except liabilities arising from bad faith, gross negligence, willful misfeasance or reckless disregard of duties.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1940 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against Registrant by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the shares being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1940 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Registrant has purchased an insurance policy insuring its officers and trustees against liabilities, and certain costs of defending claims against such officers and trustees, to the extent such officers and trustees are not found to have committed conduct constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. The insurance policy also insures Registrant against the cost of indemnification payments to officers and trustees under certain circumstances.

Section 8 of the Management Agreement (Exhibit (d)(1) to the Registration Statement) and Section 4 of the Subadvisory Agreements (Exhibits (d)(2)(i) through (xi) to the Registration Statement) limit the liability of PI and each Adviser, respectively, to liabilities arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their respective duties or from reckless disregard by them of their respective obligations and duties under the agreements.

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Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification provisions of its By-Laws and the Distribution Agreement in a manner consistent with Release No. 11330 of the Commission under the 1940 Act as long as the interpretation of Section 17(h) and 17(i) of such Act remains in effect and is consistently applied.

Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.

(a)  PI

See "How the Trust is Managed-Manager" in the Prospectuses constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Investment Advisory and Other Services" in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) constituting Part B of this Registration Statement.

The business and other connections of the directors and officers of PI are listed in Schedules A and D of Form ADV of PI as currently on file with the Commission, as most recently amended (File No. 801-31104).

(b)  J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (J.P. Morgan)

See "How the Trust is Managed-Advisers and Portfolio Managers" in the Prospectuses constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Investment Advisory and Other Services-Manager and Advisers" in the SAI.

Information as to J.P. Morgan's directors and executive officers is included in its Form ADV filed with the Commission (File No. 801-21011), as most recently amended, the relevant text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(c)  Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC (Hotchkis and Wiley)

See "How the Trust is Managed-Advisers and Portfolio Managers" in the Prospectus constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Manager and Advisers" in the SAI.

Information as to Hotchkis and Wiley is included in the Form ADV of Hotchkis and Wiley filed with the Commission (File No. 801-60512), as most recently amended, the relevant text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(d)  Transamerica Investment Management LLC (Transamerica)

See "How the Trust is Managed-Advisers and Portfolio Managers" in the Prospectuses constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Investment Advisory and Other Services-Manager and Advisers" in the SAI.

Information as to Transamerica is included in its Form ADV filed with Commission (File No. 801-_________), as most recently amended, the relevant text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(e)  Lee Munder Capital Group L.P. (Lee Munder)

See "How the Trust is Managed-Advisers and Portfolio Managers" in the Prospectuses constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Investment Advisory and Other Services-Manager and Advisers" in the SAI.

Information as to the general members of Lee Munder is included in its Form ADV filed with the Commission (File No. 801-57397), as most recently amended, the relevant text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(f)  Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO)

See "How the Trust is Managed-Advisers and Portfolio Managers" in the Prospectuses constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Investment Advisory and Other Services-Manager and Advisers" in the SAI.

Information as to PIMCO's partners is included in its Form ADV filed with the Commission (File No. 801-7260), as most recently amended, the relevant text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(g)  EARNEST Partners, LLC (EARNEST)

See "How the Trust is Managed-Advisers and Portfolio Managers" in the Prospectuses constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Manager and Advisers" in the SAI.

Information as to EARNEST's directors and executive officers is included in its Form ADV filed with the Commission (File No. 801-56189), as most recently amended, the relevant text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(h)  Jennison Associates LLC (Jennison)

See "How the Fund is Managed-Subadviser and Portfolio Managers" in the Jennison Conservative Growth Fund Prospectus constituting a portion of Part A of this Registration Statement and "Manager and Advisers" in the SAI.

Information as to Oak's directors and executive officers is included in its Form ADV filed with the Commission (File No. 801-23632), as most recently amended, the relevant text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(i)  NFJ Investment Group (NFJ)

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See "How the Trust is Managed-Advisers and Portfolio Managers" in the Prospectuses constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Manager and Advisers" in the SAI.

Information as to NFJ directors and executive officers is included in its Form ADV filed with the Commission (801-47940), as most recently amended, the relevant text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(j)  RS Investment Management, LP (RS Investments)

See "How the Trust is Managed-Advisers and Portfolio Managers" in the Prospectus constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Investment Advisory and Other Services-Manager and Advisers" in the SAI.

Information as to RS Investments directors and executive officers is included in its Form ADV filed with the Commission (File No. 801-44125), as most recently amended, the relevant text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 27. Principal Underwriters.

(a)  Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS)

PIMS is distributor for Cash Accumulation Trust, Dryden Ultra Short Bond Fund, Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc (Nicholas-Applegate Growth Equity Fund), Dryden California Municipal Fund, Jennison Equity Fund, Inc., Prudential's Gibraltar Fund, Inc., Dryden Global Total Return Fund, Inc., Dryden Government Income Fund, Inc., Dryden Government Securities Trust, Dryden High Yield Fund, Inc., Dryden Index Series Fund, Prudential Institutional Liquidity Portfolio, Inc., MoneyMart Assets, Inc., Dryden Municipal Bond Fund, Dryden Municipal Series Fund, Jennison Natural Resources Fund, Inc., Strategic Partners Real Estate Fund, Jennison Sector Funds, Inc., Dryden Short-Term Bond Fund, Inc., Jennison Small Company Fund, Inc., Prudential Tax-Free Money Fund, Inc., Dryden Tax-Managed Funds, Dryden Tax-Managed Small Cap Fund, Inc., Dryden Total Return Bond Fund, Inc., Jennison 20/20 Focus Fund, Jennison U.S. Emerging Growth Fund, Inc., Jennison Value Fund, Prudential World Fund, Inc., Special Money Market Fund, Inc., Strategic Partners Asset Allocation Funds, Strategic Partners Opportunity Funds, Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds, Strategic Partners Mutual Funds, Inc., The Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc., The Prudential Series Fund, Inc. and The Target Portfolio Trust.

PIMS is also distributor of the following unit investment trusts: Separate Accounts: The Prudential Variable Contract Account-2, The Prudential Variable Contract Account-10, The Prudential Variable Contract Account-11, The Prudential Variable Contract Account-24, The Prudential Variable Contract-GI-2, The Prudential Discovery Select Group Variable Contract Account, The Pruco Life Flexible Premium Variable Annuity Account, The Pruco Life of New Jersey Flexible Premium Variable Annuity Account, The Prudential Individual Variable Contract Account and The Prudential Qualified Individual Variable Contract Account.

(b)  Information concerning the business and other connections of PIMS' directors and principal executive officers are listed in its Form ADV as currently on file with the Commission (File No. 008-36540), the text of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(c)  Registrant has no principal underwriter who is not an affiliated person of the Registrant.

Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records.

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act and the Rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of The Bank of New York (BNY), One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286; Registrant, Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102; Jennison, 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017; J.P. Morgan, 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036; Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC, 725 S. Figueroa St., 39th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017; Transamerica, 11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90025; RS Investments, 388 Market Street, Suite 1700, San Francisco, California 94111; NFJ Investment Group, 2121 San Jacinto, Dallas, Texas 75201; EARNEST Partners, LLC., 75 14th Street, Suite 2300, Atlanta, Georgia 30309; PIMCO, 840 Newport Center Drive, Suite 300, Newport Beach, CA 92660; and Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, P.O. Box 8098, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101. Documents required by Rules 31a-1(b)(4), (5), (6), (7), (9), (10) and (11), and 31a-1(d) and 31a-1(f) under the 1940 Act will be kept at 100 Mulberry Street, Gateway Center Three, Newark, New Jersey 07102 and the remaining accounts, books and other documents required by such other pertinent provisions of Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules promulgated thereunder will be kept by State Street Bank and Trust Company and PMFS.

Item 29. Management Services.

Other than as set forth under the caption "How the Trust is Managed / How the Fund is Managed" in the Prospectuses and the caption "Investment Advisory and Other Services" in the SAI, Registrant is not a party to any management-related service contract.

Item 30. Undertakings.

Not applicable.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newark and State of New Jersey, on the 29th day of September, 2005.

  STRATEGIC PARTNERS STYLE SPECIFIC FUNDS

    JUDY A. RICE*

  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   Date  
LINDA W. BYNOE   Trustee      
DAVID E. A. CARSON *   Trustee      
ROBERT E. LABLANC *   Trustee      
DOUGLAS H. MCCORKINDALE *   Trustee      
RICHARD A REDEKER *   Trustee      
ROBIN B. SMITH *   Trustee      
STEPHEN G. STONEBURN *   Trustee      
CLAY T. WHITEHEAD *   Trustee      
JUDY A. RICE *   President and Trustee      
ROBERT F. GUNIA *   Vice President and Trustee      
GRACE C. TORRES*   Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer      
* by /s/ JONATHAN D. SHAIN
 Jonathan D. Shain
  as attorney-in-fact   September 29, 2005  

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
No.
  Description  
(d) (1)   (i) Amendment to Management Agreement between Registrant and Prudential Investments Fund Management LLC  
(d) (2)   (ii) Subadvisory Agreement between PI and Transamerica Investment Management LLC  
    (iii) Subadvisory Agreement between PI and Jennison Associates LLC  
(g) (2)   Form of Custodian Services Agreement between the Registrant and PFPC Trust Company (PFPC) dated July 1, 2005  
(j)   Consent of independent registered public accounting firm  
(m) (1)   12b-1 Fee Waivers and Expense Limitations for Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares.  
(p) (1)   Amended Code of Ethics of Registrant.  
(p) (2)   Amended Code of Ethics of PI and PIMS (Personal Securities Trading Policy)  
(p) (4)   Code of Ethics of Transamerica Investment Management LLC.  
(p) (12)   Code of Ethics of Jennison Associates LLC  
(q)   Powers of attorney  

 

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Exhibit 99.(d)(1)(i)

 

Amendment to Management Agreement

 

Effective as of the date written below, the Manager and the Trust hereby agree to amend the Management Agreement dated as of August 25, 1999 (the Agreement), as follows:

 

Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby revised by deleting the fee rate applicable to the Large Capitalization Growth Fund and replacing it with the fee rate as set forth below.

 

Fund Name

 

Fee Rate

 

 

 

Large Capitalization Growth Fund

 

0.70% first $500 million;

 

 

 

 

 

0.65% next $500 million

 

 

 

 

 

0.60% over $1 billion.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of May 25, 2004.

 

 

 

STRATEGIC PARTNERS STYLE SPECIFIC
FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Grace C. Torres

 

 

 

Grace C. Torres

 

 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENTS LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Gunia

 

 

 

Robert F. Gunia

 

 

Executive Vice President

 


Exhibit 99.(d)(2)(ii)

 

Subadvisory Agreement

 

Agreement made as of this 4 th day of August, 2005, between Prudential Investments LLC (PI or the Manager), a New York limited liability company, and Transamerica Investment Management, LLC (“Transamerica”or the “Subadviser”).

 

WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into separate Management Agreements (each, a Management Agreement) (i) dated August 25, 1999, with Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds and (ii) dated November 9, 1992, with The Target Portfolio Trust (together with Strategic Partners Style Speciifc Funds, the Trusts).  Each Trust is a Delaware statutory trust and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act).  Under each Management Agreement, PI acts as Manager of the Trusts; and

 

WHEREAS, the Manager desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to each Trust and one or more of each Trust’s respective series as specified in Schedule A hereto (individually and collectively, with the Trusts, referred to herein as the Fund) and to manage such portion of the Fund as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                        (a)                                   Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the Subadviser shall manage such portion of the Fund’s portfolio, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in the Prospectus (such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following understandings:

 

(i)                                                The Subadviser shall provide supervision of such portion of the Fund’s investments as the Manager shall direct and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Fund, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.

 

(ii)                                             In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and Prospectus of the Fund provided to it by the Manager (the Fund Documents) and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, co-operate with the Manager’s (or its designee’s) personnel responsible for

 



 

monitoring the Fund’s compliance and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.  In connection therewith, the Subadviser shall, among other things, prepare and file such reports as are, or may in the future be, required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission).  The Manager shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Fund documents.

 

(iii)                                          The Subadviser shall determine the securities and futures contracts to be purchased or sold by such portion of the Fund’s portfolio, as applicable, and will place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants (including but not limited to Prudential Securities Incorporated (or any broker or dealer affiliated with the Subadviser) to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus or as the Board of Trustees may direct from time to time.  In providing the Fund with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser will give primary consideration to securing the most favorable price and efficient execution.  Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the financial responsibility, research and investment information and other services provided by brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser’s other clients may be a party.  The Manager (or Subadviser) to the Fund each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Fund through broker-dealers (including, to the extent legally permissible, broker-dealers affiliated with the Subadviser(s)) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and to cause the Fund to pay any such broker-dealers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Fund and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission..

 

On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security or futures contract to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities or futures contracts to be sold or purchased in

 



 

order to obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution.  In such event, allocation of the securities or futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients.

 

(iv)                                         The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Fund’s portfolio transactions effected by it as required by subparagraphs (b)(5), (6), (7), (9), (10) and (11) and paragraph (f) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and shall render to the Fund’s Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Trustees may reasonably request.  The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the Trustees or officers or employees of the Fund with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Fund’s securities.

 

(v)                                            The Subadviser or its affiliate shall provide the Fund’s Custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the portion of the Fund’s assets it manages, and shall provide the Manager with such information upon request of the Manager.

 

(vi)                                         The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others.  Conversely, Subadviser and Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Fund in a “manager-of-managers” style, the Manager will, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with such Subadviser (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Fund’s Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Fund’s Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions.  The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.

 

(vii)                                      The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Fund intend to rely on Rule 17a-10 under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Fund with respect to transactions in securities for the Fund’s portfolio or any other transactions of Fund assets.

 

(b)                                            The Subadviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as Trustees or officers of the Fund to serve in the capacities in which they are elected.  Services to be furnished by the

 



 

Subadviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.

 

(c)                                             The Subadviser shall keep the Fund’s books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof and shall timely furnish to the Manager all information relating to the Subadviser’s services hereunder needed by the Manager to keep the other books and records of the Fund required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund, and the Subadviser will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Subadviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof.

 

(d)                                  In connection with its duties under this Agreement, the Subadviser agrees to maintain adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and other applicable state and federal regulations.

 

(e)                                   The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.

 

(f)                                     The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, subject to such reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.

 

2.                                        The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement.  The Manager shall provide (or cause the Fund’s custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the portion of the Fund managed by the Subadviser, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Fund, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Fund that affect the duties of the Subadviser).

 

3.                                        For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser as full compensation therefor, a fee equal to the percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets of the portion of the Fund managed by the Subadviser as described in the attached Schedule A.  Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadviser under this Agreement is

 



 

contingent upon the Manager’s receipt of payment from the Fund for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager.  Expense caps or fee waivers for the Fund that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser by the Manager.

 

4.                                        The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Fund or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser’s part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Fund may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws.  The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.  The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.

 

5.                                        This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the other party.  This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement.  The Subadviser agrees that it will promptly notify the Fund and the Manager of the occurrence or anticipated occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change or anticipated change in control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser; provided that the Subadviser need not provide notice of such an anticipated event before the anticipated event is a matter of public record.

 

Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at Gateway Center Three, 4th Floor, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102-4077, Attention: Secretary; (2) to the Fund at Gateway Center Three, 4th Floor,

 



 

100 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102-4077, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 820, Los Angeles, CA 90025, Attention: Geoffrey I. Edelstein.

 

6.                                        Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser’s directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Fund to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser’s right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.

 

7.                                        During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Fund or the public, which refer to the Subadviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof.  Sales literature may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.

 

8.                                        This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Fund must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

9.                                        This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

10.                                  Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act.  In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENTS LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Gunia

 

 

Name:

Robert F. Gunia

 

 

Title:

EVP & Chief Administrative

 

 

 

Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSAMERICA INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John C. Riazzi

 

 

Name:

John C. Riazzi

 

 

Title:

C. E. O.

 

 



 

Schedule A

 

As compensation for services provided by Transamerica Investment Management, LLC Prudential Investments LLC (“PI”) will pay Transamerica Investment Management, LLC a fee equal, on an annualized basis, pursuant to the following schedule:

 

Fund/Series:

 

Annual Fee

 

 

 

(as a% of average net assets):

 

 

 

 

 

Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Growth Fund

 

0.50

%

 

 

 

 

The Target Portfolio Trust Small Capitalization Growth Portfolio

 

0.50

%

 

 

Dated as of August 4, 2005

 


Exhibit 99.(d)(2)(iii)

 

STRATEGIC PARTNERS STYLE SPECIFIC FUNDS

 

Jennison Conservative Growth Fund

 

SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

Agreement made as of this 16th day of September, 2005 between Prudential Investments LLC (PI or the Manager), a New York limited liability company and Jennison Associates LLC (Jennison or the Subadviser),

 

WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into a Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) with Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust) and a diversified, open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act), pursuant to which PI acts as Manager of the Trust; and

 

WHEREAS, the Manager desires to retain the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Trust and one or more of its series as specified in Schedule A hereto (the Portfolio,  and collectively, with the Trust, referred to herein as the Trust) and to manage the Portfolio as the Manager shall from time to time direct, and the Subadviser is willing to render such investment advisory services; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. (a)  Subject to the supervision of the Manager and the board of trustees of the Trust (the Board), the Subadviser shall manage the Portfolio, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in its then current prospectus and statement of additional information (such prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time, being herein called the “Prospectus”), and subject to the following understandings:

 

(i)  The Subadviser shall provide supervision of  the Portfolio , and shall determine from time to time what investments and securities will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned  (other than directing a securities lending program) by the Portfolio, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash.  The Subadviser’s responsibility for providing portfolio management services to the Portfolio shall be limited to the Portfolio.

 

(ii)  In the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the copies of the Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and Prospectus of the Trust and any procedures adopted by the Board applicable to the Portfolio and any amendments to those procedures (Board Procedures), which have been provided, as of the date of this Agreement, to it by the Manager (the Trust Documents), and with the instructions and directions of the Manager and of the Board, co-operate with the Manager’ (or their designees’) personnel responsible for monitoring the Trust’s compliance. The Subadviser shall also comply at all times with the 1940 Act, the

 



 

Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including securities law. The Manager shall provide Subadviser timely with copies of any updated Trust Documents.

 

(iii)  The Subadviser shall determine the securities and futures contracts to be purchased or sold by the Portfolio, as applicable, and shall place orders with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants (including but not limited to any broker or dealer affiliated with the Manager or the Subadviser) to carry out the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the  Prospectus or as the Board may direct from time to time. In providing the Portfolio with investment supervision, it is recognized that the Subadviser shall give primary consideration to seeking best execution. Within the framework of this policy, the Subadviser may consider the receipt of services that affect securities transactions and incidental functions, such as clearance and settlement functions, and advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in securities, the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities, and analyses and reports concerning issues, industries, securities, economic factors, trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts, the financial responsibility,  and other services provided by brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants who may effect or be a party to any such transaction or other transactions to which the Subadviser’s other clients may be a party. The Manager (or Subadviser) to the Portfolio each shall have discretion to effect investment transactions for the Portfolio through broker-dealers (including, to the extent legally permissible, broker-dealers affiliated with the Subadviser(s)) qualified to obtain best execution of such transactions who provide brokerage and/or research services, as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), and to cause the Portfolio to pay any such broker-dealers an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the brokerage or research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in light of either that particular investment transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Manager (or the Subadviser) with respect to the Portfolio and other accounts as to which they or it may exercise investment discretion (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act), are reasonable in relation to the amount of commission.  Pursuant to the rules promulgated under Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT ACT, broker-dealers are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account with them.  In accordance therewith, broker-dealers whom the Subadvisor selects to execute transactions in the Portfolio’s account may seek identifying information about the Trust and/or the Portfolio.

 

On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security or futures contract to be in the best interest of the Portfolio as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities or futures contracts to be sold or purchased in order to obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities or futures contracts so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, shall

 



 

be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Portfolio and to such other clients.

 

The Manager hereby agrees and consents that the Subadviser and its affiliates are authorized to execute cross agency transactions for the Portfolio, provided such transactions comply with applicable laws and regulations.

 

(iv)  The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the  Portfolio’s transactions effected by it as required by any applicable federal or state securities laws or regulations, including the 1940 Act, the 1934 Act and the Advisers Act. The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager or the Board all information relating to the Subadviser’s services under this Agreement reasonably requested by the Manager and the Board within a reasonable period of time after the Manager or the Board makes such request. The Subadviser shall make reasonably available its employees and officers for consultation with any of the trustees or officers or employees of the Trust with respect to any matter discussed herein, including, without limitation, the valuation of the Portfolio’s securities.

 

(v)  The Subadviser or its affiliate shall provide the Trust’s custodian on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Portfolio. The Subadviser shall furnish the Manager routinely with daily information concerning portfolio transactions and other reports as agreed upon from time to time concerning transactions, portfolio holdings and performance of the Portfolio, in such form and frequency as may be mutually agreed upon from time to time. The Subadviser agrees to review the Portfolio and discuss the management of the Portfolio with the Manager and the Board as either or both shall from time to time reasonably request.

 

(vi)  The investment management services provided by the Subadviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others. Conversely, the Subadviser and Manager understand and agree that if the Manager manages the Portfolio in a “manager-of-managers” style, the Manager shall, among other things, (i) continually evaluate the performance of the Subadviser through quantitative and qualitative analysis and consultations with the Subadviser, (ii) periodically make recommendations to the Board as to whether the contract with one or more subadvisers should be renewed, modified, or terminated, and (iii) periodically report to the Board regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions. The Subadviser recognizes that its services may be terminated or modified pursuant to this process.

 

(vii)  The Subadviser acknowledges that the Manager and the Portfolio intend to rely on Rule 17a-10, Rule 10f-3, Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act, and the Subadviser hereby agrees that it shall not consult with any other subadviser to the Trust with respect to transactions in securities for the Portfolio or any other transactions of Trust assets.

 



 

(b)  The Subadviser shall keep the Portfolio’s books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to paragraph 1(a) hereof in the form and for the period required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. The Subadviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Portfolio are the property of the Trust, and the Subadviser shall surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trust’s request, provided, however, that the Subadviser may retain a copy of such records. The Portfolio’s books and records maintained by the Subadviser shall be made available, within five (5) business days of a written request, to the Trust’s accountants or auditors during regular business hours at the Subadviser’s offices. The Trust, the Manager or their respective authorized representatives shall have the right to copy any records in the Subadviser’s possession that pertain to the Portfolio. These books, records, information, or reports may be made available to properly authorized government representatives consistent with state and federal law and/or regulations, provided the the Subadviser is given prior notice of such disclosure, unless otherwise prohibited. In the event of the termination of this Agreement, upon the request of the Trust, the Portfolio’s books and records maintained by the Subadviser shall be returned to the Trust or the Manager, provided that the Subadviser shall be permitted to keep copies of such records. The Subadviser agrees that the policies and procedures it has established for managing the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, all policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing the adviser/client relationship and management and operation of the Portfolio, shall be made available for inspection by the Trust, the Manager or their respective authorized representatives upon reasonable written request within not more than two (2) business days.

 

(c)  The Subadviser shall maintain a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, a copy of which shall be provided to the Manager and the Trust, and shall institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Subadviser shall follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. Further, the Subadviser represents that it maintains adequate compliance procedures to ensure its compliance with the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, the Subadviser represents that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, nonpublic information by the Subadviser and its employees as required by the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988, a copy of which it shall provide to the Manager and the Trust upon reasonable request. The Subadviser shall assure that its employees comply in all material respects with the provisions of Section 16 of the 1934 Act, and shall cooperate reasonably with the Manager for purposes of filing any required reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) or such other regulator having appropriate jurisdiction.

 

(d)  The Subadviser shall furnish to the Manager copies of all records prepared in connection with (i) the performance of this Agreement and (ii) the maintenance of

 



 

compliance procedures pursuant to paragraph 1(d) hereof as the Manager may reasonably request.

 

(e)  The Subadviser shall be responsible for the voting of all shareholder proxies with respect to the investments and securities held in the Portfolio, subject to such reporting and other requirements as shall be established by the Manager.

 

(f)  Upon reasonable request from the Manager, the Subadviser (through a qualified person) shall assist the valuation committee of the Trust or the Manager in valuing securities of the Portfolio as may be required from time to time, including making available information of which the Subadviser has knowledge related to the securities being valued.

 

(g)  The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any information reasonably requested regarding its management of the Portfolio required for any shareholder report, amended registration statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Trust with the Commission. The Subadviser shall provide the Manager with any certification, documentation or other information reasonably requested or required by the Manager for purposes of the certifications of shareholder reports by the Trust’s principal financial officer and principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 or other law or regulation. The Subadviser shall promptly inform the Trust and the Manager if any information in the Prospectus is (or will become) materially inaccurate or incomplete.

 

(h)  The Subadviser shall comply with Board Procedures provided to the Subadviser by the Manager or the Trust. The Subadviser shall notify the Manager as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of any material breach of such Board Procedures.

 

(i)  The Subadviser shall keep the Trust and the Manager informed of developments relating to its duties as subadviser of which the Subadviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Portfolio. In this regard, the Subadviser shall provide the Trust, the Manager, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning the obligations the Subadviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Trust and the Manager may from time to time reasonably request. Additionally, prior to each Board meeting, the Subadviser shall provide the Manager and the Board with reports regarding the Subadviser’s management of the Portfolio during the most recently completed quarter, in such form as may be mutually agreed upon by the Subadviser and the Manager. The Subadviser shall certify quarterly to the Trust and the Manager that it and its “Advisory Persons” (as defined in Rule 17j-under the 1940 Act) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Subadviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Subadviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, concerning the Subadviser’s Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Trust and the Manager. Upon written request of the Trust or the Manager with respect to material violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Portfolio, the Subadviser

 



 

shall permit representatives of the Trust or the Manager to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-1(d)(1) relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics.

 

2.  The Manager shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Trust pursuant to the Management Agreement and, as more particularly discussed above, shall oversee and review the Subadviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Trust’s custodian to provide) timely information to the Subadviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets in the Portfolio, cash requirements and cash available for investment in such portion of the Portfolio, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for the Subadviser to perform its duties hereunder (including any excerpts of minutes of meetings of the Board that affect the duties of the Subadviser).

 

3.  For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Manager shall pay the Subadviser as full compensation therefor, a fee monthly in arrears based on the average daily net assets as calculated by the custodian and on the annual ratesset forth in the attached Schedule A. Liability for payment of compensation by the Manager to the Subadviser under this Agreement is contingent upon the Manager’ receipt of payment from the Trust for management services described under the Management Agreement between the Trust and the Manager. Expense caps or fee waivers for the Trust that may be agreed to by the Manager, but not agreed to by the Subadviser, shall not cause a reduction in the amount of the payment to the Subadviser by the Manager.  If this Agreement becomes effective or terminates, or if the manner of determining the applicable fee changes, before the end of any month, the fee (if any) for the period from the effective date to the end of such month or from the beginning of such month to the date of termination or from the beginning of such month to the date such change, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination or change occurs.

 

4.  The Subadviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Manager in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the Subadviser’s part in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to waive any rights the Manager or the Trust may have against the Subadviser under federal or state securities laws. The Manager shall indemnify the Subadviser, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws. The Subadviser shall indemnify the Manager, its affiliated persons, its officers, directors and employees, for any liability and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, which may be sustained as a result of the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without

 



 

limitation , the 1940 Act and federal and state securities laws.  In any event, neither the Subadviser nor its affiliates shall be liable for any loss or damage arising or resulting from the acts or omissions of the Portfolio’s custodian, any broker, financial institution or any other third party with or through whom the Subadviser arranges or enters into a transaction in respect of the Portfolio.

 

5.  This Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of more than two years from the date hereof only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Portfolio, or by the Manager or the Subadviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the other party. Any required shareholder approval of this Agreement or of any continuance of this Agreement shall be effective with respect to the Portfolio if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series (as defined in Rule 18f-2(h) under the 1940 Act) of shares of that portfolio votes to approve the Agreement or its continuance, notwithstanding that the Agreement or its continuance may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of all the portfolios of the Trust.  This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) or upon the termination of the Management Agreement. The Subadviser agrees that it shall promptly notify the Trust and the Manager of the occurrence or anticipated occurrence of any event that would result in the assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, a change or anticipated change in control (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Subadviser; provided that the Subadviser need not provide notice of such an anticipated event before the anticipated event is a matter of public record. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate automatically and without notice to the Subadviser upon the execution of a new Agreement with a successor Subadviser.

 

Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Manager at Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, 4th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102-4077, Attention: Secretary; (2) to the Fund at Gateway Center Three, 4th Floor, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102-4077, Attention: Secretary; or (3) to the Subadviser at 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Attention: Scott Hayward, Executive Vice President, with a copy to the Legal Department at the same address.

 

6.  Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Subadviser’s directors, officers or employees who may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Subadviser’s right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.

 



 

7.  During the term of this Agreement, the Manager agrees to furnish the Subadviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Portfolio or the public, which refer to the Subadviser in any way (including the Subadviser’s name, any derivatives thereof and any logo associated therewith), prior to use thereof and not to use material if the Subadviser reasonably objects in writing five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof and prior to the distribution of such material. Sales literature may be furnished to the Subadviser hereunder by first-class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery.  The Manager approves the use of the Manager’s, the Trust’s and the Portfolio’s name and any derivatives thereof or any logos associated with those names on a representative client list of the Subadviser.

 

8.  The parties to this Agreement each agree to cooperate in a reasonable manner with each other in the event that any of them should become involved in a legal, administrative, judicial or regulatory action, claim, or suit as a result of performing its obligations under this Agreement.

 

9.  This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Trust must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

10. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

11.  The parties agree that this Agreement shall become effective as of the date that management and control of the Fund’s securities are transferred to the Subadviser, as particularly set forth in the transition broker letter agreement between the Manager, the Subadviser and Credit Suisse First Boston.

 

12.  The Trust and the Manger acknowledge that the Subadviser has provided it with a copy of the Subadviser’s most recent Form ADV as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

This Agreement in no way restricts the Subadviser’s right to perform investment management or other services for any person or entity, and the performance of such services for others shall not be deemed to violate or give rise to any duty or obligation to the Portfolio or to the Trust.

 

The Trust and the Manager understand that the Subadviser shall not have any obligation to purchase or sell any security for the Portfolio which it (as investment manager for other clients, or as principal) or its affiliates or employees may purchase or sell for its or their own account or for the account of any other client, if it is the Subadviser’s opinion that such transaction or investment appears unsuitable or undesirable for the Portfolio.

 

13.  Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act, shall be

 



 

resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Commission issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act, reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is related by rules, regulation or order of the Commission, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENTS LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Gunia

 

 

 

 

Name:

Robert F. Gunia

 

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

JENNISON ASSOCIATES LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Medhi Mahmud

 

 

 

 

Name:

Mehdi Mahmud

 

 

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

 



 

SCHEDULE A

 

STRATEGIC PARTNERS STYLE SPECIFIC FUNDS

 

Jennison Conservative Growth Fund

 

As compensation for services provided by Jennison Associates LLC, Prudential Investments LLC will pay Jennison Associates LLC a fee equal, on an annualized basis, to the following:

 

Fund Name

 

Advisory Fee

Jennison Conservative Growth Fund

 

0.35 of 1% of average daily net assets up to and including $1 billion;

 

 

 

 

 

0.325 of 1% of average daily net assets over $1 billion

 

 

Dated as of September 16, 2005.

 


Exhibit 99.(g)(2)

 

Confidential and Proprietary

Not for Reproduction or Re-Distribution

 

CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made, as of July 1, 2005, separately by and between each separate registered investment company set forth on Exhibit A (dated July 1, 2005) attached hereto (each a “Fund”) and PFPC TRUST COMPANY (“PFPC Trust”). As used herein, the term “Agreement” shall mean this Custodian Services Agreement and any and all exhibits and schedules attached hereto and any amendments to any of the foregoing executed in accordance with the terms of this Custodian Services Agreement.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, each Fund is registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

WHEREAS, each Fund wishes to retain PFPC Trust to provide custodian services to its investment portfolios listed on Exhibit A attached hereto, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time (each a “Portfolio”), and PFPC Trust wishes to furnish custodian services either directly or through an affiliate or affiliates, as more fully described herein; and

 

WHEREAS, additional registered investment companies may be added to this Agreement pursuant to written agreement of such registered investment company and PFPC Trust, and upon the effective date of such written agreement such registered investment company shall be a “Fund” for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, each separate Fund and PFPC Trust agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Definitions.  As Used in This Agreement:

 

(a)                                   “1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(b)                                  “1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(c)                                   “Authorized Person” means, with respect to a particular Fund, any officer of the Fund and any other person authorized by the Fund to give Oral or Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund.  An Authorized Person’s scope of authority may be limited by setting forth such limitation in a written document signed by the relevant Fund and PFPC Trust.

 

(d)                                  “Book-Entry System” means the Federal Reserve Treasury book-entry system for United States and federal agency securities, its successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees and any book-entry system registered with the SEC under the 1934 Act.

 

(e)                                   “CEA” means the Commodities Exchange Act, as amended.

 



 

(f)                                     “Oral Instructions” mean oral instructions received by PFPC Trust from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by PFPC Trust to be an Authorized Person. PFPC Trust may, in its sole discretion in each separate instance, consider and rely upon instructions it receives from an Authorized Person via electronic mail as Oral Instructions.

 

(g)                                  “PFPC Trust” means PFPC Trust Company or a subsidiary or affiliate of PFPC Trust Company.

 

(h)                                  “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(i)                                      “Securities Laws” mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and the CEA.

 

(j)                                      “Shares” mean the shares of beneficial interest of any series or class of a Portfolio.

 

(k)                                   “Property” means:

 

(i)             any and all securities and other investment items which a Fund may from time to time deposit (or cause to be deposited) with PFPC Trust with respect to one of the Fund’s Portfolios or which PFPC Trust may from time to time hold for a Fund with respect to one of the Fund’s Portfolios;

 

(ii)            all income in respect of any of such securities or other investment items;

 

(iii)           all proceeds of the sale of any of such securities or investment items; and

 

(iv)           all proceeds of the sale of securities issued by a Fund with respect to one of the Fund’s Portfolios, which are received by PFPC Trust from time to time, from or on behalf of that Portfolio.

 

(l)                                      “Written Instructions” mean (i) written instructions signed by two Authorized Persons (or persons reasonably believed by PFPC Trust to be Authorized Persons) and received by PFPC Trust or (ii) trade instructions with respect to a particular Portfolio transmitted by means of an electronic transaction reporting system which requires the use of a password or other authorized identifier in order to gain access.  The instructions may be delivered electronically (with respect to sub-item (ii) above) or by hand, mail or facsimile sending device.

 

2.                                       Appointment .   Each Fund hereby appoints PFPC Trust to provide custodian services set forth in this Agreement to each of its Portfolios, in accordance with the terms set forth in this Agreement. PFPC Trust accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such services. For clarity, PFPC Trust shall have no obligations or responsibilities with respect to a particular investment portfolio of a Fund until such investment portfolio (i) is listed or deemed to be listed (pursuant to a written agreement between PFPC Trust and such Fund) on Exhibit A attached hereto or (ii) is otherwise

 

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agreed (pursuant to a written agreement between PFPC Trust and such Fund) to be a “Portfolio” under this Agreement.

 

  3.                                    Compliance with Laws.

 

With respect to each respective Fund, PFPC Trust undertakes to comply with material applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and material laws, rules and regulations of governmental authorities having jurisdiction with respect to the duties to be performed by PFPC Trust hereunder with respect to such Fund.  Except as specifically set forth herein, PFPC Trust assumes no responsibility for compliance by any Fund or any other entity.

 

4.                                       Instructions .

 

(a)                                   Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, PFPC Trust shall act only upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.

 

(b)                                  PFPC Trust shall be entitled to rely upon any Oral Instruction or Written Instruction it receives pursuant to this Agreement.  PFPC Trust may assume that any Oral Instructions or Written Instructions received hereunder are not in any way inconsistent with the provisions of organizational documents of any Fund or this Agreement or with any vote, resolution or proceeding of any Fund’s Board of Trustees, Board of Directors or similar governing entity or of any Fund’s shareholders, unless and until PFPC Trust receives Written Instructions relating to a particular Fund to the contrary.

 

(c)                                   Each Fund agrees to forward to PFPC Trust Written Instructions confirming Oral Instructions (except where such Oral Instructions are given by PFPC Trust or its affiliates) so that PFPC Trust receives the Written Instructions by the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange business day (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading) immediately following the day on which the Oral Instructions are received.  The fact that such confirming Written Instructions are not received by PFPC Trust or differ from the Oral Instructions shall in no way invalidate the transactions or enforceability of the transactions authorized by the Oral Instructions or PFPC Trust’s ability to rely upon such Oral Instructions.

 

5.                                       Right to Receive Advice .

 

(a)                                   Advice of a Fund .  If PFPC Trust is in doubt as to any action it should or should not take, PFPC Trust may request directions or advice, including Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, from a Fund.

 

(b)                                  Advice of Counsel .  If PFPC Trust shall be in doubt as to any question of law pertaining to

 

3



 

any action it should or should not take, PFPC Trust may request advice from counsel of its own choosing (who may be counsel for a Fund, a Fund’s investment adviser or PFPC Trust, at the option of PFPC Trust). The Fund to which such advice relates shall reimburse PFPC Trust for the cost of obtaining such advice so long as the Fund has approved the seeking of such advice (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(c)                                   Conflicting Advice .  In the event of a conflict between directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC Trust receives from a Fund, and the advice it receives from counsel, PFPC Trust shall be entitled to rely upon and follow the advice of counsel.

 

(d)                                  Protection of PFPC Trust .  PFPC Trust shall be indemnified by a Fund and without liability for any action PFPC Trust takes or does not take in reliance upon directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions PFPC Trust receives from or on behalf of such Fund, or in reliance upon advice from counsel with respect to any matter relating to such Fund, and which PFPC Trust believes, in good faith, to be consistent with those directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.  Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to impose an obligation upon PFPC Trust (i) to seek directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, or (ii) to act in accordance with directions or advice or Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.

