485BPOS 1 ftrsiform.htm Federated Total Return Series, Inc.

                                                    1933 Act File No. 33-50773
                                                    1940 Act File No. 811-7115


                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  Form N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.....       X


      Pre-Effective Amendment No. ______....................      ____

      Post-Effective Amendment No.  31  ...................       _X__

                                    and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   _X__

      Amendment No. 35 ....................................       _X__

                     FEDERATED TOTAL RETURN SERIES, INC.
              (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                          Federated Investors Funds
                             5800 Corporate Drive
                     Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237-7000
                   (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                (412) 288-1900
                       (Registrant's Telephone Number)

                          John W. McGonigle, Esquire
                          Federated Investors Tower
                             1001 Liberty Avenue
                     Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779
                    (Name and Address of Agent for Service)
              (Notices should be sent to the Agent for Service)

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

____   immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
_X_   on __April 7, 2003___pursuant to paragraph (b)
_  _  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) (i)
____  on __________________pursuant to paragraph (a) (i)
____  75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
____  on __________________pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

____ This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
      previously filed post-effective amendment.

Copies To:

Matthew G. Maloney, Esquire
Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP
2101 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037

Federated Investors
World-Class Investment Manager

Federated Total Return Bond Fund

A Portfolio of Federated Total Return Series, Inc.

 

PROSPECTUS

April 7, 2003

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CLASS K SHARES

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A mutual fund seeking to provide total return by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade fixed income securities.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

NOT FDIC INSURED * MAY LOSE VALUE * NO BANK GUARANTEE

CONTENTS

Risk/Return Summary 1

What are the Fund's Fees and Expenses? 5

What are the Fund's Investment Strategies? 6

What are the Principal Securities in Which the Fund Invests? 7

What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund? 11

What Do Shares Cost? 13

How is the Fund Sold? 14

How to Purchase Shares 14

How to Redeem and Exchange Shares 16

Account and Share Information 19

Who Manages the Fund? 20

Financial Information 21

Risk/Return Summary

WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE?

The Fund's investment objective is to provide total return. The Fund's total return will consist of two components: (1) changes in the market value of its portfolio securities (both realized and unrealized appreciation); and (2) income received from its portfolio securities. The Fund expects that income will comprise the largest component of its total return. The Fund seeks to provide the appreciation component of total return by selecting those securities whose prices will, in the opinion of the Fund's investment adviser (Adviser), benefit from anticipated changes in economic and market conditions. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the strategies and policies described in this prospectus.

WHAT ARE THE FUND'S MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES?

The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade fixed income securities, including mortgage backed securities, corporate debt securities and U.S. government obligations. The Adviser seeks to enhance the Fund's performance by allocating relatively more of its portfolio to the sector that the Adviser expects to offer the best balance between total return and risk and thus offer the greatest potential for return. The Adviser may lengthen or shorten duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook, but the Fund has no set duration parameters. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND?

All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund's returns include:

  • Interest Rate Risk. Prices of fixed income securities generally fall when interest rates rise.
  • Prepayment Risk. When homeowners prepay their mortgages in response to lower interest rates, the Fund will be required to reinvest the proceeds at the lower interest rates available. Also, when interest rates fall, the price of mortgage backed securities may not rise to as great an extent as that of other fixed income securities.
  • Credit Risk. There is a possibility that issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest may default in the payment of interest or principal on the securities when due, which would cause the Fund to lose money.
  • Liquidity Risk. The fixed income securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities.
  • Risks Associated with Non-Investment Grade Securities. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities rated below investment grade which may be subject to greater interest rate, credit and liquidity risks than investment grade securities.
  • Risks of Foreign Investing. Because the Fund invests in securities issued by foreign companies, the Fund's share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.

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The Shares offered by this prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

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Risk/Return Bar Chart and Table

The Fund's Class K Shares is a new class of shares, and will commence operations on April 7, 2003. The Fund offers five other classes of shares: Institutional Shares, Institutional Service Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. For the period prior to the commencement of operations of the Class K Shares, the performance information shown in the bar chart below is for the Fund's Institutional Shares, adjusted to reflect the expenses of the Class K Shares. This performance information will help you to analyze the Fund's investment risks in light of the historical returns. The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund's Class K Shares total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis. The Fund's performance will fluctuate, and past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

The Fund's Class K Shares are sold without a sales charge (load). The total returns shown in the bar chart above are based upon net asset value.

Average Annual Total Return Table

As previously discussed, the Fund's Class K Shares is a new class of shares, which will commence operations on April 7, 2003. Accordingly, for the period prior to the commence of operations, the performance information shown in the Average Annual Total Return Table is for the Fund's Institutional Shares, adjusted to reflect the expenses of the Class K Shares. The Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods and includes comparative performance information in the form of returns for the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index (LBAB), a broad-based market index. The LBAB is an unmanaged index composed of securities from the Lehman Brothers Government/Credit Total Index, Mortgage Backed Securities Index and the Asset Backed Securities Index. Total return comprises price appreciation/depreciation and income as a percentage of the original investment. The index is rebalanced monthly by market capitalization. Index returns do not reflect taxes, sales charges, expenses or other fees that the SEC requires to be reflected in the Fund's performance. Indexes are unmanaged and it is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(For the periods ended December 31, 2002)

 

  

1 Year

  

5 Years

  

Start of
Performance1

Fund

 

8.06%

 

6.25%

 

6.97%

LBAB

10.25%

 

7.55%

 

8.08%

1 The start of performance date of the Fund's Institutional Shares was October 1, 1996.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This information provides you with historical performance information so that you can analyze whether the Fund's investment risks are balanced by its potential returns.

What are the Fund's Fees and Expenses?

FEDERATED TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund's Class K Shares.

 

Shareholder Fees

  

Fees Paid Directly From Your Investment

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

 

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)

 

None

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)

 

None

Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)

 

None

Exchange Fee

 

None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver)1

Expenses That are Deducted From Fund Assets (as a percentage of average net assets)

 

 

Management Fee2

 

0.40%

Distribution (12b-1) Fee

 

0.50%

Other Expenses

 

0.43%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

1.33%

1 Although not contractually obligated to do so, the Adviser will waive certain amounts. These are shown below along with the net expenses the Fund expects to pay for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2003.

Total Waiver of Fund Expenses

 

0.23%

Total Actual Annual Fund Operating Expenses (after waiver)

 

1.10%

2 The Adviser will voluntarily waive a portion of the management fee. The Adviser can terminate this voluntary waiver at any time. The management fee paid by the Fund (after the voluntary waiver) is expected to be 0.17% for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2003.

EXAMPLE

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Class K Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund's Class K Shares for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's Class K Shares operating expenses are before waiver as shown in the table and remain the same. Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year

  

$135


3 Years

   

$421


What are the Fund's Investment Strategies?

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing primarily in U.S.-dollar denominated investment-grade fixed income securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in high-yield, non-U.S.-dollar, and emerging market fixed income securities when the Adviser considers the risk-return prospects of those sectors to be attractive.

The Adviser expects that, normally, no more than 10% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in securities that are rated below investment grade. However, the Fund may opportunistically invest up to 25% of its total assets in non-investment grade debt securities. The amount of any unhedged, non-U.S.-dollar securities in the Fund's portfolio will normally not exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets. The maximum amount that the Fund may invest in unhedged, non-U.S.-dollar securities is 20% of the Fund's total assets. A description of the various types of securities in which the Fund principally invests, and their risks, immediately follows this strategy section.

The Adviser actively manages the Fund's portfolio seeking total returns over longer time periods in excess of the Fund's benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index ("LBAB"). The LBAB is a composite index of the domestic investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, represented by the following sectors: government and credit securities, agency mortgage pass through securities, asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be successful in achieving investment returns in excess of the LBAB.

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The Adviser utilizes a four-part decision-making process.

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  • First, the Adviser lengthens or shortens portfolio duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook. "Duration" measures the sensitivity of a security's price to changes in interest rates. The greater a portfolio's average duration, the greater the change in the portfolio's value in response to a change in market interest rates.
  • Second, the Adviser strategically positions the portfolio based on its expectations for changes in the yield curve. The Adviser tries to combine individual portfolio securities with different durations to take advantage of relative changes in interest rates. Relative changes in interest rates may occur whenever longer-term interest rates move more, less or in a different direction than shorter-term interest rates.
  • Third, the Adviser pursues relative value opportunities within the sectors in which the Fund may invest. The Fund primarily invests in the "core" sectors of the domestic investment-grade debt market represented in the LBAB. However, the Fund may also invest a portion of its assets in non-investment grade debt securities and non-U.S.-dollar debt securities. The Adviser may hedge its investment returns from securities denominated in foreign currencies. A currency hedge is a transaction intended to remove the influence of currency fluctuations on investment returns. The Fund's investment strategy exposes investors to additional risks, which include credit risk, interest rate risk and risks of foreign investing.
  • Finally, the Adviser selects individual securities within each sector that it believes may outperform a sector-specific benchmark. For example, the Adviser employs a fundamental analysis to determine the best corporate debt securities within specific credit quality constraints. Similarly, with respect to mortgage-backed debt securities, the Adviser utilizes sophisticated quantitative models to analyze specific characteristics of the underlying pool and find the best available securities in the sector.

This four-part investment process is designed to capture the depth of experience and focus of each of the Adviser's fixed-income sector teams--government, corporate, mortgage-backed, asset-backed, high yield and international.

Because the Fund refers to fixed income investments in its name, it will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policies that would enable the Fund to normally invest less than 80% of its assets in fixed income investments.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in cash and shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations. It may do this to minimize potential losses and maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions during adverse market conditions. This may cause the Fund to give up greater investment returns to maintain the safety of principal, that is, the original amount invested by shareholders.

What are the Principal Securities in Which the Fund Invests?

FIXED INCOME SECURITIES

Fixed income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or adjusted periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed income security must repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed income securities provide more regular income than equity securities. However, the returns on fixed income securities are limited and normally do not increase with the issuer's earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed income securities as compared to equity securities.

A security's yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a percentage of its price. A security's yield will increase or decrease depending upon whether it costs less (a discount) or more (a premium) than the principal amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have higher yields.

The following describes the types of fixed income securities in which the Fund primarily invests.

Mortgage Backed Securities

Mortgage backed securities represent interests in pools of mortgages. The mortgages that comprise a pool normally have similar interest rates, maturities and other terms. Mortgages may have fixed or adjustable interest rates. Interests in pools of adjustable rate mortgages are known as ARMs. Mortgage backed securities come in a variety of forms. Many have extremely complicated terms. The simplest form of mortgage backed securities are pass-through certificates. An issuer of pass-through certificates gathers monthly payments from an underlying pool of mortgages. Then, the issuer deducts its fees and expenses and passes the balance of the payments on to the certificate holders once a month. Holders of pass-through certificates receive a pro rata share of all payments and pre-payments from the underlying mortgages. As a result, the holders assume all the prepayment risks of the underlying mortgages.

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS (CMOS)

CMOs, including interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs), allocate payments and prepayments from an underlying pass-through certificate among holders of different classes of mortgage backed securities. This creates different prepayment and interest rate risks for each CMO class. The degree of increased or decreased prepayment risks depends upon the structure of the CMOs. However, the actual returns on any type of mortgage backed security depend upon the performance of the underlying pool of mortgages, which no one can predict and will vary among pools.

Treasury Securities

Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the United States. Treasury securities are generally regarded as having the lowest credit risks.

Agency Securities

Agency securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or other government sponsored entity acting under federal authority (a Government Sponsored Entity, or GSE). The United States supports some GSEs with its full faith and credit. Other GSEs receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. A few GSEs have no explicit financial support, but are regarded as having implied support because the federal government sponsors their activities. Agency securities are generally regarded as having low credit risks, but not as low as treasury securities.

The Fund treats mortgage backed securities guaranteed by GSEs as agency securities. Although a GSE guarantee protects against credit risks, it does not reduce the interest rate and prepayment risks of these mortgage backed securities.

Corporate Debt Securities

Corporate debt securities are fixed income securities issued by businesses. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most prevalent types of corporate debt securities. The Fund may also purchase interests in bank loans to companies. The credit risks of corporate debt securities vary widely among issuers.

In addition, the credit risk of an issuer's debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (senior) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (subordinated) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of subordinated securities. Some subordinated securities, such as trust preferred and capital securities notes, also permit the issuer to defer payments under certain circumstances. For example, insurance companies issue securities known as surplus notes that permit the insurance company to defer any payment that would reduce its capital below regulatory requirements.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

Foreign securities are securities of issuers based outside the United States. The Fund considers an issuer to be based outside the United States if:

  • it is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office located in, another country;
  • the principal trading market for its securities is in another country; or
  • it (or its subsidiaries) derived in its most current fiscal year at least 50% of its total assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit from goods produced, services performed, or sales made in another country.

Foreign securities are primarily denominated in foreign currencies. Along with the risks normally associated with domestic securities of the same type, foreign securities are subject to currency risks and risks of foreign investing. Trading in certain foreign markets is also subject to liquidity risks.

Foreign Government Securities

Foreign government securities generally consist of fixed income securities supported by national, state or provincial governments or similar political subdivisions. Foreign government securities also include debt obligations of supranational entities, such as international organizations designed or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development, international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Foreign government securities also include fixed income securities of quasi-governmental agencies that are either 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. Further, foreign government securities include mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by national, state or provincial governmental instrumentalities, including quasi-governmental agencies.

INVESTING IN SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES

The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies, including the securities of affiliated money market funds, as an efficient means of carrying out its investment policies and managing its uninvested cash.

The Fund may invest in mortgage backed, high yield and certain international fixed income securities primarily by investing in other investment companies (which are not available for general investment by the public) that own those securities and that are advised by an affiliate of the Adviser. These other investment companies are managed independently of the Fund and may incur additional administrative expenses. Therefore, any such investment by the Fund may be subject to duplicate expenses. However, the Adviser believes that the benefits and efficiencies of this approach should outweigh the potential additional expenses. The Fund may also invest in such securities directly.

Investment Ratings for Investment Grade Securities

The Adviser will determine whether a security is investment grade based upon the credit ratings given by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs). For example, Standard & Poor's (S&P), a rating service, assigns ratings to investment grade securities (AAA, AA, A, and BBB) based on their assessment of the likelihood of the issuer's inability to pay interest or principal (default) when due on each security. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser's credit assessment that the security is comparable to investment grade.

If a security is downgraded below the minimum quality grade discussed above, the Adviser will reevaluate the security, but will not be required to sell it.

What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?

INTEREST RATE RISKS

  • Prices of fixed income securities rise and fall in response to changes in the interest rate paid by similar securities. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed income securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular fixed income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.
  • Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed income securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates.

