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Supplement
dated December 1, 2001 to
Prospectus dated October 1, 2001
This supplement is to be used with the prospectus
dated October 1, 2001. This supplement, together with the prospectus,
constitutes a current prospectus. To request another copy of the
prospectus, please call 1-800-392-CORE (2673) or download a copy from
the internet at www.westcore.com.
The following information replaces the first
paragraph under the heading, "Investment Personnel" on page
63.
Todger Anderson, CFA, President of Denver
Investment Advisors, has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management of Westcore MIDCO Growth Fund since its inception (August 1,
1986). He is also responsible for the day-to-day co-management of
Westcore Select Fund, effective December 1, 2001. Mr. Anderson has been
a portfolio manager with Denver Investment Advisors and its predecessor,
Denver Investment Advisors, Inc., since 1975. Mr. Anderson works with
other securities analysts of the Adviser who from time to time purchase
and sell specific securities under his supervision.
The following information replaces the fourth
paragraph under the heading, "Investment Personnel" on page
63.
William S. Chester, CFA, Vice President and
Directory of Mid-Cap Growth Investing of Denver Investment Advisors, is
responsible for the day-to-day co-management of the Westcore Select
Fund, effective December 1, 2001. Mr. Chester has been conducting equity
research for Denver Investment Advisors for 15 years. In 2000, he
assumed responsibility as Director of Denver Investment Advisors?
growth equity research efforts. His educational background consists of a
B.A. from the University of Colorado and an M.B.A. from the University
of Denver. Mr. Chester works with other securities analysts of the
Adviser who from time to time purchase and sell specific securities
under his supervision.
The last paragraph on page 4, under the heading,
"Westcore Select Fund" is deleted in its entirety.
Funds distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.
RISK/
RETURN SUMMARY
WESTCORE EQUITY
FUNDS
The Westcore
Equity Funds are designed for long-term investors seeking
capital appreciation who can tolerate the risks associated with
investments in common stocks.
What are the
investment objectives of the Westcore Equity Funds?
WESTCORE GROWTH FUNDS
- Westcore
MIDCO Growth Fund ? long-term capital appreciation by
investing primarily in medium-sized growth companies.
- Westcore
Growth and Income Fund ? long-term total return by
investing in equity securities selected for their growth potential
and income-producing abilities.
- Westcore
Small-Cap Growth Fund ? long-term growth of capital
primarily through investments in small companies with growth
potential.
- Westcore
Select Fund ? long-term growth of capital primarily
through investments in companies of any size selected for their
growth potential.
WESTCORE INTERNATIONAL
GROWTH FUNDS
- Westcore
International Frontier Fund ? long-term growth of
capital primarily through investments in international, small-cap
growth companies.
- Westcore
International Select Fund ? long-term growth of capital
primarily through investments in international companies of any size
selected for their growth potential.
WESTCORE VALUE FUNDS
- Westcore
Blue Chip Fund ? long-term total return by investing in
stocks of large, well-established companies whose stocks appear to
be undervalued.
- Westcore
Mid-Cap Opportunity Fund ? long-term capital
appreciation by investing primarily in medium-sized companies whose
stocks appear to be undervalued.
- Westcore
Small-Cap Opportunity Fund ? long-term capital
appreciation primarily through investments in companies with small
capitalizations whose stocks appear to be undervalued.
Upon notice to shareholders, each Fund's
investment objective may be changed by the Trust's Board of Trustees
without the approval of shareholders.
What are the main
investment strategies of the Westcore Equity Funds?
Westcore Growth
Funds: emphasize investments in companies that have the
potential to grow their earnings faster than the general economy.
The portfolio managers of the Growth
Funds perform intensive research to identify companies in businesses and
economic sectors with attractive growth prospects. To identify
attractive stocks, the portfolio managers study a company's business by
analyzing its financial information, industry, markets and competitors,
frequently visiting its operations and/or interviewing management.
Generally, a company is considered for a Fund if the portfolio managers
believe the company's management team has the ability to execute their
business plans and increase market share with innovative products or
services, strong balance sheets and/or the access to money to finance
their growth. Stocks may be sold when conditions have changed and the
company's prospects are no longer attractive.
In addition, the portfolio manager and
his team of analysts for the International
Growth Funds utilize a consistent approach to seek companies
outside the U.S. that are growing faster than the country in which they
are located, faster than the industry in which they participate, and
ideally faster than they have historically. They also seek to pay
reasonable prices for these rapidly growing businesses whenever
possible. They build their portfolios one company at a time, regardless
of where they are located. They are not constrained by regional, country
or industry allocation models that might force them to invest in
companies they believe are less attractive.