 

6.                                       Records; Visits .   The books and records pertaining to a Fund and its Portfolios, which are in the possession or under the control of PFPC Trust, shall be the property of that Fund.  Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations.  Each Fund and the Fund’s Authorized Persons shall have access to the books and records pertaining to such Fund (provided the same are in the possession or under the control of PFPC Trust) at all times during PFPC Trust’s normal business hours.  Upon the reasonable request of a Fund, copies of any books and records pertaining to such Fund (provided the same are in the possession or under the control of PFPC Trust) shall be provided by PFPC Trust to the Fund or to an authorized representative of the Fund, at the Fund’s expense.

 

7.                                       Confidentiality .   PFPC Trust shall keep confidential any information relating to a Fund’s business and each Fund shall keep confidential any information relating to PFPC Trust’s business.  As between PFPC Trust and a particular Fund, information to be kept confidential shall include (a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies,

 

4



 

finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Fund or PFPC Trust, their respective subsidiaries and affiliated companies and the customers, clients and suppliers of any of them; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Fund or PFPC Trust a competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the party receiving information shall not be subject to confidentiality obligations with respect to such information to the extent:  (a) such information is already known to the receiving party at the time it is obtained by the receiving party; (b) such information is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (c) such information is rightfully received by the receiving party from a third party who, to the best of the receiving party’s knowledge, is not under a duty of confidentiality; (d) such information is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (e) such information is requested or required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency request or law (provided the receiving party will provide the protected party written notice of the same, to the extent such notice is permitted); (f) release of such information by PFPC Trust is necessary or desirable in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement; (g) such information is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; or (h) such information has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party.

 

8.                                       Cooperation with Accountants .   PFPC Trust shall cooperate with each Fund’s independent public accountants and shall take all reasonable action to make any requested information available to a particular Fund’s independent public accountants as reasonably requested by that Fund.

 

9.                                       PFPC System PFPC Trust shall retain title to and ownership of any and all data bases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, derivative works, inventions, discoveries, patentable or copyrightable matters, concepts, expertise, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and other related legal rights utilized by PFPC Trust in connection with the services provided by PFPC Trust to any Fund.

 

5



 

10.                                Disaster Recovery .   PFPC Trust shall enter into and shall maintain in effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available.  In the event of equipment failures, PFPC Trust shall, at no additional expense to a Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions with respect to such Fund.  PFPC Trust shall have no liability to a Fund with respect to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure provided such loss or interruption is not caused by PFPC Trust’s own willful misfeasance with respect to such Fund, bad faith with respect to such Fund, negligence with respect to such Fund or reckless disregard of its duties or obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Fund.

 

11.                                Compensation .   (a) As compensation for custody services rendered by PFPC Trust with respect to a particular Fund during the term of this Agreement, such Fund, on behalf of each of its Portfolios, will pay to PFPC Trust a fee or fees as may be agreed to in writing from time to time by the Fund and PFPC Trust.  Each Fund acknowledges that PFPC Trust may receive float benefits in connection with maintaining certain accounts required to provide services under this Agreement.

 

(b) Each Fund hereby represents and warrants to PFPC Trust that (i) the terms of this Agreement, (ii) the fees and expenses associated with this Agreement, and (iii) any benefits accruing to PFPC Trust or to the adviser or sponsor of any Fund in connection with this Agreement have been fully disclosed to the Board of Trustees, Board of Directors or similar governing entity of the Fund and that, if required by applicable law, such Board of Trustees, Board of Directors or similar governing entity has approved or will approve the terms of this Agreement, any such fees and expenses, and any such benefits.

 

12.                                Indemnification . Each Fund, on behalf of each of its Portfolios, agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless PFPC Trust and its affiliates (including their respective officers, directors, agents and employees) from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including, without limitation, liabilities arising under the Securities Laws and any state and foreign securities and blue sky laws and reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) arising directly or indirectly from any action or omission to act which PFPC Trust takes in connection with the provision of services to the Fund.  Neither PFPC Trust, nor any of its affiliates, shall be indemnified by a Fund against any liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) caused by PFPC Trust’s or its affiliates’ (including their respective officers, directors, agents and employees) own willful misfeasance with respect to such Fund, bad faith with respect to such Fund, negligence with respect to such Fund, reckless disregard in the performance of PFPC Trust’s activities with respect

 

6



 

to such Fund under this Agreement, fraud with respect to such Fund, or violation with respect to such Fund (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order of such court) of a criminal statute or material violation with respect to such Fund (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order of such court) of any other statute which statute is materially applicable to the duties PFPC Trust is obligated to perform with respect to such Fund under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 12 shall survive termination of this Agreement. Any amounts payable by a Fund hereunder shall be satisfied only against the relevant Portfolio’s assets and not against the assets of any other investment portfolio of the Fund.

 

13.                                Responsibility of PFPC Trust .

 

(a)                                   PFPC Trust shall be under no duty to take any action hereunder on behalf of a Fund or any of its Portfolios except as specifically set forth herein or as may be specifically agreed to by PFPC Trust and such Fund in a written amendment hereto.  PFPC Trust shall be obligated to exercise care and diligence in the performance of its duties hereunder with respect to a particular Fund and to act in good faith in performing services with respect to a particular Fund provided for under this Agreement.  PFPC Trust shall be liable to a Fund only for any damages arising out of PFPC Trust’s failure to perform its duties under this Agreement with respect to such Fund and only to the extent such damages arise out of PFPC Trust’s willful misfeasance with respect to such Fund, bad faith with respect to such Fund, negligence with respect to such Fund, reckless disregard of PFPC Trust’s duties under this Agreement with respect to such Fund, fraud with respect to such Fund, or violation with respect to such Fund (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order of such court) of a criminal statute or material violation with respect to such Fund (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order of such court) of any other statute which statute is materially applicable to the duties PFPC Trust is obligated to perform with respect to such Fund under this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) PFPC Trust shall not be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation acts of God; action or inaction of civil or military authority; public enemy; war; terrorism; riot; fire; flood; sabotage; epidemics; labor disputes; civil commotion; interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation, computer or communications

 

7



 

capabilities; insurrection; elements of nature; or non-performance by a third party; and (ii) PFPC Trust shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into and shall not be liable for the validity or invalidity, authority or lack thereof, or truthfulness or accuracy or lack thereof, of any instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other information which PFPC Trust reasonably believes to be genuine.

 

 (c)                                Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither PFPC Trust nor its affiliates shall be liable for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by PFPC Trust or its affiliates.

 

(d)                                  Each Fund shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which PFPC Trust may become responsible hereunder and PFPC Trust shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which a Fund may become responsible hereunder.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (other than as specifically provided in Section 14(h)(ii)(B)(4) and Section 14(h)(iii)(A) of this Agreement), each Fund shall be responsible for all filings, tax returns and reports on any transactions undertaken pursuant to this Agreement relating to it, or in respect of the Property relating to any of its Portfolios or any collections undertaken pursuant to this Agreement relating to it, which may be requested by any relevant authority.  In addition, each Fund shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes and similar items (including without limitation penalties and interest related thereto) relating to it.

 

(f)                                     Each Fund acknowledges that the Internet is an “open,” publicly accessible network and not under the control of any party.  PFPC Trust’s provision of access to and use of PFPC Trust’s data repository and analytics suite is dependent upon the proper functioning of the Internet and services provided by telecommunications carriers, firewall providers, encryption system developers and others.  Each Fund agrees that PFPC Trust shall not be liable in any respect for the actions or omissions of any third party wrongdoers (i.e., hackers not employed by PFPC Trust or its affiliates) or of any third parties involved in facilitating access to or use of PFPC Trust’s data repository and analytics suite and shall not liable in any respect for the selection of any such third party, unless that selection constitutes willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence on the part of PFPC Trust.

 

(g)                                  The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

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(h)                                  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, PFPC Trust shall have no liability either for any error or omission of any of its predecessors as servicer on behalf of any Fund or for any failure to discover any such error or omission.

 

14.                                Description of Services .

 

(a)                                   Delivery of the Property .  Each Fund will deliver or arrange for delivery to PFPC Trust, all the Property relating to its Portfolios, including cash received as a result of the distribution of Shares of its Portfolios, during the term of this Agreement.  PFPC Trust will not be responsible for any assets relating to a particular Portfolio until actual receipt of such assets with respect to such Portfolio.

 

(b)                                  Receipt and Disbursement of Money .  PFPC Trust, acting upon Written Instructions, shall open and maintain a separate account for each separate Portfolio of each Fund (each an “Account”) and shall maintain in the Account of a particular Portfolio all cash and other assets received from or for such Portfolio specifically designated to such Account.

 

PFPC Trust shall make cash payments from or for the Account of a Portfolio only for:

 

(i)             purchases of securities in the name of the Portfolio, PFPC Trust, PFPC Trust’s nominee or a sub-custodian or nominee thereof as provided in sub-section (j) and for which PFPC Trust has received a copy of the broker’s or dealer’s confirmation or payee’s invoice, as appropriate;

 

(ii)            purchase or redemption of Shares of the Portfolio delivered to PFPC Trust;

 

(iii)           payment of, subject to Written Instructions, interest, taxes (provided that tax which PFPC Trust considers is required to be deducted or withheld “at source” will be governed by Section 14(h)(iii)(B) of this Agreement), administration, accounting, distribution, advisory and management fees which are to be borne by the Portfolio;

 

(iv)           payment to, subject to receipt of Written Instructions, the Portfolio’s transfer agent, as agent for the shareholders of such Portfolio, of an amount equal to the amount of dividends and distributions stated in the Written Instructions to be distributed in cash by the transfer agent to such shareholders, or, in lieu of paying the Portfolio’s transfer agent, PFPC Trust may arrange for the direct payment of cash dividends and distributions to shareholders of such Portfolio in accordance with procedures mutually agreed upon from time to time by and among the applicable Fund, PFPC Trust and the Portfolio’s transfer agent;

 

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(v)                                  payments, upon receipt of Written Instructions, in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned or subscribed to by the Portfolio and held by or delivered to PFPC Trust;

 

(vi)                               payments of the amounts of dividends received with respect to securities sold short;

 

(vii)                            payments to PFPC Trust for its services hereunder;

 

(viii)                         payments to a sub-custodian pursuant to provisions in sub-section (c) of this Section 14; and

 

(ix)                                 other payments, upon Written Instructions.

 

PFPC Trust is hereby authorized to endorse and collect all checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money received as custodian for the Accounts.

 

(c)                                   Receipt of Securities; Subcustodians .

 

PFPC Trust shall hold all securities received by it for a particular Portfolio in a separate account that physically segregates such securities from those of any other persons, firms or corporations, except for securities held in a Book-Entry System or through a sub-custodian or depository.  All such securities shall be held or disposed of only upon Written Instructions or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  PFPC Trust shall have no power or authority to assign, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of any such securities or investment, except upon the express terms of this Agreement or upon Written Instructions authorizing the transaction.  In no case may any member of a Fund’s Board of Trustees, Board of Directors or similar governing entity, or any officer, employee or agent of a Fund, withdraw any of the Fund’s securities.

 

At PFPC Trust’s own expense and for its own convenience, PFPC Trust may enter into sub-custodian agreements with other banks or trust companies to perform duties described in this sub-section (c) with respect to domestic assets.  Such bank or trust company shall have aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, according to its last published report, of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000), if it is a subsidiary or affiliate of PFPC Trust, or at least twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) if such bank or trust company is not a subsidiary or affiliate of PFPC Trust.  In addition, such bank or trust company must be qualified to act as custodian and agree to comply with the relevant provisions of applicable rules and regulations.  Any such arrangement relating to one or more Portfolios of a particular Fund will not be entered into without prior written notice to such Fund (or as

 

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otherwise provided in the 1940 Act).

 

In addition, PFPC Trust may enter into arrangements with sub-custodians with respect to services regarding foreign assets.  Any such arrangement relating to one or more Portfolios of a particular Fund will not be entered into without prior written notice to such Fund (or as otherwise provided in the 1940 Act).

 

As between PFPC Trust and a particular Fund, PFPC Trust shall remain responsible to such Fund for the acts and omissions of any sub-custodian chosen by PFPC Trust with respect to the assets of such Fund under the terms of this sub-section (c) to the same extent that PFPC Trust is responsible to such Fund for PFPC Trust’s own acts and omissions with respect to such Fund under this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Transactions Requiring Instructions .  Upon receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions and not otherwise, PFPC Trust shall:

 

(i)             deliver any securities held for a Portfolio against the receipt of payment for the sale of such securities or otherwise in accordance with standard market practice;

 

(ii)            execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the authority of a Portfolio as owner of any securities may be exercised;

 

(iii)           deliver any securities to the issuer thereof, or its agent, when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable at the option of the holder; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to PFPC Trust;

 

(iv)           deliver any securities held for a Portfolio against receipt of other securities or cash issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization,  refinancing, tender offer, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any  corporation, or the exercise of any conversion privilege;

 

(v)            deliver any securities held for a Portfolio to any protective committee, reorganization committee or other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets of any corporation, and receive and hold under the terms of this Agreement such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery;

 

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(vi)           make such transfer or exchanges of the assets of the Fund to which said Oral Instructions or Written Instructions relate and take such other steps as shall be stated in said Oral Instructions or Written Instructions to be for the purpose of effectuating a duly authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of such Fund;

 

(vii)          release securities belonging to a Portfolio to any bank or trust company for the purpose of a pledge or hypothecation to secure any loan incurred on behalf of that Portfolio; provided, however, that securities shall be released only upon payment to PFPC Trust of the monies borrowed, except that in cases where additional collateral is required to secure a borrowing already made subject to proper prior authorization, further securities may be released for that purpose; and repay such loan upon redelivery to it of the securities pledged or hypothecated therefor and upon surrender of the note or notes evidencing the loan;

 

(viii)         release and deliver securities owned by a Portfolio in connection with any  repurchase agreement entered into on behalf of that Portfolio, but only on receipt of payment therefor; and pay out monies of a Portfolio in connection with such repurchase agreements, but only upon the delivery of the securities;

 

(ix)            release and deliver or exchange securities owned by a Portfolio in  connection with any conversion of such securities, pursuant to their terms, into other securities;

 

(x)             release and deliver securities to a broker in connection with the broker’s custody of margin collateral relating to futures and options transactions;

 

(xi)            release and deliver securities owned by a Portfolio for the purpose of redeeming in kind Shares of the Portfolio upon delivery thereof to PFPC Trust; and

 

(xii)                              release and deliver or exchange securities owned by a Portfolio for other purposes. PFPC Trust must also receive a certified resolution describing the nature of the corporate purpose and the name and address of the person(s) to whom delivery shall be made when such action is pursuant to sub-paragraph d(xii).

 

(e)                                   Use of Book-Entry System or Other Depository .  PFPC Trust will deposit in Book-Entry Systems and other depositories all securities belonging to the Portfolios eligible for deposit therein and will utilize Book-Entry Systems and other depositories to the extent possible in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of securities by the Portfolios, and

 

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deliveries and returns of securities loaned, subject to repurchase agreements or used as collateral in connection with borrowings.  PFPC Trust shall continue to perform such duties with respect to all of the Portfolios of a Fund until PFPC Trust receives Written Instructions or Oral Instructions from or on behalf of the Fund authorizing contrary actions with respect to one or more of such Fund’s Portfolios. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, PFPC Trust’s use of a Book-Entry System shall comply with the requirements of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act.

 

PFPC Trust shall administer a Book-Entry System or other depository as follows:

 

(i)             With respect to securities of a particular Portfolio which are maintained in a Book-Entry System or another depository, the records of PFPC Trust shall identify by book-entry or otherwise those securities as belonging to such Portfolio.

 

(ii)            Assets of each Portfolio deposited in a Book-Entry System or another depository will (to the extent consistent with applicable law and standard practice) at all times be segregated from any assets and cash controlled by PFPC Trust in other than a fiduciary or custodian capacity but may be commingled with other assets held in such capacities.

 

PFPC Trust will provide a Fund with such reports on its own system of internal control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.

 

(f)                                     Registration of Securities .  All securities held for a Portfolio which are issued or issuable only in bearer form, except such securities maintained in the Book-Entry System or in another depository, shall be held by PFPC Trust in bearer form; all other securities maintained for a Portfolio may be registered in the name of the applicable Fund on behalf of that Portfolio, PFPC Trust, a Book-Entry System, another depository, a sub-custodian, or any duly appointed nominee of such Fund, PFPC Trust, a Book-Entry System, a depository or a sub-custodian.  Each Fund reserves the right to instruct PFPC Trust as to the method of registration and safekeeping of the securities of the Fund.  Each Fund agrees to furnish to PFPC Trust appropriate instruments to enable PFPC Trust to maintain or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to register in the name of its nominee or in the name of the Book-Entry System or in the name of another appropriate entity, any securities which PFPC Trust may maintain for the Fund. With respect to uncertificated securities which are registered in the name of a Fund or a Portfolio (or a nominee thereof), PFPC Trust will reflect such securities on its records based upon the holdings information

 

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provided to it by the issuer of such securities, but notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary PFPC Trust shall not be obligated to safekeep such securities or to perform other duties with respect to such securities other than to make payment for the purchase of such securities upon receipt of Oral or Written Instructions, accept in sale proceeds received by PFPC Trust upon the sale of such securities of which PFPC Trust is informed pursuant to Oral or Written Instructions, and accept in other distributions received by PFPC Trust with respect to such securities or reflect on its records any reinvested distributions with respect to such securities of which it is informed by the issuer of the securities.

 

(g)                                  Voting and Other Action .  Neither PFPC Trust nor its nominee shall vote any  security held pursuant to this Agreement by or for the account of a Portfolio, except in accordance with Written Instructions.  PFPC Trust, directly or through the use of another entity, shall execute in blank and promptly deliver any notice, proxy or proxy soliciting materials received by PFPC Trust as custodian of a particular Portfolio under this Agreement to the registered holder of the security to which such notice, proxy or proxy soliciting materials relates.  If the registered holder is not the Portfolio for which such security is maintained, then Written Instructions or Oral Instructions from or on behalf of such Portfolio must designate the person who owns such security.

 

(h)                                  Transactions Not Requiring Instructions .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement requiring instructions in order to take a particular action, in the absence of contrary Written Instructions relating to a particular Fund or Portfolio, PFPC Trust is authorized to take the following actions without the need for instructions:

 

(i)                                      Collection of Income and Other Payments.

 

(A)                               collect and receive for the account of a Portfolio, all income, dividends, distributions, coupons, option premiums, other payments and similar items, included or to be included in such Portfolio’s Property, and, in addition, promptly advise the Portfolio of such receipt and credit such income to the Portfolio’s custodian account;

 

(B)                                 endorse and deposit for collection, in the name of a Fund, checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money;

 

(C)                                 receive and hold for the account of a Portfolio all securities received as a distribution on the Portfolio’s securities as a result of a stock dividend,

 

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share split-up or reorganization, recapitalization, readjustment or other rearrangement or distribution of rights or similar securities issued with respect to any securities belonging to the Portfolio and held by PFPC Trust hereunder;

 

(D)                                present for payment and collect the amount payable upon all securities which may mature or be called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable (on a mandatory basis) on the date such securities become payable; and

 

(E)                                  take any action which may be necessary and proper in connection with the collection and receipt of such income and other payments and the endorsement for collection of checks, drafts, and other negotiable instruments.

 

(ii)                                   Miscellaneous Transactions .

 

(A)                               PFPC Trust is authorized to deliver or cause to be delivered a particular Portfolio’s Property against payment or other consideration or written receipt therefor in the following cases:

 

(1)                                   for examination by a broker or dealer selling for the  account of the Portfolio in accordance with street delivery custom;

 

(2)                                   for the exchange of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; and

 

(3)                                   for transfer of securities into the name of the applicable Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or PFPC Trust or a sub-custodian or a nominee of one of the foregoing, or for exchange of securities for a different number of bonds, certificates, or other evidence, representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units bearing the same interest rate, maturity date and call provisions, if any; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to PFPC Trust.

 

(B)                                 PFPC Trust shall:

 

(1)                                   pay all income items held by it which call for payment upon presentation and hold the cash received by it upon such payment for the account of the applicable Portfolio;

 

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(2)            collect interest and cash dividends received, with notice to the applicable Fund, to the account of the applicable Portfolio;

 

(3)            hold for the account of a Portfolio all stock dividends, rights and similar securities issued with respect to any securities held by PFPC Trust for such Portfolio; and

 

(4)            subject to receipt of such documentation and information as PFPC Trust may request, execute as agent on behalf of a Fund all necessary ownership certificates required by a national governmental taxing authority or under the laws of any U.S. state now or hereafter in effect, inserting the Fund’s name, on behalf of a Portfolio of the Fund, on such certificate as the owner of the securities covered thereby, to the extent PFPC Trust may lawfully do so.

 

(iii)                                Other Matters .

 

(A)                               subject to receipt of such documentation and information as PFPC Trust may request, PFPC Trust will, in such jurisdictions as PFPC Trust may agree from time to time with respect to a particular Fund, seek to reclaim or obtain a reduction with respect to any withholdings or other taxes relating to assets of such Fund maintained hereunder (provided that PFPC Trust will not be liable to any Fund for failure to obtain any particular relief in a particular jurisdiction); and

 

(B)            PFPC Trust is authorized to deduct or withhold any sum in respect of tax which PFPC Trust considers is required to be deducted or withheld “at source” by any relevant law or practice.

 

(i)                                      Segregated Accounts .

 

(i)                                      PFPC Trust shall upon receipt of Written Instructions or Oral Instructions establish and maintain segregated accounts on its records for and on behalf of a particular Portfolio.  Such accounts may be used to transfer cash and securities, including securities in a Book-Entry System or other depository:

 

(A)                               for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by a securities or option exchange, providing such procedures comply with the 1940 Act and any releases of the SEC relating to the

 

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maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies; and

 

(B)                                 upon receipt of Written Instructions, for other purposes.

 

(ii)                                   PFPC Trust shall arrange for the establishment of IRA custodian accounts for such shareholders holding Shares of a Portfolio through IRA accounts, in accordance with the Portfolio’s prospectuses, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (including regulations promulgated thereunder), and with such other procedures as are mutually agreed upon from time to time by and among the applicable Fund, PFPC Trust and the Portfolio’s transfer agent.

 

(j)                                      Purchases of Securities .  PFPC Trust shall settle purchased securities upon receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions that specify:

 

(i)             the name of the issuer and the title of the securities, including CUSIP number if applicable;

 

(ii)            the number of shares or the principal amount purchased and accrued interest, if any;

 

(iii)           the date of purchase and settlement;

 

(iv)           the purchase price per unit;

 

(v)            the total amount payable upon such purchase;

 

(vi)           the Portfolio involved; and

 

(vii)          the name of the person from whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made.  PFPC Trust shall upon receipt of securities purchased by or for a Portfolio (or otherwise in accordance with standard market practice) pay out of the monies held for the account of the Portfolio the total amount payable to the person from whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the Oral Instructions or Written Instructions relating to such transaction.

 

(k)                                   Sales of Securities .  PFPC Trust shall settle sold securities upon receipt of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions that specify:

 

(i)             the name of the issuer and the title of the security, including CUSIP number if applicable;

 

(ii)            the number of shares or principal amount sold, and accrued interest, if any;

 

(iii)           the date of trade and settlement;

 

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(iv)           the sale price per unit;

 

(v)            the total amount payable to the Portfolio upon such sale;

 

(vi)           the name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was made;

 

(vii)          the location to which the security must be delivered and delivery deadline, if any; and

 

(viii)         the Portfolio involved.

 

PFPC Trust shall deliver the securities sold by or for a Portfolio upon receipt of the total amount payable to the Portfolio upon such sale, provided that the total amount payable is the same as was set forth in the Oral Instructions or Written Instructions relating to such transaction.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, PFPC Trust may accept payment in such form as is consistent with standard industry practice and may deliver assets and arrange for payment in accordance with the standard market practice.

 

(l)                                      Reports; Proxy Materials .

 

(i)                                      PFPC Trust shall furnish to each Fund the following reports:

 

(A)                               such periodic and special reports as the Fund may reasonably request;

 

(B)                                 a monthly statement summarizing all transactions and entries for the account of each of the Fund’s Portfolios, listing each portfolio security belonging to each such Portfolio (with the corresponding security identification number) held at the end of such month and stating the cash balance of each such Portfolio at the end of such month;

 

(C)                                 the reports required to be furnished to the Fund pursuant to Rule 17f-4 of the 1940 Act; and

 

(D)                                such other information as may be agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and PFPC Trust.

 

(ii)                                   PFPC Trust shall transmit promptly to a Fund any proxy statement, proxy material, notice of a call or conversion or similar communication received by it as custodian of such Fund’s Portfolios under this Agreement.  PFPC Trust shall be under no other obligation to inform any Fund as to such actions or events. For clarification, upon termination of this Agreement with respect to a particular Fund PFPC Trust shall have no responsibility to transmit to such Fund any material referenced in the first sentence of this sub-section (l)(ii) or to inform such Fund or any other person having any interest in or with respect to such Fund of any actions

 

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or events referenced in the first sentence of this sub-section (l)(ii).

 

(m)                                Crediting of Accounts . PFPC Trust may in its sole discretion credit an Account with respect to income, dividends, distributions, coupons, option premiums, other payments or similar items prior to PFPC Trust’s actual receipt thereof, and in addition PFPC Trust may in its sole discretion credit or debit the assets in an Account on a contractual settlement date with respect to any sale, exchange or purchase applicable to the Account; provided that nothing herein or otherwise shall require PFPC Trust to make any advances or to credit any amounts until PFPC Trust’s actual receipt thereof.  If PFPC Trust credits an Account with respect to (a) income, dividends, distributions, coupons, option premiums, other payments or similar items on a contractual payment date or otherwise in advance of PFPC Trust’s actual receipt of the amount due, (b) the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of assets on the contractual settlement date or otherwise in advance of PFPC Trust’s actual receipt of the amount due or (c) provisional crediting of any amounts due, and (i) PFPC Trust is subsequently unable to collect full and final payment for the amounts so credited within a reasonable time period using reasonable efforts or (ii) pursuant to standard industry practice, law or regulation PFPC Trust is required to repay to a third party such amounts so credited, or if any asset has been incorrectly credited to an Account, PFPC Trust shall have the absolute right in its sole discretion without demand to reverse any such credit or payment, to debit or deduct the amount of such credit or payment from the Account, and to otherwise pursue recovery of any such amounts so credited from the Fund to which such Account relates.  Each Fund hereby grants to PFPC Trust and to each sub-custodian utilized by PFPC Trust in connection with providing services to such Fund a first priority contractual possessory security interest in and a right of setoff against the assets maintained in the Account of a particular Portfolio of the Fund in the amount necessary to secure the return and payment to PFPC Trust and to each such sub-custodian of any advance or credit made by PFPC Trust and/or by such sub-custodian (including charges related thereto) to such Account. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, PFPC Trust shall be entitled to assign any rights it has under this sub-section (m) with respect to a particular Fund to any sub-custodian utilized by PFPC Trust in connection with providing services to such Fund which sub-custodian makes any credits or advances with respect to such Fund.

 

(n)                                  Collections .  All collections of monies or other property in respect, or which are to become

 

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part, of the Property of a Portfolio (but not the safekeeping thereof upon receipt by PFPC Trust) shall be at the sole risk of such Portfolio.  If payment is not received by PFPC Trust within a reasonable time after proper demands have been made, PFPC Trust shall notify the applicable Fund in writing, including copies of all demand letters, any written responses and memoranda of all oral responses and shall await instructions from such Fund.  PFPC Trust shall not be obliged to take legal action for collection unless and until reasonably indemnified to its satisfaction.   PFPC Trust shall also notify the applicable Fund as soon as reasonably practicable whenever income due on securities is not collected in due course and shall provide such Fund with periodic status reports of such income collected after a reasonable time.

 

(o)                                  Foreign Exchange . PFPC Trust and/or sub-custodians may enter into or arrange foreign exchange transactions (at such rates as they may consider appropriate) in order to facilitate transactions under this Agreement, and such entities and/or their affiliates may receive compensation in connection with such foreign exchange transactions.

 

15.                                Duration and Termination .

 

(a)                                   This Agreement shall be effective and shall continue with respect to a particular Fund for an initial period of three (3) years from the date the Fund becomes a party to this Agreement (the “Initial Term”).

 

(b)                                  Upon the expiration of the Initial Term with respect to a particular Fund, this Agreement shall automatically renew with respect to such Fund for successive terms of one (1) year (“Renewal Terms”) each, unless such Fund or PFPC Trust provides written notice to the other of its intent not to renew this Agreement with respect to such Fund.  Such notice must be received not less than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then current Renewal Term applicable to the Fund to which the termination relates.

 

(c)                                   In the event a termination notice is given by a Fund, all expenses associated with movement of records and materials and conversion thereof to a successor service provider relating to such Fund will be borne by such Fund.

 

(d)                                  If PFPC Trust is guilty of a material failure to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement with respect to a particular Fund that Fund may give written notice thereof to PFPC Trust, and if such material breach shall not have been remedied by PFPC Trust within thirty (30) days after such written notice is given, then that particular Fund may terminate this Agreement with respect to that Fund by giving thirty (30) days written

 

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notice of such termination to PFPC Trust.  If a Fund is guilty of a material failure to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement PFPC Trust may give written notice thereof to such Fund, and if such material breach shall not have been remedied by the Fund within thirty (30) days after such written notice is given, then PFPC Trust may terminate this Agreement with respect to that Fund by giving thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to such Fund.  In all cases relating to a termination of this Agreement pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 15(d), termination by the non-defaulting party shall not constitute a waiver by the non-defaulting party of any other rights it might have under this Agreement or otherwise against the defaulting party.

 

(e)                                   In the event this Agreement is terminated with respect to a particular Fund (pending appointment of a successor to PFPC Trust with respect to such Fund or the vote of the shareholders of such Fund to dissolve or to function without a custodian of its cash, securities or other property), PFPC Trust shall not deliver cash, securities or other property of the Fund’s Portfolios to that Fund; PFPC Trust may, however, deliver the cash, securities, and other property of the Fund’s Portfolios to a bank or trust company of PFPC Trust’s choice, having aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000), as a custodian for the Fund to be held under terms similar to those of this Agreement.  PFPC Trust shall not be required to make any delivery or payment of assets of a Portfolio upon termination of this Agreement with respect to such Portfolio until full payment shall have been made by such Portfolio to PFPC Trust of all of PFPC Trust’s fees, compensation, costs and expenses relating to such Portfolio (including without limitation fees and expenses associated with deconversion or conversion to another service provider and other trailing expenses incurred by PFPC Trust); PFPC Trust shall have a first priority contractual possessory security interest in and shall have a right of setoff against the Property relating to such Portfolio as security for the payment of such fees, compensation, costs and expenses.

 

16.                                Notices .   Notices shall be addressed (a) if to PFPC Trust at 8800 Tinicum Boulevard, 3 rd Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19153, Attention:  Sam Sparhawk (or such other address as PFPC Trust may inform the Funds in writing from time to time);  (b) if to a Fund, at Gateway Center Three, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102, Attention: Grace C. Torres (or such other address as a particular Fund may inform PFPC Trust in writing from time to time); or (c) if to

 

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neither a Fund nor PFPC Trust, at such other address as shall have been given to the sender of any such notice or other communication.  If notice is sent by confirming facsimile sending device, it shall be deemed to have been given immediately.  If notice is sent by first-class mail, it shall be deemed to have been given five days after it has been mailed.  If notice is sent by messenger, it shall be deemed to have been given on the day it is delivered.

 

17.                                Amendments .   This Agreement, or any term hereof, may be changed or waived only by a written amendment, signed by the party against whom enforcement of such change or waiver is sought.

 

18.                                Assignment . PFPC Trust may assign its rights hereunder with respect to a particular Fund to any majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of PFPC Trust or of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., provided that PFPC Trust gives such Fund thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such assignment.

 

19.                                Counterparts .   This Agreement may be executed 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.

 

20.                                Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement .  As between each separate Fund and PFPC Trust, this Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between such Fund and PFPC Trust and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between such Fund and PFPC Trust relating to the subject matter hereof, provided that such Fund and PFPC Trust may embody in one or more separate documents their agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties.

 

(b)                                  No Representations or Warranties .  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, PFPC Trust hereby disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, made to any Fund or any other person, including, without limitation, any warranties regarding quality, suitability, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise (irrespective of any course of dealing, custom or usage of trade), of any services or any goods provided incidental to services provided under this Agreement.  PFPC Trust disclaims any warranty of title or non-infringement except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   No Changes that Materially Affect Obligations .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Fund agrees not to make any modifications to its registration statement or adopt any policies which would affect materially the obligations or responsibilities of PFPC Trust hereunder without the prior written approval of PFPC Trust, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

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(d)                                  Captions .  The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

(e)                                   Information .  Each Fund will provide such information and documentation as PFPC Trust may reasonably request in connection with services provided by PFPC Trust to the Fund.

 

(f)                                     Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made in Delaware and governed by Delaware law, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

 

(g)                                  Partial Invalidity .  If any provision of this Agreement as it relates to a particular Fund shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

 

(h)                                  Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

(i)                                      Facsimile Signatures .  The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party.

 

(j)                                      Prior Agreements .

 

(i) This Agreement shall supercede and replace any other Custodian Services Agreement made as of July 1, 2005 involving any registered investment company set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto and PFPC Trust.

 

(ii) As between PFPC Trust and American Skandia Trust, this Agreement shall supersede and replace the Custodian Services Agreement between American Skandia Trust and PFPC Trust (successor by assignment to Provident National Bank) dated as of May 1, 1992.  As between PFPC Trust and Strategic Partners Mutual Funds, Inc., this Agreement shall supersede and replace the Custodian Services Agreement between Strategic Partners Mutual Funds, Inc. (formerly, American Skandia Advisor Funds, Inc.) and PFPC Trust (successor by assignment to PNC Bank, National Association) dated as of June 1, 1997.

 

(k)                                   Separate Agreements .  PFPC Trust is entering into this Agreement with each of the Funds separately, and any duty, obligation or liability owed or incurred by PFPC Trust with respect to a particular Fund shall be owed or incurred solely with respect to that Fund, and shall not in any way create any duty, obligation or liability with respect to any other Fund.  This Agreement shall be interpreted to carry out the intent of the parties hereto that PFPC Trust is entering into a separate arrangement with each separate Fund.

 

(l)                                      Customer Identification Program Notice .  To help the U.S. government fight the funding

 

23



 

of terrorism and money laundering activities, U.S. Federal law requires each financial institution to obtain, verify, and record certain information that identifies each person who initially opens an account with that financial institution on or after October 1, 2003.  Consistent with this requirement, PFPC Trust may request (or may have already requested) each Fund’s name, address and taxpayer identification number or other government-issued identification number, and, if such party is a natural person, that party’s date of birth.  PFPC Trust may also ask (and may have already asked) for additional identifying information, and PFPC Trust may take steps (and may have already taken steps) to verify the authenticity and accuracy of these data elements.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of American Skandia Trust, Strategic Partners Mutual Funds, Inc. and PFPC Trust has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

PFPC TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN SKANDIA TRUST

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STRATEGIC PARTNERS MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

24



 

EXHIBIT A

 

Dated:  July 1, 2005

 

PORTFOLIOS

 

American Skandia Trust

 

AST JPMorgan International Equity Portfolio

AST William Blair International Growth Portfolio

AST LSV International Value Portfolio

AST MFS Global Equity Portfolio

AST State Street Research Small-Cap Growth Portfolio

AST DeAM Small-Cap Growth Portfolio

AST Federated Aggressive Growth Portfolio

AST Goldman Sachs Small-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Small-Cap Value Portfolio

AST DeAM Small-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Goldman Sachs Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio

AST Neuberger Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio

AST Neuberger Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Alger All-Cap Growth Portfolio

AST Gabelli All-Cap Value Portfolio

AST T. Rowe Price Natural Resources Portfolio

AST Alliance Growth Portfolio

AST MFS Growth Portfolio

AST Marsico Capital Growth Portfolio

AST Goldman Sachs Concentrated Growth Portfolio

AST DeAM Large-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Hotchkis & Wiley Large-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Alliance/Bernstein Growth + Value Portfolio

AST Sanford Bernstein Core Value Portfolio

AST Cohen & Steers Realty Portfolio

AST Sanford Bernstein Managed Index 500 Portfolio

AST American Century Income & Growth Portfolio

AST Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio

AST DeAM Global Allocation Portfolio

AST American Century Strategic Balanced Portfolio

AST T. Rowe Price Asset Allocation Portfolio

AST T. Rowe Price Global Bond Portfolio

AST Goldman Sachs High Yield Bond Portfolio

AST Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Portfolio

AST PIMCO Total Return Bond Portfolio

AST PIMCO Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio

AST Money Market Portfolio

 

Strategic Partners Mutual Funds, Inc.

Strategic Partners International Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Small Cap Growth Opportunity Fund

 

25



 

Strategic Partners Managed Small Cap Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Small Company Fund

Strategic Partners Mid Cap Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Relative Value Fund

Strategic Partners Technology Fund

Strategic Partners Health Sciences Fund

Strategic Partners Managed OTC Fund

Strategic Partners Capital Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Concentrated Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Core Value Fund

Strategic Partners Managed Index 500 Fund

Strategic Partners Equity Income Fund

Strategic Partners Growth with Income Fund

Strategic Partners Capital Income Fund

Strategic Partners Balanced Fund

Strategic Partners High Yield Bond Fund

Strategic Partners Bond Fund

Strategic Partners Money Market Fund

 

26



 

ADDITION OF FUNDS TO CUSTODIAN SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

This document relates to the addition of each registered investment company listed on Attachment A to this document (each an “Additional Fund”) as a party to the Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, each Additional Fund wishes to retain PFPC Trust Company (“PFPC Trust”) to provide the custodian services set forth in the Agreement (as defined below) to its investment portfolios listed on Attachment A to this document (each an “Additional Portfolio”), and PFPC Trust wishes to furnish such services;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, each Additional Fund and PFPC Trust agree as follows:

 

1.                                        For purposes of this document:

 

A.            “Agreement” means the Custodian Services Agreement initially made as of July 1, 2005 separately by and between each of American Skandia Trust and Strategic Partners Mutual Funds, Inc. (each of which is a “Fund” under such Custodian Services Agreement) and PFPC Trust, as such Custodian Services Agreement may be amended or amended and restated from time to time.

 

B.              “Effective Date” means, with respect to a particular Additional Portfolio, the effective date listed for such Additional Portfolio on Attachment A to this document (or such other date as agreed in writing between PFPC Trust and the Additional Fund to which such Additional Portfolio relates).