PREPAYMENT RISKS

  • Generally, homeowners have the option to prepay their mortgages at any time without penalty. Homeowners frequently refinance high interest rate mortgages when mortgage rates fall. This results in the prepayment of mortgage backed securities with higher interest rates. Conversely, prepayments due to refinancings decrease when mortgage rates increase. This extends the life of mortgage backed securities with lower interest rates. Other economic factors can also lead to increases or decreases in prepayments. Increases in prepayments of high interest rate mortgage backed securities, or decreases in prepayments of lower interest rate mortgage backed securities, may reduce their yield and price. These factors, particularly the relationship between interest rates and mortgage prepayments, makes the price of mortgage backed securities more volatile than many other types of fixed income securities with comparable credit risks.
  • Mortgage backed securities generally compensate for greater prepayment risk by paying a higher yield. The difference between the yield of a mortgage backed security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable maturity (the spread) measures the additional interest paid for risk. Spreads may increase generally in response to adverse economic or market conditions. A security's spread may also increase if the security is perceived to have an increased prepayment risk or perceived to have less market demand. An increase in the spread will cause the price of the security to decline.
  • The Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds of mortgage prepayments in other fixed income securities with lower interest rates, higher prepayment risks, or other less favorable characteristics.

CREDIT RISKS

  • Credit risk is the possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, the Fund will lose money.
  • Many fixed income securities receive credit ratings from services such as S&P and Moody's Investors Service. These services assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of issuer default. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser's credit assessment.
  • Fixed income securities generally compensate for greater credit risk by paying interest at a higher rate. The difference between the yield of a security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable maturity (the spread) measures the additional interest paid for risk. Spreads may increase generally in response to adverse economic or market conditions. A security's spread may also increase if the security's rating is lowered, or the security is perceived to have an increased credit risk. An increase in the spread will cause the price of the security to decline.
  • Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.

LIQUIDITY RISKS

  • Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held.
  • These features may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund's performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility.
  • Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out a derivative contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to continue to hold the security or keep the position open, and the Fund could incur losses.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH NONINVESTMENT GRADE SECURITIES

  • Securities rated below investment grade, also known as junk bonds, generally entail greater market, credit and liquidity risks than investment grade securities. For example, their prices are more volatile, economic downturns and financial setbacks may affect their prices more negatively, and their trading market may be more limited.

RISKS OF FOREIGN INVESTING

  • Foreign securities pose additional risks because foreign economic or political conditions may be less favorable than those of the United States. Securities in foreign markets may also be subject to taxation policies that reduce returns for U.S. investors.
  • Foreign companies may not provide information (including financial statements) as frequently or to as great an extent as companies in the United States. Foreign companies may also receive less coverage than U.S. companies by market analysts and the financial press. In addition, foreign countries may lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or regulatory requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. These factors may prevent the Fund and its Adviser from obtaining information concerning foreign companies that is as frequent, extensive and reliable as the information available concerning companies in the United States.
  • Foreign countries may have restrictions on foreign ownership of securities or may impose exchange controls, capital flow restrictions or repatriation restrictions which could adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund's investments.

What Do Shares Cost?

You can purchase or redeem Shares any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this prospectus) it is processed at the next calculated net asset value (NAV). From time to time the Fund may purchase foreign securities that trade in foreign markets on days the NYSE is closed. The value of the Fund's assets may change on days you cannot purchase or redeem Shares. The Fund's Class K Shares do not charge a front-end sales charge. NAV is determined at the end of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open. The Fund generally values fixed income securities according to the mean between bid and asked prices as furnished by an independent pricing service, except that fixed income securities with remaining maturities of less than 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost.

The Fund's current NAV and public offering price may be found in the mutual funds section of certain local newspapers under "Federated."

The minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts for retirement plans are $250 and $100, respectively.

A retirement plan's minimum investment is calculated by combining all accounts it maintains with the Fund. Accounts established through investment professionals may be subject to a smaller minimum investment amount. Keep in mind that investment professionals may charge you fees for their services in connection with your Share transactions.

How is the Fund Sold?

The Fund offers six Share classes: Institutional Shares, Institutional Service Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class K Shares each representing interests in a single portfolio of securities. This prospectus relates only to Class K Shares. All Share classes have different sales charges and other expenses, which affect their performance. Contact your investment professional or call 1-800-341-7400 for more information concerning the other classes.

The Fund's Distributor, Federated Securities Corp., markets the Shares described in this prospectus generally to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans and IRA Rollovers from such plans, directly or through investment professionals. Class K Shares are generally available only to retirement plans where plan level omnibus accounts are held on the books of the fund.

When the Distributor receives marketing fees, it may pay some or all of them to investment professionals. The Distributor and its affiliates may pay out of their assets other amounts (including items of material value) to investment professionals for marketing and servicing Shares. The Distributor is a subsidiary of Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated).

RULE 12B-1 PLAN

The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan, which allows it to pay marketing fees to the Distributor and investment professionals for the sale, distribution and customer servicing of the Fund's Class K Shares. Because these Shares pay marketing fees on an ongoing basis, your investment cost may be higher over time than other shares with different marketing fees.

How to Purchase Shares

You may purchase Shares through an investment professional or directly from the Fund, or through an exchange from another Federated fund. The Fund reserves the right to reject any request to purchase or exchange Shares.

Where the Fund offers more than one share class and you do not specify the class choice on your New Account Form or form of payment (e.g., Federal Reserve wire or check) you automatically will receive Class A Shares.

THROUGH AN INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL

  • Establish an account with the investment professional; and
  • Submit your purchase order to the investment professional before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). You will receive the next calculated NAV if the investment professional forwards the order to the Fund on the same day and the Fund receives payment within one business day. You will become the owner of Shares and receive dividends when the Fund receives your payment.

Investment professionals should send payments according to the instructions in the sections "By Wire" or "By Check."

DIRECTLY FROM THE FUND

  • Establish your account with the Fund by submitting a completed New Account Form; and
  • Send your payment to the Fund by Federal Reserve wire or check.

You will become the owner of Shares and your Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your wire or your check. If your check does not clear, your purchase will be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Fund or Federated Shareholder Services Company, the Fund's transfer agent.

An institution may establish an account and place an order by calling the Fund and the Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order.

By Wire

Send your wire to:

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, MA

Dollar Amount of Wire

ABA Number 011000028

Attention: EDGEWIRE

Wire Order Number, Dealer Number or Group Number

Nominee/Institution Name

Fund Name and Number and Account Number

You cannot purchase Shares by wire on holidays when wire transfers are restricted.

By Check

Make your check payable to The Federated Funds, note your account number on the check, and mail it to:

Federated Shareholder Services Company

P.O. Box 8600

Boston, MA 02266-8600

If you send your check by a private courier or overnight delivery service that requires a street address, mail it to:

Federated Shareholder Services Company

1099 Hingham Street

Rockland, MA 02370-3317

Payment should be made in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase request. For example, to protect against check fraud the Fund may reject any purchase request involving a check that is not made payable to The Federated Funds (including, but not limited to, requests to purchase Shares using third-party checks), or involving temporary checks or credit card checks.

BY SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Once you have opened an account, you may automatically purchase additional Shares on a regular basis by completing the Systematic Investment Program section of the New Account Form or by contacting the Fund or your investment professional. The minimum investment amount for SIPs is $50.

BY AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE (ACH)

Once you have opened an account, you may purchase additional Shares through a depository institution that is an ACH member. This purchase option can be established by completing the appropriate sections of the New Account Form.

THROUGH AN EXCHANGE

You may purchase Shares through an exchange from the same share class of another Federated fund. You must meet the minimum initial investment requirement for purchasing Shares and both accounts must have identical registrations.

How to Redeem and Exchange Shares

You should redeem or exchange Shares:

  • through an investment professional if you purchased Shares through an investment professional; or
  • directly from the Fund if you purchased Shares directly from the Fund.

THROUGH AN INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL

Submit your redemption or exchange request to your investment professional by the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The redemption amount you will receive is based upon the next calculated NAV after the Fundreceives the order from your investment professional.

DIRECTLY FROM THE FUND

By Telephone

You may redeem or exchange Shares by simply calling the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.

If you call before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), you will receive a redemption amount based on that day's NAV.

By Mail

You may redeem or exchange Shares by mailing a written request to the Fund.

You will receive a redemption amount based on the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your written request in proper form.

Send requests by mail to:

Federated Shareholder Services Company

P.O. Box 8600

Boston, MA 02266-8600

Send requests by private courier or overnight delivery service to:

Federated Shareholder Services Company

1099 Hingham Street

Rockland, MA 02370-3317

All requests must include:

  • Fund Name and Share Class, account number and account registration;
  • amount to be redeemed or exchanged;
  • signatures of all shareholders exactly as registered; and
  • if exchanging, the Fund Name and Share Class, account number and account registration into which you are exchanging.

Call your investment professional or the Fund if you need special instructions.

Signature Guarantees

Signatures must be guaranteed if:

  • your redemption will be sent to an address other than the address of record;
  • your redemption will be sent to an address of record that was changed within the last 30 days; or
  • a redemption is payable to someone other than the shareholder(s) of record; or
  • if exchanging (transferring) into another fund with a different shareholder registration.

A signature guarantee is designed to protect your account from fraud. Obtain a signature guarantee from a bank or trust company, savings association, credit union or broker, dealer, or securities exchange member. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.

PAYMENT METHODS FOR REDEMPTIONS

Your redemption proceeds will be mailed by check to your address of record. The following payment options are available if you complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form. These payment options require a signature guarantee if they were not established when the account was opened:

  • an electronic transfer to your account at a financial institution that is an ACH member; or
  • wire payment to your account at a domestic commercial bank that is a Federal Reserve System member.

Redemption in Kind

Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of the Fund's portfolio securities.

LIMITATIONS ON REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

Redemption proceeds normally are wired or mailed within one business day after receiving a request in proper form. Payment may be delayed up to seven days:

  • to allow your purchase to clear;
  • during periods of market volatility; or
  • when a shareholder's trade activity or amount adversely impacts the Fund's ability to manage its assets.

You will not accrue interest or dividendson uncashed checks from the Fund if those checks are undeliverable and returned to the Fund.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

You may exchange Shares of the Fund into shares of the same class of another Federated fund. To do this, you must:

  • ensure that the account registrations are identical;
  • meet any minimum initial investment requirements; and
  • receive a prospectus for the fund into which you wish to exchange.

An exchange is treated as a redemption and a subsequent purchase, and is a taxable transaction.

The Fund may modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time. The Fund's management or Adviser may determine from the amount, frequency and pattern of exchanges that a shareholder is engaged in excessive trading that is detrimental to the Fund and other shareholders. If this occurs, the Fund may terminate the availability of exchanges to that shareholder and may bar that shareholder from purchasing other Federated funds.

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL/EXCHANGE PROGRAM

You may automatically redeem or exchange Shares in a minimum amount of $100 on a regular basis. Complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form or contact your investment professional or the Fund. Your account value must meet the minimum initial investment amount at the time the program is established. This program may reduce, and eventually deplete, your account. Payments should not be considered yield or income.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS

Telephone Transactions

The Fund will record your telephone instructions. If the Fund does not follow reasonable procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.

Share Certificates

The Fund no longerissues share certificates. If you are redeeming Shares represented by certificates previously issued by the Fund, you must return the certificates with your written redemption request. For your protection, send your certificates by registered or certified mail, but do not endorse them.

Account and Share Information

CONFIRMATIONS AND ACCOUNT STATEMENTS

You will receive confirmation of purchases and redemptions (except for systematic transactions). In addition, you will receive periodic statements reporting all account activity, including systematic transactions, dividends and capital gains paid.

DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS

The Fund declares any dividends daily and pays them monthly to shareholders. If you purchase Shares by wire, you begin earning dividends on the day your wire is received. If you purchase Shares by check, you begin earning dividends on the business day after the Fund receives your check. In either case, you earn dividends through the day your redemption request is received.

In addition, the Fund pays any capital gains at least annually. Your dividends and capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Shares without a sales charge, unless you elect cash payments.

If you purchase Shares just before a Fund declares a capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the Shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution, whether or not you reinvest the distribution in Shares. Therefore, you should consider the tax implications of purchasing Shares shortly before the Fund declares a capital gain. Contact your investment professional or the Fund for information concerning when dividends and capital gains will be paid.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund sends an annual statement of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. Fund distributions of dividends and capital gains are taxable to you whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund. Dividends are taxable as ordinary income; capital gains are taxable at different rates depending upon the length of time the Fund holds its assets.

Fund distributions are expected to be both dividends and capital gains. Redemptions and exchanges are taxable sales. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your federal, state and local tax liability.

Who Manages the Fund?

The Board of Directors governs the Fund. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, Federated Investment Management Company. The Adviser manages the Fund's assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. The Adviser's address is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779.

The Adviser and other subsidiaries of Federated advise approximately 138 mutual funds and a variety of separate accounts, which totaled approximately $195 billion in assets as of December 31, 2002. Federated was established in 1955 and is one of the largest mutual fund investment managers in the United States with approximately 1,700 employees. More than 5,000 investment professionals make Federated funds available to their customers.

THE FUND'S PORTFOLIO MANAGERS ARE:

Joseph M. Balestrino

Joseph M. Balestrino has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since September 1996. He is Vice President of Federated Total Return Series, Inc. Mr. Balestrino joined Federated in 1986 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1998. He was a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Balestrino served as a Portfolio Manager and an Assistant Vice President of the Adviser from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Balestrino is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mark E. Durbiano

Mark E. Durbiano has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since inception. Mr. Durbiano joined Federated in 1982 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager and a Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1996. From 1988 through 1995, Mr. Durbiano was a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser. Mr. Durbiano is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh.

Donald T. Ellenberger

Donald T. Ellenberger has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since November 1997. Mr. Ellenberger joined Federated in 1996 as a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of a Federated advisory subsidiary. He has been a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1997. From 1986 to 1996, he served as a Trader/Portfolio Manager for Mellon Bank, N.A. Mr. Ellenberger received his M.B.A. in Finance from Stanford University.

Christopher J. Smith

Christopher J. Smith was named a Portfolio Manager of the Fund on June 1, 2000. Mr. Smith joined Federated in 1995 as a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of a Federated advisory subsidiary. He has been a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1997. He was an Assistant Vice President of Provident Life & Accident Insurance Company from 1987 through 1994. Mr. Smith is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He received his M.A. in Economics and Finance from the University of Kentucky.

ADVISORY FEES

The Adviser receives an annual investment advisory fee of 0.40% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses.

Financial Information

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Fund's fiscal year end is November 30. As this is the Class' first fiscal year, financial information is not yet available.

A Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated December 31, 2002, and revised April 7, 2003 is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Additional information about the Fund and its investments is contained in the Fund's SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders as they become available. To obtain the SAI, Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other information without charge, and to make inquiries, call your investment professional or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.

You can obtain information about the Fund (including the SAI) by writing to or visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. You may also access Fund information from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can purchase copies of this information by contacting the SEC by email at publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. Call 1-202-942-8090 for information on the Public Reference Room's operations and copying fees.

Federated Investors
World-Class Investment Manager

Federated Total Return Bond Fund
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
www.federatedinvestors.com

Contact us at 1-800-341-7400 or
www.federatedinvestors.com/contact

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

Investment Company Act File No. 811-7115

Federated is a registered mark of Federated Investors, Inc. 2003 ©Federated Investors, Inc.

<R>

Cusip 31428Q770

</R>

28212 (4/03)

 

Federated Total Return Bond Fund

A Portfolio of Federated Total Return Series, Inc.