Westcore MIDCO
Growth Fund invests primarily in the common stock of
medium-sized companies. Medium-sized companies may benefit from factors
such as new products and services and more entrepreneurial management
than larger companies. These companies may also have better
opportunities for growth than larger companies by increasing their
shares of the markets they serve.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of the value
of its total net assets in mid-cap companies.* For purposes of this
policy, the Fund currently considers mid-cap companies to be companies
whose market capitalizations, at the time of purchase, are between $500
million and $12 billion. As of June 30, 2001, the median capitalization
of the companies in which the Fund was invested was approximately $4.9
billion.
Westcore Growth
and Income Fund invests primarily in the common stock of
large- and medium-sized companies. The Fund considers large and
medium-sized companies to be companies with market capitalizations of
$500 million and above at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest up
to 25% of its total assets in bonds convertible into common stock, which
provide greater income while maintaining similar characteristics of
common stocks. This Fund is designed to outperform the total return of
the S&P 500 Index while seeking comparable dividend levels and risk.
Westcore
Small-Cap Growth Fund invests primarily in the common stock
of small companies which appear to have above average revenue and
earnings growth potential. This includes, but is not limited to, Initial
Public Offerings (?IPO?), a corporation's first offering of stock to
the public. Small companies may benefit from factors such as new
products and services and more entrepreneurial management than larger
companies. Small company stocks may have higher return/risk potential
than larger company stocks.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80%
of the value of this Fund's total net assets is invested in small-cap
companies.* For purposes of this policy, the Fund currently considers
small-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations of $2
billion or less at the time of purchase. As of June 30, 2001, the median
capitalization of the companies in which the Fund was invested was
approximately $820 million.
Westcore Select
Fund invests primarily in common stock of a limited number of
companies of any size. The portfolio manager looks for companies in
attractive industries with above average revenue and earnings growth
opportunities. The Fund normally invests in a core group of 20 to 35
common stocks. However, the portfolio manager also has the ability to
maintain a substantial amount of the portfolio's assets invested in cash
and short-term equivalents, if he believes market conditions are
unfavorable for profitable investing.
The Westcore Select
Fund portfolio manager believes that investment returns are more
important than limiting portfolio turnover. This may result in higher
short-term capital gains and higher brokerage commissions and other
transaction costs, which could reduce the Fund's net returns.
Prospective investors should carefully consider whether to invest
through taxable or tax-deferred accounts.
Westcore
International Frontier Fund invests primarily in equity
securities of international companies with market capitalizations of
$1.5 billion or less at the time of purchase that appear to have above
average revenue and earnings growth potential. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund invests at least 65% of its assets in common
stocks of foreign companies in at least three different developed
countries. In addition, the Fund may invest in larger foreign companies
or in U.S.-based companies if, in our opinion, they represent better
prospects for long-term growth than smaller foreign companies or than
foreign companies generally. However, the portfolio manager also has the
ability to maintain a significant amount of the portfolio's assets
invested in cash and short-term equivalents, if he believes market
conditions are unfavorable for profitable investing.
Westcore
International Select Fund invests primarily in a limited
number of equity securities of international companies of any size. The
portfolio manager looks for companies in attractive industries with
above average revenue and earnings growth opportunities. Under normal
market conditions the Fund invests at least 65% of the value of its
total assets in a core group of 20 to 35 common stocks in at least three
different countries, either developed or emerging markets. In addition,
the Fund may invest in U.S.-based companies if, in our opinion, they
represent better prospects for long-term growth than foreign companies.
However, the portfolio manager also has the ability to maintain a
significant amount of the portfolio's assets invested in cash and
short-term equivalents, if he believes market conditions are unfavorable
for profitable investing.
The Westcore
International Frontier and
Westcore International Select Funds consider foreign
companies to include those domiciled outside the United States or with
the principal trading market of their securities outside the United
States. For purposes of determining the countries in which the Funds
invest, the Funds consider developed countries to include Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United
Kingdom. The Funds consider emerging market countries to be those
countries not listed as developed countries above.
Westcore Value
Funds: emphasize investments in companies that are
undervalued and have improving business prospects due to strong company
and industry dynamics.
As the first step in identifying stocks
for purchase, the portfolio managers use a proprietary computer model to
find stocks that appear to be undervalued based on traditional measures
such as price-to-earnings, price-to-book value and price-to-cash flow
ratios. The model also incorporates positive earnings and stock price
momentum in order to assist the portfolio managers in the timing of buy
decisions. The second step in the process involves fundamental research
of companies in order to evaluate their business model, products and
management. Particular attention is paid to identifying a catalyst for
unleashing the value in a stock. A Value Fund may sell a stock when the
model indicates it is no longer undervalued or its fundamental business
prospects change. The following describes our Value Funds, which execute
this strategy for the large-, medium- and small-company universes.