 

2.                                        Each Additional Fund hereby appoints PFPC Trust to provide the custodian  services set forth in the Agreement, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Agreement, to each of its Additional Portfolios as of the Effective Date for each such respective Additional Portfolio. PFPC Trust accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such services as of the relevant Effective Date.

 

3.                                        An Additional Fund shall be added as a party to the Agreement as of the first Effective Date which is applicable to one of the Additional Fund’s Additional Portfolios, and as of such Effective Date such Additional Fund shall be a “Fund” for all purposes under the Agreement. For clarity, notwithstanding the foregoing, Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds was added as a party to the Agreement and became a “Fund” for all purposes under the Agreement as of August 15, 2005.

 

27



 

4.                                        An Additional Portfolio shall be deemed to be listed on Exhibit A attached to the Agreement as of the Effective Date for such Additional Portfolio, and as of the Effective Date for a particular Additional Portfolio (but not before such Effective Date) such Additional Portfolio shall be a “Portfolio” for all purposes under the Agreement.

 

5.                                        For clarity and notwithstanding the provisions of Section 20(a) of the Agreement, this document embodies a portion of the agreement and understanding between each Additional Fund and PFPC Trust relating to the subject matter of the Agreement and the Agreement shall not supercede the terms and provisions of this document.

 

6.                                        PFPC Trust is entering into this document with each of the Additional Funds separately, and any duty, obligation or liability owed or incurred by PFPC Trust with respect to a particular Additional Fund shall be owed or incurred solely with respect to that Additional Fund, and shall not in any way create any duty, obligation or liability with respect to any other Additional Fund. This document shall be interpreted to carry out the intent of the parties hereto that PFPC Trust is entering into a separate arrangement with each separate Additional Fund.

 

Agreed:

 

PFPC Trust Company

Each Registered Investment Company set Forth on
Attachment A attached hereto

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

28



 

ATTACHMENT A

 

ADDITIONAL FUND

 

ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIO

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29


 

Exhibit 99.(j)

 

[Letterhead of KPMG]

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of

Jennison Conservative Growth Fund, Inc.:

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference, in this registration statement, of our report dated September 28, 2005 on the statement of assets and liabilities of the Jennison Conservative Growth Fund, Inc. (formerly known as Strategic Partners Large Capitalization Growth Fund, Inc., hereafter referred to as the “Fund”), including the portfolio of investments as of July 31, 2005, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended. The financial statements and financial highlights and our report thereon are included in the Annual Report of the Funds as filed on Form N-CSR.

 

We also consent to the references to our firm under the headings “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus and “Other Service Providers” and “Financial Statements” in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

KPMG LLP

New York, New York

September 28, 2005

 



 

[Letterhead of KPMG]

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of

Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds:

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference, in this registration statement, of our report dated September 28, 2005 on the statement of assets and liabilities of the Strategic Partners Large Capitalization Value Fund, Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Growth Fund, Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Value Fund and Strategic Partners Total Return Bond Fund (constituting Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds, hereafter referred to as the “Funds”), including the portfolios of investments as of July 31, 2005, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, and the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended. The financial statements and financial highlights and our report thereon are included in the Annual Report of the Funds as filed on Form N-CSR.

 

We also consent to the references to our firm under the headings “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus and “Other Service Providers” and “Financial Statements” in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

KPMG LLP

New York, New York

September 28, 2005

 


Exhibit 99.(m)(1)

 

NOTICE OF RULE 12b-1 FEE WAIVER

Class A Shares

 

THIS NOTICE OF RULE 12b-1 FEE WAIVER is signed as of August 1, 2005, by PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC (PIMS), the Principal Underwriter of Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds, a multi-series open-end management investment company (the Trust and each separate series of which is referred to as a Fund).

 

WHEREAS, PIMS has been waiving a portion of its distribution and shareholder services fees payable on Class A shares of each Fund (Rule 12b-1 fees); and

 

WHEREAS, PIMS desires to provide a contractual waiver of a portion of Rule 12b-1 fees for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2006; and

 

WHEREAS, PIMS understands and intends that the Trust will rely on this Notice and agreement in preparing a registration statement on Form N-1A and in accruing each Fund’s respective expenses for purposes of calculating net asset value and for other purposes, and expressly permits the Trust to do so; and

 

WHEREAS, shareholders of the Funds will benefit from the ongoing contractual waiver by incurring lower Fund operating expenses than they would absent such waiver.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, PIMS hereby provides notice that it has agreed to limit the distribution or service (12b-1) fees incurred by Class A shares of each Fund to .25 of 1% of the respective average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares of each Fund.  This contractual waiver shall be effective from the date hereof through July 31, 2006.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PIMS has signed this Notice of Rule 12b-1 Fee Waiver as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT

MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC

 

 

By

/s/ Robert F. Gunia

 

Name:

Robert F. Gunia

Title:

President

 



 

NOTICE OF RULE 12b-1 FEE WAIVER

Class B and C Shares

 

THIS NOTICE OF RULE 12b-1 FEE WAIVER is signed as of August 1, 2005, by PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC (PIMS), the Principal Underwriter of Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds- Total Return Bond Fund (referred to as the Fund).

 

WHEREAS, PIMS has been waiving a portion of its distribution and shareholder services fees payable on Class B and C shares of each Fund (Rule 12b-1 fees); and

 

WHEREAS, PIMS desires to provide a contractual waiver of a portion of Rule 12b-1 fees for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2006; and

 

WHEREAS, PIMS understands and intends that the Trust will rely on this Notice and agreement in preparing a registration statement on Form N-1A and in accruing each Fund’s respective expenses for purposes of calculating net asset value and for other purposes, and expressly permits the Trust to do so; and

 

WHEREAS, shareholders of the Funds will benefit from the ongoing contractual waiver by incurring lower Fund operating expenses than they would absent such waiver.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, PIMS hereby provides notice that it has agreed to limit the distribution or service (12b-1) fees incurred by Class B and C shares of each Fund to .75 of 1% of the respective average daily net assets attributable to Class B and C shares of each Fund.  This contractual waiver shall be effective from the date hereof through July 31, 2006.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PIMS has signed this Notice of Rule 12b-1 Fee Waiver as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT

MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert F. Gunia

 

Name:

Robert F. Gunia

Title:

President

 


Exhibit 99.(p)(1)

 

JENNISONDRYDEN AND

STRATEGIC PARTNERS MUTUAL FUND COMPLEX

(the Fund)

 

Code of Ethics Adopted Pursuant to Rule 17j-1

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940

(the Code)

 

1.                                       Purposes

 

The Code has been adopted by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund, in accordance with Rule 17j-1(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Act) and in accordance with the following general principles:

 

(1)  The duty at all times to place the interests of investment company shareholders first.

 

Investment company personnel should scrupulously avoid serving their own personal interests ahead of shareholders’ interests in any decision relating to their personal investments.

 

(2)  The requirement that all personal securities transactions be conducted consistent with the Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility.

 

Investment company personnel must not only seek to achieve technical compliance with the Code but should strive to abide by its spirit and the principles articulated herein.

 

(3)  The fundamental standard that investment company personnel should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.

 

Investment company personnel must avoid any situation that might compromise, or call into question, their exercise of fully independent judgment in the interest of shareholders, including, but not limited to the receipt of unusual investment opportunities, perquisites, or gifts of more than a de minimis value from persons doing or seeking business with the Fund.

 



 

Rule 17j-1 under the Act generally proscribes fraudulent or manipulative practices with respect to a purchase or sale of a security held or to be acquired (as such term is defined in Section 2) by an investment company, if effected by an associated person of such company.

 

The purpose of the Code is to establish procedures consistent with the Act and Rule 17j-1 to give effect to the following general prohibitions as set forth in Rule 17j-1(b) as follows:

 

(a)                                   It shall be unlawful for any affiliated person of or Principal Underwriter for a registered investment company, or any affiliated person of an investment adviser of or principal underwriter for a registered investment company in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such person of a security held or to be acquired, by such registered investment company:

 

(1)                                   To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud such registered investment company;

 

(2)                                   To make to such registered investment company any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to such registered investment company a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;

 

(3)                                   To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any such registered investment company; or

 

(4)                                   To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to such registered investment company.

 

2



 

2.                                       Definitions

 

(a)                                   “Access Person” means any director/trustee, officer, general partner or Advisory Person (including any Investment Personnel, as that term is defined herein) of the Fund, the Manager, the Adviser/ Subadviser, or the Principal Underwriter.

 

(b)                                  “Adviser/Subadviser” means the Adviser or a Subadviser, if any, of the Fund or both as the context may require.

 

(c)                                   “Advisory Person” means (i) any employee of the Fund, Manager or Adviser/Subadviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Fund, Manager or Adviser/Subadviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains current or pending information regarding the purchase or sale of a security by the Fund, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; and (ii) any natural person in a control relationship to the Fund who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund with regard to the purchase or sale of a security.

 

(d)                                  “Beneficial Ownership” will be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Securities Exchange Act Rule 16a-1(a)(2) in determining which security holdings of a person are subject to the reporting and short-swing profit provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, except that the determination of direct or indirect beneficial ownership will apply to all securities which an Access Person has or acquires ( Exhibit A ).

 

(e)  “Complex” means the group of registered investment companies for which Prudential Investments LLC serves as Manager; provided, however, that with respect to Access Persons of the Manager or Subadviser (including any unit or subdivision thereof), “Complex” means the group of registered investment companies in the Complex advised by such Subadviser or unit or subdivision thereof or to which an Access Person is deemed to have access.  A list of such registered investment companies will be maintained by the Compliance Officer.

 

(f)                                     “Compliance Officer” means the person or persons (including his or her designees) designated by the Manager, the Adviser/Subadviser, or Principal Underwriter, respectively, as having responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Code.

 

(g)                                  “Control” will have the same meaning as that set forth in

 

3



 

Section 2(a)(9) of the Act.

 

(h)                                  “Disinterested Director/Trustee” means a Director/Trustee of the Fund who is not an “interested person” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Act.

 

An interested Director/Trustee who would not otherwise be deemed to be an Access Person, shall be treated as a Disinterested Director/Trustee for purposes of compliance with the provisions of the Code.

 

(i)                                      “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.

 

(j)                                      “Investment Personnel” means: (a) Portfolio Managers and other Advisory Persons who provide investment information and/or advice to the Portfolio Manager(s) and/or help execute the Portfolio Manager’s(s’) investment decisions, including securities analysts and traders; (b) any natural person in a control relationship to the Fund who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund with regard to the purchase or sale of a security; and (c) certain other individuals as designated by the Compliance Officer.

 

(k)                                   “Manager” means Prudential Investments LLC.

 

(l)                                      “Mutual Fund Code of Ethics/Personal Securities Trading Committee” or “Committee” means a specified group of Business Unit, Compliance, and Human Resources executives responsible for interpreting and administering the Code, including but not limited to, reviewing violations of the Code and determining any sanctions or other disciplinary actions that may be deemed appropriate.  In addition, the Committee may waive and or modify violations and sanctions or other disciplinary actions at its discretion when deemed appropriate by the Committee.  The Committee will review such violations in consultation with legal counsel.  A list of such Committee members shall be maintained by the Compliance Officer.

 

(m)                                “Non-proprietary Registered Open-end Investment Company” or “Non-proprietary Fund” means any registered open-end investment company whose registered investment adviser is an entity other than Prudential Investments LLC.

 

4



 

(n)                                  “Portfolio Manager” means any Advisory Person who has the direct responsibility and authority to make investment decisions for the Fund.

 

(o)                                  “Private placement” means a limited 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 such Securities Act.

 

(p)                                  “Profits” means any total or partial gain realized from a securities transaction or group of transactions as defined by the Mutual Fund Code of Ethics/Personal Securities Trading Committee (“Committee”).

 

(q)                                  “Proprietary Registered Open-End Investment Company” or “Proprietary Fund” means a registered open-end investment company for which Prudential Investments LLC acts as the registered investment adviser, with the exception of proprietary money market open-end registered investment companies or any other open-end registered investment companies identified by the Compliance Officer.(1)

 

(r)                                     “Security” will have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the Act, except that it will not include shares of Non-proprietary Registered Open-end Investment Companies, money market registered open-end investment companies, direct obligations of the Government of the United States, short-term debt securities which are “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Act, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and such other money market instruments as are designated by the Compliance Officer.  For purposes of the Code, an “equivalent Security” is one that has a substantial economic relationship to another Security.  This would include, among other things, (1) a Security that is exchangeable for or convertible into another Security, (2) with respect to an equity Security, a Security having the same issuer (including a private issue by the same issuer) and any derivative, option or warrant relating to that Security and (3) with respect to a fixed-income Security, a Security having the same issuer, maturity, coupon and rating.

 

(s) “Security held or to be acquired” means any Security or any equivalent Security which, within the most recent 15 days:  (1) is or has been held by the Fund; or (2) is being considered by the Fund or its investment adviser for purchase by the Fund.

 


(1)  The Compliance Officer will maintain a list of such exempt open-end registered investment companies.

 

5



 

3.                                       Applicability

 

The Code applies to all Access Persons, except that Access Persons covered by more than one Code of Ethics meeting the requirements of Rule 17j-1 may be governed by the provisions of such other Code of Ethics and report all transactions pursuant to the terms of such other Code of Ethics provided that such Code was reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund. The Compliance Officer shall ensure that each Access Person subject to this Code receives a copy of the Code.    The Compliance Officer will maintain a list of all Access Persons who are currently, and within the past five years, subject to the Code.

 

4.                                       Prohibited Purchases and Sales

 

The prohibitions described below will only apply to a transaction in a security in which the designated Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership.

 

A.                                     Mutual Funds

 

Except as provided in Section 5 below, Investment Personnel and certain other individuals identified by the Compliance Officer are required to hold Proprietary Funds purchased for a period of 90-days.  Profits realized on such transactions that do not adhere to the requirements of this Section may be promptly required to be disgorged to the Fund or as otherwise deemed appropriate by the Committee.

 

B.                                     Initial Public Offerings

 

No Investment Personnel may acquire any Securities in an initial public offering.  For purposes of this restriction, “Initial Public Offerings” shall not include offerings of government and municipal securities.

 

6



 

C.                                     Private Placements

 

No Investment Personnel may acquire any Securities in a private placement without prior approval.

 

(i)                                      Prior approval must be obtained in accordance with the preclearance procedure described in Section 6 below.  Such approval will take into account, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for the Fund and its shareholders and whether the opportunity is being offered to the Investment Personnel by virtue of his or her position with the Fund.  The Adviser/Subadviser shall maintain a record of such prior approval and reason for same, for at least 5 years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.

 

(ii)                                   Investment Personnel who have been authorized to acquire Securities in a private placement must disclose that investment to the chief investment officer (including his or her designee) of the Adviser/Subadviser (or of any unit or subdivision thereof) or the Compliance Officer when they play a part in any subsequent consideration of an investment by the Fund in the issuer.  In such circumstances, the Fund’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.

 

D.                                     Blackout Periods

 

(i)  Except as provided in Section 5 below, Access Persons are prohibited from executing a Securities transaction on a day during which any investment

 

7



 

company in the Complex has a pending “buy” or “sell” order in the same or an equivalent Security and until such time as that order is executed or withdrawn; provided, however, that this prohibition shall not apply to Disinterested Directors/Trustees except if they have actual knowledge of trading by any fund in the Complex.

 

This prohibition shall also not apply to Access Persons of the Manager, Principal Underwriter, and Adviser/Subadviser who do not, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties, have access to current or pending information regarding the purchase and sale of Securities for the Fund and are not engaged in the day-to-day trading operations of the Fund; provided that Securities investments effected by such Access Persons during the proscribed period are not effected with knowledge of the purchase or sale of the same or equivalent Securities by any fund in the Complex.

 

A “pending ‘buy’ or ‘sell’ order” exists when a decision to purchase or sell a Security has been made and communicated.  However, this prohibition shall not apply to a “pending ‘buy ‘or ‘sell’ order” in the same or an equivalent security in a broad based index fund.(2)

 

(ii) Portfolio Managers are prohibited from buying or selling a Security within seven calendar days before or after a Fund in the same Complex trades in the same or an equivalent Security.  Nevertheless, a personal trade by any Investment Personnel shall not prevent a Fund in the same Complex from trading in the same or an equivalent security.  However, such a transaction shall

 

8



 

be subject to independent review by the Compliance Officer.  This prohibition shall not apply to purchases and sales executed in a broad based index fund.

 

(iii) If trades are effected during the periods proscribed in (i) or (ii) above, except as provided in (iv) below with respect to (i) above, Profits realized on such trades will be promptly required to be disgorged to the Fund or a charitable organization approved by the Committee.

 

(iv) A transaction by Access Persons (other than Investment Personnel) inadvertently effected during the period proscribed in (i) above will not be considered a violation of the Code and disgorgement will not be required so long as the transaction was effected in accordance with the preclearance procedures described in Section 6 below and without prior knowledge of trading by any Fund in the Complex in the same or an equivalent Security.

 

E.                                       Short-Term Trading Profits

 

Except as provided in Section 5 below, Investment Personnel are prohibited from profiting from a purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same or an equivalent Security within any 60 calendar day period.  For purposes of this prohibition, Security shall exclude Proprietary Funds.  If trades are effected during the proscribed period, Profits realized on such trades will be promptly required to be disgorged to the Fund or a charitable organization approved by the Committee.

 

F.                                       Short Sales

 

No Access Person may sell any security short that is owned by any Fund in the Complex.  Access Persons may, however make short sales when he/she owns an

 


(2)  A list of such Funds shall be maintained by the Compliance Officer.

 

9



 

equivalent amount of the same security.  This prohibition does not apply to Disinterested Directors/Trustees.

 

G.                                     Options

 

No Access Person may write a naked call option or buy a naked put option on a security owned by any Fund in the Complex.  Access Persons may purchase options on securities not held by any Fund in the Complex, or purchase call options or write put options on securities owned by any Fund in the Complex, subject to preclearance and the same restrictions applicable to other Securities.  Access Persons may write covered call options or buy covered put options on a Security owned by any Fund in the Complex at the discretion of the Compliance Officer.  This prohibition does not apply to Disinterested Directors/Trustees.

 

H.                                     Investment Clubs

 

No Access Person may participate in an investment club.  This prohibition does not apply to Disinterested Directors/Trustees.

 

5.                                       Exempted Transactions

 

The requirements of Section 4.A. above will not apply to subparagraphs (a), (c), (d), (i), and (k) hereof.  In addition, subject to preclearance in accordance with Section 6 below with respect to subparagraphs (b), (e), (f), (g) and (i) hereof, the prohibitions of Sections 4.D. and 4.E., will not apply to the following:

 

(a)                                   Purchases or sales of Securities effected in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control or in any account of the Access Person which is managed on a discretionary basis by a person other than such Access Person and with respect to which such Access Person does not in fact influence or control such transactions.

 

10



 

(b)                                  Purchases or sales of Securities (or their equivalents) which are not eligible for purchase or sale by any fund in the Complex.

 

(c)                                   Purchases or sales of Securities which are non-volitional on the part of either the Access Person or any fund in the Complex.

 

(d)                                  Purchases of Securities, which are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment plan.

 

(e)                                   Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its Securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.

 

(f)                                     Any equity Securities transaction, or series of related transactions effected over a 30 calendar day period, involving 500 shares or less in the aggregate, if (i) the Access Person has no prior knowledge of activity in such security by any fund in the Complex and (ii) the issuer is listed on The New York Stock Exchange or has a market capitalization (outstanding shares multiplied by the current price per share) greater than $1 billion (or a corresponding market capitalization in foreign markets).

 

(g)                                  Any fixed-income Securities transaction, or series of related transactions effected over a 30 calendar day period, involving 100 units ($100,000 principal amount) or less in the aggregate, if the Access Person has no prior knowledge of transactions in such Securities by any fund in the Complex.

 

(h)                                  Any transaction in index options effected on a broad-based index.(3)

 

(i)                                      Purchases or sales of Securities which receive the prior approval of the Compliance Officer (such person having no personal interest in such purchases or sales), based on a determination that no abuse is involved and that such purchases and sales are not likely to have any economic impact on any fund in the Complex or on its ability to purchase or sell Securities of the same class or other Securities of the same issuer.  With respect to the requirements of Section 4.A. above, the Compliance Officer may approve certain hardship or other exceptions.

 

(j)                                      Purchases or sales of Unit Investment Trusts.

 

(k)                                   Purchases or sales of Securities that are part of an

 


(3)  A list of such indices will be maintained by the Compliance Officer.

 

11



 

automatic investment/withdrawal program or that result from automatic rebalancing.

 

6.                                       Preclearance

 

Access Persons (other than Disinterested Directors/Trustees) must preclear all personal Securities investments with the exception of those identified in subparts (a), (c), (d), (h) and (j) of Section 5 and Section 4.A. above.

 

All requests for preclearance must be submitted to the Compliance Officer for approval.  All approved orders must be executed by the close of business on the day in which preclearance is granted; provided, however that approved orders for Securities traded in foreign markets may be executed within two (2) business days from the date preclearance is granted. If any order is not timely executed, a request for preclearance must be resubmitted.

 

7.                                       Reporting

 

(a)                                   Disinterested Directors/Trustees shall report to the Secretary of the Fund the information described in Section 7(b) hereof with respect to transactions in any Security in which such Disinterested Director/Trustee has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the Security only if such Disinterested Director/Trustee, at the time of that transaction knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Director/Trustee of the Fund, should have known that, during the 15-day period immediately preceding or subsequent to the date of the transaction in a Security by such Director/Trustee, such Security is or was purchased or sold by the Fund or was being considered for purchase or sale by the Fund, the Manager or Adviser/Subadviser; provided, however, that a Disinterested

 

12



 

Director/Trustee is not required to make a report with respect to transactions effected in any account over which such Director/Trustee does not have any direct or indirect influence or control or in any account of the Disinterested Director/Trustee which is managed on a discretionary basis by a person other than such Director/Trustee and with respect to which such Director/Trustee does not in fact influence or control such transactions.  The Secretary of the Fund shall maintain such reports and such other records to the extent required by Rule 17j-1 under the Act.

 

(b)                                  Every report required by Section 7(a) hereof shall be made not later than ten days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the transaction to which the report relates was effected, and shall contain the following information:

 

(i)                                      The date of the transaction, the title and the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Security involved;

 

(ii)                                   The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

(iii)                                The price at which the transaction was effected;

 

(iv)                               The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and

 

(v)                                  The date that the report is submitted.

 

(c)                                   Any such report may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the Security to which the report relates.

 

8.                                       Records of Securities Transactions and Post-Trade Review

 

Access Persons (other than Disinterested Directors/Trustees) are required to direct their brokers to supply, on a timely basis, duplicate copies of confirmations of all

 

13



 

personal Securities transactions and copies of periodic statements for all Securities accounts in which such Access Persons have a Beneficial Ownership interest to the Compliance Officer.  Such instructions must be made upon becoming an Access Person and promptly as new accounts are established, but no later than ten 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 beneficial interest of the Access Person. Notification must be made in writing and a copy of the notification must be submitted to Compliance.   This notification will include the broker, dealer or bank with which the account was established and the date the account was established.

 

Compliance with this Code requirement will be deemed to satisfy the reporting requirements imposed on Access Persons under Rule 17j-1(d), provided, however, that such confirmations and statements contain all the information required by Section 7. b. hereof and are furnished within the time period required by such section.

 

The Compliance Officer will periodically review the personal investment activity of all Access Persons (including Disinterested Directors/Trustees with respect to Securities transactions reported pursuant to Section 7 above) and holdings reports of all Access Persons.

 

9.                                       Disclosure of Personal Holdings

 

Within ten days after an individual first becomes an Access Person and thereafter on an annual basis, each Access Person (other than Disinterested Directors/Trustees) must disclose all personal Securities holdings.  Such disclosure must be made in writing and be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the

 

14



 

date the individual first became an Access Person with respect to the initial report and include information that is current within the previous 45 days, with respect to the annual report.  All such reports shall include the following:  title, number of shares and principal amount of each security held, name of broker, dealer or bank with whom these securities are held and the date of submission by the Access Person.

 

10.                                Gifts

 

Access Persons are prohibited from receiving any gift or other thing, which would be considered excessive in value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Fund.  Occasional business meals or entertainment (theatrical or sporting events, etc.) are permitted so long as they are not excessive in number or cost.

 

11.                                Service As a Director

 

Investment Personnel are prohibited from serving on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies, absent prior authorization based upon a determination that the board service would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its shareholders.  In the limited instances that such board service is authorized, Investment Personnel will be isolated from those making investment decisions affecting transactions in Securities issued by any publicly traded company on whose board such Investment Personnel serves as a director through the use of “Chinese Wall” or other procedures designed to address the potential conflicts of interest.

 

12.                                Certification of Compliance with the Code

 

Access Persons are required to certify annually as follows:

 

(i)                                      that they have read and understood the Code;

 

(ii)                                   that they recognize that they are subject to the Code;

 

15



 

(iii)                                that they have complied with the requirements of the Code; and

 

(iv)                               that they have disclosed or reported all personal Securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code.

 

13.                                Code Violations and Sanctions

 

All violations of the Code will be reviewed by the Committee.  The Committee will determine any sanctions or other disciplinary actions that may be deemed appropriate.  All material violations and corresponding sanctions and/or disciplinary action will be reported to the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund on a quarterly basis.  The Board of Directors/Trustees may take action as it deems appropriate, in addition to any action previously taken by the Committee.

 

14.                                Review by the Board of Directors/Trustees

 

The Board of Directors/Trustees will be provided with an annual report which at a minimum:

 

(i) certifies to the Board that the Fund, Manager, Investment Adviser/Subadviser, and Principal Underwriter have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent its Access persons from violating its Code.

 

(ii) summarizes existing procedures concerning personal investing and any changes in the procedures made during the preceding year;

 

(iii) identifies material Code or procedural violations and sanctions imposed in response to those material violations; and

 

(iv) identifies any recommended changes in existing restrictions or procedures based upon the Fund’s experience under the Code, evolving industry practices, or

 

16



 

developments in applicable laws and regulations.

 

The Board will review such report and determine if any further action is required.

 

As of 4/6/05

 

17



 

Explanatory Notes to Code

 

1.                                        No comparable Code requirements have been imposed upon Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, or those of its directors or officers who are not Directors/Trustees or Officers of the Fund since they are deemed not to constitute Access Persons or Advisory Persons as defined in paragraphs (e)(1) and (2) of Rule 17j-1.

 

18



 

Exhibit A

 

Definition of Beneficial Ownership

 

The term “beneficial ownership” of securities would include not only ownership of securities held by an access person for his or her own benefit, whether in bearer form or registered in his or her own name or otherwise, but also ownership of securities held for his or her benefit by other (regardless of whether or how they are registered) such as custodians, brokers, executors, administrators, or trustees (including trusts in which he or she has only a remainder interest), and securities held for his or her account by pledges, securities owned by a partnership in which he or she should regard as a personal holding corporation.  Correspondingly, this term would exclude securities held by an access person for the benefit of someone else.

 

Ordinarily, this term would not include securities held by executors or administrators in estates in which an access person is a legatee or beneficiary unless there is a specific legacy to such person of such securities or such person is the sole legatee or beneficiary and there are other assets in the estate sufficient to pay debts ranking ahead of such legacy, or the securities are held in the estate more than a year after the decedent’s death.

 

Securities held in the name of another should be considered as “beneficially” owned by an access person where such person enjoys “benefits substantially equivalent to ownership”.  The SEC has said that although the final determination of beneficial ownership is a question to be determined in the light of the facts of the particular case, generally a person is regarded as the beneficial owner of securities held in the name of his or her spouse and their minor children.  Absent special circumstances such relationship ordinarily results in such person obtaining benefits substantially equivalent to ownership, e.g., application of the income derived from such securities to maintain a common home, to meet expenses which such person otherwise would meet from other sources, or the ability to exercise a controlling influence over the purchase, sale or voting of such securities.

 

An access person also may be regarded as the beneficial owner of securities held in the name of another person, if by reason of any contact, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, he obtains therefrom benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership.  Moreover, the fact that the holder is a relative or relative of a spouse and sharing the same home as an access person may in itself indicate that the access person would obtain benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership from securities held in the name of such relative.  Thus, absent countervailing facts, it is expected that securities held by relatives who share the same home as an access person will be treated as being beneficially owned by the access person.

 

An access person also is regarded as the beneficial owner of securities held in the name of a spouse, minor children or other person, even though he does not obtain therefrom the aforementioned benefits of ownership, if he can vest or revest title in himself at once or at some future time.

 

19


Exhibit 99.(p)(2)

 

Personal Securities

Trading Policy

 



 

INTRODUCTION

 

As a leader in the financial services industry, Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential” or “Company”) aspires to the highest standards of business conduct.  Consistent with this standard, Prudential has developed a Personal Securities Trading Policy (“Policy”) incorporating policies and procedures followed by leading financial service firms.  This Policy is designed to ensure Prudential and its associates comply with various securities laws and regulations including the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988 (“ITSFEA”) and the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) Conduct Rules, and to ensure that its associates conduct their personal trading in a manner consistent with Prudential’s policy of placing its shareholders’ and customers’ interests first.

 

This Policy sets forth insider trading standards and requirements, trade monitoring procedures, and personal trading restrictions for Prudential associates.

 

Section I sets forth Prudential’s Policy Statement On Insider Trading that applies to all Prudential associates.  It is important that all Prudential associates read and understand this policy, which sets forth their responsibilities in connection with the use and disclosure of material nonpublic information.

 

Section II sets forth Prudential’s trade monitoring procedures and trade reporting obligations for Covered and Access Persons, including the authorized broker-dealer requirements.

 

Section III sets forth Prudential’s policy and restrictions relating to personal trading in securities issued by Prudential for Designated Persons and all other Prudential associates.  Responsibilities for Section 16 Insiders are covered under a separate policy.

 

Section IV sets forth the additional trading policies and procedures applicable to associates of a Prudential broker-dealer.

 

Section V sets forth the additional trading policies and procedures applicable to associates of a Prudential portfolio management unit, trading unit or registered investment adviser.

 

Section VI sets forth the additional trading policies and procedures applicable to associates of the private asset management units of Prudential Investment Management (“PIM”).

 

Section VII sets forth the additional trading policies and procedures applicable to associates of Prudential Equity Group, Inc. (“PEG”).

 

If you are unclear as to your personal trading and reporting responsibilities, or have any questions concerning any aspect of this Policy, please contact the Securities Monitoring Unit, Compliance Department.

 

The personal trading policy and trade monitoring procedures described in this Policy reflect the practices followed by leading financial service firms.  No business unit or

 

i



 

group may adopt policies or procedures that are inconsistent with this Policy.  However, business units may, with the prior approval of the Securities Monitoring Unit, adopt policies and procedures that are more stringent than those contained in this Policy.

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION

I

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

III

 

 

I. PRUDENTIAL’S POLICY STATEMENT ON INSIDER TRADING

6

A. Use of Material Nonpublic Information

6

B. Prudential Insider Trading Rules

6

C. What is Nonpublic Information?

7

D. What is Material Information?

8

E. “Front-running” and “Scalping”

9

F. Private Securities Transactions

9

G. Charitable Gifts

9

H. Penalties for Insider Trading

9

1. Penalties for Individuals

10

2. Penalties for Supervisors

10

3. Penalties for Prudential

10

 

 

II. SECURITIES TRADE MONITORING FOR COVERED AND ACCESS PERSONS

11

A. The “SMARTS” System

11

B. Covered, Access and Supervised Persons

11

C. Trade Reporting Requirements

12

1. Authorized Broker-Dealer Requirements

12

2. Authorized Broker-Dealer Exceptions

12

3. Trade Reporting Requirements for Exception Accounts

13

4. Personal and Family Member Accounts

13

5. Reportable Securities Transactions

14

6. Confidentiality of Trading Information

15

7. Prohibited Transactions

15

8. Additional Requirements

15

 

 

III. POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PERSONAL TRADING IN SECURITIES ISSUED BY PRUDENTIAL BY DESIGNATED PERSONS

16

A. Designated Persons

16

B. Specific Trading Requirements

16

1. Brokerage Account Requirements for Designated Persons

17

2. Trade Reporting Requirements for Accounts with Non-Authorized Broker-Dealers

17

3. Trading Windows/Blackout Periods

17

4. Preclearance of Trading in Securities Issued by Prudential

18

5. Prohibited Transactions

18

6. PESP

18

C. Supervisory Responsibilities

18

D. Violations to the Policy

19

 

 

IV. TRADING RESTRICTIONS FOR ASSOCIATES OF BROKER-DEALERS

20

A. Trade Monitoring for Associates of a Broker/Dealer

20

1. Notification Requirements for Personal Securities Accounts

20

2. Annual Compliance Training and Sign-off

21

3. Requirement for Supervised Persons

21

B. Restrictions on the Purchase and Sale of Initial Equity Public Offerings

21

 

iii



 

C. Private Securities Transactions

22

D. Additional Restrictions for PEG Associates

23

 

 

V. TRADING RESTRICTIONS FOR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND TRADING UNITS AND REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS

24

A. Background

24

1. Advisers Act Requirements

24

2. Investment Company Act Requirements

24

B. Definitions

25

C. Conflicts of Interest

25

D. Mutual Fund Reporting and Trading Restrictions

26

1. Mutual Fund Holding Period

26

2. Policies Relating to Reporting and Trading Mutual Funds

27

E. Additional Trading Restrictions for Access and Investment Personnel of PIM and Quantitative Management Associates LLC (“QMA”)

28

1. Initial Public Offerings

28

2. Private Placements

28

3. Blackout Periods — “7 Day Rule”

28

4. Short-Term Trading Profits

29

5. Short Sales

29

6. Options

29

F. Investment Clubs

29

G. Prohibited Transactions Involving Securities Issued by Prudential

29

H. Preclearance

30

I. Exemptions

30

1. Ineligible securities.

30

2. Exercise of rights issued by issuer

30

3. De minimis trades

31

4. Discretionary accounts

31

5. Index options

31

6. Unit investment trusts and open-end mutual funds

31

7. Non-volitional transactions and dividend reinvestment plans

31

8. Exceptions by prior written approval

31

9. Automatic Investment/Withdrawal Programs and Automatic Rebalancing

32

J. Personal Trade Reporting

32

K. Personal Securities Holdings

32

L. Service as a Director

32

M. Gifts

33

N. Code Violations and Sanctions

33

O. Reports to Clients

33

P. Additional Trading Requirements for Access Persons of Global Portfolio Strategies Inc. (“GPSI”)

33

1. Initial Public Offerings

34

2. Private Placements

34

3. Restricted Lists

34

 

 

VI. TRADING RESTRICTIONS OF PRIVATE ASSET MANAGEMENT UNITS

35

A. Background

35

B. Conflicts of Interest

35

 

iv



 

C. Requirement of Private-Side Associates

36

D. Private Side Monitored List & Global Real Estate Monitored List

37

E. Investment Clubs

37

F. Mutual Fund Reporting and Trading Restrictions

37

1. Mutual Fund Holding Period

38

2. Policies Relating to Reporting and Trading Mutual Funds

38

D. Personal Securities Holdings

39

E. Private Placements

39

F. Initial Public Offerings

39

G. Additional Restrictions for Certain Units

40

1. Real Estate Units

40

2. Prudential Capital Group

40

 

 

VII. POLICY FOR PRUDENTIAL EQUITY GROUP, INC.

41

A. Associated Persons’ Securities Accounts

41

1. Trade Monitoring at PEG

41

B. Definition of “Employee Account” and “Employee Related Account”

41

C. Investment Clubs

42

D. Personal Trading Restrictions

42

1. Purchases of Public Equity Offerings

42

2. Private Securities Transactions

42

3. Annual Compliance Training

42

4. 24 - Hour Research Report Restriction

42

E. Restricted List

43

F. Additional Trading Restrictions for Certain PEG Departments

43

1. Trading Restrictions

43

2. Preclearance Procedures

43

 

 

EXHIBITS

44

Exhibit 1 – Sample Letter to Brokerage Firm

44

Exhibit 2 – Acknowledgment of the Personal Securities Trading Policy

45

Exhibit 3 – Compliance and Reporting of Personal Transactions

47

Exhibit 4 – Index Options On a Broad-Based Index

49

Exhibit 5 – Personal Securities Holdings Report

50

Exhibit 6 – Section 16 Insiders and Designated Persons Preclearance Request Form

52

Exhibit 7 – Non Proprietary Subadvised Mutual Funds

54

Exhibit 8 – Initial Public Offering and Private Placement Preclearance Form for Access Persons and Private-Side Associates

55

 

v



 

I. PRUDENTIAL’S POLICY STATEMENT ON INSIDER TRADING

 

Prudential aspires to the highest standard of business ethics.  Accordingly, Prudential has developed the following standards and requirements to ensure the proper protection of material nonpublic information and to comply with laws and regulations governing insider trading.

 

A. Use of Material Nonpublic Information

 

In the course of your work at Prudential, you may receive or have access to material nonpublic information about Prudential or other public companies.  Company policy, industry practice and federal and state laws establish strict guidelines regarding the use of material nonpublic information.

 

                  You may not use material nonpublic information, obtained in the course of your employment, for your personal gain or share such information with others for their personal benefit;

 

                  You must treat as confidential all information that is not publicly disclosed concerning Prudential’s financial information and key performance drivers, investment activity or plans, or the financial condition and business activity of Prudential or any company with which Prudential is doing business; and

 

                  If you possess material nonpublic information, you must preserve its confidentiality and disclose it only to other associates who have a legitimate business need for the information.

 

Under federal securities law, it is illegal to buy or sell a security while in possession of material nonpublic information relating to the security.(1)  It is also illegal to “tip” others about inside information.  In other words, you may not pass material nonpublic information about an issuer on to others or recommend that they trade the issuer’s securities.

 

Insider trading is an extremely complex area of the law principally regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  If you have any questions concerning the law or a particular situation, you should consult with the Securities Monitoring Unit, Compliance Department or the Law Department.  If you believe that you may have material nonpublic information about a public company obtained in the course of your position, or if you are in a portfolio or asset management unit and you believe you may have material nonpublic information regardless of the source, you should notify your Chief Compliance Officer or the Securities Monitoring Unit so that the securities can be monitored and/or placed on a restricted list as appropriate.