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

January 31, 2003 (Revised April 7, 2003)

<R>

CLASS A SHARES
CLASS B SHARES
CLASS C SHARES
CLASS K SHARES

</R>

This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. Read this SAI in conjunction with the combined prospectus for Class A, B and C Shares of Federated Total Return Bond Fund (Fund), dated January 31, 2003, and the prospectus for Class K Shares dated April 7, 2003. This SAI incorporates by reference the Fund's Annual Report. Obtain the prospectuses or the Annual Report without charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.

Federated Investors
World-Class Investment Manager

Federated Total Return Bond Fund
Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000
www.federatedinvestors.com

Contact us at 1-800-341-7400 or
www.federatedinvestors.com/contact

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

26521(3/03)

Federated is a registered mark of Federated Investors, Inc. 2003 ©Federated Investors, Inc.

CONTENTS

How is the Fund Organized? 1

Investment Strategy 1

Securities in Which the Fund Invests 3

What Do Shares Cost? 11

How is the Fund Sold? 12

Exchanging Securities for Shares 13

Subaccounting Services 13

Redemption in Kind 13

Account and Share Information 14

Tax Information 14

Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund? 15

How Does the Fund Measure Performance? 20

Who is Federated Investors, Inc.? 22

Financial Information 23

Investment Ratings 23

Addresses 25

How is the Fund Organized?

The Fund is a diversified portfolio of Federated Total Return Series, Inc. (Corporation). The Corporation is an open-end, management investment company that was established under the laws of the State of Maryland on October 11, 1993. The Corporation may offer separate series of shares representing interests in separate portfolios of securities.

The Board of Directors (the Board) has established six classes of shares of the Fund, known as Institutional Shares, Institutional Service Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Class K Shares (Shares). This SAI relates to Class A, B,C and K Shares. The Fund's investment adviser is Federated Investment Management Company (Adviser).

Investment Strategy

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing primarily in U.S.-dollar denominated investment-grade fixed income securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in high-yield, non-U.S.- dollar, and emerging market fixed income securities when the Adviser considers the risk-return prospects of those sectors to be attractive. Investment grade debt securities are rated BBB or higher by Standard & Poor's or have a comparable rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), or if unrated, are of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser. Non-investment grade securities are rated BB or lower by Standard & Poor's or have a comparable rating NRSRO, or are of comparable quality if unrated.

The Adviser actively manages the Fund's portfolio seeking total return over longer time periods in excess of the Fund's benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index ("LBAB"). This index covers the investment grade fixed income securities market, including government and credit securities, agency mortgage passthrough securities, asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. These major sectors are subdivided into more specific indices.

The Fund invests in each of these sectors but may also invest a portion of its portfolio in foreign investment grade debt securities and domestic or foreign non-investment grade securities. Domestic non-investment grade debt securities include both convertible and high-yield corporate debt securities. Foreign governments or corporations in either emerging or developed market countries issue foreign non-investment grade and foreign investment grade debt securities. The foreign debt securities in which the Fund may invest may be denominated in either foreign currency or in U.S. Dollars.

The Adviser utilizes the following four-part decision making process in order to create a diversified, risk-adjusted portfolio:

  • First, the Adviser may lengthen or shorten portfolio duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook. "Duration" measures the sensitivity of a security's price to changes in interest rates. The Adviser adjusts the portfolio's duration by buying and selling securities of different maturities. There are no limits on the duration of a security that the Adviser may purchase. The greater a portfolio's average duration, the greater the change in the portfolio's value in response to a change in market interest rates. The average duration of the portfolio is normally within +/- 20% of the duration of the LBAB. However, the duration of the Fund's portfolio is not limited as a matter of investment policy.

With respect to its general duration management strategy, the Adviser tries to extend the portfolio's average duration when it expects interest rates to fall and shorten the duration when it expects interest rates to rise. This method seeks to enhance the returns from favorable interest rate changes and reduce the effect of unfavorable changes.

The Adviser's interest rate outlook is the most important factor in selecting the methods used to manage the duration of the portfolio. The Adviser formulates its interest rate outlook and otherwise attempts to anticipate changes in economic and market conditions by analyzing a variety of factors such as:

  • current and expected U.S. growth;
  • current and expected interest rates and inflation;
  • the U.S. Federal Reserve Board's monetary policy; and
  • changes in the supply of or demand for U.S. government securities.

There is no assurance that the Adviser will be successful in its efforts to forecast market interest rates and assess relative risks and the impact of market interest rates on particular securities.

  • Second, the Adviser strategically positions the portfolio based on its expectations for changes in the yield curve. In constructing a portfolio with a targeted average duration, the adviser tries to combine individual portfolio securities with different durations to take advantage of relative changes in interest rates. Relative changes in interest rates may occur whenever longer-term interest rates move more, less or in a different direction than shorter-term interest rates. As a general matter, the adviser typically structures the portfolio in one of the following ways:
    • A "bulleted" portfolio structure consists primarily of securities with durations close to the portfolio's average duration. The Adviser may use this structure, for example, when it expects the difference between longer-term and shorter-term interest rates to increase.
    • A "barbelled" portfolio structure consists primarily of securities with durations above and below the average duration. The Adviser may use this structure, for example, when it expects the difference between longer-term and shorter-term interest rates to decrease.
    • A "laddered" portfolio structure consists of securities with durations above, below, and at the average duration. The Adviser may use this structure, for example, when it expects longer-term and shorter-term interest rates to change by approximately the same amount. Generally, when a laddered portfolio structure is used, it is designed so that the durations of the securities in the portfolio are consistent with the durations of the securities in the portfolio's benchmark.
  • Third, the Adviser seeks to enhance the Fund's performance by allocating relatively more of its portfolio to the sector that is expected to offer the best balance between total return and risk and thus offer the greatest potential for return. The allocation process is based on the Adviser's continuing analysis of a variety of sector-specific economic and market indicators in order to arrive at the projected yield "spread" of each security. (The spread is the difference between the yield of a security versus the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable average life.) A security's projected spread is then weighed against the spread at which the security can currently be purchased.

In making the sector allocations, the Adviser considers the historical performance of each sector, risk present in a sector and a variety of economic and market indicators, which include the following:

  • Asset backed securities are secured by and paid from a pool of underlying assets, such as automobile installment sales contracts, home equity loans, property leases and credit card receivables. The quality of the underlying assets will determine the risk and potential return of these securities. The Fund generally invests in higher-quality, lower-risk asset-backed securities which provide a return that normally exceeds U.S. Treasury securities. Asset-backed securities are generally issued by private issuers and expose investors to interest rate, credit and prepayment risks.
  • Mortgage backed securities tend to amortize principal on a somewhat irregular schedule over time, since the borrower can usually prepay all or part of the loan without penalty. These securities generally offer higher yields versus U.S. Treasury securities and non-mortgage backed agency securities to compensate for this prepayment risk, as well as credit risk if they are issued by private issuers.
  • Corporate debt securities generally offer higher yields than U.S. government securities to compensate for credit risk. The Adviser invests the Fund's portfolio, seeking the higher relative returns of available corporate debt securities, while attempting to limit the associated credit risk.
  • The Fund may invest a portion of its portfolio in non-investment grade fixed income securities. The non-investment grade securities in which the Fund invests generally pay higher interest rates as compensation for the greater default risk attached to the securities. The Fund may invest in non-investment grade debt securities primarily by investing in another investment company (which is not available for general investment by the public) that owns those securities and that is advised by an affiliate of the Adviser.
  • Foreign fixed income securities, particularly lower-rated foreign debt securities, also generally offer higher yields than domestic fixed income securities, as compensation for higher credit risks of the issuers. In order to diversify the Fund's holdings and to gain exposure to a foreign market, the Adviser may invest a portion of the Fund's assets in debt securities issued either by foreign governments or by companies based outside of the United States. Securities of foreign companies may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than those of United States companies.
Finally, the Adviser's attempts to select individual securities that it believes may outperform a sector-specific benchmark or provide better returns than U.S. Treasury securities of comparable duration. Through ongoing relative value analysis, the Adviser generally compares current yield differences of securities to their historical and expected yield differences. The Adviser also considers the sector-specific risks when making individual security selections on behalf of the portfolio. The following are examples of this analysis:
  • The Adviser attempts to manage the Fund's prepayment risk by selecting mortgage-backed securities with characteristics that make prepayment fluctuations less likely. Characteristics that the Adviser may consider in selecting these securities include the average interest rates of the underlying mortgages and the federal agencies (if any) that support the mortgages. The Adviser attempts to assess the relative returns and risks for mortgage-backed securities by analyzing how the timing, amount and division of cash flows might change in response to changing economic and market conditions.
  • The Adviser attempts to manage the Fund's credit risk by selecting corporate debt securities and asset-backed securities that are less likely to default in the payment of principal and interest. The Adviser looks a variety of factors to determine which business sectors and credit ratings are most advantageous for investment by the Fund. In selecting corporate fixed income securities, the Adviser analyzes a company's business, competitive position, and general financial condition to assess whether the security's credit risk is commensurate with its potential return. In selecting asset-backed securities, the Adviser analyzes the quality and composition of the underlying assets and issuer.
  • In selecting foreign fixed income securities, the Adviser analyzes relative credit quality of issuers. The adviser focuses on credit analysis because, normally, changes in market interest rates are a small component of investment return for these securities compared to the impact of changes in credit quality. This is especially true with respect to the prices of high-yield, lower-rated bonds, which will decline or rise more due to deterioration or improvement in the issuer's credit quality than due to a rise or fall in market interest rates. The Adviser analyzes credit by first performing fundamental analyses of several countries to find relatively favorable economic conditions, and then performing fundamental analyses of available securities in selected countries. In selecting countries, the Adviser analyzes a country's general economic condition and outlook, including its interest rates, foreign exchange rates and current account balance. The Adviser then analyzes the country's financial condition, including its credit ratings, government budget, tax base, outstanding public debt and the amount of public debt held outside the country. The Adviser also considers how developments in other countries in the region or world might affect these factors. Using its analysis, the Adviser attempts to identify countries with favorable characteristics, such as strengthening economy, favorable inflation rate, sound budget policy or strong public commitment to repay government debt. Similar to the analysis of domestic corporate debt issuers, the Adviser analyzes the business, competitive position, and financial condition of a foreign corporate debt issuer to assess whether the security's credit risk is commensurate with its potential return.

This four-part investment process is designed to capture the depth of experience and focus of each of the Adviser's fixed income sector teams--government, corporate, mortgage backed, asset- backed, high-yield and international.

Because the Fund refers to fixed-income investments in its name, it will notify shareholders in advance of any change in its investment policies that would enable the Fund to normally invest less than 80% of its assets in fixed-income investments.

Securities in Which the Fund Invests

In pursuing its investment strategy, the Fund may invest in the following securities for any purpose that is consistent with its investment objective:

SECURITIES DESCRIPTIONS AND TECHNIQUES

Fixed Income Securities

Fixed income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or adjusted periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed income security must repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed income securities provide more regular income than equity securities. However, the returns on fixed income securities are limited and normally do not increase with the issuer's earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed income securities as compared to equity securities.

A security's yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a percentage of its price. A security's yield will increase or decrease depending upon whether it costs less (a discount) or more (a premium) than the principal amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have higher yields.

The following describes the types of fixed income securities in which the Fund invests:

TREASURY SECURITIES

Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the United States. Treasury securities are generally regarded as having the lowest credit risks.

AGENCY SECURITIES

Agency securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or other government sponsored entity acting under federal authority (a "GSE"). The United States supports some GSEs with its full faith and credit. Other GSEs receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. A few GSEs have no explicit financial support, but are regarded as having implied support because the federal government sponsors their activities. Agency securities are generally regarded as having low credit risks, but not as low as treasury securities.

The Fund treats mortgage backed securities guaranteed by GSEs as agency securities. Although a GSE guarantee protects against credit risks, it does not reduce the interest rate and prepayment risks of these mortgage backed securities.

CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES

Corporate debt securities are fixed income securities issued by businesses. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most prevalent types of corporate debt securities. The Fund may also purchase interests in bank loans to companies. The credit risks of corporate debt securities vary widely among issuers.

In addition, the credit risk of an issuer's debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher-ranking (senior) debt securities have a higher priority than lower-ranking (subordinated) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of subordinated securities. Some subordinated securities, such as trust preferred and capital securities notes, also permit the issuer to defer payments under certain circumstances. For example, insurance companies issue securities known as surplus notes that permit the insurance company to defer any payment that would reduce its capital below regulatory requirements.

COMMERCIAL PAPER

Commercial paper is an issuer's obligation with a maturity of less than nine months. Companies typically issue commercial paper to pay for current expenditures. Most issuers constantly reissue their commercial paper and use the proceeds (or bank loans) to repay maturing paper. If the issuer cannot continue to obtain liquidity in this fashion, its commercial paper may default. The short maturity of commercial paper reduces both the market and credit risks as compared to other debt securities of the same issuer.

DEMAND INSTRUMENTS

Demand instruments are corporate debt securities that the issuer must repay upon demand. Other demand instruments require a third party, such as a dealer or bank, to repurchase the security for its face value upon demand. The Fund treats demand instruments as short-term securities, even though their stated maturity may extend beyond one year.

MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

Municipal securities are issued by states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions and authorities. Although many municipal securities are exempt from federal income tax, the Fund may invest in taxable municipal securities.

MORTGAGE BACKED SECURITIES

Mortgage backed securities represent interests in pools of mortgages. The mortgages that comprise a pool normally have similar interest rates, maturities and other terms. Mortgages may have fixed or adjustable interest rates. Interests in pools of adjustable rate mortgages are known as ARMs.

Mortgage backed securities come in a variety of forms. Many have extremely complicated terms. The simplest form of mortgage backed securities are pass-through certificates. An issuer of pass-through certificates gathers monthly payments from an underlying pool of mortgages. Then, the issuer deducts its fees and expenses and passes the balance of the payments onto the certificate holders once a month. Holders of pass-through certificates receive a pro rata share of all payments and prepayments from the underlying mortgages. As a result, the holders assume all the prepayment risks of the underlying mortgages.

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS (CMOS)

CMOs, including interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs), allocate payments and prepayments from an underlying pass-through certificate among holders of different classes of mortgage backed securities. This creates different prepayment and interest rate risks for each CMO class.

SEQUENTIAL CMOS

In a sequential pay CMO, one class of CMOs receives all principal payments and prepayments. The next class of CMOs receives all principal payments after the first class is paid off. This process repeats for each sequential class of CMO. As a result, each class of sequential pay CMOs reduces the prepayment risks of subsequent classes.

PACS, TACS AND COMPANION CLASSES

More sophisticated CMOs include planned amortization classes (PACs) and targeted amortization classes (TACs). PACs and TACs are issued with companion classes. PACs and TACs receive principal payments and prepayments at a specified rate. The companion classes receive principal payments and prepayments in excess of the specified rate. In addition, PACs will receive the companion classes' share of principal payments, if necessary, to cover a shortfall in the prepayment rate. This helps PACs and TACs to control prepayment risks by increasing the risks to their companion classes.

IOS AND POS

CMOs may allocate interest payments to one class (Interest Only or IOs) and principal payments to another class (Principal Only or POs). POs increase in value when prepayment rates increase. In contrast, IOs decrease in value when prepayments increase, because the underlying mortgages generate less interest payments. However, IOs tend to increase in value when interest rates rise (and prepayments decrease), making IOs a useful hedge against interest rate risks.