Westcore Blue
Chip Fund invests in approximately 50 large, well-established
companies whose stocks appear to be undervalued.** Large companies may
benefit from attributes such as market dominance, substantial financial
resources and the opportunity to be global leaders in their industries.
These characteristics may result in increased stability for the company
and a lower-risk investment for the Fund than smaller companies.
Westcore Mid-Cap
Opportunity Fund invests primarily in medium-sized companies
whose stocks appear to be undervalued. Medium-sized companies may
benefit from factors such as new products and services and more
entrepreneurial management than larger companies. These companies may
also have better opportunities for growth than larger companies by
increasing their shares of the markets they serve.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80%
of the value of this Fund's total net assets is invested in mid-cap
companies.* For purposes of this policy, the Fund currently considers
mid-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations of $500
million to $12 billion at the time of purchase. As of June 30, 2001, the
median capitalization of the companies in which the Fund was invested
was approximately $2.4 billion.
Westcore
Small-Cap Opportunity Fund invests primarily in small
companies with unrecognized potential whose stocks appear to be
undervalued. Small companies may benefit from factors such as new
products and services and more entrepreneurial management than larger
companies. Small company stocks may have higher return/risk potential
than larger company stocks.
Under normal circumstances, at least 80%
of the value of this Fund's total net assets is invested in small-cap
companies.* For purposes of this policy, the Fund currently considers
small-cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations of $2
billion or less at the time of purchase. As of June 30, 2001, the median
capitalization of the companies in which the Fund was invested was
approximately $881 million.
What are the principal
risks of investing in the Westcore Equity Funds?
As with any equity fund, the value of
your investment will fluctuate over short, or even extended periods of
time in response to overall movements in the stock market (market
risk). In addition, each of the Equity Funds is subject to the
additional risk that the particular types of stocks held by the Fund
will underperform other stocks and may decline in value (management
risk). Therefore, you could lose money by investing in the Equity
Funds.
Westcore
International Frontier and Westcore International Select Funds'
exposure to foreign markets can regularly affect the net asset value (NAV)
and total return of the Fund due to fluctuations in currency exchange
rates or changing political or economic conditions in a particular
country (foreign risk). Emerging market securities are
particularly subject to foreign risks. Therefore, the value of these
Funds may be more volatile than equity funds investing only in domestic
companies.
These Funds may use a variety of currency
hedging techniques to manage the exchange rate component of foreign
risk. If utilized, the manager believes these techniques will benefit
the Funds, however the Funds' performance could be worse if the
manager's judgement proves incorrect.
Westcore
Small-Cap Growth, Westcore International Frontier and Westcore
Small-Cap Opportunity Funds are subject to the additional
risk that the stocks of smaller and newer issuers can be more volatile
due to lack of financial resources, product diversification and
competitive strengths of larger companies (small company risk).
Therefore, the value of these Funds may be more volatile.
Westcore Select
and Westcore International Select Funds
are non-diversified. This means they may from time to time invest in
fewer companies than diversified funds. These companies may react
similarly to certain negative market or industry conditions. Also the
appreciation or depreciation of a single stock may have a greater impact
on net asset value than if the Fund held a greater number of issues (non-diversification
risk). Therefore, the value of these Funds may be more volatile than
funds which hold a greater number of issuers.
The Westcore Equity Funds, but
predominantly Westcore Growth and Income,
Westcore Small-Cap Growth, Westcore
Select, Westcore International
Frontier and Westcore Mid-Cap
Opportunity Funds have participated and may continue to
participate in the initial public offering (IPO) market. A significant
portion of the Funds' returns may be attributable to their investments
in IPOs. If the Funds have a smaller asset base, IPOs may have a
magnified impact. As the Funds' assets grow, it is probable that the
effect of the Funds' investments in IPOs on its total returns will
decline, which may reduce the Funds' total returns. In addition, IPO
shares, in particular, are subject to market risk and may be difficult
or impossible to sell at the time and price that the Fund would like (liquidity
risk). The price of IPO shares can be volatile, due to factors
including the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the
small number of shares available for trading and limited investor
information (IPO risk). The purchase of IPO shares may involve
higher transaction costs.
An investment in these Funds is not a
bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.
**Shareholders will receive notice 60
days prior to any change in this policy.
**The Fund will notify shareholders 60 days prior to any change in the
Fund's investment policies that will result in the Fund investing, under
normal circumstances, less than 80% of the value of its total net assets
in companies that are large and well established at the time of
purchase.
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