 


(1)  In some circumstances, additional elements may be required for there to be a violation of law, including scienter and breach of a duty.

 

6



 

B. Prudential Insider Trading Rules

 

Below are three rules concerning insider trading.  Failure to comply with these rules could result in violations of the federal securities laws and subject you to severe penalties described in Section H.  Violations of these rules also may result in discipline by Prudential up to and including termination of employment.

 

(1)                         You may not buy or sell securities issued by Prudential or any other public company if you are in possession of material nonpublic information relating to those companies.  This restriction applies to transactions for you, members of your family, Prudential or any other person for whom you may buy or sell securities.  In addition, you may not recommend to others that they buy or sell that security.

 

(2)                         If you are aware that Prudential is considering or actually trading any security for any account it manages, you must regard that as material nonpublic information.   Accordingly, you may not make any trade or recommendation involving that security, until seven calendar days after you know that such trading is no longer being considered or until seven calendar days after Prudential ceases trading in that security.(2)  In addition, you must treat any nonpublic information about portfolio holdings of any registered investment company managed by Prudential as material nonpublic information.

 

(3)                         You may not communicate material nonpublic information to anyone except individuals who are entitled to receive it in connection with the performance of their responsibilities for Prudential (i.e., individuals with a “need to know”).

 

C. What is Nonpublic Information?

 

Nonpublic information is information that is not generally available to the investing public.  Information is public if it is generally available through the media or disclosed in public documents such as corporate filings with the SEC.  If it is disclosed in a national business or financial wire service (such as Dow Jones or Bloomberg), in a national news service (such as AP or Reuters), in a newspaper, on the television, on the radio, or in a publicly disseminated disclosure document (such as a proxy statement or prospectus), you may consider the information to be public.  If the information is not available in the general media or in a public filing, you should consider it to be nonpublic.  Neither partial disclosure (disclosure of part of the information), nor the existence of rumors, is sufficient to consider the information to be public.  If you are uncertain as to whether information is nonpublic, you should consult your Chief Compliance Officer, the Securities Monitoring Unit or the Law Department.

 

While you must be especially alert to sensitive information, you may consider information received directly from a designated company spokesperson to be public information unless you know or have reason to believe that such information is not generally available to the investing public.  An associate working on a private securities transaction who receives information from a company representative regarding the transaction should presume that the information is nonpublic.

 


(2)  For restrictions applicable to PEG trading department associates, see Section VII.

 

7



 

Example :

 

When telling a Prudential analyst certain information about the company, a company representative gives indication that the information may be nonpublic by saying “This is not generally known but . . .” In such a situation, the analyst should assume that the information is nonpublic.

 

D. What is Material Information?

 

There is no statutory definition of material information.  You should assume that information is material if an investor, considering all the surrounding facts and circumstances, would find such information important in deciding whether or when to buy or sell a security.  In general, any nonpublic information that, if announced, could affect the price of the security should be considered to be material information.  If you are not sure whether nonpublic information is material, you should consult the Law Department, the Securities Monitoring Unit or your Chief Compliance Officer.

 

Material information may be about Prudential or another public company.

 

Examples :

 

                  Information about a company’s earnings or dividends (e.g., whether earnings will increase or decrease);

 

                  Information about a company’s physical assets (e.g., an oil discovery, a fire that destroyed a factory, or an environmental problem);

 

                  Information about a company’s personnel (e.g., a valuable employee leaving or becoming seriously ill);

 

                  Information about a company’s pension plans (e.g., the removal of assets from an over-funded plan or an increase or decrease in future contributions);

 

                  Information about a company’s financial status (e.g., financial restructuring plans or changes to planned payments of debt securities); or

 

                  Information about a merger, acquisition, tender offer, joint venture or similar transaction involving the Company generally should be considered material.

 

Information may be material even though it may not be directly about a company (e.g., if the information is relevant to that company or its products, business, or assets).

 

Examples :

 

                  Information that a company’s primary supplier is going to increase dramatically the prices it charges; or

 

                  Information that a competitor has just developed a product that will cause sales of a company’s products to plummet.

 

Material information may also include information about Prudential’s activities or plans relating to a company unaffiliated with Prudential.

 

8



 

Example :

 

Information that Prudential is going to enter into a transaction with a company, such as, for example, awarding a large service contract to a particular company.

 

E. “Front-running” and “Scalping”

 

Trading while in possession of information concerning Prudential’s trades is prohibited by Prudential’s insider trading rules and may also violate federal law.  This type of trading activity is referred to as “front running” and “scalping”.

 

Front running occurs when an individual, with knowledge of Prudential’s trading intentions, knowingly makes a trade in the same direction as Prudential just before Prudential makes its trade.  Examples include buying a security just before Prudential buys that security (in the expectation that the price may rise based on such purchase) or selling a security just before Prudential sells such security (in the expectation that such sale will lead to a drop in price).

 

Scalping is making a trade in the opposite direction just after Prudential’s trade, in other words, buying a security just after Prudential stops selling such security or selling just after Prudential stops buying such security.

 

Example:

 

Prudential is planning to sell a large position in ABC Co. If you sell ABC Co. securities ahead of Prudential in expectation that the large sale will depress its price, you are engaging in front running.  If you purchase ABC Co. securities after Prudential has completed its sale to take advantage of the temporary price decrease, you are engaging in scalping.

 

F. Private Securities Transactions

 

The antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws apply to transactions in both publicly traded securities and private securities.  However, the insider trading laws do not prohibit private securities transactions where both parties to the transaction have possession of the same material nonpublic information.

 

G. Charitable Gifts

 

If you are in possession of material nonpublic information concerning a security you hold, you may not gift the security to a charitable institution and receive a tax deduction on the gift.

 

9



 

H. Penalties for Insider Trading(3)

 

1.  Penalties for Individuals

 

Individuals who illegally trade while in possession of material nonpublic information or who illegally tip such information to others may be subject to severe civil and criminal penalties including disgorgement of profits, substantial fines and imprisonment.  Employment consequences of such behavior may include the loss or suspension of licenses to work in the securities industry, and disciplinary action by Prudential up to and including termination of employment.

 

2.  Penalties for Supervisors

 

The law provides for penalties for “controlling persons” of individuals who commit insider trading.  Accordingly, under certain circumstances, supervisors of an associate who is found liable for insider trading may be subject to criminal fines up to $1 million per violation, civil penalties and fines, and discipline by Prudential up to and including termination of employment.

 

3.  Penalties for Prudential

 

Prudential could also be subject to penalties in the event an associate is found liable for insider trading.  Such penalties include, among others, harsh criminal fines and civil penalties, as well as, restrictions placed on Prudential’s ability to conduct certain business activities including broker-dealer, investment adviser, and investment company activities.

 


(3)  In addition to the penalties listed in this section, Prudential and/or Prudential associates could be subject to penalties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) if the insider trading occurs in connection with an ERISA plan’s investment.

 

10



 

II. SECURITIES TRADE MONITORING FOR COVERED AND ACCESS PERSONS

 

A. The “SMARTS” System

 

Federal Law requires all broker-dealers and investment advisers to establish procedures to prevent insider trading by their associates.  In addition, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines require companies to establish reasonable procedures to prevent and detect violations of the law.  To comply with these and other similar laws and rules, Prudential has developed the Personal Securities Trading Policy to prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information about Prudential or other public companies.  All employees are held to the general principles of the Policy to ensure the proper use of material nonpublic information.

 

However, certain employees are required to have their personal trading activities monitored and may be subject to additional restrictions.  Prudential has established a program to monitor the personal securities trading of associates with routine access to nonpublic corporate information about Prudential or any external public company, portfolio management activities, nonpublic mutual fund holdings information or other sensitive information.  These individuals are required to have their personal securities transactions monitored in the securities trade monitoring system known as “SMARTS” (Securities Monitoring Automated Reporting and Tracking System).

 

B. Covered, Access and Supervised Persons

 

Certain employees are classified as “Covered” or “Access” Persons (as defined below).  These individuals are categorized based on the information to which they have access.  Covered and Access Persons are required to report their personal securities transactions and conform to the authorized broker-dealer requirements (discussed below).

 

“Access Persons” - Associates who work in or support portfolio management activities, have access to nonpublic investment advisory client trading information or recommendations or have access to nonpublic portfolio holdings of mutual funds.  See Section V for specific requirements.  Certain Access Persons are subject to preclearance of all personal securities trading activity, while other Access Persons may only be subject to specific trading restrictions.

 

“Covered Persons” – Associates, other than Access Persons, who may have access to material nonpublic information about external public companies or those individuals who have a regulatory obligation to be monitored.(4)

 


(4)  Private-Side Associates, as defined under Section VI of this policy (excluding employees of PMCC), are considered Access Persons under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 due to their access to investment advisory client trading information.  These individuals will continue to be called Covered Persons or Private-Side Associates under this Policy.

 

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In addition, certain individuals may be classified as Supervised Persons of a registered investment adviser.  Supervised Persons are subject to the following requirements:

 

                  Acknowledge receipt of their Investment Adviser Code of Ethics (“Code”), including this Policy and any amendments to the Code and/or Policy;

 

                  Comply with all applicable federal securities laws; and

 

                  Report any violations of the Code including this Policy to his/her Chief Compliance Officer or the Securities Monitoring Unit.

 

If an individual is only classified as a Supervised Person, and is not also classified as an Access, Covered or Designated Person, as defined in Section III.A., he/she is not required to report his/her personal securities trading activity and is not subject to the authorized broker/dealer requirements.

 

 “Supervised Persons” are individuals who are officers, directors and employees of a registered investment adviser, as well as certain other individuals who provide advice on behalf of the adviser and are subject to the adviser’s supervision and control.

 

If you are unsure as to whether you are an Access, Covered, or Supervised Person, contact your Chief Compliance Officer or the Securities Monitoring Unit. (5)

 

C.  Trade Reporting Requirements

 

1. Authorized Broker-Dealer Requirements

 

Covered and Access Persons are required to maintain personal brokerage accounts at an authorized broker-dealer.  The authorized firms are Wachovia Securities, Pruco Securities, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Fidelity Investments, and Merrill Lynch.  Covered and Access Persons can find information about each firm through the authorized broker-dealer website at http://njplazx51/authorizedbrokerdealers.  The account types that are subject to the authorized broker-dealer requirements are listed below in Section C. 4.

 

Prudential Financial, Inc. securities held at EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. are not required to be transferred.

 

New Associates who are subject to this requirement will be required to transfer accounts to an authorized broker-dealer within 60 days of becoming a Covered and/or Access Person.  Associates must instruct their brokers to send trading activity (written confirmations and statements) to the Securities Monitoring Unit while they are in the process of transferring their accounts.  A sample letter to a brokerage firm is provided as Exhibit 1 to this Policy.

 

2.  Authorized Broker-Dealer Exceptions

 

Exceptions to the authorized broker-dealer requirement are limited and should be submitted to the Chief Compliance Officer responsible for your business unit who will submit the request to the appropriate Business Unit or Corporate Department Executive

 


(5)  PEG monitors the personal trading of its associates in conformity with applicable NYSE and NASD rules, through its own process utilizing SMARTS technology.  See Section VII.

 

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at the Senior Vice President level or above for review.  Documentation for all exceptions must be forwarded to your business unit compliance officer for review.  Exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on the following criteria:

 

                  Accounts held jointly with or accounts for spouses who are subject to the same type of personal trading requirements that pre-date this policy (June 27, 2002) or that were established prior to being subject to this policy.

 

                  Accounts in which the employee has a formal investment management agreement that provides full discretionary authority to a third party money manager.  A copy of the management agreement must be submitted to the business unit compliance officer.

 

                  Blind trusts and family trusts.  A copy of the trust agreement must be submitted to the business unit compliance officer.

 

                  Accounts for international employees in locations where there is no local presence or access to one of these firms.

 

                  Accounts holding non-transferable securities that may not, due to their nature, be liquidated without undue hardship to the employee (new purchases generally will not be permitted.)

 

                  Direct stock purchase or dividend reinvestment plans that are established directly with a public company.

 

3.  Trade Reporting Requirements for Exception Accounts

 

If you are granted an exception to the authorized broker-dealer requirement, you must direct the brokerage firm(s) that maintains your securities account(s) to send duplicate copies of your trade confirmations and account statements (“trading activity”) to the Securities Monitoring Unit.  A sample letter to a brokerage firm is provided as Exhibit 1 to this Policy.  Remember, accounts maintained at Wachovia Securities, Pruco Securities, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Merrill Lynch, and Fidelity Investments are exempt from this requirement.(6)

 

4.  Personal and Family Member Accounts

 

You are required to maintain in the manner described above, all securities accounts in which you have a beneficial interest, including the following:

 

(1)                         Personal accounts;

 

(2)                         Accounts in which your spouse has beneficial interest;

 

(3)                         Accounts in which your minor children or any dependent family member has a beneficial interest;

 

(4)                         Joint or tenant-in-common accounts in which you are a participant;

 

(5)                         Accounts for which you act as trustee, executor or custodian;

 


(6)  Information concerning securities transactions at the authorized broker-dealers is fed by computer link directly to Prudential’s trade monitoring system, SMARTS.

 

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(6)                         Accounts over which you exercise control or have any investment discretion; and

 

(7)                         Accounts of any individual to whose financial support you materially contribute.(7)

 

Mutual fund accounts held directly at mutual fund companies, where the account is systematically blocked from trading any securities other than mutual funds, and/or 529 College Savings Plans are not subject to the Policy and do not require disclosure.(8)(9)  However, all brokerage accounts, even those that only hold mutual funds, are subject to the Policy and must comply with the authorized broker-dealer requirements.

 

All monitored associates are required to complete and sign an annual Acknowledgment Form, attached as Exhibit 2, identifying and listing the location of all reportable brokerage accounts, including those held at authorized broker-dealers and those held at non-authorized firms.  For the latter, your signature on the Acknowledgement Form will confirm that you have instructed all brokers for such accounts to send duplicate copies of account statements and trade confirmations to the Securities Monitoring Unit.  If you are classified an Access or Covered Person, by signing the annual Acknowledgment Form you are also confirming your obligations of notifying the Securities Monitoring Unit of any changes to your accounts that have been granted exceptions under the authorized broker-dealer requirements.(10)  Acknowledgment forms, which are supplied to you electronically by the Securities Monitoring Unit, must be completed annually.(11)

 

5.  Reportable Securities Transactions

 

In general, all securities transactions are reportable by Access and Covered Persons except where noted below:

 

                  Covered Persons, with the exception of Private-Side Associates as defined in Section VI, are not required to report purchases and sales of open-end mutual funds, affiliated variable insurance products and variable annuities, certificates of deposit and certain United States government securities.

 

                  Investment Personnel, as defined in Section V.B., Access Persons and Private-Side Associates are not required to report certificates of deposit and certain United States government securities.  Individuals under these classifications are however required to report purchases and sales of affiliated variable insurance products and variable annuities and any underlying sub-account transactions associated with these products, as well as any transactions and holdings of certain open-end mutual funds as described in Section V.

 


(7)  For example, this would include individuals with whom you share living expenses, bank accounts, rent or mortgage payments, ownership of a home, or any other material financial support.

(8)  Investment Personnel, Access Persons and Private-Side Associates are subject to certain trading restrictions and reporting requirements with respect to mutual fund transactions and holdings.  See Section V.B.

(9)  A list of approved mutual fund companies is maintained by the Securities Monitoring Unit. 

(10)  Any changes to accounts that have been previously been granted exceptions must be reevaluated to determine if the exception is still permitted. 

(11)  The Securities Monitoring Unit administers the processing of annual acknowledgment forms.  If you are a reporting associate, and have not completed an acknowledgment form, please contact the Securities Monitoring Unit.

 

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The chart attached as Exhibit 3 identifies the personal securities transactions that are reportable.

 

6. Confidentiality of Trading Information

 

The Securities Monitoring Unit is responsible for maintaining SMARTS, and recognizes that your investment records are highly confidential.  Accordingly, the Securities Monitoring Unit follows careful procedures for the collection and review of associate trading information to ensure that such records are kept in the strictest confidence.  Other than exception reports which are reviewed by business unit heads and business unit compliance personnel or as required by federal securities laws, the only persons who have access to this information are a small group within the Compliance Department.

 

7.  Prohibited Transactions

 

All employees, including Covered and Access Persons, are prohibited from selling short including “short sales against the box” and from participating in any options transactions on any securities issued by Prudential.  Employees classified as Designated Persons are subject to additional restrictions relating to securities issued by Prudential. These requirements are outlined in Section III of this Policy.

 

8.  Additional Requirements

 

Additional information and guidance can be found in the following Sections:

 

Requirements for Designated Person – Section III.

Requirements for Associates of Broker Dealers – Section IV.

Requirements for Portfolio Management and Trading Units and Registered Investment Advisers. – Section V.

Requirements for Private Asset Management Units – Section VI.

Requirements for associates of PEG – Section VII.

 

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III. POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS FOR PERSONAL TRADING IN SECURITIES ISSUED BY PRUDENTIAL BY DESIGNATED PERSONS

 

This Section specifically addresses the requirements for those associates who have routine access to material nonpublic information about Prudential.  These requirements are consistent with policies of leading financial service firms.  Specific policies and procedures relating to Section 16 Insiders are addressed in a separate policy statement, which is available through the Securities Monitoring Unit.

 

A.  Designated Persons

 

A “Designated Person” is an employee who, during the normal course of his or her job, has routine access to material nonpublic information about Prudential, including information about one or more business units or corporate level information.  Employees at the corporate rank of Executive Vice President (“EVP”) and above are deemed to be Designated Persons.  Direct reports to each Vice Chairman and EVP and their direct reports are also deemed to be Designated Persons.

 

The Vice Presidents (“VP’s”) of Finance for each business unit must identify additional employees in each unit who, regardless of level, have routine access to material nonpublic information about Prudential.  It is the responsibility of the VPs of Finance to notify the Securities Monitoring Unit of any changes to this list.

 

Finally, management of all other business groups and corporate departments are required to identify and inform the Securities Monitoring Unit of any additional employees, who through the performance of their jobs, have regular access to material nonpublic information.

 

Employees who have been classified as a Designated Person, but believe that they do not have access to material nonpublic information, may request an exception to this requirement.  Requests should be forwarded to the Securities Monitoring Unit, who in consultation with the Law Department, will review and facilitate the request.  Certain exceptions must be approved by Prudential’s General Counsel.

 

B. Specific Trading Requirements

 

All employees are prohibited from trading securities issued by Prudential while in possession of material nonpublic information regarding the Company.  All employees are also prohibited from selling short including “short sales against the box” and from participating in any options transactions on any securities issued by Prudential. Employees are also discouraged from engaging in speculative transactions in securities issued by Prudential and are encouraged to hold Prudential securities for long-term investment.

 

Designated Persons are required to preclear all transactions in Company securities prior to execution through the Securities Monitoring Unit.  This requirement excludes

 

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transactions in Prudential mutual funds and annuities.  Trades will be approved only during open “trading windows.”  Designated Persons are also subject to the general prohibition relating to short sales and options transactions.  These restrictions apply to all accounts in which a Designated Person has a direct or indirect beneficial interest including, but not limited to, accounts for spouses, family members living in your household, and accounts for which the Designated Person or his/her family member exercises investment discretion.

 

1.  Brokerage Account Requirements for Designated Persons

Designated Persons are required to hold and trade Prudential Financial, Inc. common stock and related equity derivative securities (“PRU”) only at an authorized broker-dealer.  The authorized firms are Wachovia Securities, Pruco Securities, Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Fidelity Investments, and Merrill Lynch.

 

Designated Persons can access information about each firm through the authorized broker-dealer website at http://njplazx51/authorizedbrokerdealers.

 

This requirement applies to accounts for you, your family members, or accounts in which you have a beneficial interest or over which you have trading authority.  See Section II.C.4. for a complete list of applicable accounts.  You may still maintain your accounts at non-authorized broker-dealers for your non-PRU positions, however those accounts are still subject to Prudential’s monitoring procedures outlined below in Section B.2.

 

While PRU stock held by you at EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., (“EquiServe”) is subject to the provisions of this Policy (e.g., transactions are subject to preclearance and trading window requirements), Designated Persons are not required to transfer PRU positions held at EquiServe to an authorized broker-dealer.

 

2.  Trade Reporting Requirements for Accounts with Non-Authorized Broker-Dealers

Designated Persons who maintain brokerage accounts with brokerage firms (for their non-PRU positions) other than the authorized broker-dealers listed in Section B.1. above, must direct the brokerage firm(s) to send duplicate copies of trade confirmations and account statements to the Securities Monitoring Unit.(12)  A sample letter to a brokerage firm is provided as Exhibit 1 to this Policy.

 

3.  Trading Windows/Blackout Periods

Designated Persons are permitted to trade in securities issued by Prudential only during open trading windows.  Approximately 24 hours after the Company releases its quarterly earnings to the public, the trading window generally opens and generally will remain open until approximately two weeks before the end of each quarter.  In addition, the Company may notify Designated Persons regarding unscheduled blackout periods.  For example, in the event the Company decides to make an unscheduled announcement (e.g., a pre quarter-end earnings estimate), Prudential may restrict trading activity

 


(12)  Information concerning securities transactions at the authorized broker-dealers is fed by computer link directly to SMARTS.  For accounts held at unauthorized firms, the Securities Monitoring Unit must receive paper copies of all confirms and monthly statements.

 

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during a normally permissible trading window.  The Securities Monitoring Unit will notify Designated Persons of the opening of trading windows and the commencement of blackout periods.

 

4.  Preclearance of Trading in Securities Issued by Prudential

 

Designated Persons are required to preclear all transactions in securities issued by Prudential through the Securities Monitoring Unit.  Designated Persons should submit requests electronically through the SMARTS Preclearance Intranet site.  Designated Persons will be sent a link to the Preclearance site from the Securities Monitoring Unit, and a link is also available from the Compliance Department’s Intranet site.  All approved transactions are valid until the close of the market on the day in which preclearance is granted.  Therefore, Designated Persons may not enter into “good until cancelled” or “limit” orders involving Prudential securities that carry over until the next trading day. (See Exhibit 6 for sample SMARTS Preclearance Request Form.)

 

Transactions that require preclearance include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

                    Open market transactions through a broker/dealer;

 

                    Prudential securities transactions executed in EquiServe accounts;

 

                    Gifts received or given;

 

                    Stock option, restricted stock and performance share plan exercises; and

 

                    Prudential Employee Savings Plan (“PESP”) and Deferred Compensation Plan Company Stock Fund transactions.  Purchases through automatic payroll deductions need only be precleared at the time the election is made.  Preclearance requests for automatic payroll elections will only be accepted during open trading windows.

 

5.  Prohibited Transactions

 

All employees are prohibited from selling short including “short sales against the box” and from participating in any options transactions on any securities issued by Prudential.

 

In addition, Designated Persons are prohibited from exercising their employee stock options during a blackout period, regardless of whether the transaction involves the sale of Prudential securities.  As a result, controls have been established to prevent option exercises during closed trading windows.  If a blocking system fails, the employee will be responsible for the exception to the Policy.

 

6.  PESP

 

Certain controls have been established to prevent trading activity in PESP during closed trading periods.  PESP transactions that are blocked include exchanges, deferral rate and allocation changes, loans and distributions.  Remember, it is the Designated Person’s obligation to comply with this Policy including the preclearance and trading window requirements.  If a blocking system fails, the employee will be responsible for the exception to the Policy.

 

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C. Supervisory Responsibilities

 

The VP’s of Finance, in conjunction with the Business Unit and Department Heads or their designees, are responsible for identifying changes to the Designated Persons list in their areas and informing the Securities Monitoring Unit, and, with the Securities Monitoring Unit, facilitating employee understanding of and conformity with this Policy.  The trade monitoring process is conducted by the Securities Monitoring Unit with matters brought to the attention of Business Unit/Department Head management as needed.

 

D. Violations to the Policy

 

Violations or other exceptions to this policy including the preclearance and trading window requirements are reviewed by the Designated Persons Personal Trading Policy Committee.  Policy violations or exceptions that may result in disciplinary action, other than an educational reminder, will be resolved with the employee’s supervisor.  Individuals who do not comply with the Policy are subject to disciplinary action that may include fines or other monetary penalties up to and including termination of employment.

 

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IV.  TRADING RESTRICTIONS FOR ASSOCIATES OF BROKER-DEALERS

 

A.  Trade Monitoring for Associates of a Broker/Dealer

 

Prudential has a number of different broker/dealers including Pruco Securities Corporation (“Pruco”), Prudential Investment Management Services, LLC. (“PIMS”), American Skandia Marketing, Incorporated (“ASM”), Prudential Retirement Brokerage Services, Inc. (“PRBS”) that are specifically referred to as “Broker-Dealers” under this Section.(13)

 

Pruco is a full service broker-dealer whose business is limited to the facilitation of non-solicited customer orders of general securities and the distribution of investment company and variable contract products.  PIMS and ASM”) are a full service broker-dealers whose primary business is restricted to the facilitation of customer orders in and distribution of Prudential mutual funds, annuities, and 529 plan interests.  PRBS is a discount broker-dealer that primarily offers Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRA’s”) to retirement plan participants serviced by Prudential Retirement.  Investments offered include mutual funds, stocks, bonds and municipal securities.

 

Unlike Prudential units that participate in the personal trade monitoring system, the nature and scope of the Broker-Dealers’ businesses are such that their associates do not have access to material nonpublic information concerning publicly traded securities through their employment.(14)  Accordingly, Broker-Dealer associates are generally not required to participate in SMARTS.  However, pursuant to SEC and NASD regulations, Broker-Dealer Registered Representatives must comply with the reporting requirements listed below.(15)  In addition, certain officers and registered representatives of Pruco and PRBS, who are also federally registered investment advisers, have been identified as Supervised Persons, as defined in Section II.B.  The requirements for Supervised Persons are also outlined below.

 

1.  Notification Requirements for Personal Securities Accounts

 

In accordance with NASD Rule 3050, Broker-Dealer Registered Representatives (“Registered Representatives”) must notify the Broker-Dealer to which they are associated, in writing, prior to opening an account at another broker-dealer, and must notify the Broker-Dealer of any accounts opened prior to becoming a Registered Representative.  Registered Representatives must also notify broker-dealers, prior to opening such accounts, that they are Registered Representatives of a broker-dealer.  However, if the account was established prior to the association of the person with the Broker-Dealer, the Registered Representative must notify the broker-dealer in writing promptly after becoming so associated.

 


(13)  Requirements for associates of Prudential Equity Group, LLC are covered under Section VII of this Policy.

(14)  Certain PIMS personnel employed by portfolio management units may be subject to the personal securities trading restrictions set forth in Section V. due to their association with portfolio management activities in addition to the restrictions set forth in this Section.

(15)  ASM associated persons follow policies and procedures outlined in AMS’s compliance manual that are generally consistent with the requirements of this Section. 

 

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These notification requirements apply to all personal securities accounts of Registered Representatives and any securities accounts over which they have discretionary authority.

 

Registered Representatives are not required to report accounts that are limited to the following types of investments:  (1) mutual funds; (2) variable life and variable annuity contracts; (3) unit investment trusts; (4) certificates of deposit; (5) 529 Plans; and (6) money market fund accounts.(16)

 

2.  Annual Compliance Training and Sign-off

 

The NASD/NYSE Joint Memorandum on Chinese Wall Policies and Procedures (NASD Notice to Members 91-45) provides that firms that do not conduct investment banking research or arbitrage activities still must have “reasonable procedures for the education and training of its associates about insider trading” in order to be in compliance with ITSFEA.  Consistent with this Notice, the Broker-Dealers include a statement concerning insider trading in their annual Compliance Overview.  Annually, all Registered Representatives are required to sign a statement affirming that they have read and understand the policy concerning insider trading as described in the Broker-Dealer’s compliance manual and as set forth in Prudential’s Policy Statement On Insider Trading contained in Section I of this Policy.

 

3.  Requirement for Supervised Persons

 

Certain Pruco and PRBS officers and registered representatives involved in investment advisory activity have been classified as Supervised Persons.(17)  Supervised Persons are subject to the following requirements:

 

                  Acknowledge receipt of their Investment Adviser Code of Ethics (“Code”), including this Policy and any amendments to the Code and/or Policy;

                  Comply with all applicable federal securities laws; and

                  Report any violations of the Code including this Policy to his/her Chief Compliance Officer or the Securities Monitoring Unit.

 

If an individual is only classified as a Supervised Person, and is not also classified as an Access, Covered or Designated Person, he/she is not required to report his/her personal securities trading activity and is not subject to the authorized broker-dealer requirements outlined in Section II.

 

B.  Restrictions on the Purchase and Sale of Initial Equity Public Offerings

 

NASD Rule 2790 prohibits broker-dealers from purchasing or retaining “new issues” in their own accounts and from selling new issues to a restricted person.   Restricted

 


(16)  Associated persons who are also Access Persons and/or Private-Side Associates are required to report certain mutual fund transactions and holdings and purchases of certain variable-life and variable-annuity contracts and sub-account transactions, as described in Section V.D.

(17)  The Securities Monitoring Unit will notify all individuals who are classified as Supervised Persons. 

 

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persons are defined as directors, officers, general partners, employees, associated persons and agents engaged in the investment banking or securities business of any broker-dealer.  “New Issues” are any initial public offerings of an equity security.

 

These basic prohibitions also cover sales of new issues to accounts in which any restricted person may have a beneficial interest and, with limited exceptions, to members of the immediate family of such persons.  A Restricted Person is permitted to have an interest in an account that purchases new issues (i.e., collective investment accounts including hedge funds, investment partnerships, investment corporations, etc.) provided that the beneficial interests of all restricted persons do not in aggregate exceed 10% of the total account.

 

The overall purpose of this prohibition is to protect the integrity of the public offering process by requiring that NASD members make a bona-fide public distribution of securities by not withholding such securities for their own benefit or using the securities to reward other persons who are in a position to direct future business to the firm.

 

To ensure compliance with this Rule, associated persons of Prudential’s broker-dealers are prohibited from purchasing securities in any public offerings of equity securities.  This prohibition includes all associates of Prudential’s broker-dealers including PIMS, PRBS, PRUCO, ASM and PEG (See Section VII for a full discussion of requirements and restrictions applicable to PEG associates.)

 

The policy applies to all public offerings of equity securities, whether or not the above broker-dealers are participating in the offering. There are no prohibitions on purchases of public offerings of, investment grade asset-backed securities, open-end mutual funds, preferred securities, convertible securities or any debt securities, including but not limited to municipal or government securities.

 

Which accounts are restricted:

 

Accounts of all persons associated with the above broker-dealers and their immediate families are restricted from purchasing equity public offerings of securities.  The term “immediate family” includes parents, mother-in-law, father-in-law, spouse, siblings, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, children and their spouses, or any other person who is supported (directly or indirectly) to a material extent by the associated person.

 

The prohibition does not apply to sales to a member of the associate’s immediate family who is not supported directly or indirectly to a material extent by the associate, if the sale is by a broker-dealer other than that employing the restricted person and the restricted person has no ability to control the allocation of the new issue.  For information on this exception, please contact your broker-dealer compliance officer.

 

C. Private Securities Transactions

 

In accordance with NASD Rule 3040, all associates of the Broker-Dealers, including PEG, must notify their broker-dealer, in writing, and obtain written approval from the broker-dealer, prior to engaging in any private securities transaction.  Private securities

 

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transactions include, but are not limited to, transactions in unregistered offerings of securities, and purchases or sales of limited partnership interests.

 

Such notification should be made to the compliance officer for the broker-dealer or the compliance officer’s designee who will be responsible for approving private securities transactions.  This notification requirement does not apply to those trades for which duplicate confirmations are provided by the executing broker.   For associates who are subject to preclearance, the preclearance form will satisfy the notification requirement.

 

D.  Additional Restrictions for PEG Associates

 

PEG associates are subject to certain additional personal trading restrictions, which are set forth in Section VII.

 

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V. TRADING RESTRICTIONS FOR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT AND TRADING UNITS AND REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS

 

A. Background

 

The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”) govern activities of officers, directors and employees of registered investment advisers and advisers who manage registered investment companies, respectively.  These rules set forth specific requirements relating to conflicts of interest and personal securities trading activity.

 

1. Advisers Act Requirements

 

Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act requires each federally registered investment adviser to adopt a written code of ethics designed to prevent fraud by reinforcing fiduciary principles that govern the conduct of investment advisory firms and their personnel.  In addition, the code must set forth specific requirements relating to personal trading activity including reporting transactions and holdings.

 

Generally, the code of ethics applies to all Supervised Persons of the adviser, including all Access Persons of the adviser.  The Investment Adviser Code of Ethics (“Code”), as adopted by Prudential’s registered investment advisers, includes the Personal Securities Trading Policy and the Statement of Policy Restricting Communication and the Use of Issuer-Related Information by Prudential Investment Associates (“Chinese Wall Policy”).  Employees identified as Supervised Persons must comply with the Code, including this Policy.(18)  Compliance is responsible for notifying each individual who is subject to the Code.

 

2. Investment Company Act Requirements

 

Rule 17(j) under the Investment Company Act requires that every investment company adopt procedures designed to prevent improper personal trading by investment company personnel.  Rule 17(j) was created to prevent conflicts of interest between investment company personnel and shareholders, to promote shareholder value, and to prevent investment company personnel from profiting from their access to proprietary information.

 

In light of the adoption of Rule 17(j) and the growing concern that the mutual fund industry needed to police itself, the Investment Company Institute (“ICI”), an industry group, assembled a blue ribbon panel and, in 1994, issued a report setting forth a series of recommendations concerning personal trading by investment personnel.  These recommendations, known as the “ICI rules”, have been praised by the SEC, and have been adopted by the majority of the asset management industry associated with U.S. registered investment companies.

 


(18)  Generally, Private-Side Associates are also considered Access Persons under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.  See Section VI for information on the requirements for Private-Side Associates. 

 

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In keeping with our ethical standards and the practices of the industry leaders, Prudential has adopted the ICI rules for all of its portfolio management units.  The ICI rules concerning personal trading are set forth below and are applicable to these portfolio management units and certain associates outside the specific business unit who provide direct support to these units.(19)  In addition, the ICI rules, with certain exceptions, have also been adopted for other investment management units within Prudential including.(20)

 

B. Definitions

 

The following terms are defined for purposes of this policy:

 

                  “Access Persons”, as defined in Section II.B., include employees or officers of a mutual fund or investment adviser, who, in connection with their normal responsibilities, make, participate in, or have access to current or pending information regarding the purchase or sale of a security by the Complex (Complex defined below).(21)

 

                  “Investment personnel” are Access Persons who are public-side portfolio managers, analysts, traders, or certain other individuals as designated by the compliance officer.  (For restrictions applicable to PEG Trading Desk personnel, see Section VII).

 

                  A “pending buy or sell order” exists when a decision to purchase or sell a security has been made and communicated.

 

                  The “Complex” includes all portfolios managed by the business unit or group of units to which an individual is deemed to have access.

 

C. Conflicts of Interest

 

Prudential holds its employees to the highest ethical standards.  Maintaining high standards requires a total commitment to sound ethical principles and Prudential’s value.  It also requires nurturing a business culture that supports decisions and actions based on what is right, not simply what is expedient.  Management must make the Company’s ethical standards clear.  At every level, associates must set the right example in their daily conduct.  Moreover, associates are encouraged to understand the expectations of the Company and apply these guidelines to analogous situations or seek guidance if they have questions about conduct in given circumstances.

 

All Access Persons must act in accordance with the following general principles:

 


(19)  Certain PIMS personnel employed by portfolio management units may be subject to the personal securities trading restrictions set forth in this section due to their association with portfolio management activities in addition to the restrictions set forth in Section IV.

(20)  Certain international units may also be subject to the requirements of this Section.  Individuals should consult the applicable business unit compliance officer for additional information.

(21)  Officers listed on PI’s Form ADV and mutual fund officers are also classified as Access Persons.

 

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                  It is the duty at all times to place the interests of investment company shareholders and other investment advisory clients first.

 

                  Access Persons should scrupulously avoid serving their own personal interests ahead of clients’ interests in any decision relating to their personal investments.

 

                  All personal securities transactions must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility.

 

                  Access Persons must not only seek to achieve technical compliance with this Policy, but should strive to abide by its spirit and the principles articulated herein.

 

Example:

 

An appearance of a conflict of interest may occur if, following a meeting with a representative of an issuer, an analyst buys the issuer’s securities for his or her personal account, but does not recommend his or her client purchase such securities.

 

                  Access Persons may not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.

 

                  Access Persons must avoid any situation that might compromise, or call into question, their exercise of fully independent judgment in the interest of shareholders or clients, including, but nor limited to the receipt of unusual investment opportunities, perquisites, or gifts of more than de minimis value from persons doing or seeking business with their portfolios.

 

                  Access Persons may not bunch a personal order with a client order.

 

                  Access Persons may not conduct personal business with brokers who execute trades for their portfolios.

 

D. Mutual Fund Reporting and Trading Restrictions

 

Investment Personnel and Access Persons are prohibited from market timing any proprietary mutual funds, as well as non-proprietary funds subadvised by Prudential, and must comply with any trading restrictions established by Prudential and its clients to prevent market timing of these funds.

 

To deter the market timing in proprietary and non-proprietary funds subadvised by Prudential, Investment Personnel and certain officers of Prudential Investment Management (“PIM”) and Prudential Investments LLC (“PI”) are required to hold any proprietary or non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds for a period of 90 days.  Investment Persons and Access Persons are also required to report mutual fund transactions covered under this policy as described below.

 

1. Mutual Fund Holding Period

 

Investment Personnel and certain PIM and PI employees are required to hold proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds, excluding money market funds and the

 

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Dryden Ultra Short Bond Fund, purchased for a period of 90 days.(22)   Proprietary funds include JennisonDryden, Strategic Partners, Target, and American Skandia Advisor Funds (“American Skandia Funds”).  Non-proprietary subadvised funds are defined in Exhibit 7.  Specifically, Investment Personnel and certain PIM and PI employees are prohibited from executing a purchase and a sale of the same proprietary or non-proprietary subadvised mutual fund during any 90-day period.(23)  This restriction applies to accounts for which Investment Personnel and certain PIM and PI employees have a direct or indirect beneficial interest, including household members. See Section II.C.4.  Profits realized on such transactions must be disgorged to the applicable mutual fund or client, or as otherwise deemed appropriate by the Committee.(24)

 

2. Policies Relating to Reporting and Trading Mutual Funds

 

Access Persons are required to report all transactions of proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds.  This requirement applies to accounts for which Access Persons have a direct or indirect beneficial interest, including household members.  See Section II.C.4.