FLOATERS AND INVERSE FLOATERS

Another variant allocates interest payments between two classes of CMOs. One class (Floaters) receives a share of interest payments based upon a market index such as LIBOR. The other class (Inverse Floaters) receives any remaining interest payments from the underlying mortgages. Floater classes receive more interest (and Inverse Floater classes receive correspondingly less interest) as interest rates rise. This shifts prepayment and interest rate risks from the Floater to the Inverse Floater class, reducing the price volatility of the Floater class and increasing the price volatility of the Inverse Floater class.

Z CLASSES AND RESIDUAL CLASSES

CMOs must allocate all payments received from the underlying mortgages to some class. To capture any unallocated payments, CMOs generally have an accrual (Z) class. Z classes do not receive any payments from the underlying mortgages until all other CMO classes have been paid off. Once this happens, holders of Z class CMOs receive all payments and prepayments. Similarly, REMICs have residual interests that receive any mortgage payments not allocated to another REMIC class.

The degree of increased or decreased prepayment risks depends upon the structure of the CMOs. However, the actual returns on any type of mortgage backed security depend upon the performance of the underlying pool of mortgages, which no one can predict and will vary among pools.

ASSET BACKED SECURITIES

Asset backed securities are payable from pools of obligations other than mortgages. Most asset backed securities involve consumer or commercial debts with maturities of less than ten years. However, almost any type of fixed income assets (including other fixed income securities) may be used to create an asset backed security. Asset backed securities may take the form of pass through instruments or asset backed bonds. Asset backed securities have prepayment risks. Like CMOs, asset backed securities may be structured like Floaters, Inverse Floaters, IOs and POs.

BANK INSTRUMENTS

Bank instruments are unsecured interest bearing deposits with banks. Bank instruments include bank accounts, time deposits, certificates of deposit and banker's acceptances. Yankee instruments are denominated in U.S. dollars and issued by U.S. branches of foreign banks. Eurodollar instruments are denominated in U.S. dollars and issued by non-U.S. branches of U.S. or foreign banks.

ZERO COUPON SECURITIES

Zero coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity unlike debt securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a "coupon payment"). Investors buy zero coupon securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero coupon security. Investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the interest rate and credit risks of a zero coupon security.

There are many forms of zero coupon securities. Some are issued at a discount and are referred to as zero coupon or capital appreciation bonds. Others are created from interest bearing bonds by separating the right to receive the bond's coupon payments from the right to receive the bond's principal due at maturity, a process known as coupon stripping. Treasury STRIPs, IOs and POs are the most common forms of stripped zero coupon securities. In addition, some securities give the issuer the option to deliver additional securities in place of cash interest payments, thereby increasing the amount payable at maturity. These are referred to as pay-in-kind or PIK securities.

CREDIT ENHANCEMENT

Credit enhancement consists of an arrangement in which a company agrees to pay amounts due on a fixed income security if the issuer defaults. In some cases the company providing credit enhancement makes all payments directly to the security holders and receives reimbursement from the issuer. Normally, the credit enhancer has greater financial resources and liquidity than the issuer. For this reason, the Adviser usually evaluates the credit risk of a fixed income security based solely upon its credit enhancement.

Common types of credit enhancement include guarantees, letters of credit, bond insurance and surety bonds. Credit enhancement also includes arrangements where securities or other liquid assets secure payment of a fixed income security. If a default occurs, these assets may be sold and the proceeds paid to security holders. Either form of credit enhancement reduces credit risks by providing another source of payment for a fixed income security.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

Convertible securities are fixed income securities that the Fund has the option to exchange for equity securities at a specified conversion price. The option allows the Fund to realize additional returns if the market price of the equity securities exceeds the conversion price. For example, the Fund may hold fixed income securities that are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $10 per share. If the market value of the shares of common stock reached $12, the Fund could realize an additional $2 per share by converting its fixed income securities.

Convertible securities have lower yields than comparable fixed income securities. In addition, at the time a convertible security is issued the conversion price exceeds the market value of the underlying equity securities. Thus, convertible securities may provide lower returns than non-convertible fixed income securities or equity securities depending upon changes in the price of the underlying equity securities. However, convertible securities permit the Fund to realize some of the potential appreciation of the underlying equity securities with less risk of losing its initial investment.

The Fund treats convertible securities as both fixed income and equity securities for purposes of its investment policies and limitations, because of their unique characteristics.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

In order to convert U.S. dollars into the currency needed to buy a foreign security, or to convert foreign currency received from the sale of a foreign security into U.S. dollars, the Fund may enter into spot currency trades. In a spot trade, the Fund agrees to exchange one currency for another at the current exchange rate. The Fund may also enter into derivative contracts in which a foreign currency is an underlying asset. The exchange rate for currency derivative contracts may be higher or lower than the spot exchange rate. Use of these derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to currency risks.

HEDGING

Hedging transactions are intended to reduce specific risks. For example, to protect the Fund against circumstances that would normally cause the Fund's portfolio securities to decline in value, the Fund may buy or sell a derivative contract that would normally increase in value under the same circumstances. The Fund may also attempt to hedge by using combinations of different derivatives contracts, or derivatives contracts and securities. The Fund's ability to hedge may be limited by the costs of the derivatives contracts. The Fund may attempt to lower the cost of hedging by entering into transactions that provide only limited protection, including transactions that: (1) hedge only a portion of its portfolio; (2) use derivatives contracts that cover a narrow range of circumstances; or (3) involve the sale of derivatives contracts with different terms. Consequently, hedging transactions will not eliminate risk even if they work as intended. In addition, hedging strategies are not always successful, and could result in increased expenses and losses to the Fund.

Foreign Securities

Foreign securities are securities of issuers based outside the United States. The Fund considers an issuer to be based outside the United States if:

  • it is organized under that laws of, or has a principal office located in, another country;
  • the principal trading market for its securities is in another country; or
  • it (or its subsidiaries) derived in its most current fiscal year at least 50% of its total assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit from goods produced, services performed or sales made in another country.

Foreign securities are primarily denominated in foreign currencies. Along with the risks normally associated with domestic securities of the same type, foreign securities are subject to currency risks and risks of foreign investing. Trading in certain foreign markets is also subject to liquidity risks.

Foreign Government Securities

Foreign government securities generally consist of fixed income securities supported by national, state or provincial government or similar political subdivisions. Foreign government securities also include debt obligations of supranational entities, such as international organizations designed or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development, international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Foreign government securities also include fixed income securities of quasi-governmental agencies that are either issued by entities owed 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. Further, foreign government securities include mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by national, state or provincial governmental instrumentalities, including quasi-governmental agencies.

DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

Derivative contracts are financial instruments that require payments based upon changes in the values of designated (or underlying) securities, currencies, commodities, financial indices or other assets. Some derivative contracts (such as futures, forwards and options) require payments relating to a future trade involving the underlying asset. Other derivative contracts (such as swaps) require payments relating to the income or returns from the underlying asset. The other party to a derivative contract is referred to as a counterparty.

Many derivative contracts are traded on securities or commodities exchanges. In this case, the exchange sets all the terms of the contract except for the price. Investors make payments due under their contracts through the exchange. Most exchanges require investors to maintain margin accounts through their brokers to cover their potential obligations to the exchange. Parties to the contract make (or collect) daily payments to the margin accounts to reflect losses (or gains) in the value of their contracts. This protects investors against potential defaults by the counterparty. Trading contracts on an exchange also allows investors to close out their contracts by entering into offsetting contracts.

For example, the Fund could close out an open contract to buy an asset at a future date by entering into an offsetting contract to sell the same asset on the same date. If the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. Exchanges may limit the amount of open contracts permitted at any one time. Such limits may prevent the Fund from closing out a position. If this happens, the Fund will be required to keep the contract open (even if it is losing money on the contract), and to make any payments required under the contract (even if it has to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices to do so). Inability to close out a contract could also harm the Fund by preventing it from disposing of or trading any assets it has been using to secure its obligations under the contract.

The Fund may also trade derivative contracts over-the-counter (OTC) in transactions negotiated directly between the Fund and the counterparty. OTC contracts do not necessarily have standard terms, so they cannot be directly offset with other OTC contracts. In addition, OTC contracts with more specialized terms may be more difficult to price than exchange traded contracts.

Depending upon how the Fund uses derivative contracts and the relationships between the market value of a derivative contract and the underlying asset, derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to interest rate and currency risks, and may also expose the Fund to liquidity risks.

The Fund may trade in the following types of derivative contracts:

Futures Contracts

Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of an underlying asset at a specified price, date and time. Entering into a contract to buy an underlying asset is commonly referred to as buying a contract or holding a long position in the asset. Entering into a contract to sell an underlying asset is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position in the asset. Futures contracts are considered to be commodity contracts. Futures contracts traded OTC are frequently referred to as forward contracts.

The Fund may buy and sell financial and foreign currency futures contracts.

Options

Options are rights to buy or sell an underlying asset for a specified price (the exercise price) during, or at the end of, a specified period. A call option gives the holder (buyer) the right to buy the underlying asset from the seller (writer) of the option. A put option gives the holder the right to sell the underlying asset to the writer of the option. The writer of the option receives a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer uses (or exercises) the option.

The Fund may:

  • Buy call options on financial and foreign currency futures contracts in anticipation of an increase in the value of the underlying asset;
  • Buy put options on portfolio securities, financial and foreign currency futures contracts in anticipation of a decrease in the value of the underlying asset; and
  • Buy or write options to close out existing options positions.

The Fund may also write call options on portfolio securities, financial and foreign currency futures contracts to generate income from premiums, and in anticipation of a decrease or only limited increase in the value of the underlying asset. If a call written by the Fund is exercised, the Fund foregoes any possible profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying asset over the exercise price plus the premium received.

The Fund may also write put options on financial and foreign currency futures contracts to generate income from premiums, and in anticipation of an increase or only limited decrease in the value of the underlying asset. In writing puts, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to take delivery of the underlying asset when its current market price is lower than the exercise price.

When the Fund writes options on futures contracts, it will be subject to margin requirements similar to those applied to futures contracts.

The Fund may not purchase or sell futures contracts or related options if immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of margin deposits on the Fund's existing futures positions and premiums paid for related options would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's total assets.

Swaps

Swaps are contracts in which two parties agree to pay each other (swap) the returns derived from underlying assets with differing characteristics. Most swaps do not involve the delivery of the underlying assets by either party, and the parties might not own the assets underlying the swap. The payments are usually made on a net basis so that, on any given day, the Fund would receive (or pay) only the amount by which its payment under the contract is less than (or exceeds) the amount of the other party's payment. Swap agreements are sophisticated instruments that can take many different forms, and are known by a variety of names including caps, floors and collars. Common swap agreements that the Fund may use include:

INTEREST RATE SWAPS

Interest rate swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make regular payments equal to a fixed or floating interest rate times a stated principal amount of fixed income securities, in return for payments equal to a different fixed or floating rate times the same principal amount, for a specific period. For example, a $10 million London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) swap would require one party to pay the equivalent of the LIBOR rate of interest (which fluctuates) on $10 million principal amount in exchange for the right to receive the equivalent of a stated fixed rate of interest on $10 million principal amount.

SPECIAL TRANSACTIONS

Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Fund buys a security from a dealer or bank and agrees to sell the security back at a mutually agreed-upon time and price. The repurchase price exceeds the sale price, reflecting the Fund's return on the transaction. This return is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying security. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as securities dealers, deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.

The Fund's custodian or subcustodian will take possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements. The Adviser or subcustodian will monitor the value of the underlying security each day to ensure that the value of the security always equals or exceeds the repurchase price.

Repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Reverse repurchase agreements are repurchase agreements in which the Fund is the seller (rather than the buyer) of the securities, and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed-upon time and price. A reverse repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of borrowing by the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements create leverage risks because the Fund must repurchase the underlying security at a higher price, regardless of the market value of the security at the time of repurchase.

Delayed Delivery Transactions

Delayed delivery transactions, including when-issued transactions, are arrangements in which the Fund buys securities for a set price, with payment and delivery of the securities scheduled for a future time. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund. The Fund records the transaction when it agrees to buy the securities and reflects their value in determining the price of its shares. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into these transactions so that the market values of the securities bought may vary from the purchase prices. Therefore, delayed delivery transactions create interest rate risks for the Fund. Delayed delivery transactions also involve credit risks in the event of a counterparty default. The Fund does not intend to engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions to an extent that would cause the segregation of more than 20% of the total value of its assets.

Securities Lending

The Fund may lend portfolio securities to borrowers that the Adviser deems creditworthy. In return, the Fund receives cash or liquid securities from the borrower as collateral. The borrower must furnish additional collateral if the market value of the loaned securities increases. Also, the borrower must pay the Fund the equivalent of any dividends or interest received on the loaned securities.

The Fund will reinvest cash collateral in securities that qualify as an acceptable investment for the Fund. However, the Fund must pay interest to the borrower for the use of cash collateral.

Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan, but it will terminate a loan in anticipation of any important vote. The Fund may pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the interest earned on the cash collateral to a securities lending agent or broker.

Securities lending activities are subject to interest rate risks and credit risks.

Asset Coverage

In order to secure its obligations in connection with derivatives contracts or special transactions, the Fund will either own the underlying assets, enter into an offsetting transaction or set aside readily marketable securities with a value that equals or exceeds the Fund's obligations. Unless the Fund has other readily marketable assets to set aside, it cannot trade assets used to secure such obligations without entering into an offsetting derivative contract or terminating a special transaction. This may cause the Fund to miss favorable trading opportunities or to realize losses on derivative contracts or special transactions.

Investing in Securities of other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies, including the securities of affiliated money market funds, as an efficient means of carrying out its investment policies and managing its uninvested cash.

The Fund may invest in mortgage backed, high-yield and certain international fixed income securities primarily by investing in other investment companies (which are not available for general investment by the public) that own those securities and that are advised by an affiliate of the Adviser. These other investment companies are managed independently of the Fund and may incur additional administrative expenses. Therefore, any such investment by the Fund may be subject to duplicate expenses. However, the Adviser believes that the benefits and efficiencies of this approach should outweigh the potential additional expenses. The Fund may also invest in such securities directly.

Inter-Fund Borrowing and Lending Arrangements

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted an exemption that permits the Fund and all other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Investors, Inc. ("Federated funds") to lend and borrow money for certain temporary purposes directly to and from other Federated funds. Participation in this inter-fund lending program is voluntary for both borrowing and lending funds, and an inter-fund loan is only made if it benefits each participating fund. Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated) administers the program according to procedures approved by the Fund's Board, and the Board monitors the operation of the program. Any inter-fund loan must comply with certain conditions set out in the exemption, which are designed to assure fairness and protect all participating funds.

For example, inter-fund lending is permitted only: (a) to meet shareholder redemption requests; and (b) to meet commitments arising from "failed" trades. All inter-fund loans must be repaid in seven days or less. The Fund's participation in this program must be consistent with its investment policies and limitations, and must meet certain percentage tests. Inter-fund loans may be made only when the rate of interest to be charged is more attractive to the lending fund than market-competitive rates on overnight repurchase agreements (the "Repo Rate") and more attractive to the borrowing fund than the rate of interest that would be charged by an unaffiliated bank for short-term borrowings (the "Bank Loan Rate"), as determined by the Board. The interest rate imposed on inter-fund loans is the average of the Repo Rate and Bank Loan Rate.

Investment Ratings for Investment Grade Securities

The Adviser will determine whether a security is investment grade based upon the credit ratings given by one or more nationally recognized rating services. For example, Standard & Poor's (S&P), a rating service, assigns ratings to investment grade securities (AAA, AA, A and BBB) based on their assessment of the likelihood of the issuer's inability to pay interest or principal (default) when due on each security. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser's credit assessment that the security is comparable to investment grade.

If a security is downgraded below the minimum quality grade discussed above, the Adviser will reevaluate the security, but will not be required to sell it.

INVESTMENT RISKS

There are many factors which may affect an investment in the Fund. The Fund's principal risks are described in each prospectus. Additional risk factors are outlined below:

Interest Rate Risks

  • Prices of fixed income securities rise and fall in response to changes in the interest rate paid by similar securities. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed income securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular fixed income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.
  • Interest rate changes have a greater effect on the price of fixed income securities with longer durations. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates.

Credit Risks

  • Credit risk is the possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, the Fund will lose money.
  • Many fixed income securities receive credit ratings from services such as S&P and Moody's Investors Service. These services assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of issuer default. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser's credit assessment.
  • Fixed income securities generally compensate for greater credit risk by paying interest at a higher rate. The difference between the yield of a security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable maturity (the spread) measures the additional interest paid for risk. Spreads may increase generally in response to adverse economic or market conditions. A security's spread may also increase if the security's rating is lowered, or the security is perceived to have an increased credit risk. An increase in the spread will cause the price of the security to decline.
  • Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.

Call and Prepayment Risks

  • Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a fixed income security before maturity (a call) at a price below its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security's price.
  • If a fixed income security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks, or other less favorable characteristics.
  • Unlike traditional fixed income securities, which pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity (when the entire principal amount is due) payments on mortgage backed securities include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Partial payment of principal may be comprised of scheduled principal payments as well as unscheduled payments from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying loans. These unscheduled prepayments of principal create risks that can adversely affect a Fund holding mortgage backed securities.

For example, when interest rates decline, the values of mortgage backed securities generally rise. However, when interest rates decline, unscheduled prepayments can be expected to accelerate, and the Fund would be required to reinvest the proceeds of the prepayments at the lower interest rates then available. Unscheduled prepayments would also limit the potential for capital appreciation on mortgage backed securities.

  • Conversely, when interest rates rise, the values of mortgage backed securities generally fall. Since rising interest rates typically result in decreased prepayments, this could lengthen the average lives of mortgage backed securities, and cause their value to decline more than traditional fixed income securities.

Generally, mortgage backed securities compensate for the increased risk associated with prepayments by paying a higher yield. The additional interest paid for risk is measured by the difference between the yield of a mortgage backed security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable maturity (the spread). An increase in the spread will cause the price of the mortgage backed security to decline. Spreads generally increase in response to adverse economic or market conditions. Spreads may also increase if the security is perceived to have an increased prepayment risk or is perceived to have less market demand.

Liquidity Risks

  • Trading opportunities are more limited for CMOs that have complex terms or that are not widely held. These features may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund's performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility.
  • Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out a derivative contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to continue to hold the security or keep the position open, and the Fund could incur losses.
  • OTC derivative contracts generally carry greater liquidity risk than exchange-traded contracts.

Risks Associated with Complex CMOs

  • CMOs with complex or highly variable prepayment terms, such as companion classes, IOs, POs, Inverse Floaters and residuals, generally entail greater market, prepayment and liquidity risks than other mortgage backed securities. For example, their prices are more volatile and their trading market may be more limited.

Risks Associated with Noninvestment Grade Securities

  • Securities rated below investment grade, also known as junk bonds, generally entail greater market, credit and liquidity risks than investment grade securities. For example, their prices are more volatile, economic downturns and financial setbacks may affect their prices more negatively, and their trading market may be more limited.

Currency Risks

  • Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The combination of currency risk and market risks tends to make securities traded in foreign markets more volatile than securities traded exclusively in the United States.
  • The Adviser attempts to manage currency risk by limiting the amount the Fund invests in securities denominated in a particular currency. However, diversification will not protect the Fund against a general increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies.

Euro Risks

  • The Fund may make significant investments in securities denominated in the Euro, the new single currency of the European Monetary Union (EMU). Therefore, the exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. dollar will have a significant impact on the value of the Fund's investments.
  • With the advent of the Euro, the participating countries in the EMU can no longer follow independent monetary policies. This may limit these countries' ability to respond to economic downturns or political upheavals, and consequently reduce the value of their foreign government securities.

Leverage Risks

  • Leverage risk is created when an investment exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund's risk of loss and potential for gain.
  • Investments can have these same results if their returns are based on a multiple of a specified index, security or other benchmark.

Risks of Foreign Investing

  • Foreign securities pose additional risks because foreign economic or political conditions may be less favorable than those of the United States. Securities in foreign markets may also be subject to taxation policies that reduce returns for U.S. investors.
  • Foreign companies may not provide information (including financial statements) as frequently or to as great an extent as companies in the United States. Foreign companies may also receive less coverage than U.S. companies by market analysts and the financial press. In addition, foreign countries may lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or regulatory requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. These factors may prevent the fund and its Adviser from obtaining information concerning foreign companies that is as frequent, extensive and reliable as the information available concerning companies in the United States.
  • Foreign countries may have restrictions on foreign ownership of securities or may impose exchange controls, capital flow restrictions or repatriation restrictions which could adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund's investments.

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund's investment objective is to provide total return. The investment objective may not be changed by the Fund's Directors without shareholder approval.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

Selling Short or Buying on Margin

The Fund will not sell any securities short or purchase any securities on margin, but may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities. The deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with futures contracts or related options transactions is not considered the purchase of a security on margin.

Issuing Senior Securities and Borrowing Money

The Fund will not issue senior securities, except that the Fund may borrow money directly or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to one-third of the value of its total assets, including the amount borrowed. The Fund will not borrow money or engage in reverse repurchase agreements for investment leverage, but rather as a temporary, extraordinary, or emergency measure to facilitate management of the Fund by enabling the Fund to meet redemption requests when the liquidation of portfolio securities is deemed to be inconvenient or disadvantageous. The Fund will not purchase any securities while any borrowings in excess of 5% of its total assets are outstanding.

Pledging Assets

The Fund will not mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets except to secure permitted borrowings. For purposes of this limitation, the following will not be deemed to be pledges of the Fund's assets: margin deposits for the purchase and sale of financial futures contracts and related options; and segregation or collateral arrangements made in connection with options activities or the purchase of securities on a when-issued basis.

Diversification of Investments

With respect to securities comprising 75% of the value of its total assets, the Fund will not purchase securities issued by any one issuer (other than cash, cash items, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities) if, as a result, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, and will not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer.

Investing in Real Estate

The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, including limited partnership interests, although it may invest in the securities of companies whose business involves the purchase or sale of real estate or in securities which are secured by real estate or interests in real estate.

Investing in Commodities

The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts, or commodity futures contracts except to the extent that the Fund may engage in transactions involving financial futures contracts or options on financial futures contracts.

Underwriting

The Fund will not underwrite any issue of securities, except as it may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the sale of securities in accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations.

Lending Cash or Securities

The Fund will not lend any of its assets, except portfolio securities. This shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or holding U.S. government obligations, money market instruments, variable rate demand notes, bonds, debentures, notes, certificates of indebtedness, or other debt securities, entering into repurchase agreements, or engaging in other transactions where permitted by the Fund's investment objective, policies and limitations.

Concentration of Investments

The Fund will not invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in any one industry (other than securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

The above limitations cannot be changed by the Board of Directors (Board) unless authorized by the "vote of a majority of its outstanding voting securities," as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act). The following limitation, however, may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change in this limitation becomes effective.

Investing in Illiquid Securities

The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice, interest rate swaps, non-negotiable fixed-time deposits with maturities over seven days, and certain restricted securities not determined by the Directors to be liquid.

Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of the investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction.

The Fund does not expect to borrow money, pledge securities or engage in reverse repurchase agreements during the coming fiscal year.

For purposes of its policies and limitations, the Fund considers certificates of deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank or savings associations having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be "cash items."

DETERMINING MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES

Market values of the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:

  • for equity securities, according to the last sale price in the market in which they are primarily traded (either a national securities exchange or the over-the-counter market), if available;
  • in the absence of recorded sales for equity securities, according to the mean between the last closing bid and asked prices;
  • futures contracts and options are generally valued at market values established by the exchanges on which they are traded at the close of trading on such exchanges. Options traded in the over- the-counter market are generally valued according to the mean between the last bid and the last asked price for the option as provided by an investment dealer or other financial institution that deals in the option. The Board may determine in good faith that another method of valuing such investments is necessary to appraise their fair market value;
  • for fixed income securities, according to the mean between bid and asked prices as furnished by an independent pricing service, except that fixed income securities with remaining maturities of less than 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost; and
  • for all other securities at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board.

Prices provided by independent pricing services may be determined without relying exclusively on quoted prices and may consider institutional trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, stability, risk, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data or factors. From time to time, when prices cannot be obtained from an independent pricing service, securities may be valued based on quotes from broker-dealers or other financial institutions that trade the securities.

TRADING IN FOREIGN SECURITIES

Trading in foreign securities may be completed at times which vary from the closing of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In computing its NAV, the Fund values foreign securities at the latest closing price on the exchange on which they are traded immediately prior to the closing of the NYSE. Certain foreign currency exchange rates may also be determined at the latest rate prior to the closing of the NYSE. Foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. Occasionally, events that affect these values and exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and the closing of the NYSE. If such events materially affect the value of portfolio securities, these securities may be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund's Board, although the actual calculation may be done by others.

What Do Shares Cost?

The Fund's net asset value (NAV) per Share fluctuates and is based on the market value of all securities and other assets of the Fund. The NAV for each class of Shares may differ due to the variance in daily net income realized by each class. Such variance will reflect only accrued net income to which the shareholders of a particular class are entitled.

REDUCING OR ELIMINATING THE FRONT-END SALES CHARGE

You can reduce or eliminate the applicable front-end sales charge, as follows:

Quantity Discounts

Larger purchases of the same Share class reduce or eliminate the sales charge you pay. You can combine purchases of Shares made on the same day by you, your spouse and your children under age 21. In addition, purchases made at one time by a trustee or fiduciary for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account can be combined.

Accumulated Purchases

If you make an additional purchase of Shares, you can count previous Share purchases still invested in the Fund in calculating the applicable sales charge on the additional purchase.

Concurrent Purchases

You can combine concurrent purchases of the same share class of two or more Federated Funds in calculating the applicable sales charge.

Letter of Intent - Class A Shares

You can sign a Letter of Intent committing to purchase a certain amount of the same class of Shares within a 13-month period to combine such purchases in calculating the sales charge. The Fund's custodian will hold Shares in escrow equal to the maximum applicable sales charge. If you complete the Letter of Intent, the Custodian will release the Shares in escrow to your account. If you do not fulfill the Letter of Intent, the Custodian will redeem the appropriate amount from the Shares held in escrow to pay the sales charges that were not applied to your purchases.

Reinvestment Privilege

You may reinvest, within 120 days, your Share redemption proceeds at the next determined NAV without any sales charge.

Purchases by Affiliates of the Fund

The following individuals and their immediate family members may buy Shares at NAV without any sales charge because there are nominal sales efforts associated with their purchases:

  • the Directors, employees and sales representatives of the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and their affiliates;
  • any associated person of an investment dealer who has a sales agreement with the Distributor; and
  • trusts, pension or profit-sharing plans for these individuals.

Federated Life Members

Shareholders of the Fund known as "Federated Life Members" are exempt from paying any front-end sales charge. These shareholders joined the Fund originally:

  • through the "Liberty Account," an account for Liberty Family of Funds shareholders on February 28, 1987 (the Liberty Account and Liberty Family of Funds are no longer marketed); or
  • as Liberty Account shareholders by investing through an affinity group prior to August 1, 1987.

REDUCING OR ELIMINATING THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

These reductions or eliminations are offered because: no sales commissions have been advanced to the investment professional selling Shares; the shareholder has already paid a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC); or nominal sales efforts are associated with the original purchase of Shares.

Upon notification to the Distributor or the Fund's transfer agent, no CDSC will be imposed on redemptions:

  • following the death or post-purchase disability, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, of the last surviving shareholder;
  • representing minimum required distributions from an Individual Retirement Account or other retirement plan to a shareholder who has attained the age of 70-1/2;
  • of Shares that represent a reinvestment within 120 days of a previous redemption;
  • of Shares held by the Directors, employees, and sales representatives of the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and their affiliates; employees of any investment professional that sells Shares according to a sales agreement with the Distributor; and the immediate family members of the above persons;
  • of Shares originally purchased through a bank trust department, a registered investment adviser or retirement plans where the third-party administrator has entered into certain arrangements with the Distributor or its affiliates, or any other investment professional, to the extent that no payments were advanced for purchases made through these entities;
  • which are involuntary redemptions processed by the Fund because the accounts do not meet the minimum balance requirements; and

Class B Shares Only

  • which are qualifying redemptions of Class B Shares under a Systematic Withdrawal Program.

How is the Fund Sold?

Under the Distributor's Contract with the Fund, the Distributor (Federated Securities Corp.) offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis.

FRONT-END SALES CHARGE REALLOWANCES

The Distributor receives a front-end sales charge on certain Share sales. The Distributor generally pays up to 90% (and as much as 100%) of this charge to investment professionals for sales and/or administrative services. Any payments to investment professionals in excess of 90% of the front-end sales charge are considered supplemental payments. The Distributor retains any portion not paid to an investment professional.

RULE 12B-1 PLAN

As a compensation-type plan, the Rule 12b-1 Plan is designed to pay the Distributor (who may then pay investment professionals such as banks, broker/dealers, trust departments of banks, and registered investment advisers) for marketing activities (such as advertising, printing and distributing prospectuses, and providing incentives to investment professionals) to promote sales of Shares so that overall Fund assets are maintained or increased. This helps the Fund achieve economies of scale, reduce per Share expenses, and provide cash for orderly portfolio management and Share redemptions. In addition, the Fund's service providers that receive asset-based fees also benefit from stable or increasing Fund assets.

The Fund may compensate the Distributor more or less than its actual marketing expenses. In no event will the Fund pay for any expenses of the Distributor that exceed the maximum Rule 12b-1 Plan fee.

For some classes of Shares, the maximum Rule 12b-1 Plan fee that can be paid in any one year may not be sufficient to cover the marketing-related expenses the Distributor has incurred. Therefore, it may take the Distributor a number of years to recoup these expenses. Federated and its subsidiaries may benefit from arrangements where the Rule 12b-1 Plan fees related to Class B Shares may be paid to third parties who have advanced commissions to investment professionals.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES (CLASS A, B, AND C SHARES ONLY)

The Fund may pay Federated Shareholder Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated Investors, Inc. (Federated), for providing shareholder services and maintaining shareholder accounts. Federated Shareholder Services Company may select others to perform these services for their customers and may pay them fees.

SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS

Investment professionals (such as broker/dealers or banks) may be paid fees, in significant amounts, out of the assets of the Distributor and/or Federated Shareholder Services Company. (These fees do not come out of Fund assets.) The Distributor and/or Federated Shareholder Services Company may be reimbursed by the Adviser or its affiliates.

Investment professionals receive such fees for providing distribution-related and/or shareholder services, such as advertising, providing incentives to their sales personnel, sponsoring other activities intended to promote sales, and maintaining shareholder accounts. These payments may be based upon such factors as the number or value of Shares the investment professional sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; and/or the type and nature of sales or marketing support furnished by the investment professional.

When an investment professional's customer purchases Shares, the investment professional may receive an amount up to 5.50% and 1.00%, respectively, of the NAV of Class B and C Shares.

In addition, the Distributor may pay investment professionals 0.25% of the purchase price of $1 million or more of Class A Shares that its customer has not redeemed over the first year.

Class A Shares

Investment professionals purchasing Class A Shares for their customers are eligible to receive an advance payment from the Distributor based on the following breakpoints:

 

Amount

  

Advance Payments
as a Percentage of
Public Offering Price

First $1 - $5 million

 

0.75%

Next $5 - $20 million

 

0.50%

Over $20 million

 

0.25%

For accounts with assets over $1 million, the dealers advance payments reset annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase.

Class A Share purchases under this program may be made by Letter of Intent or by combining concurrent purchases. The above advance payments will be paid only on those purchases that were not previously subject to a front-end sales charge and dealer advance payments. Certain retirement accounts may not be eligible for this program.

A contingent deferred sales charge of 0.75% of the redemption amount applies to Class A Shares redeemed up to 24 months after purchase. The CDSC does not apply under certain investment programs where the investment professional does not receive an advance payment on the transaction including, but not limited to, trust accounts and wrap programs where the investor pays an account level fee for investment management.

Exchanging Securities for Shares

You may contact the Distributor to request a purchase of Shares in exchange for securities you own. The Fund reserves the right to determine whether to accept your securities and the minimum market value to accept. The Fund will value your securities in the same manner as it values its assets. This exchange is treated as a sale of your securities for federal tax purposes.

Subaccounting Services

Certain investment professionals may wish to use the transfer agent's subaccounting system to minimize their internal recordkeeping requirements. The transfer agent may charge a fee based on the level of subaccounting services rendered. Investment professionals holding Shares in a fiduciary, agency, custodial or similar capacity may charge or pass through subaccounting fees as part of or in addition to normal trust or agency account fees. They may also charge fees for other services that may be related to the ownership of Shares. This information should, therefore, be read together with any agreement between the customer and the investment professional about the services provided, the fees charged for those services, and any restrictions and limitations imposed.

Redemption in Kind

Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right, as described below, to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of the Fund's portfolio securities.

Because the Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund is obligated to pay Share redemptions to any one shareholder in cash only up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets represented by such Share class during any 90-day period.

Any Share redemption payment greater than this amount will also be in cash unless the Fund's Board determines that payment should be in kind. In such a case, the Fund will pay all or a portion of the remainder of the redemption in portfolio securities, valued in the same way as the Fund determines its NAV. The portfolio securities will be selected in a manner that the Fund's Board deems fair and equitable and, to the extent available, such securities will be readily marketable.

Redemption in kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. If redemption is made in kind, shareholders receiving the portfolio securities and selling them before their maturity could receive less than the redemption value of the securities and could incur certain transaction costs.

Account and Share Information

VOTING RIGHTS

Each Share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Director elections and other matters submitted to shareholders for vote.

All Shares of the Corporation have equal voting rights, except that in matters affecting only a particular Fund or class, only Shares of that Fund or class are entitled to vote.

Directors may be removed by the Board or by shareholders at a special meeting. A special meeting of shareholders will be called by the Board upon the written request of shareholders who own at least 10% of the Corporation's outstanding Shares of all series entitled to vote.

<R>

As of March 20, 2003, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Class A Shares: Edward Jones & Co., Maryland Hts., MO, owned approximately 864,815 Shares (13.32%); MLPF&S for the sole benefit of its customers, Jacksonville, FL, owned approximately 431,041 Shares (6.64%) and PFPC Brokerage Services FBO, King of Prussia, PA, owned approximately 2,602,336 Shares (40.07%).

</R>

<R>

As of March 20, 2003, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Class B Shares: Edward Jones & Co., Maryland Hts., MO, owned approximately 366,618 Shares (5.99%) and MLPF&S for the sole benefit of its customers, Jacksonville, FL, owned approximately 466,910 Shares (7.63%).

</R>

<R>

As of March 20, 2003, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Class C Shares: The Bank of Jonesboro, Jonesboro, AR, owned approximately 118,120 Shares (6.47%) and MLPF&S for the sole benefit of its customers, Jacksonville, FL, owned approximately 314,661 Shares (17.24%).

</R>

Shareholders owning 25% or more of outstanding Shares may be in control and be able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of shareholders.

Tax Information

FEDERAL INCOME TAX

The Fund intends to meet requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) applicable to regulated investment companies. If these requirements are not met, it will not receive special tax treatment and will be subject to federal corporate income tax.

The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax purposes so that income earned and capital gains and losses realized by the Corporation's other portfolios will be separate from those realized by the Fund.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

If the Fund purchases foreign securities, their investment income may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes that could reduce the return on these securities. Tax treaties between the United States and foreign countries, however, may reduce or eliminate the amount of foreign taxes to which the Fund would be subject. The effective rate of foreign tax cannot be predicted since the amount of Fund assets to be invested within various countries is uncertain. However, the Fund intends to operate so as to qualify for treaty-reduced tax rates when applicable.

Distributions from a Fund may be based on estimates of book income for the year. Book income generally consists solely of the income generated by the securities in the portfolio, whereas tax-basis income includes, in addition, gains or losses attributable to currency fluctuation. Due to differences in the book and tax treatment of fixed-income securities denominated in foreign currencies, it is difficult to project currency effects on an interim basis. Therefore, to the extent that currency fluctuations cannot be anticipated, a portion of distributions to shareholders could later be designated as a return of capital, rather than income, for income tax purposes, which may be of particular concern to simple trusts.

If the Fund invests in the stock of certain foreign corporations, they may constitute Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFIC), and the Fund may be subject to Federal income taxes upon disposition of PFIC investments.

If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's assets at the end of the tax year is represented by stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will qualify for certain Code provisions that allow its shareholders to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their U.S. income tax returns. The Code may limit a shareholder's ability to claim a foreign tax credit. Shareholders who elect to deduct their portion of the Fund's foreign taxes rather than take the foreign tax credit must itemize deductions on their income tax returns.

Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board is responsible for managing the Corporation's business affairs and for exercising all the Corporation's powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The following tables give information about each Board member and the senior officers of the Funds. Where required, the tables separately list Board members who are "interested persons" of the Fund (i.e., "Interested" Board members) and those who are not (i.e., "Independent" Board members). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. The Corporation comprises four portfolios and the The Federated Fund Complex consists of44 investment companies (comprising 140 portfolios). Unless otherwise noted, each Board member oversees all portfolios in the Federated Fund Complex; serves for an indefinite term; and also serves as a Board member of the following investment company complexes: Banknorth Funds--five portfolios; CCMI Funds--two portfolios; Regions Funds--nine portfolios; Riggs Funds--eight portfolios; and WesMark Funds--five portfolios.

<R>

As of March 20, 2003, the Fund's Board and Officers as a group owned less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding Class A, B and C Shares.

</R>

INTERESTED DIRECTORS BACKGROUND AND COMPENSATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Name
Birth Date
Address
Positions Held with Corporation
Date Service Began

  

Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)

  

Aggregate
Compensation
From Fund
(past fiscal year)

  

Total Compensation
From Corporation and
Federated Fund Complex
(past calendar year)

John F. Donahue*
Birth Date: July 28, 1924
CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTOR
Began serving: October 1993

 

Principal Occupations: Chief Executive Officer and Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Chairman and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; Chairman, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.

Previous Positions: Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company and Chairman and Director, Federated Investment Counseling.

 

$0

 

$0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


J. Christopher Donahue*
Birth Date: April 11, 1949
PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
Began serving: March 1995

 

Principal Occupations: President or Executive Vice President of the Federated Fund Complex; Director or Trustee of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.; President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company; Trustee, Federated Investment Counseling; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.; President and Chief Executive Officer, Passport Research, Ltd.; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company.

Previous Position: President, Federated Investment Counseling.

 

$0

 

$0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*
Birth Date: October 11, 1932
3471 Fifth Avenue
Suite 1111
Pittsburgh, PA
DIRECTOR
Began serving: October 1993

 

Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Medical Director, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Downtown; Hematologist, Oncologist and Internist, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Other Directorships Held: Member, National Board of Trustees, Leukemia Society of America.

Previous Positions: Trustee, University of Pittsburgh; Director, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

 

$617.52

 

$148,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


* Family relationships and reasons for "interested" status: John F. Donahue is the father of J. Christopher Donahue; both are "interested" due to the positions they hold with Federated and its subsidiaries. Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. is "interested" because his son-in-law is employed by the Fund's principal underwriter, Federated Securities Corp.

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS BACKGROUND AND COMPENSATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Name
Birth Date
Address
Positions Held with Corporation
Date Service Began

  

Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)

  

Aggregate
Compensation
From Fund
(past fiscal year)

  

Total Compensation
From Corporation and
Federated Fund Complex
(past calendar year)

Thomas G. Bigley
Birth Date: February 3, 1934
15 Old Timber Trail
Pittsburgh, PA
DIRECTOR
Began serving: November 1994

 

Principal Occupation: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex.

Other Directorships Held: Director, Member of Executive Committee, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; Director, University of Pittsburgh.

Previous Position: Senior Partner, Ernst & Young LLP.

 

$679.29

 

$163,350.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


John T. Conroy, Jr.
Birth Date: June 23, 1937
Grubb & Ellis/Investment
Properties Corporation
3838 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL
DIRECTOR
Began serving: October 1993

 

Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Chairman of the Board, Investment Properties Corporation; Partner or Trustee in private real estate ventures in Southwest Florida.

Previous Positions: President, Investment Properties Corporation; Senior Vice President, John R. Wood and Associates, Inc., Realtors; President, Naples Property Management, Inc. and Northgate Village Development Corporation.

 

$679.29

 

$163,350.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Nicholas P. Constantakis
Birth Date: September 3, 1939
175 Woodshire Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
DIRECTOR
Began serving: February 1998

 

Principal Occupation: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex.

Other Directorships Held: Director, Michael Baker Corporation (engineering and energy services worldwide).

Previous Positions: Partner, Andersen Worldwide SC.

 

$679.29

 

$163,350.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


John F. Cunningham
Birth Date: March 5, 1943
353 El Brillo Way
Palm Beach, FL
DIRECTOR
Began serving: April 1999

 

Principal Occupation: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex.

Other Directorships Held: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cunningham & Co., Inc. (strategic business consulting); Trustee Associate, Boston College.

Previous Positions: Director, Redgate Communications and EMC Corporation (computer storage systems); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Computer Consoles, Inc.; President and Chief Operating Officer, Wang Laboratories; Director, First National Bank of Boston; Director, Apollo Computer, Inc.

 

$617.52

 

$148,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Peter E. Madden
Birth Date: March 16, 1942
One Royal Palm Way
100 Royal Palm Way
Palm Beach, FL
DIRECTOR
Began serving: October 1993

 

Principal Occupation: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Management Consultant.

Other Directorships Held: Board of Overseers, Babson College.

Previous Positions: Representative, Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Court; President, State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Corporation (retired); Director, VISA USA and VISA International; Chairman and Director, Massachusetts Bankers Association; Director, Depository Trust Corporation; Director, The Boston Stock Exchange.

 

$617.52

 

$148,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Charles F. Mansfield, Jr.
Birth Date: April 10, 1945
80 South Road
Westhampton Beach, NY
DIRECTOR
Began serving: April 1999

 

Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Management Consultant; Executive Vice President, DVC Group, Inc. (marketing, communications and technology) (prior to 9/1/00).

Previous Positions: Chief Executive Officer, PBTC International Bank; Partner, Arthur Young & Company (now Ernst & Young LLP); Chief Financial Officer of Retail Banking Sector, Chase Manhattan Bank; Senior Vice President, HSBC Bank USA (formerly, Marine Midland Bank); Vice President, Citibank; Assistant Professor of Banking and Finance, Frank G. Zarb School of Business, Hofstra University.

 

$679.29

 

$163,350.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.
Birth Date: December 20, 1932
Chancellor, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
DIRECTOR
Began serving: February 1995

 

Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Chancellor and Law Professor, Duquesne University; Consulting Partner, Mollica & Murray.

Other Directorships Held: Director, Michael Baker Corp. (engineering, construction, operations and technical services).

Previous Positions: President, Duquesne University; Dean and Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law; Dean and Professor of Law, Villanova University School of Law.

 

$741.03

 

$178,200.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Name
Birth Date
Address
Positions Held with Corporation
Date Service Began

  

Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)

  

Aggregate
Compensation
From Fund
(past fiscal year)

  

Total Compensation
From Corporation and
Federated Fund Complex
(past calendar year)

Marjorie P. Smuts
Birth Date: June 21, 1935
4905 Bayard Street
Pittsburgh, PA
DIRECTOR
Began serving: October 1993

 

Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; Public Relations/Marketing Consultant/Conference Coordinator.

Previous Positions: National Spokesperson, Aluminum Company of America; television producer; President, Marj Palmer Assoc.; Owner, Scandia Bord.

 

$617.52

 

$148,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


John S. Walsh
Birth Date: November 28, 1957
2604 William Drive
Valparaiso, IN
DIRECTOR
Began serving: April 1999

 

Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Fund Complex; President and Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. (manufacturer of construction temporary heaters); President and Director, Manufacturers Products, Inc. (distributor of portable construction heaters); President, Portable Heater Parts, a division of Manufacturers Products, Inc.

Previous Position: Vice President, Walsh & Kelly, Inc.

 

$617.52

 

$148,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


OFFICERS**

 

 

 

 


Name
Birth Date
Positions Held with Corporation

  

Principal Occupation(s) and Previous Positions

Edward C. Gonzales
Birth Date: October 22, 1930
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

 

Principal Occupations: President, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; Vice Chairman, Federated Investors, Inc.; Trustee, Federated Administrative Services.

Previous Positions: Trustee or Director of some of the Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; CEO and Chairman, Federated Administrative Services; Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; Director and Executive Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; Director, Federated Services Company; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company.

 

 

 


John W. McGonigle
Birth Date: October 26, 1938
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
AND SECRETARY

 

Principal Occupations: Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Federated Fund Complex; Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, Federated Investors, Inc.

Previous Positions: Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company and Federated Investment Counseling; Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Services Company and Federated Securities Corp.

 

 

 


Richard J. Thomas
Birth Date: June 17, 1954
TREASURER

 

Principal Occupations: Treasurer of the Federated Fund Complex; Senior Vice President, Federated Administrative Services.