 

Access Persons may hold and trade proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds only through one of the authorized broker/dealers, directly with Prudential Mutual Fund Services (“PMFS”), the Prudential Employee Savings Plan (“PESP”), or the Jennison Associates (“Jennison”) Savings and Pension Plans.(25)  However, non-proprietary subadvised funds may be traded directly with the fund provided that duplicate account statements and trade confirmations are sent directly to the Securities Monitoring Unit, Compliance Department.  For non-proprietary subadvised funds, Access Persons must notify fund complexes within 10 business days of receipt of this policy requesting that duplicate statements and confirmations be forwarded to the Securities Monitoring Unit.  Investment elections or transactions executed in the executive deferred compensation plans are not subject to this requirement.(26)

 

Investment Personnel and Access Persons must notify the Securities Monitoring Unit of any mutual fund accounts, including accounts of all household members, held directly with the fund for all non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds.  In addition, Investment

 


(22)  PIM and PI employees will be identified by the President of PIM in consultation with the PIM Chief Compliance Officer.  The PIM Chief Compliance Officer will be responsible for maintaining the list and submitting any changes to the Securities Monitoring Unit. 

(23)  For the Prudential Employee Savings Plan and the Jennison Associates Savings and Pension Plans, only exchanges of proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised funds are subject to the 90-day holding period.  Purchases due to automatic payroll deductions and company match and automatic rebalancing transactions are exempt from this requirement.

(24)  Discipline and sanctions relating to violations occurring in the Prudential Employee Savings Plan or the Jennison Savings or Pension Plans will be determined separately by the Personal Securities Trading/Mutual Fund Code of Ethics Committee. 

(25)  Mutual fund transactions executed through PMFS, PESP and the Jennison Savings and Pension Plans will be sent to Compliance through a daily electronic trading feed.

(26)  Prudential’s deferred compensation plans (including The Prudential Insurance Company of America Deferred Compensation Plan, the Amended and Restated American Skandia Lifestyle Security Plan, and the Trust Agreement Between Jennison Associates LLC and Wachovia Bank, N.A.) are not susceptible to market timing due to the fact that the plans only permit one transaction per month.  Therefore, transactions in these plans are exempt from both the 90-day holding period and reporting requirements.

 

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Personnel and Access Persons must contact these funds to request that duplicate statements and confirmations of mutual fund trading activity be sent to the Securities Monitoring Unit.  A sample letter to a brokerage firm is provided as Exhibit 1 to this Policy.

 

E. Additional Trading Restrictions for Access and Investment Personnel of PIM and Quantitative Management Associates LLC (“QMA”)

 

The following restrictions and requirements apply to all accounts in which Access Persons and Investment Personnel have a direct or indirect beneficial interest, including accounts of household members as described in Section II.C.4.

 

1.  Initial Public Offerings

 

Investment personnel are prohibited from purchasing initial public offerings of securities.  For purposes of this policy, “initial public offerings of securities” do not include offerings of government or municipal securities.

 

2.  Private Placements

 

Investment personnel are prohibited from acquiring any securities in a private placement without express prior approval.  Such approval must be obtained from the local business unit head in consultation with the business unit compliance officer (such person having no personal interest in such purchases or sales), based on a determination that no conflict of interest is involved.

 

Investment personnel must disclose their private placement holdings to the business unit compliance officer and the business unit’s chief investment officer when the investment personnel play a part in the consideration of any investment by the portfolio in the issuer.  In such circumstances, the portfolio’s decision to purchase securities of the issuer will be subject to independent review by appropriate personnel with no personal interest in the issuer.

 

3.  Blackout Periods — “7 Day Rule”

 

Access Persons are prohibited from executing a securities transaction on a day during which any portfolio in their Complex has a pending buy or sell order in the same or an equivalent security and until such time as that order is executed or withdrawn.(27)  This prohibition will not apply to purchases and sales executed in a fund or portfolio that replicates a broad based securities market index.

 

Investment personnel are prohibited from buying or selling a security within seven calendar days before or after a portfolio in their Complex trades in the same or an equivalent security.  Nevertheless, a personal trade by any investment personnel shall not prevent a portfolio in the same business unit from trading in the same or an equivalent security.  However, such a transaction shall be subject to independent review

 


(27)  There is no presumption that Access Persons have knowledge of actual trading activity.

 

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by their business unit compliance officer.(28)  This prohibition will not apply to purchases and sales executed in a fund or portfolio that replicates a broad based securities market index.

 

Profits realized on transactions that are executed during blackout periods may be required to be disgorged to the business unit.  Transactions inadvertently executed by an Access Person during a blackout period will not be considered a violation and disgorgement will not be required provided that the transaction was effected in accordance with the preclearance procedures and without prior knowledge of any pending purchase or sale orders in the Complex in the same or equivalent security.  All disgorged profits will be donated to a charitable organization in the name of the Company or to an account or client for which the security is held or traded.

 

4.  Short-Term Trading Profits

 

Investment personnel are prohibited from profiting from a purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same or an equivalent security within any sixty calendar day period. Profits realized on such proscribed trades must be disgorged to the business unit.  All disgorged profits will be donated to a charitable organization in the name of the Company or to an account or client for which the security is held or traded.

 

5.  Short Sales

 

Access Persons may not sell any security short which is owned by any portfolio managed by the business unit.  Access Persons may, however, make short sales “against the box.”  A short sale “against the box” refers to a short sale when the seller owns an equivalent amount of the same securities.

 

6.  Options

 

Access Persons may not write naked call options or buy naked put options on a security owned by any portfolio managed by the business unit.  Access Persons may purchase options on securities not held by any portfolio managed by the business unit, or purchase call options or write put options on securities owned by any portfolio managed by the business unit, subject to preclearance and the same restrictions applicable to other securities.  Access Persons may write covered call options or buy covered put options on a security owned by any portfolio managed by the business unit at the discretion of the business unit compliance officer.  However, investment personnel should keep in mind that the short-term trading profit rule might affect their ability to close out an option position at a profit.

 

F. Investment Clubs

 

Access Persons may not participate in investment clubs.

 


(28)  Properly precleared personal trades executed within seven days prior to a portfolio trading will be presumed not violative of the 7 day rule provided there was no additional evidence to the contrary.

 

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G. Prohibited Transactions Involving Securities Issued by Prudential

 

All employees, including Access Persons, are prohibited from selling short including “short sales against the box” and from participating in any options transactions on any securities issued by Prudential.  Employees classified as Designated Persons are subject to additional restrictions relating to securities issued by Prudential. These requirements are outlined in Section III of this Policy.

 

H. Preclearance

 

Access Persons of PIM, QMA, American Skandia Investment Services, Inc. (“ASISI”) and Prudential Investments LLC (“PI”) must preclear all personal securities transactions with the exception of those identified in Section V.P. below.  Preclearance is also not required for both proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds.  All requests for preclearance must be submitted to the business unit compliance officer for approval using the automated preclearance website which may be accessed via http://smartspreclearance.prudential.com/smarts_preclearance/.(29), (30)

 

All approved orders must be executed by the close of business on the day in which preclearance is granted; provided however that approved orders for securities traded in foreign markets may be executed within two business days from the date preclearance is granted.  If any order is not timely executed, a request for preclearance must be resubmitted.(31)

 

I. Exemptions

 

The black out periods and the short-term trading profit rule do not apply to any of the following activities.  In addition, the mutual fund 90-day holding period does not apply to items 4,7,8, and 9.  Preclearance is not required for items 4, 5, 6, and 7.

 

1.  Ineligible securities.

 

Purchases or sales of securities (or their equivalents) that are not eligible for purchase or sale by any portfolio in the business unit.

 

2.  Exercise of rights issued by issuer.

 

Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.

 


(29)  Paper preclearance forms may be used for international units and in certain hardship cases.  Paper Forms are available from the business unit compliance officer.

(30)  Access Persons should submit their preclearance forms to the business unit compliance officer of the Complex to which they are deemed to have access.

(31)  Exceptions to the requirement to resubmit preclearance requests may be granted in advance by the business unit compliance officer for unusual circumstances.

 

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3.  De minimis trades.

 

Any trades, or series of trades effected over a 30 day calendar period, involving 500 shares or less in the aggregate of an equity security, provided that the securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or have a market capitalization greater than $1 billion, and the Access Person has no prior knowledge of activity in such security by any portfolio in the business unit.

 

Any fixed-income securities transaction, or series of related transactions effected over a 30 day calendar period, involving 100 units ($100,000 principal amount) or less in the aggregate, if the Access Person has no prior knowledge of transactions in such security by any portfolio in the business unit.

 

4.  Discretionary accounts.

 

Purchases or sales of securities effected in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control or in any account of the Access Person which is managed exclusively on a discretionary basis by a person other than such Access Person and with respect to which such Access Person does not in fact influence or control such transactions.(32)  Access Persons must provide written documentation that evidences he/she does not have authority to participate in the management of the account and must receive written permission from the business unit compliance officer.

 

5.  Index options.

 

Any transactions in index options effected on a broad-based index.  (See Exhibit 4.)

 

6.  Unit investment trusts and open-end mutual funds.

 

7.  Non-volitional transactions and dividend reinvestment plans.

 

8.  Exceptions by prior written approval.

 

Purchases or sales of securities which receive prior written approval of the business unit compliance officer (such person having no personal interest in such purchases or sales), based on a determination that no conflict of interest is involved and that such purchases or sales are not likely to have any economic impact on any portfolio in the business unit or on its ability to purchase or sell securities of the same class or other securities of the same issuer.

 

With respect to the mutual fund 90-day holding period requirement, only certain limited exceptions will be approved including, but not limited to, hardships and extended

 


(32)  Such accounts must receive written approval in advance from the Securities Monitoring Unit.  In such cases, the employee must give exclusive discretion to his/her broker or investment adviser.  A copy of such notification should be sent to the Securities Monitoring Unit.  Such accounts are required to be reported and monitored as provide under Section II.A.

 

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disability.  Mutual fund 90-day holding period exceptions must be approved by the Business Unit Head and the PIM Chief Compliance Officer prior to execution.(33)

 

9.  Automatic Investment/Withdrawal Programs and Automatic Rebalancing.

 

Purchases or sales of securities that are part of an automatic investment/withdrawal program or resulting from an automatic rebalancing.  Transactions that override any pre-set schedule or allocation must be precleared and reported to the Securities Monitoring Units.

 

J. Personal Trade Reporting

 

All Access Persons must participate in Prudential’s Personal Trade Monitoring System as described in Section II of this Policy.  In addition, all Access Persons must preclear all private securities transactions immediately and report completion of the transaction promptly, in any event not later than ten days following the close of each quarter in which the trade was executed.  Forms to report such private securities transactions are available from your business unit compliance officer or the Securities Monitoring Unit.

 

K. Personal Securities Holdings

 

Within ten days of becoming an Access Person, and thereafter on an annual basis, Access Persons (other than disinterested directors/trustees) must disclose personal securities holdings, including all holdings of private securities (e.g., limited partnership interests, private placements, etc.) and all holdings of proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds, excluding money market funds and the Dryden Ultra Short Bond Fund.  Holdings Reports must include information that is current within the previous 45 days of becoming an Access Person or submitting the annual Holdings Report.  (See Exhibit 5 for the Holdings Report Form.)

 

L. Service as a Director

 

Consistent with Prudential policy, Investment Personnel are prohibited from serving on the board of directors of publicly traded companies, absent prior authorization from the business unit compliance officer based upon a determination that the board service would not be inconsistent with the interests of the investment company or other clients.  In the limited instances that such board service may be authorized, Investment Personnel will be isolated from those making investment decisions affecting transactions in securities issued by any publicly traded company on whose board such Investment Personnel serves as a director through the use of a “Chinese Wall” or other procedures designed to address the potential conflicts of interest.

 


(33)  For purposes of this policy, Business Unit Head is defined as the executive in charge of Fixed Income Trading, QMA, Jennison, PI or his/her delegate.  Delegation of this responsibility must be done in writing and submitted to the PIM Chief Compliance Officer.

 

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M. Gifts

 

Consistent with Prudential’s Gift and Entertainment Policy, Access Persons are prohibited from receiving any gift or other thing that would be considered excessive in value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of Prudential.  Access Persons must comply with Company limits and reporting guidelines for all gifts and entertainment given and/or received.

 

N. Code Violations and Sanctions

 

Access Persons and Supervised Persons are required to promptly report any known violations of the Code or this Policy to the business unit chief compliance officer.  Reported violations and other exceptions to this Policy detected through internal monitoring will be provided to the business unit Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee and the Personal Securities Trading/Mutual Fund Code of Ethics Committee (“Committee”).  The Committee, comprised of business unit executives, compliance and human resource personnel, will review all violations of this Policy.  The Committee will determine any sanctions or other disciplinary actions that may be deemed appropriate.

 

O. Reports to Clients

 

The Board of Directors/Trustees of any investment company client will be provided, as requested by client or otherwise required by regulation, with an annual report which at a minimum:

 

                  Certifies that the investment adviser/portfolio management unit has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent its Access Persons from violating this policy;

 

                  Summarizes existing procedures concerning personal investing and any changes in the procedures made during the preceding year;

 

                  Identifies material violations of this policy and sanctions imposed in response to those violations; and

 

                  Identifies any recommended changes in existing restrictions or procedures based upon experience under the policy, evolving industry practices, or developments in applicable laws and regulations.

 

P. Additional Trading Requirements for Access Persons of Global Portfolio Strategies Inc. (“GPSI”)

 

The following restrictions and requirements apply to all accounts in which GPSI Access Persons have a direct or indirect beneficial interest, including accounts of household members as described in Section II.C.4.

 

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1.  Initial Public Offerings

 

GPSI Access Persons must preclear purchases of initial public offerings of securities.  For purposes of this policy, “initial public offerings of securities” do not include offerings of government or municipal securities.  See Exhibit 8 for a copy of the preclearance request form.

 

2.  Private Placements

 

GPSI Access Persons are prohibited from personally acquiring any securities in a private placement without express prior approval.  Such approval must be obtained from the business unit compliance officer, based on a determination that no conflict of interest is involved.  See Exhibit 8 for a copy of the preclearance request form.

 

3.  Restricted Lists

 

GPSI Access Persons are restricted from purchasing or selling securities of the issuers on the GPSI Restricted List.  This restriction applies to all accounts in which the associate is deemed to have a beneficial interest as listed above.  GPSI Access Persons who hold GSPI Restricted List securities prior to the institution of this policy, becoming a GPSI Access Person or being placed on the GPSI Restricted List must obtain written approval from their business unit compliance officer prior to the sale of such securities.

 

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VI. TRADING RESTRICTIONS OF PRIVATE ASSET MANAGEMENT UNITS

 

A. Background

 

The Advisers Act governs activities of officers, directors and employees of registered investment advisers.  These rules set forth specific requirements relating to conflicts of interest and personal securities trading activity.

 

Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act requires each federally registered investment adviser to adopt a written code of ethics designed to prevent fraud by reinforcing fiduciary principles that govern the conduct of investment advisory firms and their personnel.  In addition, the code must set forth specific requirements relating to personal trading activity including reporting transactions and holdings.

 

The code of ethics applies to all Supervised Persons of the adviser, including all “Access Persons” of the adviser.  Under the rules, “Access Persons” are considered employees of the adviser who have access to client recommendations and trading activity.  Based on this definition, Private-Side Associates (excluding employees of PMCC) would be considered “Access Persons” and be subject to the requirements of the rules due to their access to investment advisory client recommendations and trading activity.  In addition, employees of Prudential Real Estate Fixed Income Investors (“PREFII”) are considered Supervised Persons under the rules.

 

The Investment Adviser Code of Ethics (“Code”), as adopted by Prudential’s registered investment advisers, includes the Personal Securities Trading Policy and the Statement of Policy Restricting Communication and the Use of Issuer-Related Information by Prudential Investment Associates (“Chinese Wall Policy”).  Employees identified as Supervised Persons must comply with the Code, including this Policy.  Compliance is responsible for notifying each individual who is subject to the Code.  Sections II and VI of this Policy set forth the requirements that are intended to enable Private-Side Associates to comply with Rule 204A-1.

 

B. Conflicts of Interest

 

Prudential holds its employees to the highest ethical standards.  Maintaining high standards requires a total commitment to sound ethical principles and Prudential’s value.  It also requires nurturing a business culture that supports decisions and actions based on what is right, not simply what is expedient.  Management must make the Company’s ethical standards clear.  At every level, associates must set the right example in their daily conduct.  Moreover, associates are encouraged to understand the expectations of the Company and apply these guidelines to analogous situations or seek guidance if they have questions about conduct in given circumstances.

 

All Private-Side Associates must act in accordance with the following general principles:

 

                  It is the duty at all times to place the interests of investment advisory clients and investment company shareholders first.

 

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                  Private Side Associates should scrupulously avoid serving their own personal interests ahead of clients’ interests in any decision relating to their personal investments.

 

                  All personal securities transactions must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility.

 

                  Private-Side Associates must not only seek to achieve technical compliance with this Policy, but should strive to abide by its spirit and the principles articulated herein.

 

                  Private-Side Associates may not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.

 

                  Private-Side Associates must avoid any situation that might compromise, or call into question, their exercise of fully independent judgment in the interest of clients or shareholder, including, but nor limited to the receipt of unusual investment opportunities, perquisites, or gifts of more than de minimis value from persons doing or seeking business with their portfolios.

 

                  Private-Side Associates may not bunch a personal order with a client order.

 

                  Private-Side Associate may not conduct personal business with brokers who execute trades for their portfolios.

 

C. Requirements of Private-Side Associates

 

In addition to the personal securities trade reporting requirements set forth in Section II of this Policy, all associates of Private Asset Management units of Prudential Investment Management (“PIM”) are subject to certain trading restrictions as set forth below.  The Private Asset Management units of PIM are as follows:  Prudential Capital Group (“PCG”), Prudential Real Estate Investors (“PREI”), Global Real Estate Private Equity (“GREPE”) and Prudential Mortgage Capital Company (“PMCC”).  These individuals are referred to as Private-Side Associates throughout this Policy.

 

The following restrictions and requirements apply to all accounts in which Access Persons and Investment Personnel have a direct or indirect beneficial interest, including accounts of household members as described in Section II.C.4.

 

Such restrictions apply to transactions in any securities accounts for which the associate maintains a beneficial interest, including the following:

 

                  Personal accounts;

 

                  Joint or tenant-in-common accounts in which the associate is a participant;

 

                  Accounts for which the associate acts as trustee, executor or custodian;

 

                  Accounts in which the associate’s spouse has a beneficial interest;

 

                  Accounts in which the associate’s minor children or any dependent family member has a beneficial interest;

 

                  Accounts over which the associate exercises control or has any investment discretion; and

 

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                  Accounts of any individual to whose financial support the associate materially contributes.

 

D. Private Side Monitored List & Global Real Estate Monitored List

 

Under Prudential’s Chinese Wall Policy, the Private Asset Management units are required to maintain a Private-Side Monitored List (“PSML”) containing the names of publicly-traded issuers about which they possess material nonpublic information.  In addition, due to a recently approved Chinese Wall Policy exception, GREPE is required to maintain its own Global Private-Side Monitored List (“Global PSML”).   All Private-Side Associates, with the exception of GREPE employees, are restricted from purchasing or selling securities of the issuers on the PSML.  Similarly, GREPE employees are restricted from purchasing or selling securities of the issuers on the Global PSML.  These restrictions apply to all accounts in which the associate is deemed to have a beneficial interest as listed above.

 

Associates should not, however, provide the PSML or the Global PSML to individuals outside of their business unit.  The associate should instruct individuals who exercise control or have investment discretion over an account in which the associate has a beneficial interest to check with the associate prior to purchasing or selling any security for such account to ensure that no trade is placed in a security on the PSML or the Global PSML.

 

If the security is on the PSML or the Global PSML, respectively, the associate should instruct the individual exercising control over the account that he or she is prohibited from trading the security because of his or her employment with Prudential.  In the case of a discretionary account with a brokerage firm, the preceding rule does not apply and the associate must not disclose any security or issuer with the broker in advance of any trade.  In addition, a copy of the signed discretionary account agreement should be sent to the Securities Monitoring Unit.

 

Associates of Private Asset Management units may not advise a person not employed by Prudential, or a Prudential employee on the Public-Side of the Chinese Wall that a security is restricted because Prudential is in possession of material nonpublic information.

 

E. Investment Clubs

 

All associates of Private Asset Management units are prohibited from participating in investment clubs.

 

F. Mutual Fund Reporting and Trading Restrictions

 

Private-Side Associates are prohibited from market timing any proprietary mutual funds, as well as non-proprietary funds subadvised by Prudential, and must comply with any trading restrictions established by Prudential and its clients to prevent market timing of these funds.

 

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To deter the market timing in proprietary and non-proprietary funds subadvised by Prudential, certain officers of PIM are required to hold any proprietary or non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds for a period of 90 days.(34)  Private-Side Associates are also required to report mutual fund transactions covered under this policy as described below.

 

1. Mutual Fund Holding Period

 

Certain officers of PIM are required to hold proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds, excluding money market funds or the Dryden Ultra Short Bond Fund, purchased for a period of 90 days.(35)   Proprietary funds include JennisonDryden, Strategic Partners, Target, and American Skandia Advisor Funds (“American Skandia Funds”).  Non-proprietary subadvised funds are defined in Exhibit 7.  Specifically, affected officers are prohibited from executing a purchase and a sale of the same proprietary or non-proprietary subadvised mutual fund during any 90-day period.(36)  This restriction applies to accounts for these officers have a direct or indirect beneficial interest, including household members. See Section II.C.4.  Profits realized on such transactions must be disgorged to the applicable mutual fund or client, or as otherwise deemed appropriate by the Personal Securities Trading/Mutual Fund Code of Ethics Committee (“Committee”).(37),(38)

 

2. Policies Relating to Reporting and Trading Mutual Funds

 

Private-Side Associates are required to report all transactions of proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds.  This requirement applies to accounts for which Private-Side Associates have a direct or indirect beneficial interest, including household members.  See Section II.C.4.

 

Private-Side Associates may hold and trade proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds only through one of the authorized broker/dealers, directly with Prudential Mutual Fund Services (“PMFS”), or the Prudential Employee Savings Plan (“PESP”).(39)  However, non-proprietary subadvised funds may be traded directly with the fund provided that duplicate account statements and trade confirmations are sent directly to the Securities Monitoring Unit.  For non-proprietary subadvised funds, Private-Side Associates must notify fund complexes within 10 business days of receipt of this policy requesting that duplicate statements and confirmations be forwarded to the Securities

 


(34)  Public-Side Investment Personnel and other individuals who are specifically notified are also subject to the 90-day mutual fund holding period.

(35)  These officers will be identified by the President of PIM in consultation with the PIM Chief Compliance Officer.  The PIM Chief Compliance Officer will be responsible for maintaining the list and submitting any changes to the Securities Monitoring Unit of the Compliance Department. 

(36)  For the Prudential Employee Savings Plan, only exchanges of proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised funds are subject to the 90-day holding period.  Purchases due to automatic payroll deductions and company match and automatic rebalancing transactions are exempt from this requirement.

(37)  The Committee evaluates violations of the Policy and determines appropriate disciplinary action. 

(38)  Discipline and sanctions relating to violations occurring in the Prudential Employee Savings Plan or the Jennison Savings or Pension Plans will be determined separately by the Personal Securities Trading/Mutual Fund Code of Ethics Committee. 

(39)  Mutual fund transactions executed through PMFS and PESP will be sent to the Securities Monitoring Unit through a daily electronic trading feed.

 

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Monitoring Unit.  Investment elections or transactions executed in the executive deferred compensation plans are not subject to this requirement.(40)

 

Private-Side Associates must notify the Securities Monitoring Unit of any mutual fund accounts, including accounts of all household members, held directly with the fund for all non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds.  In addition, Private-Side Associates must contact these funds to request that duplicate statements and confirmations of mutual fund trading activity be sent to the Securities Monitoring Unit.  A sample letter to a brokerage firm is provided as Exhibit 1 to this Policy.

 

D. Personal Securities Holdings

 

Within ten days of becoming a Private-Side Associate, and thereafter on an annual basis, Private-Side Associates (other than disinterested directors/trustees) must disclose personal securities holdings, including all holdings of private securities (e.g., limited partnership interests, private placements, etc.) and all holdings of proprietary and non-proprietary subadvised mutual funds, excluding money market funds and the Dryden Ultra Short Bond Fund.  Holdings Reports must include information that is current within the previous 45 days of becoming an Access Person or submitting the annual Holdings Report.  (See Exhibit 5 for the Holdings Report Form.)

 

E. Private Placements

 

Private-Side Associates are prohibited from personally acquiring any securities in a private placement without express prior approval.  Such approval must be obtained from the local business unit head in consultation with the business unit compliance officer (such person having no personal interest in such purchases or sales), based on a determination that no conflict of interest is involved.

 

Private-Side Associates must disclose their private placement holdings to the business unit compliance officer and the business unit’s chief investment officer when the Private-Side Associate plays a part in the consideration of any investment by the portfolio in the issuer.  In such circumstances, the portfolio’s decision to purchase securities of the issuer will be subject to independent review by appropriate personnel with no personal interest in the issuer.  See Exhibit 8 for a copy of the preclearance request form.

 

F. Initial Public Offerings

 

Private-Side Associates must preclear all purchases of initial public offerings of securities.  For purposes of this policy, “initial public offerings of securities” do not include offerings of government or municipal securities.  See Exhibit 8 for a copy of the preclearance request form.

 


(40)  Prudential’s deferred compensation plans (including The Prudential Insurance Company of America Deferred Compensation Plan) are not susceptible to market timing due to the fact that the plans only permit one transaction per month.  Therefore, transactions in these plans are exempt from both the 90-day holding period and reporting requirements.

 

39



 

G. Additional Restrictions for Certain Units

 

1. Real Estate Units

 

To ensure compliance with ITSFEA and to prevent actual and apparent conflicts of interest in the Private Asset Management Real Estate units, all associates of PREI, PMCC and GREPE who are located in the U.S. (and functional associates who are co-located with PREI) are prohibited from purchasing interests in publicly-traded real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and real estate-related securities.

 

PIM Compliance maintains a list of real estate security issuers in the PIM Compliance Library, accessible via Lotus Notes.  Please note however, that this prohibition applies to all REITs and real estate-related securities, whether they are on the list or not.

 

Associates who hold REIT securities or real estate securities prior to the institution of this policy or joining PREI, PMCC or GREPE must obtain written approval from PIM Compliance prior to the sale of such securities.  Associates of the Private Asset Management Real Estate units will be permitted to purchase shares of open-end mutual funds that invest in REITs or real estate securities.

 

2. Prudential Capital Group

 

To insure compliance with ITSFEA and to prevent actual or apparent conflicts of interest in PCG, all associates of PCG (and functional associates who support PCG) are prohibited from purchasing securities of companies listed on PCG’s 90 Day Pricing Summary Update for Public Companies (90 Day Pricing List).  In addition, PCG employees who have access to information about investment advisory client transactions and holdings involving public securities are prohibited from trading the securities of those publicly traded issuers.

 

PIM Compliance maintains the PCG 90-day Pricing list in the PIM Compliance Library, accessible via Lotus Notes.

 

40



 

VII. POLICY FOR PRUDENTIAL EQUITY GROUP, INC.

 

A. Associated Persons’ Securities Accounts

 

1. Trade Monitoring at PEG

 

In addition to the requirements of ITSFEA and the NASD Conduct Rules, PEG is required by New York Stock Exchange rules to review transactions in all accounts of its associated persons and their family members.  To ensure compliance with these requirements, PEG associates are prohibited from opening or maintaining any  “employee account or employee-related account,” as defined below, at a firm other than the following authorized broker-dealers: Wachovia Securities, Charles Schwab, E*Trade and Fidelity Investments.  (Note: Monitored employees of other Prudential business groups may also open accounts with Pruco Securities and Merrill Lynch.  These options are not available to PEG associates.)  Prudential has arranged to obtain electronic feeds of all trading data in accounts with the authorized firms.  In addition, paper monthly statements must also be submitted to PEG Compliance.

 

Exceptions to this policy will be granted only in unusual circumstances.  Any exception to this policy requires the prior written approval of the associate’s supervisor and the PEG Compliance Department.  In those cases where accounts are approved to be held at an unauthorized firm, the Compliance Department will make arrangements to have duplicate copies of all confirmations and monthly statements sent to the associate’s supervisor and the Compliance Department.  Exceptions may be granted for “employee-related accounts” in rare circumstances where the employee can demonstrate that he or she has no financial interest in such account.

 

B. Definition of  “Employee Account” and “Employee Related Account”

 

“Employee accounts” include the following securities and/or commodities accounts:

 

                  Any personal account of an employee;

 

                  Any joint or tenant-in-common in which the employee is a participant;

 

                  Any account for which the employee acts as the trustee, executor or custodian;

 

                  Any account over which the employee has investment discretion or otherwise can       exercise control (other than non-related client’s accounts over which associates have investment discretion – Note: PEG trading personnel are not permitted to exercise discretion over client accounts); and

 

                  Any other account in which an employee is directly or indirectly financially interested.

 

“Employee-related accounts” include the following securities and/or commodities accounts:

 

                  Accounts of the employee’s spouse;

 

                  Accounts of the employee’s minor and/or any dependent family members; and

 

                  Accounts of any individual to whose financial support the employee materially

 

41



 

contributes.

 

C. Investment Clubs

 

PEG sales, trading, research and/or investment associates are not permitted to participate in Investment Clubs.  Other associates must contact the PEG Compliance Department if they wish to participate in an Investment Club.  An Investment Club account will be considered an Employee Account for purposes of this Policy and must be maintained at one of the authorized broker-dealers.

 

D. Personal Trading Restrictions

 

1. Purchases of Public Equity Offerings

 

All PEG associates must comply with NASD Rule 2790 as set forth in Section IV.B of this Policy.  This includes a prohibition on purchasing new equity offerings directly from a syndicate member.

 

2. Private Securities Transactions

 

In accordance with NASD Rule 3040, all associates of PEG must notify the PEG Compliance Department, in writing, and obtain written approval from the broker-dealer, prior to engaging in any private securities transaction.  Private securities transactions include, but are not limited to, transactions in unregistered offerings of securities, and purchases or sales of limited partnership interests.

 

3. Annual Compliance Training

 

The NASD/NYSE Joint Memorandum on Chinese Wall Policies and Procedures (NASD Notice to Members 91-45) provides that firms which do not conduct investment banking research or arbitrage activities still must have “reasonable procedures for the education and training of its associates about insider trading” in order to be in compliance with ITSFEA.  Consistent with this Notice, PEG covers insider trading issues with applicable associates as part of its annual training program.

 

4. 24 - Hour Research Report Restriction

 

PEG associates are prohibited from effecting transactions in a company’s securities when PEG initiates coverage of the company, or upgrades or downgrades a research opinion or recommendation.  This prohibition generally applies for a 24-hour period after the release of the research.  If the investing public has had time to receive and react to the release of the research report, the 24-hour restriction may be shortened by the Compliance Department.  The 24-hour rule becomes effective when the research is issued.

 

PEG associates are also prohibited from engaging in transactions in a security when the associate knows that a research report relating to the security is in preparation.

 

Securities subject to the 24-hour rule appear on PEG’s Restricted List.  Although only the

 

42



 

symbol for the common stock may be indicated on the Restricted List, all related securities (including common and preferred stock, convertibles, options, warrants and rights) of the companies listed (and debt securities, if indicated) are subject to restriction.

 

E. Restricted List

 

PEG’s Restricted List is a confidential list of securities that are subject to certain research, sales and trading restrictions.  Securities may be placed on the Restricted List for a variety of reasons designed to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and Company policy.  For example, as stated above, securities that are subject to the 24-hour rule are placed on the Restricted List.  Employees may not purchase or sell securities for their personal accounts if such transactions are prohibited by the Restricted List.  Although only the symbol for the common stock may be indicated on the Restricted List, all securities from the same issuer (including common and preferred stock, convertibles, options, warrants and rights of the companies listed (and debt securities, if indicated)) are subject to restriction.

 

F. Additional Trading Restrictions for Certain PEG Departments

 

1. Trading Restrictions

 

a. Research Department

 

Personal trading by Research Analysts is subject to the requirements and restrictions set forth in the Equity Research Manual available on the Compliance page of the Capital Markets Intranet site.  http://psibranch.cs.prusec.com/complian/capital.htm.  All questions should be referred to the PEG Compliance Department.

 

b. Trading Department

 

Trading Department associates must preclear trades of all equity securities.

 

For securities over which the Trading Department has trading or market-making responsibility, an employee of the Trading Department may not sell any such security that (s)he has purchased within the prior 30 calendar days or purchase any such security that (s)he had sold within the prior 30 calendar days.  Under very limited circumstances, exceptions to this 30-day holding period may be granted by obtaining prior written approval from the Compliance Department.

 

2. Preclearance Procedures

 

All requests for preclearance must be submitted to the Business Unit head and PEG Compliance for approval.  All approved orders must be executed by the close of business on the day preclearance is granted.

 

43



 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit 1 – Sample Letter to Brokerage Firm

 

TO:

Broker-Dealer

 

 

 

RE:

Account #:

 

 

 Date of Establishment:

 

Dear Sir/Madam:

 

Please furnish to Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”), copies of all trade confirmations and account statements with respect to all transactions for the above listed account(s).  Please include all transactions in shares of unit investment trusts and all closed-end mutual funds.

 

Copies of these confirmations and statements should be sent to Prudential, as trades are effected, addressed as follows:

 

Prudential Financial, Inc.

Compliance Department

P.O. Box 919

Newark, NJ  07101-9998

 

This request is being made pursuant to Rule 3050 of the Conduct Rules of the NASD and/or Rule 204-2(a) of the Investment Advisers Act, as applicable.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

cc:

Ellen McGlynn Koke,

 

Vice President, Securities Compliance

 

Compliance Department

 

44



 

Exhibit 2 – Acknowledgment of the Personal Securities Trading Policy

 

For employees required to report their transactions in SMARTS as described in Section II of this policy, please complete the following acknowledgment and send it to:

 

Prudential Financial, Inc.

Compliance Department

P.O. Box 919

Newark, NJ  07101-9998

 

I have read and understand the Personal Securities Trading Policy and have and will continue to comply in all respects with the rules contained therein.

 

I confirm that I have instructed in writing all brokers for all securities accounts in which I maintain a beneficial interest, as described immediately below, to send duplicate copies of all confirmations covering any transactions as trades are effected and all account statements to the address listed above.  I understand that for accounts maintained at Charles Schwab, E*Trade, Merrill Lynch, Fidelity Investments, Pruco Securities, or Wachovia Securities, I do not need to contact these brokers in writing.  Beneficial interest includes the following:

 

                  personal accounts;

                  accounts in which my spouse has a beneficial interest;**

                  accounts in which my minor children or any dependent family member has a beneficial interest;**

                  joint or tenant-in-common accounts in which I am a participant;

                  accounts for which I act as trustee, executor or custodian;

                  accounts over which I exercise control or have investment discretion; and

                  accounts of any individual to whose financial support I materially contribute.

 


** Due to certain international laws, employees located in Japan are not required to disclose or report information regarding accounts for which a spouse, dependent family member and/or minor child has a beneficial interest.

 

Set forth below (and on accompanying pages if necessary) is a list of all such accounts (including Charles Schwab, E*Trade, Merrill Lynch, Fidelity Investments, Pruco Securities, and Wachovia Securities) including the individual holding the account, the social security number of that individual, the name of the institution, and the account number.  I understand that I must promptly advise the Compliance Department of any change in this information.  I understand that if I have been classified as a Covered or Access Person that in the event circumstances change for an account for which I have been granted an exception to maintain at a non-authorized brokerage firm, I must notify the Compliance Department immediately and request that the account be reviewed in light of the changed circumstances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full Name of Employee

Business Unit/Location

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

Date

 

 

 

 

 

Social Security Number of Employee

 

 

45



 

List of all Accounts

 

Name of Individual

 

Social Security Number

 

Name of Institution

 

Account Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46



 

Exhibit 3 – Compliance and Reporting of Personal Transactions

 

Investment Category/

 

 

 

Reportable

 

 

Method

 

Sub-Category

 

(Yes/No)

 

Comments

Bonds

 

ABS

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Agency

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

CMO’s

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Convertibles

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Corporates

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

MBS

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Municipals

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Public Offerings

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Treasury Bills, Notes, Bonds

 

No

 

 

Stocks

 

Common

 

Yes

 

 

(Purchases and sales of Individual

 

Optional Dividend Reinvestments

 

Yes

 

 

Stocks)

 

Preferred

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Public Offerings (Initial & Secondary)

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Rights

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Warrants

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Automatic Dividend Reinvestments

 

No

 

 

Private Placements

 

 

 

Yes

 

 

Limited Partnerships

 

 

 

Yes

 

 

Open End Mutual

 

Proprietary

 

No

 

Transactions of the Prudential

Funds

 

Non Proprietary

 

No

 

Financial, Inc. Common Stock

 

 

Prudential Financial, Inc. Common

 

Yes

 

Fund executed in the PESP plan are

 

 

Stock Fund

 

 

 

fed electronically to SMARTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open End Mutual

 

Proprietary Non-Money Market

 

Yes

 

Proprietary Funds include

Funds – For Investment

 

Non-proprietary subadvised Non-

 

Yes

 

JennisonDryden, Strategic Partners,

Personnel, Access Persons and

 

Money Market

 

 

 

Target, and American Skandia

Private-Side Associates

 

Proprietary and Non-Proprietary Off-

 

Yes

 

Advisor funds. A list of non -

 

 

Shore Funds

 

 

 

proprietary subadvised funds can be

 

 

Money Market Funds

 

No

 

found in Exhibit 7.