Previous Positions: Vice President, Federated Administrative Services; held various management positions within Funds Financial Services Division of Federated Investors, Inc.

 

 

 


William D. Dawson III
Birth Date: March 3, 1949
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

 

Principal Occupations: Chief Investment Officer of this Fund and various other Funds in the Federated Fund Complex; Executive Vice President, Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd.; Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Federated Investment Management Company; Portfolio Manager, Federated Administrative Services; Vice President, Federated Investors, Inc.

Previous Positions: Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President, Federated Investment Counseling Institutional Portfolio Management Services Division; Senior Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd.

 

 

 


Joseph M. Balestrino
Birth Date: November 3, 1954
VICE PRESIDENT

 

Joseph M. Balestrino has been the Fund's Portfolio Manager since September 1996. He is Vice President of the Corporation. Mr. Balestrino joined Federated in 1986 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Vice President of the Fund's Adviser since 1998. He was a Portfolio Manager and a Vice President of the Fund's Adviser from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Balestrino served as a Portfolio Manager and an Assistant Vice President of the Adviser from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Balestrino is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received his Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh.

 

 

 


** Officers do not receive any compensation from the Fund.

Thomas R. Donahue, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Federated and an officer of its various advisory and underwriting subsidiaries, has served as a Term Member on the Board of Directors of Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, since May 12, 2000. Mr. John E. Murray, Jr., an Independent Director of the Fund, served as President of Duquesne from 1988 until his retirement from that position in 2001, and became Chancellor of Duquesne on August 15, 2001. It should be noted that Mr. Donahue abstains on any matter that comes before Duquesne's Board that affects Mr. Murray personally.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

 

Board
Committee

  

Committee
Members

  

Committee Functions

  

Meetings Held
During Last
Fiscal Year

Executive

 

John F. Donahue
John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.

 

In between meetings of the full Board, the Executive Committee generally may exercise all the powers of the full Board in the management and direction of the business and conduct of the affairs of the Corporation in such manner as the Executive Committee shall deem to be in the best interests of the Corporation. However, the Executive Committee cannot elect or remove Board members, increase or decrease the number of Directors, elect or remove any Officer, declare dividends, issue shares or recommend to shareholders any action requiring shareholder approval.

 

Two

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Audit

 

Thomas G. Bigley
John T. Conroy, Jr.
Nicholas P. Constantakis
Charles F. Mansfield, Jr.

 

The Audit Committee reviews and recommends to the full Board the independent auditors to be selected to audit the Fund's financial statements; meets with the independent auditors periodically to review the results of the audits and reports the results to the full Board; evaluates the independence of the auditors, reviews legal and regulatory matters that may have a material effect on the financial statements, related compliance policies and programs, and the related reports received from regulators; reviews the Fund's internal audit function; reviews compliance with the Fund's code of conduct/ethics; reviews valuation issues; monitors inter-fund lending transactions; reviews custody services and issues and investigates any matters brought to the Committee's attention that are within the scope of its duties.

 

Four

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


BOARD OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IN THE FUND AND IN THE FEDERATED FAMILY OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002

 

Interested
Board Member Name

  

Dollar Range of
Shares Owned
in Fund

  

Aggregate
Dollar Range of
Shares Owned in
Federated Family of
Investment Companies

John F. Donahue

   

Over $100,000

   

Over $100,000


J. Christopher Donahue

   

Over $100,000

   

Over $100,000


Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.

   

None

   

Over $100,000


 

 

 

 

 

Independent
Board Member Name

   

   

   

   

Thomas G. Bigley

   

None

   

Over $100,000


John T. Conroy, Jr.

   

Over $100,000

   

Over $100,000


Nicholas P. Constantakis

   

None

   

Over $100,000


John F. Cunningham

   

None

   

Over $100,000


Peter E. Madden

   

None

   

Over $100,000


Charles F. Mansfield, Jr.

   

$10,001 - $50,000

   

$50,001 - $100,000


John E. Murray, Jr., J.D., S.J.D.

   

None

   

Over $100,000


Marjorie P. Smuts

   

$10,001 - $50,000

   

Over $100,000


John S. Walsh

   

$1 - $10,000

   

Over $100,000


INVESTMENT ADVISER

The Adviser conducts investment research and makes investment decisions for the Fund.

The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Federated.

The Adviser shall not be liable to the Corporation or any Fund shareholder for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding, or sale of any security or for anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties imposed upon it by its contract with the Corporation.

As required by the 1940 Act, the Fund's Board has reviewed the Fund's investment advisory contract. The Board's decision to approve the contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund's investment objectives and long-term performance; the Adviser's management philosophy, personnel, and processes; the preferences and expectations of fund shareholders and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; comparable fees in the mutual fund industry; the range and quality of services provided to the Fund and its shareholders by the Federated organization in addition to investment advisory services; and the Fund's relationship to the Federated funds.

In assessing the Adviser's performance of its obligations, the Board also considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund's operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew an advisory contract. In particular, the Board recognizes that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Adviser's industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Adviser will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Adviser. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by other entities in the Federated organization and research services received by the Adviser from brokers that execute fund trades, as well as advisory fees. In this regard, the Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an Adviser's compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, including the performance of the Fund; the Adviser's cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Adviser may realize "economies of scale" as the Fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates as a result of the Adviser's relationship with the Fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Adviser's service and fee. The Fund's Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Fund's advisory contract.

The Board considers and weighs these circumstances in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Fund and working with Federated on matters relating to the Federated funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of independent legal counsel. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Fund and the Federated organization. Federated provides much of this information at each regular meeting of the Board, and furnishes additional reports in connection with the particular meeting at which the Board's formal review of the advisory contracts occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board's evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Adviser's investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund's short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its particular investment program and certain competitor or "peer group" funds), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund's expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund's portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Federated funds and the Federated companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Federated funds and/or Federated are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Federated, including reports on the compensation and benefits Federated derives from its relationships with the Federated funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees received by Federated's subsidiaries for providing other services to the Federated funds under separate contracts (e.g., for serving as the Federated funds' administrator and transfer agent). The reports also discuss any indirect benefit Federated may derive from its receipt of research services from brokers who execute Federated fund trades.

The Board bases its decision to approve an advisory contract on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above are relevant to every Federated fund, nor does the Board consider any one of them to be determinative. Because the totality of circumstances includes considering the relationship of each Federated fund, the Board does not approach consideration of every Federated fund's advisory contract as if that were the only Federated fund offered by Federated.

Other Related Services

Affiliates of the Adviser may, from time to time, provide certain electronic equipment and software to institutional customers in order to facilitate the purchase of Fund Shares offered by the Distributor.

CODE OF ETHICS RESTRICTIONS ON PERSONAL TRADING

As required by SEC rules, the Fund, its Adviser and its Distributor have adopted codes of ethics. These codes govern securities trading activities of investment personnel, Fund Directors and certain other employees. Although they do permit these people to trade in securities, including those that the Fund could buy, they also contain significant safeguards designed to protect the Fund and its shareholders from abuses in this area, such as requirements to obtain prior approval for, and to report, particular transactions.

BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio instruments, the Adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable price. The Adviser will generally use those who are recognized dealers in specific portfolio instruments, except when a better price and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. The Adviser may select brokers and dealers based on whether they also offer research services (as described below). In selecting among firms believed to meet these criteria, the Adviser may give consideration to those firms which have sold or are selling Shares of the Fund and other funds distributed by the Distributor and its affiliates. The Adviser may also direct certain portfolio trades to a broker that, in turn, pays a portion of the Fund's operating expenses. The Adviser makes decisions on portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the Fund's Board.

Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other accounts managed by the Adviser. Except as noted below, when the Fund and one or more of those accounts invests in, or disposes of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated among the Fund and the account(s) in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable. While the coordination and ability to participate in volume transactions may benefit the Fund, it is possible that this procedure could adversely impact the price paid or received and/or the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. Investments for Federated Kaufmann Fund and other accounts managed by that fund's portfolio managers in initial public offerings (IPOs) are made independently from any other accounts, and much of their non-IPO trading may also be conducted independently from other accounts.

ADMINISTRATOR

Federated Services Company, a subsidiary of Federated, provides administrative personnel and services (including certain legal and financial reporting services) necessary to operate the Fund. Federated Services Company provides these at the following annual rate of the average aggregate daily net assets of all Federated funds as specified below:

 

Maximum Administrative Fee

  

Average Aggregate Daily
Net Assets of the Federated Funds

0.150 of 1%

 

on the first $250 million

0.125 of 1%

 

on the next $250 million

0.100 of 1%

 

on the next $250 million

0.075 of 1%

 

on assets in excess of $750 million

The administrative fee received during any fiscal year shall be at least $125,000 per portfolio and $30,000 per each additional class of Shares. Federated Services Company may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee and may reimburse the Fund for expenses.

Federated Services Company also provides certain accounting and recordkeeping services with respect to the Fund's portfolio investments for a fee based on Fund assets plus out-of-pocket expenses.

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, Massachusetts, is custodian for the securities and cash of the Fund. Foreign instruments purchased by the Fund are held by foreign banks participating in a network coordinated by State Street Bank.

TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

Federated Services Company, through its registered transfer agent subsidiary Federated Shareholder Services Company, maintains all necessary shareholder records. The Fund pays the transfer agent a fee based on the size, type and number of accounts and transactions made by shareholders.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The independentauditorfor the Fund, Deloitte & Touche LLP, conducts its audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require it to plan and perform its audits to provide reasonable assurance about whether the Fund's financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.

FEES PAID BY THE FUND FOR SERVICES

 

For the Year Ended November 30

  

2002

  

2001

Advisory Fee Earned

   

$2,647,351

   

$1,771,267


Advisory Fee Reduction

   

1,511,097

   

1,022,959


Advisory Fee Reimbursement

   

6,390

   

590


Administrative Fee

   

497,702

   

333,396


12b-1 Fee:

   

   

   

   


Class A Shares

   

61,249

   

1,816


Class B Shares

   

222,686

   

13,798


Class C Shares

   

67,899

   

4,472


Shareholder Services Fee:

   

   

   

   


Class A Shares

   

61,249

   

1,816


Class B Shares

   

74,228

   

4,600


Class C Shares

   

22,633

   

1,491


1 The Start of Performance dates for Class A, B and C Shares were August 16, 2001, August 3, 2001 and August 2, 2001, respectively.

Fees are allocated among classes based on their pro rata share of Fund assets, except for marketing (Rule 12b-1) fees and shareholder services fees, which are borne only by the applicable class of Shares.

How Does the Fund Measure Performance?

The Fund may advertise Share performance by using the SEC's standard methods for calculating performance applicable to all mutual funds. The SEC also permits this standard performance information to be accompanied by non-standard performance information.

Share performance reflects the effect of non-recurring charges, such as maximum sales charges, which, if excluded, would increase the total return and yield. The performance of Shares depends upon such variables as: portfolio quality; average portfolio maturity; type and value of portfolio securities; changes in interest rates; changes or differences in the Fund's or any class of Shares' expenses; and various other factors.

Share performance fluctuates on a daily basis largely because net earnings and/or the value of portfolio holdings fluctuate daily. Both net earnings and offering price per Share are factors in the computation of yield and total return.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AND YIELD

Total returns are given for the one-year and Start of Performance periods ended November 30, 2002.

Yield is given for the 30-day period ended November 30, 2002.

 

Share Class

  

30-Day
Period

  

1 Year

  

Start of
Performance on
8/16/2001

Class A Shares:

Total Return

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before Taxes

 

NA

 

0.86%

 

2.41%

After Taxes on Distributions

 

NA

 

(1.42)%

 

0.14%

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Shares

NA

0.50%

0.82%

Yield

 

4.76%

 

NA

 

NA

Share Class

  

30-Day
Period

  

1 Year

  

Start of
Performance on
8/3/2001

Class B Shares:

Total Return

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before Taxes

 

NA

 

(0.42)%

 

2.51%

After Taxes on Distributions

 

NA

 

(2.59)%

 

0.33%

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Shares

NA

(0.27)%

0.95%

Yield

 

4.49%

 

NA

 

NA

Share Class

  

30-Day
Period

  

1 Year

  

Start of
Performance on
8/2/2001

Class C Shares:

Total Return

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before Taxes

 

NA

 

4.06%

 

5.96%

After Taxes on Distributions

 

NA

 

1.89%

 

3.81%

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Shares

NA

2.48%

3.72%

Yield

 

4.49%

 

NA

 

NA

TOTAL RETURN

Total return represents the change (expressed as a percentage) in the value of Shares over a specific period of time, and includes the investment of income and capital gains distributions.

The average annual total return for Shares is the average compounded rate of return for a given period that would equate a $10,000 initial investment to the ending redeemable value of that investment. The ending redeemable value is computed by multiplying the number of Shares owned at the end of the period by the NAV per Share at the end of the period. The number of Shares owned at the end of the period is based on the number of Shares purchased at the beginning of the period with $10,000, less any applicable sales charge, adjusted over the period by any additional Shares, assuming the annual reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. Total returns after taxes are calculated in a similar manner, but reflect additional standard assumptions required by the SEC.

YIELD

The yield of Shares is calculated by dividing: (i) the net investment income per Share earned by the Shares over a 30-day period; by (ii) the maximum offering price per Share on the last day of the period. This number is then annualized using semi-annual compounding. This means that the amount of income generated during the 30-day period is assumed to be generated each month over a 12-month period and is reinvested every six months. The yield does not necessarily reflect income actually earned by Shares because of certain adjustments required by the SEC and, therefore, may not correlate to the dividends or other distributions paid to shareholders.

To the extent investment professionals and broker/dealers charge fees in connection with services provided in conjunction with an investment in Shares, the Share performance is lower for shareholders paying those fees.

PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS

Advertising and sales literature may include:

  • references to ratings, rankings, and financial publications and/or performance comparisons of Shares to certain indices;
  • charts, graphs and illustrations using the Fund's returns, or returns in general, that demonstrate investment concepts such as tax-deferred compounding, dollar-cost averaging and systematic investment;
  • discussions of economic, financial and political developments and their impact on the securities market, including the portfolio manager's views on how such developments could impact the Fund; and
  • information about the mutual fund industry from sources such as the Investment Company Institute.

The Fund may compare its performance, or performance for the types of securities in which it invests, to a variety of other investments, including federally insured bank products such as bank savings accounts, certificates of deposit and Treasury bills.

The Fund may quote information from reliable sources regarding individual countries and regions, world stock exchanges, and economic and demographic statistics.

You may use financial publications and/or indices to obtain a more complete view of Share performance. When comparing performance, you should consider all relevant factors such as the composition of the index used, prevailing market conditions, portfolio compositions of other funds, and methods used to value portfolio securities and compute offering price. The financial publications and/or indices which the Fund uses in advertising may include:

Russell Active Sector Rotation Accounts Universe

Russell Active Sector Rotation Accounts Universe includes portfolios that change interest rate exposure relative to the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index or other broad market indexes, with changes in portfolio interest rate sensitivity limited to approximately plus or minus 20% index duration. Durations have typically been 3.5 to 6 years. Primary emphasis is on selecting undervalued sectors or issues. Includes separate accounts, pooled funds, or mutual funds managed by investment advisors, banks or insurance companies.

Lipper, Inc.