 

 

Non Affiliated

 

No

 

 

Closed End Mutual Funds &

 

Affiliated Mutual Funds

 

Yes

 

 

Unit Investments Trusts

 

Affiliated Unit Investment Trusts

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Non-Affiliated Mutual Funds

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Non-Affiliated Unit Inv. Trusts

 

Yes

 

 

Derivatives

 

Any Exchange Traded, NASDAQ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

or OTC Option or Future Including

 

 

 

 

 

 

But not Limited To:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Security Futures

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

All other Futures (Including Financial

 

No

 

 

 

 

Futures)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options on Foreign Currency

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Options on Futures

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Options on Indexes

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

Options on Securities

 

Yes

 

 

Foreign Currency

 

 

 

No

 

Exchanges made for personal travel

 

 

 

 

 

 

are not reportable.

Commodities

 

Other Commodities

 

No

 

 

 

47



 

Annuities & Life

 

Affiliated

 

Yes**

 

** Investment Personnel, Access

Insurance Contracts

 

Non Affiliated

 

Yes**

 

Persons and Private-Side Associates

w/Investment

 

 

 

 

 

must report transactions of both

Components (e.g.

 

 

 

 

 

affiliated and non-affiliated variable

Variable Life)

 

 

 

 

 

life and annuities contracts where

 

 

 

 

 

 

the Underlying investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

components invest in proprietary

 

 

 

 

 

 

and/or subadvised non-proprietary

 

 

 

 

 

 

mutual funds. In addition, any

 

 

 

 

 

 

underlying sub-account transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

are also reportable.

Bonuses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prudential Employees

 

Shares or Options received as part of

 

Yes

 

Prudential employee stock or option

 

 

Compensation

 

 

 

bonus awards are electronically

 

 

 

 

 

 

reported to the Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring Unit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Non-Pru Employee/

 

Shares or Options received as part of

 

No

 

For Non-employee stock or option

Household Member)

 

Compensation

 

 

 

bonus awards, the receipt is not

 

 

 

 

 

 

reportable. However, the sale of

 

 

 

 

 

 

stock or the exercise of an option is

 

 

 

 

 

 

a reportable event.

Gifts

 

 

 

 

 

For non-Prudential securities, a gift

 

 

 

 

 

 

given to a charity is reportable,

Prudential securities

 

Gifts given and received

 

Yes

 

however, the receipt of a gift is not a

 

 

 

 

 

 

reportable transaction under the

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Securities Transaction

All other gifts

 

Given by Employee - Bonds and/or

 

Yes

 

Policy. Please see the Gift and

 

 

Stock

 

 

 

Entertainment Policy for additional

 

 

Received by Employee - Bonds and/or

 

No

 

reporting requirements for gifts.

 

 

Stock

 

 

 

 

 

48



 

Exhibit 4 – Index Options On a Broad-Based Index

 

TICKER SYMBOL

 

DESCRIPTION

DJX

 

Dow Jones Industrial (30) Average

GTC

 

GSTI (Goldman Sachs 178 Technology Companies)

MID

 

S&P Midcap 400 Open/Euro Index

MNX

 

CBOE Mini-NDX (1 tenth value of NDX Index)

NFT

 

MSCI Multinational Company Index (50 US Stocks)

NIK

 

Nikkei 300 Index CI/Euro

OEX

 

S&P 100 Close/Amer Index

RAG

 

Russell 3000 Growth

RAV

 

Russell 3000 Value

RDG

 

Russell MidCap Growth

RLG

 

Russell 1000 Growth

RLV

 

Russell 1000 Value

RMC

 

Russell MidCap

RMV

 

Russell Midcap Value

RUA

 

Russell 3000

RUI

 

Russell 1000 Index

RUJ

 

Russell 2000 Value

RUO

 

Russell 2000 Growth

RUT

 

Russell 2000 Open/Euro Index

SML

 

S&P Small Cap 600

SPL

 

S&P 500 Long-Term Close

SPX

 

S&P 500 Open/Euro Index

TXX

 

CBOE Technology Index (30 Stocks)

VRU

 

Russell 2000 Long-Term Index

XEO

 

S&P 100 Euro Style

ZRU

 

Russell 2000 L-T Open./Euro

 

49



 

Exhibit 5 – Personal Securities Holdings Report

 

Reviewed by:          Initials:                   Date:                

 

Personal Securities Holdings Report

 

To:

Jennifer Brown,

 

Securities Monitoring Unit

 

Compliance Department

 

From:

 

 

SS#:

 

 

 

Department:

 

 

Division:

 

 

 

Signed:

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

Listed below are all securities that I held, including those in which I had a direct or indirect beneficial interest, as of a date within the previous 45 days, as required by the Personal Securities Trading Policy and the Mutual Fund Code of Ethics.

 

DO WE NEED TO ADD TICKER/CUSIP AND TYPE OF SECURITY?

 

Public Securities

 

 

 

Number

 

Principle

 

 

Title of Security

 

Of Shares

 

Amount

 

Broker/Dealer/Bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private Securities (e.g., limited partnerships, private placements).

 

 

 

50



 

Exhibit 6 – Section 16 Insiders and Designated Persons Preclearance Request Form

 

This form is for preclearing transactions in Prudential securities.  Please include all requested information.  An associate from the Securities Monitoring Unit of the Compliance Department will review and respond to this request.  The response will indicate that your request has either been approved or denied.  A request is not considered approved until you receive a confirmation of approval from the Securities Monitoring Unit.  Preclearance is only valid until the close of the market on the day approval is granted.  Preclearance Forms should be faxed to the Securities Monitoring Unit at (973) 802-7454.

 

Part I – Information on Individual Requesting Preclearance:

 

Name:

 

   Phone #:

 

 

Fax #:  

 

 

Department:

 

  Division:

 

 

 

In making this transaction, I understand it is my personal obligation under federal securities law not to trade securities of Prudential Financial, Inc. while in possession of material nonpublic information about the Company.  This obligation continues during open trading windows and even where I have had a trade precleared.

 

 

 

 [Employee’s

 

Signature]

 

If you have any questions, please contact Richard Baker from the Securities Monitoring Unit at (973) 802-6691.

 

Part II - Transaction Information:

 

Date:

 

 

Number of Shares/Options:

 

 

 

Transaction Type:

 

 

Open Market Transactions

 

 

Buy

 

 

Sell*

 

Stock Option Exercises

 

 

Cashless Exercise (Exercise and Sell all Options)

 

 

Exercise & Sell to Cover (Exercise and Sell only enough shares to cover option cost and taxes)

 

 

Exercise & Hold (Exercise options and hold shares – no sale involved)

 

PESP Transactions

 

 

Exchange (into or out of Company Stock Fund)

 

 

Allocation Change (Company Stock Fund)

 

 

Catch-up Contribution (Company Stock Fund)

 

 

Deferral Rate Change (Company Stock Fund)

 

 

Disbursement (from Company Stock Fund)

 

 

Loans (impacting Company Stock Fund)

 

Other Benefit Plan Elections

 

 

Deferred Compensation Elections (impacting Company Stock Fund)

 

 

MasterShare Elections (impacting Company Stock Fund)

 

 

 

Asset Type:

Common Stock

Employee Stock Option

Company Stock Fund

 


* Do you currently hold securities to cover this transaction?                  (Note that this question applies to all sales due to the fact that short sales are prohibited.)

 

Account in which transaction will take place:

Brokerage

Firm

 

 

 

 

 

Account No.

 

 

 

51



 

Part III – Information To Be Completed by Section 16 Insiders Only:

 

Have you traded the same or equivalent security for your personal account, accounts in which you have a beneficial interest, such as accounts of your spouse or family members, or accounts over which you maintain investment discretion within the past six months?   If yes, the Securities Monitoring Unit may contact you for additional information.                     

 

Comments:                                                                                                                                                                             

 

Part IV – Compliance/Law Response

 

Compliance Response:

APPROVED :

DENIED:

 

REVIEWER :

 

DATE/TIME:

 

 

Law Response (for Section 16 Insiders Only): APPROVED :

 

DENIED:

REVIEWER :

 

DATE/TIME:

 

 

 

52



 

Exhibit 7 – Non Proprietary Subadvised Mutual Funds

 

PIM Subadvised Funds

 

SEI Institutional Investors Trust Fund

 

Jennison Subadvised Funds

 

AEGON/Transamerica Series Fund, Inc. – Jennison Growth

Allmerica Investment Trust – Select Growth Fund

Dreyfus Variable – Special Value

Harbor Fund - Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund

The Hirtle Callaghan Trust - The Growth Equity Portfolio

ING Investors Trust – ING Jennison Equity Opportunities Portfolio

The MainStay Funds - MainStay MAP Fund

Manufacturers Investment Trust – Capital Appreciation Trust

Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. – Jennison Growth Portfolio

Ohio National Fund, Inc. – Capital Appreciation Portfolio

The Preferred Group of Mutual Funds - Preferred Large Cap Growth Fund

Scudder Focus Value Plus Growth Fund - Scudder Focus Value+Growth Fund

Scudder Variable Series II – SVS Focus Value+Growth Portfolio

Transamerica IDEX Mutual Funds – TA IDEX Jennison Growth

 

53



 

Exhibit 8 – Initial Public Offering and Private Placement Preclearance Form for Access Persons and Private-Side Associates

 

This form is for preclearing transactions in Initial Public Offering (IPO’s) and Private Placements for Access Persons and Private-Side Associates.  Please include all requested information and submit the form to your business unit compliance officer.  Your business unit compliance officer will review and respond to this request.  The response will indicate that your request has either been approved or denied.  A request is not considered approved until you receive a confirmation of approval from your business unit compliance officer.  Preclearance is only valid until the close of the market on the day approval is granted.

 

Part I – Information on Individual Requesting Preclearance:

 

Name:

 

Phone #:

Fax #:

 

 

 

 

Department:

 

Division:

 

 

 

 

 

Employee’s signature:

 

 

 

 

Part II - Transaction Information:

 

Date:

 

Number of Shares/Options:

 

Transaction Type:

 

 

Initial Public Offering

 

 

 

Private Placement/Limited Partnership (A copy of the subscription agreement must be submitted to the Securities Monitoring Group of the Compliance Department).

 

Name of Issuer:

 

Account in which transaction will take place:

 

Brokerage Firm

 

Account No. 

 

Comments:

 

Part IV – Compliance/Law Response

 

Compliance Response:

 

APPROVED :

 

DENIED:

 

REVIEWER :

 

DATE/TIME:

 

Business Unit Head Response (only required for Private-Side Associates) :

 

APPROVED :

 

DENIED:

 

REVIEWER :

 

DATE/TIME:

 

As of 1/1/05

 

54


Exhibit 99.(p)(4)

 

TRANSAMERICA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

C ODE O F E THICS

 

LAST REVISED January 5, 2005

 

1



 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

 

Transamerica Investment Management, LLC (TIM) provides investment advisory services to various clients and accounts, including mutual funds. Persons covered by the Code owe an undivided duty of loyalty to the clients of TIM, and must therefore adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct. These standards, as contained in this Code, are based on the requirements of the Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act (“ITSFEA”), and the laws governing the management of investment accounts.

 

The Code is intended to comply with Rule 17j-1 under the Company Act, as amended, which requires mutual funds and their investment advisors to adopt a code of ethics containing provisions reasonably designed to prevent specified individuals from engaging in certain conduct. The Code is also intended to comply with the provisions of Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act, which requires the Advisers to maintain records of securities transactions in which certain of its personnel have any Beneficial Interest and Rule 204A-1 which requires each adviser’s code of ethics to set forth a standard of business conduct that the adviser requires of all supervised persons.

 

This Code is not intended to address other standards of ethical conduct which may be addressed by Codes of Ethics of organizations comprised of professionals in a field, such as Chartered Financial Analysts. Where necessary, persons covered by this Code should consider requirements of such other guidelines in addition to the requirements of this Code.

 

Adherence to this Code is a fundamental condition of service with TIM, and persons covered by the Code bear full responsibility for ensuring that they and members of their immediate families and personal households comply with the provisions and intent of this Code. Only by careful adherence to the requirements and principles outlined in the Code can we protect and uphold the reputation of TIM.

 

2



 

I.                                          INTRODUCTION

 

A. Individuals and Entities Covered by the Code. All Access Persons (1) are subject to the provisions of this Code.

 

B. Fiduciary Duty. The Code is based on the principle that Access Persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Managed Accounts and must avoid activities, interests and relationships that might interfere with making decisions in the best interests of any of the Managed Accounts.

 

As fiduciaries, Access Persons must at all times comply with the following principles:

 

1.                                        The Managed Accounts Come First. Access Persons must scrupulously avoid serving their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Managed Accounts. An Access Person may not induce or cause a Managed Account to take action, or not to take action, for the Access Person’s personal benefit, rather than for the benefit of the Managed Account. For example, an Access Person would violate this Code by causing a Managed Account to purchase a Security the Access Person owned for the purpose of increasing the price of that Security.

 

2.                                        Avoid Taking Advantage. Access Persons may not use their knowledge of open, executed, or pending portfolio transactions to profit by the market effect of such transactions. Receipt of investment opportunities, perquisites, or gifts from persons seeking business with a Managed Account could call into question the exercise of an Access Person’s independent judgment.

 

3.                                        Comply With the Code. It is important that all Access Persons comply with the letter and the spirit of the Code, so as to avoid any conflict, or appearance of conflict. Doubtful situations should be resolved in favor of the Managed Accounts. Technical compliance with the Code’s procedures will not automatically insulate persons covered by the Code from scrutiny of any Securities Transactions that indicate an abuse of fiduciary duties.

 

4.                                        Comply With TIM’s Insider Trading Policy. It is required that all Access Persons comply with the Company’s Insider Trading Policy as set forth in the Transamerica Investment Management, LLC Compliance Manual.

 

C.                                      Avoiding Fraudulent Conduct. In keeping with the Fiduciary Duty requirement of this Code, it should be noted that engaging in fraudulent conduct in connection with the purchase or sale of a Security is prohibited. Fraudulent activity includes the following activities:

 

1.                                        Employing any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any Managed Account.

 

2.                                        Making to any Managed Account any untrue statement of material fact or omitting to state to such Managed Account a material fact necessary in order to make the

 


(1)  Capitalized words are defined in Section V (Definitions).

 

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statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;

 

3.                                        Engaging in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any Managed Account; or

 

4.                                        Engaging in any manipulative practice with respect to any Managed Account.

 

II.                                      PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

Certain personal trading activities may be risky not only because of the nature of the transactions, but also because action necessary to close out a position may, for some Access Persons, become prohibited while the position remains open (e.g. – closing out short sales). Furthermore, if TIM becomes active in a given security, some Access Persons may find themselves “frozen” in a position. TIM will not bear any losses in personal accounts resulting from the application of this Code.

 

A.                                    Pre-clearance Requirements for Access Persons .

 

1.                                        General Requirement. Any Securities Transaction (Excluding open-end mutual funds) in which an Access Person has or acquires a Beneficial Interest must be precleared with a Designated Compliance Representative.

 

2.                                        Trade Authorization Request Forms. Prior to entering an order for a Securities Transaction, the Access Person must complete a Trade Authorization Request form (Appendix 3) and submit the completed form to a Designated Compliance Representative. The form requires Access Persons to provide certain information and to make certain representations.

 

Proposed Securities Transactions of a Designated Compliance Representative that require pre-clearance must be submitted to another Designated Compliance Representative.

 

3.                                        Review of Form. After receiving a completed Trade Authorization Request form, a Designated Compliance Representative will (a) review the information set forth in the form, (b) review information regarding past, pending, and contemplated transactions by any Managed Account, as necessary, and (c) as soon as reasonably practicable, determine whether to authorize the proposed Securities Transaction. The granting of authorization, and the date that authorization was granted, must be reflected on the form. The Designated Compliance Representative should keep one copy of the completed form for the Compliance Department and provide one copy to the Access Person seeking authorization.

 

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No order for a securities transaction for which pre -clearance authorization is required may be placed prior to the receipt of written authorization of the transaction by a Designated Compliance Representative. Verbal approvals are not permitted.

 

4.                                        Length of Trade Authorization Approval. The authorization provided by a Designated Compliance Representative is effective until the earlier of (1) its revocation, (2) the close of business on the second trading day after the authorization is granted (for example, if authorization is provided on a Monday, it is effective until the close of business on Wednesday), or (3) the moment the Access Person learns that the information in the Trade Authorization Request form is not accurate. If the order for the Securities Transaction is not executed within that period, a new authorization must be obtained before the Securities Transaction is placed. Open orders, including stop loss orders, are not permitted.

 

5.                                        No Explanation Required for Refusals . In some cases, a Designated Compliance Representative may refuse to authorize a Securities Transaction for a reason that is confidential. Designated Compliance Representatives are not required to give an explanation for refusing to authorize any Securities Transaction.

 

B.                                      Additional Pre-clearance Requirements for Investment Personnel. In addition to the requirements noted in Section II.A., Investment Personnel are subject to the following requirement.

 

1.                                        Presentation to Senior Investment Personnel. Prior to pre-clearance of any equity Securities Transaction, when such equity Security is not owned by any Managed Account, an Investment Person must first submit the equity Security as a potential investment to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, or Head of Equity Securities of TIM. The CEO, CIO or Head of Equity Securities must make a determination that the equity Security is not an appropriate investment of any Managed Account before pre-clearance for such Security may be requested.

 

C.                                      Prohibited Transactions.

 

1.                                        Always Prohibited Securities Transactions. The following Securities Transactions are prohibited and will not be authorized under any circumstances:

 

a.                                        Inside Information. Any transaction in a Security by an individual who possesses material nonpublic information regarding the Security or the issuer of the Security;

 

b.                                       Market Manipulation. Transactions intended to raise, lower, or maintain the price of any Security or to create a false appearance of active trading;

 

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c.                                        Others. Any other transaction deemed by the Designated Compliance Representative to involve a conflict of interest, possible diversions of corporate opportunity, or an appearance of impropriety.

 

2.                                        Generally Prohibited Securities Transactions. Unless exempted by Section II.D, the following Securities Transactions are prohibited and will not be authorized by a Designated Compliance Representative absent exceptional circumstances. The prohibitions apply only to the categories of Access Persons specified.

 

a.                                        Initial Public Offerings (All Access Persons ). Any purchase of a Security in an initial public offering;

 

b.                                       Three Business Day Blackout (all Access Persons). Any purchase or sale of a Security by an Access Person within three business days of a purchase or sale of the same Security (or Equivalent Security); or any purchase or sale on any day during which any Managed Account has a pending buy or sell order in the same Security (or Equivalent Security);

 

c.                                        Seven-Day Blackout (Investment Personnel only). Any purchase or sale of a Security by a Portfolio Manager within seven calendar days of a purchase or sale of the same Security (or Equivalent Security) by a Managed Account managed by that Portfolio Manager. For example, if a Managed Account trades a Security on day one, day eight is the first day the Portfolio Manager may trade that Security for an account in which he or she has a Beneficial Interest;

 

d.                                       60-Day Blackout (All Access Persons). (1) Purchase of a Security in which an Access Person thereby acquires a Beneficial Interest within 60 days of a sale of the Security (or an Equivalent Security) in which such Access Person had a Beneficial Interest, and (2) sale of a Security in which an Access Person has a Beneficial Interest within 60 days of a purchase of the Security (or an Equivalent Security) in which such Access Person had a Beneficial Interest; Of course, Investment Personnel must place the interests of the Managed Account first; they may not avoid or delay purchasing or selling a security for a Managed Account in order to profit personally;

 

e.                                        Short Sales. Any short sale of a Security when that Security is held long by any Managed Account.

 

f.                                          Private Placements (Investment Personnel only). Acquisition of a Beneficial Interest in Securities in a private placement by Investment Personnel is strongly discouraged. A Designated Compliance Representative will give permission only after considering, among other facts, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for a Fund and whether the opportunity is being offered to the person by virtue of the person’s position as an Investment Person. Investment Personnel who have acquired a Beneficial Interest in Securities in a private placement are required to

 

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disclose their Beneficial Interest to the Compliance Department. If the Investment Person is subsequently involved in a decision to buy or sell a Security (or an Equivalent Security), the decision must be independently authorized by a Portfolio Manager with no personal interest in the issuer.

 

D.                                     Exemptions. Exemptions to certain technical aspects of the Code do not exempt any Access Person from his/her fiduciary duty to the Managed Accounts as set forth in Section I.B. For example, an Access Person would violate the Code by using an exemption to purchase a security in advance of a large order that the Access Person knew was being placed for a Managed Account.

 

1.                                        Exemption from Treatment as a Prohibited Transaction. The following Securities Transactions are exempt from the prohibited transactio n restrictions set forth in Section II.C.2 and the Pre-Clearance requirements of Section II. A:

 

a.                                        Mutual Funds. Any purchase or sale of a Security issued by any registered open-end investment companies

 

b.                                       No Knowledge. Securities Transactions where the Access Person has no knowledge of the transaction before it is completed (for example, Securities Transactions effected for an Access Person by a trustee of a blind trust, or discretionary trades involving an investment partnership or investment club, in connection with which the Access Person is neither consulted nor advised of the trade before it is executed);

 

c.                                        Securities issued by AEGON, NV. Any purchase or sale of securities issued by AEGON, NV or its subsidiaries;

 

d.                                       Municipal Fixed-Income Securities. Any purchase or sale of a municipal fixed- income security;

 

e.                                        Certain Corporate Actions. Any acquisition of Securities through stock dividends, dividend reinvestments, stock splits, reverse stock splits, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, or other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions generally applicable to all holders of the same class of Securities;

 

f.                                          Systematic Investment Plans. Any acquisitions of a security pursuant to a systematic investment plan that has previously been approved pursuant to the Code. A systematic investment plan is one pursuant to which a prescribed investment will be made automatically on a regular, predetermined basis without affirmative action by the Access Person;

 

g.                                       Options-Related Activity. Any acquisition or disposition of a security in connection with an option-related Securities Transaction that has been previously approved pursuant to the Code. For example, if an Access Person receives approval to write a covered call, and the call is later

 

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exercised, the provisions of Sections II.A. and II.C. are not applicable to the sale of the underlying security;

 

h.                                       Rights . Any acquisition of Securities through the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its Securities, to the extent the rights were acquired in the issue;

 

i.                                           Acquisition by Gift or Inheritance. The acquisition of securities by gift or inheritance is exempt from all trading restrictions;

 

j.                                           Government Securities. Any purchase or sale of direct obligations of the U.S. or Canadian government (e.g., Treasury securities), any Canadian Provincial government, or any derivative thereof, or obligations of agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. or Canadian government with a remaining term to maturity of one year or less, or any derivative thereof

 

k.                                        Money Market Instruments. Any purchase or sale of money market instruments, such as certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, repurchase agreements, and commercial paper

 

l.                                           Miscellaneous. Other Securities as may from time to time be designated in writing by the Code of Ethics Committee on the ground that the risk of abuse is minimal or non-existent.

 

2.                                        Limited Exemption from Treatment as a Prohibited Transaction. The following Securities Transactions are exempt from the prohibited transaction restrictions set forth in Section II.C.2.b and c only. They are not exempt from the pre-clearance requirements set forth in Section II.A:

 

a.                De Minimis Transactions. The prohibitions in Section II.C.2.b and c are not applicable to the following transactions:

 

i.                                           Equity Securities . Any equity Security Transaction, or series of related transactions, effected over a thirty (30) calendar day period, which meets the following criteria:

 

(i)                                      The Security has a market capitalization in excess of $5 billion.

(ii)                                   The Security Transaction involves 3000 shares or less in the aggregate;

(iii)                                The Security Transaction totals $250,000 or less in the aggregate

 

ii.                                        Fixed-Income Securities. Any fixed income Security Transaction, or series of related transactions, effected over a thirty (30) calendar day period, involving $100,000 principal amount or less in the aggregate.

 

3.                                        Exemption from Treatment as a Prohibited Transaction . The following Securities

 

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Transactions are exempt from the prohibited transaction restrictions that are set forth in Section II.C.2. They are not exempt from the pre-clearance requirements set forth in Section II.A:

 

a.                                        Securities Held in Index-Managed Accounts . The prohibitions in Section II.C.2.b & c are not applicable to any Securities Transaction involving shares of a Security where the only Managed Account which maintains a position or is transacting in such Security is an account managed to match the composition of a broad-based, unmanaged index as closely as possible (e.g. – a Managed Account designed to hold securities in substantially the same proportion as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index).

 

b.                                       Options on Broad-Based Indices. The prohibitions in Section II.C.2 b, c, and d are not applicable to any Securities Transaction involving options on certain broad-based indices designated by the Compliance Department. The broad-based indices designated by the Compliance Department may be changed from time to time and presently consist of the S & P 500, the S & P 100, NASDAQ 100, Nikkei 300, NYSE Composite, and Wilshire Small Cap indices.

 

E.                                       Reporting Requirements.

 

1.                                        Initial and Periodic Disclosure of Personal Holdings by Access Persons. Within ten 10) days of being designated as an Access Person and thereafter on an annual basis, an Access Person must acknowledge receipt and review of the Code and disclose all Securities in which such Access Person has a Beneficial Interest and custodian and Mutual Fund Accounts (only those funds advised or sub-advised by TIM) on one or more of the following forms: the Acknowledgement Form; Investment Personnel Representation Form; Account Information Form; and /or Mutual Fund Account Information Form (Appendix 2A, 2B, Appendix 8 & Appendix 4).

 

2.                                        Transaction and Periodic Statement Reporting Requirements . An Access Person must arrange for the Compliance Department to receive directly from any broker, dealer, Mutual Fund (only for funds advised or sub-advised by TIM), or bank that effects any Securities Transaction in which the Access Person has or acquires a Beneficial Interest, duplicate copies of each confirmation for each such transaction and periodic statements for each account in which such Access Person has a Beneficial Interest. Attached as Appendix 6 is a form of letter that may be used to request such documents from such entities.

 

If an Access Person opens an account at a broker, dealer, bank, or mutual fund that has not previously been disclosed, the Access Person must immediately notify the Compliance Department in writing of the existence of the account and make arrangements to comply with the requirements set forth herein.

 

Access Persons are required to report the opening of a new account by completing the New Account(s) Report that is attached as Appendix 8 and/or the Mutual Fund

 

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Account Information Form that is attached as Appendix 4. If an Access Person is not able to arrange for duplicate confirmations and periodic statements to be sent, the Access Person must immediately notify the Compliance Department.

 

3.                                        Disclaimers. Any report of a Securities Transaction for the benefit of a person other than the individual in whose account the transaction is placed may contain a statement that the report should 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 the report relates.

 

4.                                        Availability of Reports. All information supplied pursuant to this Code may be available for inspection to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer of Transamerica Investment Management, LLC, the Code of Ethics Committee, the Compliance Department, Designated Compliance Representatives, the Access Person’s department manager (or designee), any party to which any investigation is referred by any of the foregoing, the Securities Exchange Commission, any state securities commission.

 

III.                                  FIDUCIARY DUTIES

 

A.                                    Confidentiality. Access Persons are prohibited from disclosing information relating to the investment intentions, activities or portfolios of the Managed Accounts, except to persons whose responsibilities require knowledge of the information.

 

B.                                      Gifts . The following provisions on gifts apply to all Investment Personnel.

 

1.                                        Accepting Gifts. Access Persons and their Immediate Family are prohibited from receiving any gift of material value from any single Business Relationship. A gift will be considered material in value if it influences or gives the appearance of influencing the recipient.

 

In the event the aggregate fair market value of all gifts received by you from any single Business Relationship is estimated to exceed $250 in any 12-month period, you must immediately notify your manager. Managers who receive such notification must report this information to the Compliance Department.

 

Occasionally, Transamerica personnel are invited to attend or participate in conferences, tour a company’s facilities, or meet with representatives of a company. Such invitations may involve traveling and may require overnight

lodging. Generally, all travel and lodging expenses provided in connection with such activities must be paid for by Transamerica.

 

2.                                        Solicitation of Gifts. Access Persons may not solicit gifts or gratuities.

 

3.                                        Giving Gifts . Access Persons and members of their Immediate Family may not give any gift, series of gifts, or other thing of value, including cash, loans, personal services, or special discounts, in excess of $250 per year to any Business Relationship.

 

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4.                                        Customary Business Amenities. Customary business amenities are not considered gifts so long as such amenities are business related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place and neither so frequent nor so costly as to raise any questions of impropriety. In order for such amenities to be considered business related, the offeror must accompany the recipient to the event. Customary business amenities which Access Persons and, if appropriate, your guests, may accept or give include an occasional meal, a ticket to a sporting event or the theater, green fees, an invitation to a reception or cocktail party, or comparable entertainment.

 

C.                                      Corporate Opportunities. Access Persons may not take personal advantage of any opportunity properly belonging to any Managed Account. For example, an Investment Person should not acquire a Beneficial Interest in a Security of limited availability without first offering the opportunity to purchase such Security to the Fund Adviser for the relevant Managed Account.

 

D.                                     Undue Influence. Access Persons may not cause or attempt to cause any Managed Account to purchase, sell or hold any Security in a manner calculated to create any personal benefit to the Access Person. If an Access Person stands to benefit materially from an investment decision for a Managed Account, and the Access person is making or participating in the investment decision, then the Access Person must disclose the potential benefit to those persons with authority to make investment decisions for the Managed Account (or, if the Access Person in question is an Investment Person with authority to make investment decisions for the Managed Account, to the Compliance Department). The person to whom the Access Person reports the interest, in consultation with the Compliance Department, must determine whether or not the Access Person will be restricted in making or participating in the investment decision.

 

E.                                       Service as a Director. No Investment Person may serve on the board of directors of a publicly held company absent prior written authorization by the Code of Ethics Committee. This authorization will rarely, if ever, be granted and, if granted, will normally require that the affected Investment Person be isolated, through a Chinese Wall or other procedure, from those making investment decisions related to the issuer on whose board the Investment Person sits.

 

IV.                                 COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS

 

A.            Code of Ethics Committee

 

1.                Membership, Voting and Quorum . The Code of Ethics Committee is comprised of the individuals identified in Appendix 1. The Committee shall vote by majority vote with two members servings as a quorum. Vacancies may be filled and, in the case of extended absences or periods of unavailability, alternates may be selected, by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Committee; provided, however, that at least one member of the Committee shall also be a member of the Compliance Department.

 

2.                Investigating Violations of the Code. The Compliance Department is responsible for investigating any suspected violation of the Code and shall report the results of each investigation to the Code of Ethics Committee. The Code of Ethics Committee

 

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is responsible for reviewing the results of any investigation of any reported or suspected violation of the Code. Any material violation of the Code by an Access Person will be reported to the relevant managed mutual funds no less frequently than each quarterly meeting.

 

3.                                        Annual Reports. The Code of Ethics Committee will review the Code at least once a year, in light of legal and business developments and experience in implementing the Code, and will report, as requested, to each managed fund:

 

a.                                        Summarizing existing procedures concerning personal investing and any changes in the procedures made during the past year;

b.                                       Identifying any violation requiring significant remedial action during the past year; and

c.                                        Identifying any recommended changes in existing restrictions or procedures based on its experience under the Code, evolving industry practices, or developments in applicable laws or regulations.

 

B.              Remedies

 

1.                Sanctions. If the Code of Ethics Committee determines that an Access Person has committed a violation of the Code, the Committee may impose sanctions and take other actions as it deems appropriate, including a letter of caution or warning, suspension of personal trading rights, suspension of employment (with or without compensation), fine, civil referral to the Securities and Exchange Commission, criminal referral and termination of the employment of the violator for cause. The Code of Ethics Committee may also require the Access Person to reverse the transaction in question and forfeit any profit or absorb any loss associated or derived as a result. The amount of profit shall be calculated by the Code of Ethics Committee and shall be forwarded to a charitable organization selected by TIM, unless otherwise prescribed by law. However, if disgorgement is required as a result of trades by a Portfolio Manager that conflicted with Managed Accounts managed by that Portfolio Manager, disgorgement proceeds shall be paid directly to such Managed Accounts. If disgorgement is required under more than one provision, the Code of Ethics Committee shall determine in its sole discretion the provision that shall control.

 

2.                Sole Authority. The Code of Ethics Committee has sole authority, subject to the review set forth in Section IV.B.3 below, to determine the remedy for any violation of the Code. Failure to promptly abide by a directive to reverse a trade or forfeit profits may result in the imposition of additional sanctions.

 

3.                Review. Whenever the Code of Ethics Committee determines that an Access Person has committed a violation of this Code that merits remedial action, it will report no less frequently than quarterly or as requested, to the applicable managed funds, information relating to the investigation of the violation, including any sanctions imposed. Such managed funds shall have access to all information considered by the Code of Ethics Committee in relation to the case.

 

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C.                                      Exceptions to the Code. Although exceptions to the Code will rarely, if ever, be granted, the Code of Ethics Committee may grant exceptions to the requirements of the Code on a case by case basis if the Committee finds that the proposed conduct involves negligible opportunity for abuse. All such exceptions must be in writing.

 

D.                                     Modifications to the Code. The Code of Ethics Committee shall have the authority from time to time to make modifications to the Code as may be required given circumstances arising in daily business or as required by regulation.

 

E.                                       Inquiries Regarding the Code. The Compliance Department will answer any questions about this Code or any other compliance-related matters.

 

V.                                     DEFINITIONS

 

When used in the Code, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

 

Access Person means:

 

(1)                                   any director, officer or employee of Transamerica Investment Management, LLC who in the ordinary course of his or her business makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Securities for any of the Managed Accounts, or whose functions or duties as a part of the ordinary course of his or her business relate to the making of any recommendation to the such investment company concerning the purchase or sale of Securities; and

 

(2)                                   such other persons as the Compliance Department shall designate.

 

Any uncertainty as to whether an individual is an Access Person should be brought to the attention of the Compliance Department. Such questions will be resolved in accordance with, and this definition shall be subject to, the definition of “Access Person” found in Rule 17j-1(e) (1) promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Beneficial Interest means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, to profit, or share in any profit derived from, a transaction in the subject Securities.

 

An Access Person is deemed to have a Beneficial Interest in the following:

 

(1)                                   any Security owned individually by the Access Person;

(2)                                   any Security owned jointly by the Access Person with others (e.g.- joint accounts, spousal accounts, partnerships, trusts and controlling interests in corporations); and

(3)                                   any Security in which a member of the Access Person’s Immediate Family has a Beneficial Interest if:

a.                                        the Security is held in an account over which the Access Person has decision making authority (e.g. - the Access Person acts as trustee, executor, or guardian); or

b.                                       the Security is held in an account for which the Access person acts as a broker or investment adviser representative.

 

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In addition, an Access Person is presumed to have a Beneficial Interest in any Security in which a member of the Access Person’s Immediate Family has a Beneficial Interest if the Immediate Family member resides in the same household as the Access Person. This presumption may be rebutted if the Access Person is able to provide the Compliance Department with satisfactory assurances that the Access Person has no material Beneficial Interest in the Security and exercises no control over investment decisions made regarding the Security. Access Persons may use the form attached as Appendix 7 (Certification of No Beneficial Interest) in connection with such requests.

 

Any uncertainty as to whether an Access Person has a Beneficial Interest in a Security should be brought to the attention of the Compliance Department. Such questions will be resolved in accordance with, and this definition shall be subject to, the definition of “beneficial owner” found in Rules 16a-1(a) (2) and (5) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Business Relationship means any Managed Account, or any one person or entity that does or seeks to do business with or on behalf of Transamerica or any Managed Account.

 

Code means this Code of Ethics, as amended.

 

Compliance Department means the Compliance Department of Transamerica Investment Management, LLC.

 

Designated Compliance Representative means TIM’s Chief Compliance Officer and Compliance Manager, or such persons’ designee(s).

 

Equivalent Security means any Security issued by the same entity as the issuer of a subject Security, including options, rights, stock appreciation rights, warrants, preferred stock, restricted stock, phantom stock, bonds, and other obligations of that company or security otherwise convertible into that security. Options on securities are included even if, technically, they are issued by the Options Clearing Corporation or a similar entity.

 

Immediate Family of an Access Person means any of the following persons who reside in the same household with the Access Person:

 

child

 

sibling

 

step-parent

stepchild

 

son- in-law

 

mother- in-law

grandchild

 

daughter- in-law

 

father- in-law

grandparent

 

brother- in-law

 

sister- in-law

spouse

 

Parent

 

 

 

Immediate Family includes adoptive relationships and other relationships (whether or not recognized by law) that the Compliance Department determines could lead to the possible conflicts of interest, diversions of corporate opportunity, or appearances of impropriety which this Code is intended to prevent.

 

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Investment Personnel and “ Investment Person ” mean each Portfolio Manager and any Access Person who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, provides information and advice to a Portfolio Manager or who helps execute a Portfolio Manager’s decisions.

 

Managed Account means the portfolios of investment companies for which Transamerica Investment Management, LLC acts as an adviser, sub-adviser, and other non-Investment Company Act clients.

 

“Mutual Fund Account” means an account with a mutual fund for which Transamerica Investment Management, LLC serves as an adviser or sub-adviser.

 

Portfolio Manager means a person who has or shares principal day-to-day responsibility for managing the portfolio of a Fund.

 

Securities Transaction means a purchase or sale of Securities in which an Access Person has or acquires a Beneficial Interest.

 

Security/Securities includes stock, closed-end mutual funds, notes, bonds, debentures, and other evidences of indebtedness (including loan participations and assignments), limited partnership interests, investment contracts, and all derivative instruments of the foregoing, such as options and warrants. “Security” does not include futures or options on futures, but the purchase and sale of such instruments are nevertheless subject to the reporting requirements of the Code.

 

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Exhibit 99(p)(12)

 

JENNISON ASSOCIATES LLC

 

CODE OF ETHICS,

 

POLICY ON INSIDER TRADING

 

AND

 

PERSONAL TRADING POLICY

 

As Amended, February 1, 2005

 



 

Table of Contents

 

SECTION I: CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

 

 

1.

STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CONDUCT

 

2.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

 

A.

PERSONAL USE

 

 

B.

RELEASE OF CLIENT INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

3.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

 

A-G.

HOW TO AVIOD POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

 

 

 

4.

OTHER BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

 

 

A.

ISSUES REGARDING THE RETENTION OF SUPPLIERS

 

 

B.

GIFTS

 

 

C.

IMPROPER PAYMENTS

 

 

D.

BOOKS, RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS

 

 

E.

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

 

 

F.

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES & POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS

 

 

 

 

5.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE & CONSEQUENCES IF VIOLATION OCCURS

 

6.

DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

 

 

 

 

SECTION II: INSIDER TRADING

 

 

 

 

1.

POLICY STATEMENT AGAINST INSIDER TRADING

 

2.

EXPLANATION OF RELEVANT TERMS AND CONCEPTS

 

 

A.

WHO IS AN INSIDER

 

 

B.

WHAT IS MATERIAL INFORMATION

 

 

C.

WHAT IS NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION

 

 

D.

MISAPPROPRIATION THEORY

 

 

E.

WHO IS A CONTROLLING PERSON

 

 

F.

HOW IS NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION MONITORED

 

3.

PENALTIES FOR INSIDER TRADING VIOLATIONS

 

 

A-G TYPES OF PENALTIES

 

 

 

 

SECTION III: IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES & POLICY

 

 

 

 

1.

IDENTIFYING INSIDE INFORMATION

 

 

A.

IS THE INFORMATION MATERIAL

 

 

B.

IS THE INFORMATION NON-PUBLIC

 

2.

RESTRICTING ACCESS TO MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION

 

3.

ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE

 

4.

RESOLVING ISSUES CONCERNING INSIDER TRADING

 

 



 

SECTION IV: GENERAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

 

 

 

1.

GENERAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

2.

PERSONAL TRANSACTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 

 

A.

JENNISON EMPLOYEES

 

 

 

1.

INITIAL HOLDING REPORTS

 

 

 

2.

QUARTERLY REPORTS

 

 

 

3.

ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORTS

 

 

B.

OTHER PERSONS DEFINED BY JENNISON ACCESS PERSONS

 

3.

PRE-CLEARANCE PROCEDURES

 

4.

PERSONAL TRADING POLICY

 

 

 

A.

BLACKOUT PERIODS

 

 

 

B.

SHORT-TERM TRADING PROFITS

 

 

 

C-K PROHIBITION ON SHORT TERM TRADING PROFITS

 

 

 

L.

DESIGNATION PERSONS: REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSACTIONS IN SECURITIES ISSUED BY PRUDENTIAL

 

 

 

M.

JENNISON EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION IN MANAGED STRATEGIES

 

 

 

N.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE PERSONAL TRADING POLICY

 

5.

MONITORING/ADMINISTRATION

 

6.

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF JENNISON’S PERSONAL TRADING POLICY

 

7.

TYPE OF VIOLATION

 

 

A.

PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO SUCURE PRE-APPROVAL

 

 

 

1.

FAILURE TO PRE-CLEAR

 

 

 

2.

FAILURE TO PRE-CLEAR SALES IN LONG TERM CAPITAL GAINS

 

 

 

3.

FAILURE TO PRE-CLEAR SALES THAT RESULT IN SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS

 

 

 

4.

ADDITIONAL CASH PENALTIES

 

 

B.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 

 

C.

PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF SHORT TERM TRADING PROFIT RULE

 

 

D.

OTHER POLICY INFRINGEMENTS DEALT WITH ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS

 

 

E.

DISGORGED PROFITS

 

8.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

A.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REVISIONS

 

 

B.

COMPLIANCE

 

 



 

SECTION I

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

FOR

 

JENNISON ASSOCIATES LLC

 

This Code of Ethics (“Code”), as well as Section II, III and IV that follow, sets forth rules, regulations and standards of professional conduct for the employees of Jennison Associates LLC (hereinafter referred to as “Jennison or the Company”).  Jennison expects that all employees will adhere to this code without exception.

 

The Code incorporates aspects of ethics policies of Prudential Financial Inc. (“Prudential”), as well as additional policies specific to Jennison Associates LLC.  Although not part of this Code, all Jennison employees are also subject to Prudential’s “Making the Right Choices” and “Statement of Policy Restricting Communication and the Use of Issuer-Related Information By Prudential Investment Associates’ (“Chinese Wall Policy”) policies and procedures.  These policies can also be found by clicking on Jennison’s Compliance intranet website (http://buzz/jennonline/DesktopDefault.aspx).

 

1.               Standards of Professional Conduct Policy Statement

 

It is Jennison’s policy that its employees must adhere to the highest ethical standards when discharging their investment advisory duties to our clients or in conducting general business activity on behalf of Jennison in every possible capacity, such as investment management, administrative, dealings with vendors, confidentiality of information, financial matters of every kind, etc.  Jennison, operating in its capacity as a federally registered investment adviser, has a fiduciary responsibility to render professional, continuous, and unbiased investment advice to its clients.  Furthermore, ERISA and the federal securities laws define an investment advisor as a fiduciary who owes their clients a duty of undivided loyalty, who shall not engage in any activity in conflict with the interests of the client.  As a fiduciary, our personal and corporate ethics must be above reproach.  Actions, which expose any of us or the organization to even the appearance of an impropriety, must not occur.  Fiduciaries owe their clients a duty of honesty, good faith, and fair dealing when discharging their investment management responsibilities.  It is a fundamental principle of this firm to ensure that the interests of our clients come before those of Jennison or any of its employees.  Therefore, as an employee

 

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of Jennison, we expect you to uphold these standards of professional conduct by not taking inappropriate advantage of your position, such as using information obtained as a Jennison employee to benefit yourself or anyone else in any way. It is particularly important to adhere to these standards when engaging in personal securities transactions and maintaining the confidentiality of information concerning the identity of security holdings and the financial circumstances of our clients.  Any investment advice provided must be unbiased, independent and confidential.  It is extremely important to not violate the trust that Jennison and its clients have placed in its employees.

 

The prescribed guidelines and principles, as set forth in the policies that follow, are designed to reasonably assure that these high ethical standards long maintained by Jennison continue to be applied and to protect Jennison’s clients by deterring misconduct by its employees.  The rules prohibit certain activities and personal financial interests as well as require disclosure of personal investments and related business activities of all supervised persons, includes directors, officers and employees, and others who provide advice to and are subject to the supervision and control of Jennison.  The procedures that follow will assist in reasonably ensuring that our clients are protected from employee misconduct and that our employees do not violate federal securities laws.  All employees of Jennison are expected to follow these procedures so as to ensure that these ethical standards, as set forth herein, are maintained and followed without exception.  These guidelines and procedures are intended to maintain the excellent name of our firm, which is a direct reflection of the conduct of each of us in everything we do.

 

Jennison’s continued success depends on each one of us meeting our obligation to perform in an ethical manner and to use good judgment at all times.   All employees have an obligation and a responsibility to conduct business in a manner that maintains the trust and respect of fellow Jennison employees, our customers, shareholders, business colleagues, and the general public. You are required to bring any knowledge of possible or actual unethical conduct to the attention of management.  Confidentiality will be protected insofar as possible, with the assurance that there will be no adverse consequences as a result of reporting any unethical or questionable behavior.  If you have any knowledge of or suspect anyone is about to engage in unethical business activity that either violates any of the rules set forth herein, or simply appears improper, please provide such information to either the Chief Compliance Officer or senior management through the Jennison Financial Reporting Concern Mailbox located on the Risk Management webpage.  E.mails sent in this manner anonymously.  The default setting is set to display your e.mail address, so if you prefer the e.mail to be anonymous, please be sure to check the appropriate box.  If you choose not to report your concerns anonymously, you should be aware that Jennison has strict policies prohibiting retaliation against employees who report ethical concerns.

 

Jennison employees should use this Code, as well as the accompanying policies and procedures that follow, as an educational guide that will be complemented by Jennison’s training protocol.

 

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Each Jennison employee has the responsibility to be fully aware of and strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics and the accompanying policies that support the Code.   It should be noted that because ethics is not a science, there may be gray areas that are not covered by laws or regulations. Jennison and its employees will nevertheless be held accountable to such standards.  Individuals are expected to seek assistance for help in making the right decision.

 

If you have any questions as to your obligation as a Jennison employee under either the Code or any of the policies that follow, please contact the Compliance Department.

 

2.                                       CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

 

Employees may become privy to confidential information (information not generally available to the public) concerning the affairs and business transactions of Jennison, companies researched by us for investment, our present and prospective clients, client portfolio transactions (executed, pending or contemplated) and holdings, suppliers, officers and other staff members.  Confidential information also includes trade secrets and other proprietary information of the Company such as business or product plans, systems, methods, software, manuals and client lists.  Safeguarding confidential information is essential to the conduct of our business.  Caution and discretion are required in the use of such information and in sharing it only with those who have a legitimate need to know (including other employees of Jennison and clients).

 

A)                                   PERSONAL USE :

 

Confidential information obtained or developed as a result of employment with the Company is not to be used or disclosed for the purpose of furthering any private interest or as a means of making any personal gain.  Unauthorized or disclosure of such information (other than as described above) could result in civil or criminal penalties against the Company or the individual responsible for disclosing such information.

 

Further guidelines pertaining to confidential information are contained in the “Policy Statement on Insider Trading” (Set forth in Section II dedicated specifically to Insider Trading).

 

B)                                     RELEASE OF CLIENT INFORMATION :

 

All requests for information concerning a client (other than routine inquiries), including requests pursuant to the legal process (such as subpoenas or court orders) must be promptly referred to the Chief Compliance Officer, or Legal Department.  No information may be released, nor should the client involved be contacted, until so directed by either the Chief Compliance Officer, or Legal Department.

 

In order to preserve the rights of our clients and to limit the firm’s liability concerning the release of client proprietary information, care must be taken to:

 

                                          Limit use and discussion of information obtained on the job to normal business activities.

 

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                                          Request and use only information that is related to our business needs.

 

                                          Restrict access to records to those with proper authorization and legitimate business needs.

 

                                          Include only pertinent and accurate data in files, which are used as a basis for taking action or making decisions.

 

3.                                        CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

You should avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest – that is, any personal interest inside or outside the Company, which could be placed ahead of your obligations to our clients, Jennison Associates or Prudential.  Conflicts may exist even when no wrong is done.  The opportunity to act improperly may be enough to create the appearance of a conflict.

 

We recognize and respect an employee’s right of privacy concerning personal affairs, but we must require a full and timely disclosure of any situation, which could result in a conflict of interest, or even the appearance of a conflict.  The Company, not by the employee involved, will determine the appropriate action to be taken to address the situation.

 

To reinforce our commitment to the avoidance of potential conflicts of interest, the following rules have been adopted, that prohibit you from engaging in certain activities without the pre-approval from the Chief Compliance Officer:

 

A)                                   YOU MAY NOT , without first having secured prior approval, serve as a director, officer, employee, partner or trustee – nor hold any other position of substantial interest – in any outside business enterprise.  You do not need prior approval, however, if the following three conditions are met: one, the enterprise is a family firm owned principally by other members of your family; two, the family business is not doing business with Jennison or Prudential and is not a securities or investment related business; and three, the services required will not interfere with your duties or your independence of judgment.  Significant involvement by employees in outside business activity is generally unacceptable.  In addition to securing prior approval for outside business activities, you will be required to disclose all relationships with outside enterprises annually.

 


* Note: The above deals only with positions in business enterprises.  It does not affect Jennison’s practice of permitting employees to be associated with governmental, educational, charitable, religious or other civic organizations.  These activities may be entered into without prior consent, but must still be disclosed on an annual basis.

 

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B)                                     YOU MAY NOT act on behalf of Jennison in connection with any transaction in which you have a personal interest.

 

C)                                     YOU MAY NOT , without prior approval, have a substantial interest in any outside business which, to your knowledge, is involved currently in a business transaction with Jennison or Prudential, or is engaged in businesses similar to any business engaged in by Jennison.  A substantial interest includes any investment in the outside business involving an amount greater than 10 percent of your gross assets, or involving a direct or indirect ownership interest greater than 2 percent of the outstanding equity interests.  You do not need approval to invest in open-ended registered investment companies such as investments in mutual funds and similar enterprises that are publicly owned.

 

D)                                    YOU MAY NOT , without prior approval, engage in any transaction involving the purchase of products and/or services from Jennison, except on the same terms and conditions as they are offered to the public.  Plans offering services to employees approved by the Board of Directors are exempt from this rule.

 

E)                                      YOU MAY NOT, without prior approval, borrow an amount greater than 10% of your gross assets, on an unsecured basis from any bank, financial institution, or other business that, to your knowledge, currently does business with Jennison or with which Jennison has an outstanding investment relationship.

 

F)                                      YOU MAY NOT favor one client account over another client account or otherwise disadvantage any client in any dealings whatsoever to benefit either yourself, Jennison or another third-party client account.

 

G)                                     YOU MAY NOT , as result of your status as a Jennison employee, take advantage of any opportunity that your learn about or otherwise personally benefit from information you have obtained as an employee that would not have been available to you if you were not a Jennison employee.

 

4.                                        OTHER BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

 

A)                                   ISSUES REGARDING THE RETENTION OF SUPPLIERS : The choice of our suppliers must be based on quality, reliability, price, service, and technical advantages.

 

B)                                     GIFTS : Jennison employees and their immediate families should not solicit, accept, retain or provide any gifts or entertainment which might influence decisions you or the recipient must make in business transactions involving Jennison or which others might reasonably believe could influence those decisions.  Even a nominal gift should not be accepted if, to a reasonable observer, it might appear that the gift would influence your business decisions.

 

5



 

Modest gifts and favors, which would not be regarded by others as improper, may be accepted or given on an occasional basis. Examples of such gifts are those received as normal business entertainment ( i.e. , meals or golf games); non-cash gifts of nominal value (such as received at Holiday time); gifts received because of kinship, marriage or social relationships entirely beyond and apart from an organization in which membership or an official position is held as approved by the Company.  Entertainment, which satisfies these requirements and conforms to generally accepted business practices, also is permissible.  Please reference Jennison Associates’ Gifts and Entertainment Policy and Procedures located on Compliance web page of Jennison Online for a more detailed explanation of Jennison’s policy towards gifts and entertainment.

 

C)                                     IMPROPER PAYMENTS – KICKBACKS : In the conduct of the Company’s business, no bribes, kickbacks, or similar remuneration or consideration of any kind are to be given or offered to any individual or organization or to any intermediaries such as agents, attorneys or other consultants.

 

D)                                    BOOKS, RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS : The integrity of the accounting records of the Company is essential.  All receipts and expenditures, including personal expense statements must be supported by documents that accurately and properly describe such expenses.  Staff members responsible for approving expenditures or for keeping books, records and accounts for the Company are required to approve and record all expenditures and other entries based upon proper supporting documents so that the accounting records of the Company are maintained in reasonable detail, reflecting accurately and fairly all transactions of the Company including the disposition of its assets and liabilities.  The falsification of any book, record or account of the Company, the submission of any false personal expense statement, claim for reimbursement of a non-business personal expense, or false claim for an employee benefit plan payment are prohibited.  Disciplinary action will be taken against employees who violate these rules, which may result in dismissal.

 

E)                                      LAWS AND REGULATIONS : The activities of the Company must always be in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  It is the Company’s policy to be in strict compliance with all laws and regulations applied to our business.  We recognize, however, that some laws and regulations may be ambiguous and difficult to interpret.  Good faith efforts to follow the spirit and intent of all laws are expected.  To ensure compliance, the Company intends to educate its employees on laws related to Jennison’s activities, which may include periodically issuing bulletins, manuals and memoranda.  Staff members are expected to read all such materials and be familiar with their content.  For example, it would constitute a violation of the law if Jennison or any of its employees either engaged in or schemed to engage in:  i) any manipulative act with a client; or ii) any manipulative practice including a security, such as touting a security to anyone or the press and executing an order in the opposite direction of such recommendation.  Other scenarios and the policies that address other potential violations of the law and conflicts of interest are addressed more fully in Jennison’s compliance

 

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program and the policies adopted to complement that program which reside on the Jennison Online intranet at (http://buzz/jennonline/DesktopDefault.aspx)

 

F)                                      OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES & POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS : Jennison Associates does not contribute financial or other support to political parties or candidates for public office except where lawfully permitted and approved in advance in accordance with procedures adopted by Jennison’s Board of Directors.  Employees may, of course, make political contributions, but only on their own behalf; the Company for such contributions will not reimburse them.  However, employees may not make use of company resources and facilities in furtherance of such activities , e.g., mail room service, facsimile, photocopying, phone equipment and conference rooms.

 

Legislation generally prohibits the Company or anyone acting on its behalf from making an expenditure or contribution of cash or anything else of monetary value which directly or indirectly is in connection with an election to political office; as, for example, granting loans at preferential rates or providing non-financial support to a political candidate or party by donating office facilities.  Otherwise, individual participation in political and civic activities conducted outside of normal business hours is encouraged, including the making of personal contributions to political candidates or activities.

 

Employees are free to seek and hold an elective or appointive public office, provided you do not do so as a representative of the Company.  However, you must conduct campaign activities and perform the duties of the office in a manner that does not interfere with your responsibilities to the firm.

 

5.                                        COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE & CONSEQUENCES IF VIOLATION OF THE CODE OCCURS

 

Each year all employees will be required to complete a form certifying that they have read this policy, understand their responsibilities, and are in compliance with the requirements set forth in this statement.

 

This process should remind us of the Company’s concern with ethical issues and its desire to avoid conflicts of interest or their appearance.  It should also prompt us to examine our personal circumstances in light of the Company’s philosophy and policies regarding ethics.

 

Jennison employees will be required to complete a form verifying that they have complied with all company procedures and filed disclosures of significant personal holdings and corporate affiliations.

 

Please note that both the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and ERISA both prohibit investment advisers (and its employees) from doing indirectly that which they cannot do directly.  Accordingly, any Jennison employee who seeks to circumvent the requirements of this Code of Ethics and any of the policies that follow, or otherwise devise a scheme where such activity would result in a violation of these policies indirectly will be deemed to be a violation of

 

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the applicable policy and will be subject to the full impact of any disciplinary action taken by Jennison as if such policies were violated directly.

 

It should be further noted that, and consistent with all other Jennison policies and procedures, failure to uphold the standards and principles as set forth herein, or to comply with any other aspect of these policies and procedures will be addressed by Legal and Compliance.  Jennison reserves the right to administer whatever disciplinary action it deems necessary based on the facts, circumstances and severity of the violation or conflict.  Disciplinary action can include termination of employment.

 

6.                                        DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

 

The principles set forth in this Code of Ethics and the policies and procedures that follow will be included in Jennison’s Form ADV, which shall be distributed or offered to Jennison’s clients annually, in accordance with Rule 204-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

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SECTION II

 

INSIDER TRADING

 

The Investment Advisors Act of 1940, requires that all investment advisors establish, maintain and enforce policies and supervisory procedures designed to prevent the misuse of material, non-public information by such investment advisor, and any associated person sometimes referred to as “insider trading.”

 

This section of the Code sets forth Jennison Associates’ policy statement on insider trading.  It explains some of the terms and concepts associated with insider trading, as well as the civil and criminal penalties for insider trading violations.  In addition, it sets forth the necessary procedures required to implement Jennison Associates’ Insider Trading Policy Statement.

 

Please note that this policy applies to all Jennison Associates’ employees

 

1.                                        JENNISON ASSOCIATES’ POLICY STATEMENT AGAINST INSIDER TRADING

 

Personal Securities transactions should not conflict, or appear to conflict, with the interest of the firm’s clients when contemplating a transaction for your personal account, or an account in which you may have a direct or indirect personal or family interest, we must be certain that such transaction is not in conflict with the interests of our clients.  Specific rules in this area are difficult, and in the final analysis.  Although it is not possible to anticipate all potential conflicts of interest, we have tried to set a standard that protects the firm’s clients, yet is also practical for our employees.  The Company recognizes the desirability of giving its corporate personnel reasonable freedom with respect to their investment activities, on behalf of themselves, their families, and in some cases, non-client accounts ( i.e. , charitable or educational organizations on whose boards of directors corporate personnel serve).  However, personal investment activity may conflict with the interests of the Company’s clients.  In order to avoid such conflicts – or even the appearance of conflicts – the Company has adopted the following policy:

 

Jennison Associates LLC forbids any director, officer or employee from trading, either personally or on behalf of clients or others, on material, non-public information or communicating material, non-public information to others in violation of the law, such as tipping or recommending that others trade on such information.  Said conduct is deemed to be “insider trading.”  Such policy applies to every director, officer and employee and extends to activities within and outside their duties at Jennison Associates.

 

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Every director, officer, and employee is required to read and retain this policy statement.  Questions regarding Jennison Associates’ Insider Trading policy and procedures should be referred to the Compliance or Legal Departments.

 

2.                                        EXPLANATION OF RELEVANT TERMS AND CONCEPTS

 

Although insider trading is illegal, Congress has not defined “insider,” “material” or “non-public information.”  Instead, the courts have developed definitions of these terms.  Set forth below is very general descriptions of these terms.  However, it is usually not easily determined whether information is “material” or “non-public” and, therefore, whenever you have any questions as to whether information is material or non-public, consult with the Compliance or Legal Departments.  Do not make this decision yourself.

 

A)                                   WHO IS AN INSIDER?

 

The concept of an “insider” is broad. It includes officers, directors and employees of a company.  A person may be a “temporary insider” if he or she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of a company’s affairs and as a result is given access to information solely for the company’s purposes.  Examples of temporary insiders are the company’s attorneys, accountants, consultants and bank lending officers, employees of such organizations, persons who acquire a 10% beneficial interest in the issuer, other persons who are privy to material non-public information about the company.  Jennison Associates and its employees may become “temporary insiders” of a company in which we invest, in which we advise, or for which we perform any other service.  An outside individual may be considered an insider, according to the Supreme Court, if the company expects the outsider to keep the disclosed non-public information confidential or if the relationship suggests such a duty of confidentiality.

 

B)                                     WHAT IS MATERIAL INFORMATION?

 

Trading on inside information is not a basis for liability unless the information is material.  Material Information is defined as:

 

                                          Information, for which there is a substantial likelihood, that a reasonable investor would consider important in making his or her investment decisions, or

 

                                          Information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities.

 

Information that directors, officers and employees should consider material includes, but is not limited to: dividend changes, earnings estimates, changes in previously released earnings estimates, a significant increase or decline in orders, significant new products or discoveries, significant merger or acquisition proposals or

 

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agreements, major litigation and liquidity problems, for clients and extraordinary management developments.

 

In addition, knowledge about Jennison Associates’ client holdings and transactions (including transactions that are pending or under consideration) as well as Jennison trading information and patterns may be deemed material.

 

C)                                     WHAT IS NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION?

 

Information is “non-public” until it has been effectively communicated to the market place, including clients’ holdings, recommendations and transactions.  One must be able to point to some fact to show that the all information and not just part of the information is generally available to the public.  For example, information found in a report filed with the SEC, holdings disclosed in a publicly available website regarding the top 10 portfolio holdings of a mutual fund, appearing in Dow Jones, Reuters Economics Services , The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation would be considered public.

 

D)                                    MISAPPROPRIATION THEORY

 

Under the “misappropriation” theory, liability is established when trading occurs on material non-public information that is stolen or misappropriated from any other person.  In U.S. v. Carpenter , a columnist defrauded The Wall Street Journal by stealing non-public information from the Journal and using it for trading in the securities markets.  Note that the misappropriation theory can be used to reach a variety of individuals not previously thought to be encompassed under the fiduciary duty theory.

 

E)                                      WHO IS A CONTROLLING PERSON?

 

“Controlling persons” include not only employers, but also any person with power to influence or control the direction of the management, policies or activities of another person.  Controlling persons may include not only the company, but also its directors and officers.

 

F)                                      HOW IS NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION MONITORED?

 

When an employee is in possession of non-public information, a determination is made as to whether such information is material.  If the non-public information is material, as determined by Jennison Compliance/Legal, the issuer is placed on a Restricted List (“RL”).  Once a security is on the RL all personal and company trading activity is restricted.  All securities that are placed on the RL are added to Jennison’s internal trading restriction systems, which restricts company trading activity.  Personal trading activity in such RL issuers is also restricted through the personal trading pre-clearance process.

 

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In addition, Prudential distributes a separate list of securities for (Enterprise Restricted List) which Prudential and its affiliates, including Jennison, are restricted from engaging in trading activity, in accordance with various securities laws.   In applying this policy and monitoring securities trading Jennison makes no distinction between securities on the Restricted List and those that appear on the Enterprise Restricted List.

 

3.                                        PENALTIES FOR INSIDER TRADING VIOLATIONS

 

Penalties for trading on or communicating material non-public information are more severe than ever.  The individuals involved in such unlawful conduct may be subject to both civil and criminal penalties.  A controlling person may be subject to civil or criminal penalties for failing to establish, maintain and enforce Jennison Associates’ Policy Statement against Insider Trading and/or if such failure permitted or substantially contributed to an insider trading violation.

 

Individuals can be subject to some or all of the penalties below even if he or she does not personally benefit from the violation. Penalties include:

 

A)                                   CIVIL INJUNCTIONS

 

B)                                     TREBLE DAMAGES

 

C)                                     DISGORGEMENT OF PROFITS

 

D)                                    JAIL SENTENCES –Maximum jail sentences for criminal securities law violations up to 10 years.

 

E)                                      CIVIL FINES – Persons who committed the violation may pay up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited.

 

F)                                      CRIMINAL FINES – The employer or other “controlling persons” may be subject to substantial monetary fines.

 

G)                                     Violators will be barred from the securities industry.

 

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SECTION III

 

IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES & POLICY

 

The following procedures have been established to assist the officers, directors and employees of Jennison Associates in preventing and detecting insider trading Every officer, director and employee must follow these procedures or risk serious sanctions, including but not limited to possible suspension or dismissal, substantial personal liability and criminal penalties.  If you have any questions about these procedures you should contact the Compliance or Legal Departments.

 

1.                                        IDENTIFYING INSIDE INFORMATION

 

Before trading for yourself or others, including client accounts managed by Jennison Associates, in the securities of a company about which you may have potential inside information, ask yourself the following questions:

 

A)                                   IS THE INFORMATION MATERIAL?

 

                                          Would an investor consider this information important in making his or her investment decisions?

 

                                          Would this information substantially affect the market price of the securities if generally disclosed?

 

B)                                     IS THE INFORMATION NON-PUBLIC?

 

                                          To whom has this information been provided?

 

                                          Has the information been effectively communicated to the marketplace by being published in Reuters , The Wall Street Journal , SEC filings, websites or other publications of general circulation?

 

If, after consideration of the above, you believe that the information is material and non-public (“MNPI”), or if you have questions as to whether the information is material and non-public, you should take the following steps:

 

A)                                   Report the matter immediately to the Compliance or Legal Departments.

 

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B)                                     Do not purchase or sell the securities on behalf of yourself or others, including client accounts managed by Jennison Associates.

 

C)                                     Do not communicate the information inside or outside Jennison Associates, other than to a senior staff member of either Compliance or Legal Departments.

 

D)                                    After the issue has been reviewed by Compliance/Legal, you will be instructed to continue the prohibitions against trading and communication, or you will be allowed to trade and communicate the information.

 

2.                                        RESTRICTING ACCESS TO MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION

 

Information that you, Legal or Compliance identify as MNPI may not be communicated to anyone, including persons within and outside of Jennison Associates LLC, except as provided above.  In addition, care should be taken so that such information is secure.  For example, files containing MNPI should be locked; given to Legal or Compliance (should not be reproduced or otherwise photocopied); access to computer files containing non-public information should be restricted, until such information becomes public.

 

Jennison employees have no obligation to the clients of Jennison Associates to trade or recommend trading on their behalf on the basis of MNPI (inside) in their possession.  Jennison’s fiduciary responsibility to its clients requires that the firm and its employees regard the limitations imposed by Federal securities laws.

 

3.                                        ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE

 

To supplement its own research and analysis, to corroborate data compiled by its staff, and to consider the views and information of others in arriving at its investment decisions, Jennison Associates, consistent with its efforts to secure best price and execution, allocates brokerage business to those broker-dealers in a position to provide such services.

 

It is the firm’s policy not to allocate brokerage in consideration of the attempted furnishing of inside information or MNPI.  Employees, in recommending the allocation of brokerage to broker-dealers, should not give consideration to the provision of any MNPI.  The policy of Jennison Associates as set forth in this statement should be brought to the attention of such broker-dealer.

 

4.                                        RESOLVING ISSUES CONCERNING INSIDER TRADING

 

If doubt remains as to whether information is material or non-public, or if there is any

 

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unresolved question as to the applicability or interpretation of the foregoing procedures and standards, or as to the propriety of any action, it must be discussed with either the Compliance or Legal Departments before trading or communicating the information to anyone.

 

This Code of Ethics, Policy on Insider Trading and Personal Trading Policy will be distributed to all Jennison Associates personnel.  Each quarter you will be required to certify in writing that you have received, read and understand and will comply with all the provisions of this policy.  In addition, newly hired employees must also attest to the policy.  Periodically or upon request, a representative from the Compliance or Legal Departments will meet with such personnel to review this statement of policy, including any developments in the law and to answer any questions of interpretation or application of this policy.

 

From time to time this statement of policy will be revised in light of developments in the law, questions of interpretation and application, and practical experience with the procedures contemplated by the statement.  Any amendments to the above referred to policy and procedures will be highlighted and distributed to ensure that all employees are informed of and such changes and receive the most current policy, set forth in these policies and procedures.

 

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SECTION IV

 

JENNISON ASSOCIATES PERSONAL TRADING POLICY

 

1.                                        GENERAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

The management of Jennison Associates is fully aware of and in no way wishes to deter the security investments of its individual employees.  The securities markets, whether equity, fixed income, international or domestic, offer individuals alternative methods of enhancing their personal investments.

 

Due to the nature of our business and our fiduciary responsibility to our client funds, we must protect the firm and its employees from the possibilities of both conflicts of interest and illegal insider trading in regard to their personal security transactions.  It is the duty of Jennison and its employees to place the interests of clients first and to avoid all actual or potential conflicts of interest.  It is important to consider all sections to this combined policy to fully understand how best to avoid potential conflicts of interests and how best to serve our clients so that the interests of Jennison and its employees do not conflict with those of its clients when discharging its fiduciary duty to provide fair, equitable and unbiased investment advice to such clients.

 

Jennison employees are prohibited from short term trading or market timing mutual funds and variable annuities managed by Jennison other than those that permit such trading, as well as Prudential affiliated funds and variable annuities, and must comply with any trading restrictions established by Jennison to prevent market timing of these funds.

 

We have adopted the following policies and procedures on employee personal trading to reasonably ensure against actual or potential conflicts of interest that could lead to violations of federal securities law, such as short term trading or market timing of affiliated mutual funds, or as previously described in the preceding sections of the attached policies.  To prevent the rapid trading of certain mutual funds and variable annuities, Jennison employees may not engage in opposite direction transactions within 90 days of the last transaction with respect to the mutual funds and variable annuities listed on the attached Exhibit D (“Covered Funds”).  Jennison employees are also required to arrange the reporting of Covered Funds transactions under this policy identified in Exhibit D.  This policy does not apply to money market mutual funds, and the Dryden Ultra Short Bond Fund.  These policies and procedures are in addition to those set forth in the Code of Ethics and the Policy Statement Against Insider Trading.  However, the standards of professional conduct as described in such policies must be considered when a Jennison employee purchases and sells securities on behalf of either their own or any other account for

 

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which the employee is considered to be the beneficial owner – as more fully described in this personal trading policy.

 

All Jennison employees are required to comply with such policies and procedures in order to avoid the penalties set forth herein.

 

2.                                        PERSONAL TRANSACTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 

Jennison employees are required to provide Jennison with reports concerning their securities holdings and transactions, as described below.  These include Jennison’s policies and procedures, including Code of Ethics, names of Jennison’s access personnel including those employees no longer employed by Jennison, their holdings and transaction reports, acknowledgements, pre-approvals, violations and the disposition thereof, exceptions to any policy, every transaction in securities in which any of its personnel has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership, except transactions effected in any account over which neither the investment adviser nor any advisory representative of the investment adviser has any direct or indirect influence or control and transactions in securities which are direct obligations of the United States, high-quality short-term instruments and mutual funds.  For purposes of this policy, mutual funds that are exempt from this recordkeeping requirement are money market funds and funds that are either not managed by Jennison or affiliated with Prudential.  This requirement applies to:

 

                  transactions for the personal accounts of an employee,

                  transactions for the accounts of other members of their immediate family (including the spouse, minor children, and adults living in the same household with the officer, director, or employee) for which they or their spouse have any direct or indirect influence or control, and

                  trusts of which they are trustees or

                  other accounts in which they have any direct or indirect beneficial interest or direct or indirect influence or control.

 

However, the above requirements do not apply if the investment decisions for the above mentioned account(s) are made by an independent investment manager in a fully discretionary account.  Jennison recognizes that some of its employees may, due to their living arrangements, be uncertain as to their obligations under this Personal Trading Policy.  If an employee has any question or doubt as to whether they have direct or indirect influence or control over an account, he or she must consult with the Compliance or Legal Departments as to their status and obligations with respect to the account in question.  Please refer to Jennison’s Record Management Policy located on the Jennison Online compliance website for a complete list of records and retention periods. 

 

In addition, Jennison, as a subadviser to investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ( e.g. , mutual funds), is required by Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act to review and keep records of personal investment activities of “access persons” of these funds, unless the access person does not have direct or indirect influence or

 

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control of the accounts.  An “access person” is defined as any director, officer, general partner or Advisory Person of a Fund or Fund’s Investment Adviser.  “Advisory Person” is defined as any employee of the Fund or investment adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Fund or investment adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of investments by a Fund, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to the purchases or sales.  Jennison’s “access persons” and “advisory persons” include Jennison’s employees and any other persons that Jennison may designate.

 

A)                                   JENNISON EMPLOYEES

 

All Jennison employees are Access Persons and are subject to the following reporting requirements.  Access Persons are required to report all transactions, as set forth on Exhibit A, including activity in Prudential affiliated and Jennison managed mutual funds, as well as affiliated variable annuities or Covered Funds.  A list of these funds and variable annuities is attached hereto as Exhibit D.  This requirement applies to all accounts in which Jennison employees have a direct or indirect beneficial interest, as previously described.  All Access Persons are required to provide the Compliance Department with the following:

 

1)                                       INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORTS :

 

Within 10 days of commencement of becoming an access person, an initial holdings report detailing all personal investments (including private placements, and index futures contracts and options thereon, but excluding automatic investment plans approved by Compliance, all direct obligation government, such as US Treasury securities, mutual funds and variable annuities that are not Covered Funds and short-term high quality debt instruments) must be submitted to Compliance. The report should contain the following information, and must be current, not more than 45 days prior to becoming an “access person”:

 

a.                                        The title, number of shares and principal amount of each investment in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;

 

b.                                       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; and

 

c.                                        The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

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2)                                       QUARTERLY REPORTS:

 

a.                                        Transaction Reporting :

 

Within 30 days after the end of a calendar quarter, with respect to any transaction, including activity in Covered Funds, during the quarter in investments in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:

 

i)                                          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 investment involved;

 

ii)                                       The nature of the transaction ( i.e. , purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

iii)                                    The price of the investment at which the transaction was effected;

 

iv)                                   The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and

 

v)                                      The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

b.                                       Personal Securities Account Reporting :

 

Within 30 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:

 

i)                                          The name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account;

 

ii)                                       The date the account was established; and

 

iii)                                    The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

To facilitate compliance with this reporting requirement, Jennison Associates requires that a duplicate copy of all trade confirmations and brokerage statements be supplied directly to Jennison Associates’ Compliance Department and to Prudential’s Corporate Compliance Department.  Access Persons are required to notify the Compliance Department of any Covered Fund including accounts of all household members, held directly with the fund. The Compliance Department must also be notified prior to the creation of any new personal investment accounts so that we may request that duplicate statements and

 

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confirmations of all trading activity (including mutual funds) be sent to the Compliance Department.

 

3)                                       ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORTS :

 

Annually, the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted):

 

a.                                        The title, number of shares and principal amount of each investment, including investments set forth Covered Funds, in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;

 

b.                                       The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person; and

 

c.                                        The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person.

 

4)                                       A copy of all discretionary investment advisory contracts or agreements between the officer, director or employee and his investment advisors.

 

5)                                       A copy of Schedule B, Schedule D, and Schedule E from federal income tax returns on an annual basis.

 

Please note that Access Persons may hold and trade Covered Funds listed through Authorized Broker/Dealers, Prudential Mutual Fund Services, the Prudential Employee Savings Plan (“PESP”), and the Jennison Savings and Pension Plans.  As indicated above, opposite direction trading activity within a 90 day period is prohibited with respect to Covered Funds, other than money market funds and Dryden Ultra Short Fund.    It should also be noted that transacting the same Covered Funds in opposite directions on the same day and at the same NAV will not be considered market timing for purposes of this policy, as such activity would not result in a gain to the employee.

 

In addition, Access Persons may maintain accounts with respect to certain Covered Funds directly with the fund company, provided that duplicate confirms and statements are provided to the Compliance Department.

 

B)                                     OTHER PERSONS DEFINED BY JENNISON AS ACCESS PERSONS

 

Other Persons Defined by Jennison as Access Persons, pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, include individuals who in connection with his or her regular functions or duties may obtain information regarding the purchase or sale of investments by Jennison on behalf of its clients.  These individuals

 

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or groups of individuals are identified on Exhibit C and will be required to comply with such policies and procedures that Jennison deems necessary to reasonably ensure that the interests of our clients are not in any way compromised.  These policies and procedures are specified on Exhibit C.

 

3.                                        PRE-CLEARANCE PROCEDURES

 

All employees of Jennison Associates may need to obtain clearance from the Jennison Personal Investment Committee prior to effecting any securities transaction (except for those securities described in Exhibit A) in which they or their immediate families (including the spouse, minor children, and adults living in the same household with the officer, director, or employee) for which they or their spouse have any direct or indirect influence or control, have a beneficial interest on behalf of a trust of which they are trustee, or for any other account in which they have a beneficial interest or direct or indirect influence or control.  Determination as to whether or not a particular transaction requires pre-approval should be made by consulting the “Compliance and Reporting of Personal Transactions Matrix” found on Exhibit A.

 

The Jennison Personal Investment Committee will make its decision of whether to clear a proposed trade on the basis of the personal trading restrictions set forth below.  A member of the Compliance Department shall promptly notify the individual of approval or denial to trade the requested security.  Notification of approval or denial to trade may be verbally given as soon as possible; however, it shall be confirmed in writing within 24 hours of the verbal notification.  Please note that the approval granted will be valid only for that day in which the approval has been obtained; provided, however, that approved orders for securities traded in certain foreign markets may be executed within 2 business days from the date pre-clearance is granted, depending on the time at which approval is granted and the hours of the markets on which the security is traded are open.  In other words, if a trade was not effected on the day for which approval was originally sought, a new approval form must be re-submitted on each subsequent day in which trading may occur.  Or, if the security for which approval has been granted is traded on foreign markets, approval is valid for an additional day ( i.e. , the day for which approval was granted and the day following the day for which approval was granted).

 

Only transactions where the investment decisions for the account are made by an independent investment manager in a fully discretionary account (including managed accounts) will be exempt from the pre-clearance procedures, except for those transactions that are directed by an employee in a Jennison managed account.  Copies of the agreement of such discretionary accounts, as well as transaction statements or another comparable portfolio report, must be submitted on a quarterly basis to the Compliance Department for review and record retention.

 

Written notice of your intended securities activities must be filed for approval prior to effecting any transaction for which prior approval is required.   The name of the security, the date, the nature of the transaction (purchase or sale), the price, the name and relationship to you of the account holder (self, son, daughter, spouse, father, etc.), and the name of the broker-dealer or bank involved in the transaction must be disclosed in such written notice.  Such written notice should be submitted on the Pre-Clearance Transaction Request Forms (Equity/Fixed Income)

 

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which can be obtained from the Compliance Department.  If proper procedures are not complied with, action will be taken against the employee.  The violators may be asked to reverse the transaction and/or transfer the security or profits gained over to the accounts of Jennison Associates.  In addition, penalties for personal trading violations shall be determined in accordance with the penalties schedule set forth in Section 5, “Penalties for Violating Jennison Associates’ Personal Trading Policies.”  Each situation and its relevance will be given due weight. 

 

4.                                        PERSONAL TRADING POLICY

 

The following rules, regulations and restrictions apply to the personal security transactions of all employees.  These rules will govern whether clearance for a proposed transaction will be granted.  These rules also apply to the sale of securities once the purchase of a security has been pre-approved and completed.

 

No director, officer or employee of the Company may effect for himself, an immediate family member (including the spouse, minor children, and adults living in the same household with the officer, director, or employee) for which they or their spouse have any direct or indirect influence or control, or any trust of which they are trustee, or any other account in which they have a beneficial interest or direct or indirect influence or control (“Covered Accounts”) any transaction in a security, or recommend any such transaction in a security, of which, to his/her knowledge, the Company has either effected or is contemplating effecting the same for any of its clients, if such transaction would in any way conflict with, or be detrimental to, the interests of such client, or if such transaction was effected with prior knowledge of material, non-public information, or any other potential conflict of interest as described in the sections preceding this personal trading policy.

 

Except in particular cases in which the Jennison Personal Investment Committee has determined in advance that proposed transactions would not conflict with the foregoing policy, the following rules shall govern all transactions (and recommendations) by all Jennison employees for their Covered Accounts.  The provisions of the following paragraphs do not necessarily imply that the Jennison Personal Investment Committee will conclude that the transactions or recommendations to which they relate are in violation of the foregoing policy, but rather are designed to indicate the transactions for which prior approval should be obtained to ensure that no actual, potential or perceived conflict occurs.

 

A)                                   BLACKOUT PERIODS

 

1)                                       Company personnel may not purchase any security recommended, or proposed to be recommended to any client for purchase, nor any security purchased or proposed to be purchased for any client may be purchased by any corporate personnel if such purchase will interfere in any way with the orderly purchase of such security by any client.

 

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2)                                       Company personnel may not sell any security recommended, or proposed to be recommended to any client for sale, nor any security sold, or proposed to be sold, for any client may be sold by any corporate personnel if such sale will interfere in any way with the orderly sale of such security by any client.

 

3)                                       Company personnel may not sell any security after such security has been recommended to any client for purchase or after being purchased for any client Company personnel may not purchase a security after being recommended to any client for sale or after being sold for any client, if the sale or purchase is effected with a view to making a profit on the anticipated market action of the security resulting from such recommendation, purchase or sale.

 

4)                                       In order to prevent even the appearance of a violation of this rule or a conflict of interest with a client account, you should refrain from trading in the seven (7) calendar days before and after Jennison trades in that security.  This restriction does not apply to non-discretionary Jennison trading activity, as determined by Compliance on a case-by-case basis.  For example trading activity that occurs in Jennison Managed Account (“JMA”) when either implementing a pre-existing model for new accounts or in situations where JMA trading activity is generated due to cash flow instructions from the managed account sponsor.  However, all requests to pre-clear a personal security transaction where the same security is also being traded in JMA on the same day will be denied.

 

If an employee trades during a blackout period, disgorgement may be required.  For example, if an Employee’s trade is pre-approved and executed and subsequently, within seven days of the transaction, the Firm trades on behalf of Jennison’s clients, the Jennison Personal Investment Committee shall review the personal trade in light of firm trading activity and determine on a case-by-case basis the appropriate action.  If the Personal Investment Committee finds that a client is disadvantaged by the personal trade, the trader may be required to reverse the trade and disgorge to the firm any difference due to any incremental price advantage over the client’s transaction.

 

B)                                     SHORT-TERM TRADING PROFITS

 

All employees of Jennison Associates are prohibited from profiting in Covered Accounts from the purchase and sale, or the sale and purchase of the same or equivalent securities within 60 calendar days.  A ll employees are prohibited from executing a purchase and a sale or a sale and a purchase of the Covered Funds that appear on Exhibit D, during any 90-day period.  Any profits realized from the purchase and sale or the sale and purchase of the same (or equivalent) securities within the 60 and 90 day restriction periods, respectively, shall be disgorged to the firm.

 

“Profits realized” shall be calculated consistent with interpretations under section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations

 

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thereunder, which require matching any purchase and sale that occur with in a 60 calendar day period and, for purposes of this policy, within a 90 calendar day period for any purchase and sale or sale and purchase in those Covered Funds that appear on Exhibit D, across all Covered Accounts.  As such, a person who sold a security and then repurchased the same (or equivalent) security would need to disgorge a profit if matching the purchase and the sale would result in a profit.  Conversely, if matching the purchase and sale would result in a loss, profits would not be disgorged.

 

In addition, the last in, first out (“LIFO”) method will be used in determining if any exceptions have occurred in any Covered Fund.  Profits realized on such transactions must be disgorged.  Certain limited exceptions to this holding period are available and must be approved by the Chief Compliance Officer or her designee prior to execution.  Exceptions to this policy include, but are not limited to, hardships and extended disability.  Automatic investment and withdrawal programs and automatic rebalancing are permitted transactions under the policy.

 

The prohibition on short-term trading profits shall not apply to trading of index options and index futures contracts and options on index futures contracts on broad based indices.  However, trades related to non-broad based index transactions remains subject to the pre-clearance procedures and other applicable procedures.  A list of broad-based indices is provided on Exhibit B.

 

C)                                     Jennison employees may not purchase any security if the purchase would deprive any of Jennison’s clients of an investment opportunity, after taking into account (in determining whether such purchase would constitute an investment opportunity) the client’s investments and investment objectives and whether the opportunity is being offered to corporate personnel by virtue of his or her position at Jennison.

 

D)                                    Jennison employees may not purchase new issues of either common stock, fixed income securities or convertible securities in Covered Accounts except in accordance with item E below.  This prohibition does not apply to new issues of shares of open-end investment companies.  All Jennison employees shall also obtain prior written approval of the Jennison Personal Investment Committee in the form of a completed “Request to Buy or Sell Securities” form before effecting any purchase of securities on a ‘private placement’ basis.  Such approval will take into account, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for Jennison’s clients and whether the opportunity is being offered to the employee by virtue of his or her position at Jennison.

 

E)                                      Subject to the pre-clearance and reporting procedures, Jennison employees may purchase securities on the date of issuance, provided that such securities are acquired in the secondary market.  Upon requesting approval of such transactions, employees must acknowledge that he or she is aware that such request for approval may not be submitted until after the security has been issued to the public and is trading at prevailing market prices in the secondary market.

 

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F)                                      Subject to the preclearance and reporting procedures, Jennison employees may effect purchases upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent that such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.  In the event that approval to exercise such rights is denied, subject to preclearance and reporting procedures, corporate personnel may obtain permission to sell such rights on the last day that such rights may be traded.

 

G)                                     Any transactions in index futures contracts and index options, except those effected on a broad-based index, are subject to preclearance and all are subject to the reporting requirements.

 

H)                                    No employee of Jennison Associates may short sell or purchase put options or writing call options on securities that represent a long position in any portfolios managed by Jennison on behalf of its clients.  Conversely, no employee may sell put options, or purchase either the underlying security or call options that represent a short position in a Jennison client portfolio.  Any profits realized from such transactions shall be disgorged to the Firm.  All options and short sales are subject to the preclearance rules.

 

All employees are prohibited from selling short and from participating in any options transactions on any securities issued by Prudential except in connection with bona fide hedging strategies (e.g., covered call options and protected put options).  However, employees are prohibited from buying or selling options to hedge their financial interest in employee stock options granted to them by Prudential.

 

I)                                         No employee of Jennison Associates may participate in investment clubs.

 

J)                                        While participation in employee stock purchase plans and employee stock option plans need not be pre-approved, copies of the terms of the plans should be provided to the Compliance Department as soon as possible so that the application of the various provisions of the Personal Trading Policy may be determined ( e.g., pre-approval, reporting, short-term trading profits ban).  Jennison employees must obtain pre-approval for any discretionary disposition of securities or discretionary exercise of options acquired pursuant to participation in an employee stock purchase or employee stock option plan, except for the exercise of Prudential options (this exception does not apply to certain Designated Employees).  All such transactions, however, must be reported.  Nondiscretionary dispositions of securities or exercise are not subject to pre-approval.  Additionally, Jennison employees should report holdings of such securities and options on an annual basis.

 

K)                                    Subject to pre-clearance, long-term investing through direct stock purchase plans is permitted.  The terms of the plan, the initial investment, and any notice of intent to purchase through automatic debit must be provided to and approved by the Jennison Personal Investment Committee.  Any changes to the original terms of approval, e.g., increasing, decreasing in the plan, as well as any sales or discretionary purchase of

 

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securities in the plan must be submitted for pre-clearance.  Termination of participation in such a plan, must be reported to Compliance.  Provided that the automatic monthly purchases have been approved by the Jennison Personal Investment Committee, each automatic monthly purchase need not be submitted for pre-approval.  “Profits realized” for purposes of applying the ban on short-term trading profits will be determined by matching the proposed discretionary purchase or sale transaction against the most recent discretionary purchase or sale, as applicable, not the most recent automatic purchase or sale (if applicable).  Additionally, holdings should be disclosed annually.

 

L)                                      DESIGNATED PERSONS: REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSACTIONS IN SECURITIES ISSUED BY PRUDENTIAL

 

A Designated Person is an employee who, during the normal course of his or her job has routine access to material, nonpublic information about Prudential, including information about one or more business units or corporate level information that may be material about Prudential. Employees that have been classified as Designated Persons have been informed of their status.

 

Designated Persons are permitted to trade in Prudential common stock (symbol: “PRU”) only during certain “open trading windows”.  Trading windows will be closed for periods surrounding the preparation and release of Prudential financial results.  Approximately 24 hours after Prudential releases its quarterly earnings to the public, the trading window generally opens and will remain open until approximately three weeks before the end of the quarter.  Designated Persons will be notified by the Compliance Department announcing the opening and closing of each trading window.

 

Designated Persons are required to obtain a dual pre-clearance approval for all transactions from both Jennison and Prudential. To request pre-clearance approval, Designated Persons are required to complete a pre-clearance form for Jennison and a separate pre-clearance form for Prudential.  These forms can be obtained from the Compliance Department.  The Compliance Department will notify the Designated Person if their request has been approved or denied.  Please note that pre-clearance also applies to transactions of household members and dependents of any Designated Person and is valid only for the day approval is provided.  All other pre-clearance rules and restrictions apply.

 

M)                                 JENNISON EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION IN MANAGED STRATEGIES

 

All eligible employees must adhere to the following conditions in order to open an account in a managed account program:

 

                                          All employees may open a managed account in any managed account program, including Jennison-managed strategies.

 

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                                          Portfolio Managers of the Jennison models are prohibited from opening accounts in managed account programs in strategies that he or she manages.

 

                                          Portfolio Advisors may open accounts in managed account programs in strategies for which he or she has responsibility; however, these individuals may not direct selling or purchases for his or her own accounts.  All such decisions and implementation of portfolio transactions for Portfolio Advisor accounts will be made by the Financial Adviser.

 

                                          Eligible employees will not be permitted to have discretion over any managed account.  This means that employees will be invested in the model.

 

                                          All transactions in any managed account for which a Jennison employee has discretion will be subject to the pre-clearance requirements of this policy.

 

                                          In connection with tax selling, eligible employees (except Portfolio Advisors) are permitted to identify specific securities to be sold, however, such sales are subject to the 60-day ban on short-term trading profits and pre-clearance for Jennison managed strategies.

 

                                          Both the Jennison Compliance Department and Prudential Corporate Compliance will need to receive duplicate confirmations and statements.

 

N)                                    EXCEPTIONS TO THE PERSONAL TRADING POLICY

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions , exceptions to certain provisions ( e.g ., blackout period, pre-clearance procedures, and short-term trading profits) of the Personal Trading Policy may be granted on a case-by-case basis by Jennison when no abuse is involved and the facts of the situation strongly support an exception to the rule.

 

Investments in the following instruments are not bound to the rules and restrictions as set forth above and may be made without the approval of the Jennison Personal Investment Committee: direct governments obligations (Bills, Bonds and Notes), money markets, commercial paper, repurchase orders, reverse repurchase orders, bankers acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, other high quality short-term debt instrument(1), and open-ended registered investment companies.  Although not subject to pre-clearance, Covered Funds listed on Exhibit D, are subject to reporting and a ban on

 


(1) “High Quality Short-Term Debt Instrument” means any instrument having a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and which is rated in one of the highest two rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agency (Moody’s and S&P).

 

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short term trading, i.e . buying and selling or selling and buying within 90 days.  Covered Funds listed on Exhibit D,  are only subject to reporting, as previously described.

 

5.                                                                                        MONITORING/ADMINISTRATION

 

The Jennison Associates’ Compliance Department will maintain and enforce this policy and the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), or her designee(s), will be directly responsible for reasonably assuring for monitoring compliance with the policy.  If such authority is delegated to another compliance professional, a means of reporting deficiencies to the CCO, with respect to any one of the policies as set forth in this combined document, must be established to ensure the CCO is aware of all violations.  Requests for exceptions to the policy will be provided to the Jennison CCO or her designee and from time to time shared with the Prudential Personal Securities Trading Department and Jennison Compliance Committees.  While Jennison has primary responsibility to administer its own Personal Trading Policy, Prudential will assist Jennison by monitoring activity in Prudential mutual funds, as well as Jennison funds in Jennison Savings and Pension Plans, and identifying violations to the ban on short term trading, as described in this policy.

 

As part of monitoring compliance with these policies, Compliance will employ various monitoring techniques, that may consist of but not limited to, reviewing personal securities transactions to determine whether the security was pre-cleared, compare personal securities requests against a firm-wide (includes affiliates of Prudential) or Jennison specific restricted list(s), receiving exception reporting to monitor Jennison 7 day black out period, as described above.

 

In addition, as indicated above, short term or market timing trading in any Covered Fund identified in Exhibit D, represents a significant conflict of interest for Jennison and Prudential.  Market timing any of these investment vehicles may suggest the use of inside information – namely, knowledge of portfolio holdings or contemplated transactions – acquired or developed by an employee for personal gain.  The use of such information constitutes a violation of the law that can lead to severe disciplinary action against Jennison and its senior officers.  Therefore, trading activity in certain Covered Funds will be subject to a heightened level of scrutiny.  Jennison employees who engage in short term trading of such funds can be subject to severe disciplinary action, leading up to and including possible termination.

 

6.                                        PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF JENNISON ASSOCIATES’ PERSONAL TRADING POLICIES

 

Violations of Jennison’s Personal Trading Policy and Procedures, while in most cases may be inadvertent, must not occur.  It is important that every employee abide by the policies established by the Board of Directors.  Penalties will be assessed in accordance with the schedules set forth below.  These, however, are minimum penalties.  THE FIRM

 

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RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

 

All violations and penalties imposed will be reported to Jennison’s Compliance Committee.  The Compliance Committee will review annually a report which at a minimum:

 

A)                                   summarizes existing procedures concerning personal investing and any changes in procedures made during the preceding year;

 

B)                                     identifies any violations requiring significant remedial action during the preceding year; and

 

C)                                     identifies any recommended changes in existing restrictions or procedures based upon Jennison’s experience under its policies and procedures, evolving industry practices, or developments in applicable laws and regulations.

 

7.                                        TYPE OF VIOLATION

 

A)                                   PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO SECURE PRE-APPROVAL

 

The minimum penalties for failure to pre-clear personal securities transactions include possible reversal of the trade, possible disgorgement of profits, possible suspension, possible reduction in discretionary bonus as well as the imposition of additional cash penalties to the extent permissible by applicable state law .

 

1)                                       FAILURE TO PRE-CLEAR PURCHASE

 

Depending on the circumstances of the violation, the individual may be asked to reverse the trade ( i.e. , the securities must be sold).  Any profits realized from the subsequent sale must be turned over to the firm.  Please note: The sale or reversal of such trade must be submitted for pre-approval .

 

2)                                       FAILURE TO PRE-CLEAR SALES THAT RESULT IN LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS

 

Depending on the circumstances of the violation, the firm may require that profits realized from the sale of securities that are defined as “long-term capital gains” by Internal Revenue Code (the “IRC”) section 1222 and the rules thereunder, as amended, to be turned over to the firm, subject to the following maximum amounts:

 

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JALLC Position

 

Disgorgement Penalty*

Senior Vice Presidents and above

 

Realized long-term capital gain, up to $10,000.00

Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents

 

Realized long-term capital gain, up to $5,000.00

All other JALLC Personnel

 

25% of the realized long-term gain, irrespective of taxes, up to $3,000.00

 


* Penalties will be in the form of fines to the extent permissible by law, suspension, or the reduction of discretionary bonus.

 

3)                                       FAILURE TO PRE-CLEAR SALES THAT RESULT IN SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAINS

 

Depending on the nature of the violation, the firm may require that all profits realized from sales that result in profits that are defined as “short-term capital gains” by IRC section 1222 and the rules thereunder, as amended, be disgorged irrespective of taxes.  Please note, however, any profits that result from violating the ban on short-term trading profits are addressed in section 6.C), “Penalty for Violation of Short-Term Trading Profit Rule.”

 

4)                                       ADDITIONAL CASH PENALTIES

 

 

 

VP’s and Above*

 

Other JALLC Personnel*

First Offense

 

None/Warning

 

None/Warning

Second Offense

 

$1,000

 

$200

Third Offense

 

$2,000

 

$300

Fourth Offense

 

$3,000

 

$400

Fifth Offense

 

$4,000 & Automatic Notification of the Board of Directors

 

$500 & Automatic Notification of the Board of Directors

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Jennison reserves the right to notify the Board of Directors for any violation.

 

Penalties shall be assessed over a rolling three year period.  For example, if over a three year period (year 1 through year 3), a person had four violations, two in year 1, and one in each of the following years, the last violation in year 3 would be considered a fourth offense.  However, if in the subsequent year (year 4), the person only had one violation of the policy, this violation would be penalized at the third offense level because over the subsequent three year period (from year 2 through year 4), there were only three

 

30



 

violations.  Thus, if a person had no violations over a three year period, a subsequent offense would be considered a first offense, notwithstanding the fact that the person may have violated the policy prior to the three year period.

 


* Penalties will be in the form of fines to the extent permissible by law, suspension, or the reduction of discretionary bonus.

 

B)                                     FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 

Such violations occur if Jennison does not receive a broker confirmation within ten (10) business days following the end of the quarter in which a transaction occurs or if Jennison does not routinely receive brokerage statements.  Evidence of written notices to brokers of Jennison’s requirement and assistance in resolving problems will be taken into consideration in determining the appropriateness of penalties.

 

 

 

VP’s and Above *

 

Other JALLC Personnel *

First Offense

 

None/Warning

 

None/Warning

Second Offense

 

$200

 

$50

Third Offense

 

$500

 

$100

Fourth Offense

 

$600

 

$200

Fifth Offense

 

$700& Automatic Notification of the Board

 

$300 & Automatic Notification of the Board

 


* Penalties will be in the form of fines to the extent permissible by law, suspension, or the reduction of discretionary bonus.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Jennison reserves the right to notify the Board of Directors for any violation.

 

C)                                     PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF SHORT-TERM TRADING PROFIT RULE

 

Any profits realized from the purchase and sale or the sale and purchase of the same (or equivalent) securities within 60 calendar days and within 90 calendar days for all Covered Funds that appear on Exhibit D, shall be disgorged to the firm.  “Profits realized” shall be calculated consistent with interpretations under section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which requires matching any purchase and sale that occur with in a 60 calendar day period without regard to the order of the purchase or the sale during the period.  As such, a person who sold a security and then repurchased the same (or equivalent) security would need to disgorge a profit if matching the purchase and the sale would result in a profit.  The LIFO standard will be applied when determining if any violations have occurred in the trading of a Prudential affiliated

 

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or Jennison managed mutual fund, other than a money market fund, and whether the corresponding purchase and sale or sale and purchase of such fund(s) has resulted in a profit or loss.   Conversely, if matching the purchase and sale would result in a loss, profits would not be disgorged.

 

D)                                    OTHER POLICY INFRINGEMENTS WILL BE DEALT WITH ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS

 

Penalties will be commensurate with the severity of the violation.

 

Serious violations would include:

 

                                          Failure to abide by the determination of the Personal Investment Committee.

 

                                          Failure to submit pre-approval for securities in which Jennison actively trades.

 

                                          Failure to comply with the ban on all short term trading, i.e . buying and selling or selling and buying the same or equivalent securities and mutual funds set forth on Exhibit D, within 60 and 90 days, respectively.

 

E)                                      DISGORGED PROFITS

 

Profits disgorged to the firm shall be donated to a charitable organization selected by the firm in the name of the firm.  Such funds may be donated to such organization at such time as the firm determines.

 

8.               MISCELLANEOUS

 

A.                                    POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REVISIONS

 

These policies and procedures (Code of Ethics, Policy on Insider Trading and Personal Trading Policy and Procedures) may be changed, amended or revised as frequently as necessary in order to accommodate any changes in operations or by operation of law.  Any such change, amendment or revision may be made only by Jennison Compliance in consultation with the business groups or areas impacted by these procedures and consistent with applicable law.  Such changes will be promptly distributed to all impacted personnel and entities.

 

B.                                      Compliance

 

The Jennison Chief Compliance Officer shall be responsible for the administration of this Policy.  Jennison Compliance continuously monitors for

 

32



 

compliance with theses policies and procedures, as set forth herein, through its daily pre-clearance process and other means of monitoring, as described above in 5. Monitoring/Administration.  This data that is reviewed and our other means of monitoring ensures that employees are in compliance with the requirements of these policies and procedures.  All material obtained during this review, including any analysis performed, reconciliations, violations (and the disposition thereof), exceptions granted is retained and signed by compliance and retained in accordance with section 2 RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS above.

 

In addition, this Code of Ethics, Policy on Insider Trading and Personal Trading Policy will be reviewed annually for adequacy and effectiveness.  Any required revisions will be made consistent with section A above.

 

33



 

EXHIBIT A

 

COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING OF PERSONAL TRANSACTIONS MATRIX

 

Investment Category/Method

 

Sub-Category

 

Required
Pre-
Approval
(Y/N)

 

Reportable
(Y/N)

 

If reportable,
minimum
reporting
frequency

 

BONDS

 

Treasury Bills, Notes, Bonds

 

N

 

N

 

N/A

 

 

 

Commercial Paper

 

N

 

N

 

N/A

 

 

 

Other High Quality Short-Term Debt Instrument(1)

 

N

 

N

 

N/A

 

 

 

Agency

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Corporates

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

MBS

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

ABS

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

CMO’s

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Municipals

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Convertibles

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKS

 

Common

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Preferred

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Rights

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Warrants

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Initial, Secondary and Follow On Public Offerings

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Automatic Dividend Reinvestments

 

N

 

N

 

N/A

 

 

 

Optional Dividend Reinvestments

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Direct Stock Purchase Plans with automatic investments

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Employee Stock Purchase/Option Plan

 

Y*

 

Y

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPEN-END MUTUAL FUNDS AND ANNUITIES

 

Affiliated Investments – see Exhibit D.

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Non-Affiliated Funds, not managed by Jennison.

 

N

 

N

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLOSED END FUNDS, UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS and ETF

 

All Affiliated & Non-Affiliated Funds

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

US Funds (including SPDRs, NASDAQ 100 Index Tracking Shares)

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Foreign Funds

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Holders

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

ETF organized as open-end registered investment company only , e.g., I Shares.

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DERIVATIVES

 

Any exchange traded, NASDAQ, or OTC option or futures contract, including, but not limited to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Futures

 

**

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Commodity Futures

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Options on Futures

 

**

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Options on Securities

 

**

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Non-Broad Based Index Options

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Non Broad Based Index Futures Contracts and Options on Non-Broad Based Index Futures Contracts

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Broad Based Index Options

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

Broad Based Index Futures Contracts and Options on Broad Based Index Futures Contracts

 

N

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS, PRIVATE PLACEMENTS, & PRIVATE INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VOLUNTARY TENDER OFFERS

 

 

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANAGED ACCOUNT PROGARMS

 

Employee Directed Portfolio Transactions

 

Y

 

Y

 

Quarterly

 

 

34



 


(1) “High Quality Short-Term Debt Instrument” means any instrument having a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and which is rated in one of the highest two rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agency (Moody’s and S&P).

 

*  Pre-approval of sales of securities or exercises of options acquired through employee stock purchase or employee stock option plans are required, except for the exercise of Prudential options (this exception does not apply to certain Designated Employees) .  Holdings are required to be reported annually; transactions subject to pre-approval are required to be reported quarterly.  Pre-approval is not required to participate in such plans.

 

**  Pre-approval of a personal derivative securities transaction is required if the underlying security requires pre-approval.

 

35



 

EXHIBIT B

 

BROAD-BASED INDICES

 

Nikkei 300 Index CI/Euro

S&P 100 Close/Amer Index

S&P 100 Close/Amer Index

S&P 100 Close/Amer Index

S&P 500 Index

S&P 500 Open/Euro Index

S&P 500 Open/Euro Index

S&P 500 (Wrap)

S&P 500 Open/Euro Index

Russell 2000 Open/Euro Index

Russell 2000 Open/Euro Index

S&P Midcap 400 Open/Euro Index

NASDAQ- 100 Open/Euro Index

NASDAQ- 100 Open/Euro Index

NASDAQ- 100 Open/Euro Index

NASDAQ- 100 Open/Euro Index

NASDAQ- 100 Open/Euro Index

S&P Small Cap 600

U.S. Top 100 Sector

S&P 500 Long-Term Close

Russell 2000 L-T Open./Euro

Russell 2000 Long-Term Index

 

36



 

EXHIBIT C

 

OTHER PERSONS DEFINED BY JENNISON AS ACCESS PERSONS

 

The following groups of persons have been defined by Jennison as Access Persons because these are individuals who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties obtain information regarding the purchase or sale of investments by Jennison on behalf of its clients.  These individuals or groups of individuals are identified on this Exhibit C and will be required to comply with such policies and procedures that Jennison deems necessary as specified on this Exhibit.

 

1.                                        Jennison Directors and Officers who are Prudential Employees

 

Jennison recognizes that a Jennison director or officer who is employed by Prudential (“Prudential Director or Officer”) may be subject to the Prudential Personal Securities Trading Policy (“Prudential’s Policy”), a copy of which and any amendments thereto shall have been made available to Jennison’s Compliance Department.  A Prudential Director or Officer does not need to obtain preclearance from Jennison’s Personal Investment Committee; provided that the Prudential Director or Officer does not otherwise have access to current Jennison trading activity.

 

For purposes of the recordkeeping requirements of this Policy, Prudential Directors and Officers are required to comply with Prudential’s Policy.  Prudential will provide an annual representation to the Jennison Compliance Department, with respect to employees subject to the Prudential Policy, that the employee has complied with the recordkeeping and other procedures of Prudential’s Policy during the most recent calendar year.  If there have been any violations of Prudential’s Policy by such employee, Prudential will submit a detailed report of such violations and what remedial action, if any was taken.  If an employee is not subject to the Prudential Policy, Prudential will provide a certification that the employee is not subject to the Prudential Policy.

 

2.                                        Outside Consultants and Independent Contractors

 

Outside Consultants and Independent Contractors who work on-site at Jennison and who in connection with his or her regular functions or duties obtain information regarding the purchase or sale of investments in portfolios managed by Jennison will be subject to such policies and procedures as determined by Jennison.

 

37



 

EXHIBIT D

 

PRUDENTIAL AFFILIATED AND JENNISON MANAGED MUTUAL FUND AND VARIABLE ANNUTIES

 

The following list of Prudential affiliated and Jennison managed mutual funds in Section A, as well as variable annuities in Section B below is the most current as of January 5, 2005:

 

A.                                     Prudential affiliated and Jennison Managed (Also know as Covered Funds)

 

Jennison 20/20 Focus Fund

Strategic Partners Equity Fund, Inc.

Dryden Global Total Return Fund, Inc.

Dryden Index Series Fund

Dryden Stock Index Fund

Jennison Natural Resources Fund, Inc.

Jennison Sector Funds, Inc.

Jennison Financial Services Fund

Jennison Health Sciences Fund

Jennison Technology Fund

Jennison Utility Fund

Jennison Small Company Fund, Inc.

Dryden Tax-Managed Funds

Dryden Large-Cap Core Equity Fund

Dryden Small-Cap Core Equity Fund, Inc.

Jennison U.S. Emerging Growth Fund, Inc.

Jennison Value Fund

 

The Prudential Investment Portfolios, Inc.

Dryden Active Allocation Fund

Jennison Equity Opportunity

Jennison Growth Fund

JennisonDryden Asset Allocation Funds

JennisonDryden Conservative Allocation Fund

JennisonDryden Moderate Allocation Fund

JennisonDryden Growth Allocation Fund

 

Dryden California Municipal Series Fund

California Series

California Income Series

 

Dryden Municipal Series Fund

Florida Series

 

38



 

New Jersey Series

New York Series

Pennsylvania Series

 

Dryden Municipal Bond Fund

High Income Series

Insured Series

 

Dryden National Municipals Fund, Inc.

Dryden Government Income Fund, Inc.

Dryden High Yield Fund, Inc.

Dryden Short-Term Bond Fund, Inc.

Dryden Short-Term Corporate Bond Fund

Dryden Ultra Short Bond Fund

Dryden Total Return Bond Fund, Inc.

The High Yield Income Fund, Inc.

Nicholas-Applegate Fund, Inc.

Strategic Partners Real Estate Securities Fund

Prudential World Fund, Inc.

Jennison Global Growth Fund

Dryden International Equity Fund

Strategic Partners International Value Fund

 

Strategic Partners Mutual Funds, Inc.

Strategic Partners International Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Small Cap Growth Opportunity Fund

Strategic Partners Managed Small Cap Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Small Company Fund

Strategic Partners Mid Cap Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Relative Value Fund

Strategic Partners Technology Fund

Strategic Partners Health Sciences Fund

Strategic Partners Managed OTC Fund

Strategic Partners Capital Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Concentrated Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Core Value Fund

Strategic Partners Managed Index 500 Fund

Strategic Partners Equity Income Fund

Strategic Partners Growth with Income Fund

Strategic Partners Capital Income Fund

Strategic Partners Balanced Fund

Strategic Partners High Yield Bond Fund

Strategic Partners Bond Fund

 

39



 

The Target Portfolio Trust

Large Capitalization Growth Portfolio

Large Capitalization Value Portfolio

Small Capitalization Growth Portfolio

Small Capitalization Value Portfolio

International Equity Portfolio

International Bond Portfolio

Total Return Bond Portfolio

Intermediate-Term Bond Portfolio

Mortgage Backed Securities Portfolio

 

Strategic Partners Style Specific Funds

Strategic Partners Large Capitalization Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Large Capitalization Value Fund

Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Small Capitalization Value Fund

Strategic Partners Total Return Bond Fund

 

Strategic Partners Opportunity Funds

Strategic Partners Focused Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Focused Value Fund

Strategic Partners New Era Growth Fund

Strategic Partners Mid Cap Value Fund

 

Strategic Partners Asset Allocation Funds

Strategic Partners Conservative Growth

Strategic Partners Moderate Growth Fund

Strategic Partners High Growth Fund

 

B.                                     Variable Annuity Mutual Fund Name

 

THE PRUDENTIAL SERIES FUND, INC.

Conservative Balanced Portfolio

Diversified Bond Portfolio

Diversified Conservative Growth Portfolio

Equity Portfolio

Flexible Managed Portfolio

Global Portfolio

Government Income Portfolio

High Yield Bond Portfolio

Jennison Portfolio

Jennison 20/20 Focus Portfolio

Money Market Portfolio

Natural Resources Portfolio

 

40



 

Small Capitalization Stock Portfolio

Stock Index Portfolio

Value Portfolio

Zero Coupon Bond Portfolio 2005

SP AIM Aggressive Growth Portfolio

SP AIM Core Equity Portfolio

SP Alliance Large Cap Growth Portfolio

SP Davis Value Portfolio

SP Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Portfolio

SP Large Cap Value Portfolio

SP LSV International Value Portfolio

SP MFS Capital Opportunities Portfolio

SP Mid Cap Growth Portfolio

SP PIMCO High Yield Portfolio

SP PIMCO Total Return Portfolio

SP Prudential U.S. Emerging Growth Portfolio

SP State Street Research Small Cap Growth Portfolio

SP Strategic Partners Focused Growth Portfolio

SP Technology Portfolio

SP William Blair International Growth Portfolio

SP Aggressive Growth Asset Allocation Portfolio

SP Balanced Asset Allocation Portfolio

SP Conservative Asset Allocation Portfolio

SP Growth Asset Allocation Portfolio

 

Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc.

 

The Prudential Variable Account – 2

The Prudential Variable Account – 10

The Prudential Variable Account – 11

The Prudential Variable Account – 24

 

AMERICAN SKANDIA TRUST

 

AST JPMorgan International Equity Portfolio

AST William Blair International Growth Portfolio

AST LSV International Value Portfolio

AST MFS Global Equity Portfolio

AST State Street Research Small-Cap Growth Portfolio

AST DeAM Small-Cap Growth Portfolio

AST Federated Aggressive Growth Portfolio

AST Goldman Sachs Small-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Gabelli Small-Cap Value Portfolio

AST DeAM Small-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Goldman Sachs Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio

 

41



 

AST Neuberger Berman Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio

AST Neuberger Berman Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Alger All-Cap Growth Portfolio

AST Gabelli All-Cap Value Portfolio

AST T. Rowe Price Natural Resources Portfolio

AST Alliance Growth Portfolio

AST MFS Growth Portfolio

AST Marsico Capital Growth Portfolio

AST Goldman Sachs Concentrated Growth Portfolio

AST DeAM Large-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Hotchkis & Wiley Large-Cap Value Portfolio

AST Alliance/Bernstein Growth + Value Portfolio

AST Sanford Bernstein Core Value Portfolio

AST Cohen & Steers Realty Portfolio

AST Sanford Bernstein Managed Index 500 Portfolio

AST American Century Income & Growth Portfolio

AST Alliance Growth and Income Portfolio

AST DeAM Global Allocation Portfolio

AST American Century Strategic Balanced Portfolio

AST T. Rowe Price Asset Allocation Portfolio

AST T. Rowe Price Global Bond Portfolio

AST Goldman Sachs High Yield Portfolio

AST Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Portfolio

AST PIMCO Total Return Bond Portfolio

AST PIMCO Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio

AST Money Market Portfolio

 

This Exhibit D may change from time to time due to new product development or changes in relationships and may not always be up-to-date.  If you are not sure whether or not you either hold or anticipate purchasing a mutual fund that is either affiliated with Prudential, managed by Jennison, or is a variable annuity, please contact the Compliance Department.

 

42


Exhibit 99.(q)

 

Power of Attorney

 

The undersigned Directors, Trustees and Officers of the JennisonDryden Mutual Funds, the Strategic Partners Funds, The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts 10 and 11, The High Yield Income Fund, Inc., The High Yield Plus Fund, Inc. and The Target Portfolio Trust (collectively, the “Funds”), hereby constitute, appoint and authorize each of Marina Belaya, Claudia DiGiacomo, Deborah A. Docs, Katherine P. Feld, Kathryn C. Quirk, John P. Schwartz and Jonathan D. Shain, as true and lawful agents and attorneys-in-fact, to sign, execute and deliver on his or her behalf in the appropriate capacities indicated, any Registration Statements of the Funds on the appropriate forms, any and all amendments thereto (including pre- and post-effective amendments), and any and all supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, including Form N-PX, Forms 3, 4 and 5, as appropriate, to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the securities regulators of appropriate states and territories, and generally to do all such things in his or her name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorney-in-fact deems necessary or appropriate to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, all related requirements of the SEC and all requirements of appropriate states and territories.  The undersigned do hereby give to said agents and attorneys-in-fact full power and authority to act in these premises, including, but not limited to, the power to appoint a substitute or substitutes to act hereunder with the same power and authority as said agents and attorneys-in-fact would have if personally acting.  The undersigned do hereby approve, ratify and confirm all that said agents and attorneys-in-fact, or any substitute or substitutes, may do by virtue hereof.

 

/s/Linda W. Bynoe

 

/s/David E.A. Carson

 

Linda W. Bynoe

David E. A. Carson

 

 

/s/Robert F. Gunia

 

/s/Robert E. La Blanc

 

Robert F. Gunia

Robert E. La Blanc

 

 

/s/Douglas H. McCordindale

 

/s/Richard A. Redeker

 

Douglas H. McCorkindale

Richard A. Redeker

 

 

/s/Judy A. Rice

 

/s/Robin B. Smith

 

Judy A. Rice

Robin B. Smith

 

 

/s/Stephen G. Stoneburn

 

/s/Clay T. Whitehead

 

Stephen G. Stoneburn

Clay T. Whitehead

 

 

/s/Grace C. Torres

 

 

Grace C. Torres

 

 

 

Dated:              September 7, 2005