Lipper, Inc., ranks funds in various fund categories by making comparative calculations using total return. Total return assumes the reinvestment of all capital gains distributions and income dividends and takes into account any change in offering price over a specific period of time. From time to time, the Fund will quote its Lipper ranking in the "Intermediate Investment Grade Debt" category in advertising and sales literature.

Lehman Brothers Government/Credit (Total) Index

Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate (Total) Index is comprised of approximately 5,000 issues which include: non-convertible bonds publicly issued by the U.S. government or its agencies; corporate bonds guaranteed by the U.S. government and quasi-federal corporations; and publicly issued, fixed rate, non-convertible domestic bonds of companies in industry, public utilities and finance. The average maturity of these bonds approximates nine years. Tracked by Lehman Brothers, Inc., the index calculates total returns for one-month, three-month, twelve-month, and ten-year periods and year-to-date.

Lehman Brothers Intermediate Government/Credit Bond Index

Lehman Brothers Intermediate Government/Corporate Bond Index is an unmanaged index comprised of all the bonds issued by the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index with maturities between 1 and 9.99 years. Total return is based on price appreciation/depreciation and income as a percentage of the original investment. Indices are rebalanced monthly by market capitalization.

Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index

Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of securities from the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index, Mortgage-Backed Securities Index and the Asset-Backed Securities Index. Total return comprises price appreciation/depreciation and income as a percentage of the original investment. Indices are rebalanced monthly by market capitalization.

Who is Federated Investors, Inc.?

Federated is dedicated to meeting investor needs by making structured, straightforward and consistent investment decisions. Federated investment products have a history of competitive performance and have gained the confidence of thousands of financial institutions and individual investors.

Federated's disciplined investment selection process is rooted in sound methodologies backed by fundamental and technical research. At Federated, success in investment management does not depend solely on the skill of a single portfolio manager. It is a fusion of individual talents and state-of-the-art industry tools and resources. Federated's investment process involves teams of portfolio managers and analysts, and investment decisions are executed by traders who are dedicated to specific market sectors and who handle trillions of dollars in annual trading volume.

FEDERATED FUNDS OVERVIEW

Municipal Funds

In the municipal sector, as of December 31, 2002, Federated managed 14 bond funds with approximately $3.2 billion in assets and 22 money market funds with approximately $20.6 billion in total assets. In 1976, Federated introduced one of the first municipal bond mutual funds in the industry and is now one of the largest institutional buyers of municipal securities. The Funds may quote statistics from organizations including The Tax Foundation and the National Taxpayers Union regarding the tax obligations of Americans.

Equity Funds

In the equity sector, Federated has more than 31 years' experience. As of December 31, 2002, Federated managed 37 equity funds totaling approximately $16.2 billion in assets across growth, value, equity income, international, index and sector (i.e. utility) styles. Federated's value-oriented management style combines quantitative and qualitative analysis and features a structured, computer-assisted composite modeling system that was developed in the 1970s.

Corporate Bond Funds

In the corporate bond sector, as of December 31, 2002, Federated managed 10 money market funds and 9bond funds with assets approximating $59.4 billion and $6.0 billion, respectively. Federated's corporate bond decision making--based on intensive, diligent credit analysis--is backed by over 29 years of experience in the corporate bond sector. In 1972, Federated introduced one of the first high-yield bond funds in the industry. In 1983, Federated was one of the first fund managers to participate in the asset backed securities market, a market totaling more than $209 billion.

Government Funds

In the government sector, as of December 31, 2002, Federated managed 7 mortgage backed, 3 multi-sector government funds, 4 government/agency and 19 government money market mutual funds, with assets approximating $4.9 billion, $0.9 billion, $2.9 billion and $56.2 billion, respectively. Federated trades approximately $90.4 billion in U.S. government and mortgage backed securities daily and places approximately$35 billion in repurchase agreements each day. Federated introduced the first U.S. government fund to invest in U.S. government bond securities in 1969. Federated has been a major force in the short- and intermediate-term government markets since 1982 and currently manages approximately$50 billion in government funds within these maturity ranges.

Money Market Funds

In the money market sector, Federated gained prominence in the mutual fund industry in 1974 with the creation of the first institutional money market fund. Simultaneously, the company pioneered the use of the amortized cost method of accounting for valuing shares of money market funds, a principal means used by money managers today to value money market fund shares. Other innovations include the first institutional tax-free money market fund. As of December 31, 2002, Federated managed $136.2 billion in assets across 52 money market funds, including 19 government, 10 prime, 22 municipal and 1 euro-denominated with assets approximating $56.2 billion, $59.4 billion, $20.6 billion and $173.9 million, respectively.

The Chief Investment Officers responsible for oversight of the various investment sectors within Federated are: Global Equity--Stephen F. Auth is responsible for overseeing the management of Federated's domestic and international equity products; Global Fixed Income--William D. Dawson III is responsible for overseeing the management of Federated's domestic and international fixed income and high-yield products.

MUTUAL FUND MARKET

Forty-nine percent of American households are pursuing their financial goals through mutual funds. These investors, as well as businesses and institutions, have entrusted over $6.8 trillion to the more than 8,157 funds available, according to the Investment Company Institute.

FEDERATED CLIENTS OVERVIEW

Federated distributes mutual funds through its subsidiaries for a variety of investment purposes. Specific markets include:

Institutional Clients

Federated meets the needs of approximately 3,035 institutional clients nationwide by managing and servicing separate accounts and mutual funds for a variety of purposes, including defined benefit and defined contribution programs, cash management and asset/liability management. Institutional clients include corporations, pension funds, tax exempt entities, foundations/endowments, insurance companies, and investment and financial advisers. The marketing effort to these institutional clients is headed by John B. Fisher, President, Institutional Sales Division, Federated Securities Corp.

Bank Marketing

Other institutional clients include more than 1,600 banks and trust organizations. Virtually all of the trust divisions of the top 100 bank holding companies use Federated Funds in their clients' portfolios. The marketing effort to trust clients is headed by Timothy C. Pillion, Senior Vice President, Bank Marketing & Sales.

Broker/Dealers and Bank Broker/Dealer Subsidiaries

Federated Funds are available to consumers through major brokerage firms nationwide--we have over 2,000 broker/dealer and bank broker/dealer relationships across the country--supported by more wholesalers than any other mutual fund distributor. Federated's service to financial professionals and institutions has earned it high ratings in several surveys performed by DALBAR, Inc. DALBAR is recognized as the industry benchmark for service quality measurement. The marketing effort to these firms is headed by James F. Getz, President, Broker/Dealer Sales Division, Federated Securities Corp.

Financial Information

The Financial Statements for the Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 are incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report to Shareholders of Federated Total Return Bond Fund dated November 30, 2002.

Investment Ratings

STANDARD AND POOR'S LONG-TERM DEBT RATING DEFINITIONS

AAA--Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

AA--Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the higher-rated issues only in small degree.

A--Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.

BBB--Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.

BB--Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB rating.

B--Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.

CCC--Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.

CC--The rating CC typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.

C--The rating C typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE LONG-TERM BOND RATING DEFINITIONS

AAA--Bonds which are rated AAA are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

AA--Bonds which are rated AA are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the AAA group, they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in AAA securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in AAA securities.

A--Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

BAA--Bonds which are rated BAA are considered as medium-grade obligations, (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

BA--Bonds which are BA are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B--Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

CAA--Bonds which are rated CAA are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

CA--Bonds which are rated CA represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C--Bonds which are rated C are the lowest-rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

FITCH RATINGS LONG-TERM DEBT RATING DEFINITIONS

AAA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+.

A--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.

BBB--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.

BB--Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.

B--Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the life of the issue.

CCC--Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and economic environment.

CC--Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or principal seems probable over time.

C--Bonds are imminent default in payment of interest or principal.

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

Prime-1--Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:

  • Leading market positions in well-established industries;
  • High rates of return on funds employed;
  • Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection;
  • Broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation; and
  • Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

Prime-2--Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

STANDARD AND POOR'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

A-1--This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.

A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.

FITCH RATINGS COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING DEFINITIONS

FITCH-1--(Highest Grade) Commercial paper assigned this rating is regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.

FITCH-2--(Very Good Grade) Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than the strongest issues.

Addresses

FEDERATED TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND

Class A Shares
Class B Shares
Class C Shares
Class K Shares

Federated Investors Funds
5800 Corporate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-7000

Distributor

Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779

Investment Adviser

Federated Investment Management Company
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

Federated Shareholder Services Company
P.O. Box 8600
Boston, MA 02266-8600

Independent Auditors

Deloitte & Touche LLP
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116

 



ITEM 23.    EXHIBITS.

            (a)   (i)         Conformed copy of Articles of
                              Incorporation; (1)
                  (ii)        Conformed copy of Articles of Amendment
                              of Articles of Incorporation; (2)
                  (iii)       Conformed copies of Articles of
                              Amendments Nos. 5-12 to Articles of
                              Amendment of the Registrant; (19)
                  (iv)        Conformed copy of Amendment No. 13 to
                              Articles of Incorporation of the
                              Registrant; (21)
            (b)   (i)         Copy of By-Laws of the Registrant; (1)
                  (ii)        Copies of Amendments Nos. 1-3 to the
                              By-Laws of the Registrant; (16)
                  (iii)       Copy of Amendment No. 4 to the By-Laws
                              of the Registrant; (22)
            (c)               Copy of Specimen Certificate for Shares
                              of Capital Stock of the Registrant; (10)
            (d)   (i)         Copy of Investment Advisory Contract of
                              the Registrant and conformed copies of
                              Exhibits A and B of Investment Advisory
                              Contract of the Registrant; (7)
                  (ii)        Conformed copy of Exhibit C to the
                              Investment Advisory Contract of the
                              Registrant; (19)
                  (iii)       Conformed copies of Exhibits D and E of
                              Investment Advisory Contract of the
                              Registrant; (11)
                  (iv)        Conformed copy of Exhibit F of
                              Investment Advisory Contract of the
                              Registrant; (18)
                  (v)         Conformed copy of Amendment to the
                              Investment Advisory Contract; (20)
                  (vi)        Conformed copy of Limited Power of
                              Attorney of the Investment Advisory
                              Contract of the Registrant; (19)
                  (vii)       Conformed copy of Schedule 1 to Limited
                              Power of Attorney of the Registrant; (19)
            (e)   (i)         Copy of Distributor's Contract of the
                              Registrant and Conformed copies of
                              Exhibits A, B, C and D to the
                              Distributor's Contract of the
                              Registrant;(4)
                  (ii)        Copy of Distributor's Contract of the
                              Registrant and Conformed copies of
                              Exhibits E and F to Distributor's
                              Contract of the Registrant; (10)
                  (iii)       Conformed copies of Exhibits G and H to
                              Distributor's Contract of the
                              Registrant; (11)
                  (iv)        Conformed copy of Exhibit I to
                              Distributor's Contract of the
                              Registrant; (19)
                  (v)         Conformed copy of Exhibit J to
                              Distributor's Contract of the
                              Registrant; (20)
                  (vi)        Conformed copy of Amendment to the
                              Distributor's Contract between the
                              Registrant and the Distributor; (20)
                  (vii)       Conformed copy of Distributor's Contract
                              and Exhibit 1 Amendment to Distribution
                              Plan of the Registrant (Class B Shares);
                              (20)
                  (viii)      Conformed copy of Exhibit K to
                              Distributor's Contract of the
                              Registrant; (21)
                  (ix)        Conformed copy of Exhibit L to
                              Distributor's Contract of the
                              Registrant; (22)
                  (x)         Conformed copy of Amendment to the
                              Distributor's Contract between the
                              Registrant and the Distributor (Class B
                              Shares); (21)
                  (xi)        The Registrant hereby incorporates the
                              conformed copy of the specimen Mutual
                              Funds Sales and Service Agreement;
                              Mutual Funds Service Agreement; and Plan
                              Trustee/Mutual Funds Service Agreement
                              from Item 24(b)(6) of the Cash Trust
                              Series II Registration Statement on Form
                              N-1A, filed with the Commission on July
                              24, 1995. (File Numbers 33-38550 and
                              811-6269).
                  (xii)       Conformed copy of Exhibit M to the
                              Distributor's of the Registrant (Class K
                              Shares); (+)
            (f)               Not Applicable;
            (g)   (i)         Conformed copy of the Custodian Contract
                              of the Registrant; (22)
            (h)   (i)         Conformed copy of Fund Accounting
                              Services, Administrative Services,
                              Transfer Agency Services, and Custody
                              Services Procurement Agreement of the
                              Registrant; (13)
                  (ii)        Conformed copy of Amendment to Fund
                              Accounting Services, Administrative
                              Services, Transfer Agency Services, and
                              Custody Services Procurement Agreement
                              of the Registrant; (21)
                  (iii)       Conformed copy of Administrative
                              Services Agreement; (4)
                  (iv)        The responses described in Item 23(e)(x)
                              are hereby incorporated by reference;
                  (v)         The Registrant hereby incorporates the
                              conformed copy of the Second Amended and
                              Restated Services Agreement from Item
                              (h)(v) of the Investment Series Funds,
                              Inc. Registration Statement on Form
                              N-1A, filed with the Commission on
                              January 23, 2002. (File Nos. 33-48847
                              and 811-07021).
                  (vi)        Conformed copy of Principal Shareholder
                              Servicer's Agreement (Class B Shares);
                              (20)
                  (vii)       Conformed copy of Shareholder Services
                              Agreement (Class B Shares); (20)
            (i)               Conformed copy of Opinion and Consent of
                              Counsel as to legality of shares being
                              registered; (2)
            (j)               Conformed copy of Consent of Independent
                              Auditors; *
            (k)               Not Applicable;
            (l)               Conformed copy of Initial Capital
                              Understanding; (3)
            (m)   (i)         Conformed copy of Distribution Plan of
                              the Registrant including Exhibits A and
                              B; (11)
                  (ii)        Conformed copy of Exhibit C to
                              Distribution Plan of the Registrant; (10)
                  (iii)       Conformed copy of Exhibits D and E to
                              Distribution Plan of the Registrant; (11)
                  (iv)        Conformed copy of Exhibits F and G to
                              Distribution Plan of the Registrant; (20)
                  (v)         Conformed copy of Exhibit H to
                              Distribution Plan of the Registrant; (23)
                  (vi)        The responses described in Item 24(b)(6)
                              are hereby incorporated by reference;
                  (vii)       Conformed copy of Exhibit I to
                              Distribution Plan of the Registrant; (+)
            (n)               The Registrant hereby incorporates the
                              conformed copy of the Multiple Class
                              Plan from Item (n) of the Federated GNMA
                              Trust Registration Statement on Form
                              N-1A, filed with the Commission on March
                              27, 2003. (File Nos. 2-45670 and
                              811-3375).
            (o)   (i)         Conformed copy of Power of Attorney of
                              the Registrant; (19)
                  (ii)        Conformed copy of Power of Attorney for
                              William D. Dawson, Chief Investment
                              Officer of the Registrant; (19)
            (p)               The Registrant hereby incorporates the
                              conformed copy of the Code of Ethics for
                              Access Persons from Item 23(p) of the
                              Federated Managed Allocation Portfolios
                              Registration Statement on Form N-1A
                              filed with the Commission on January 25,
                              2001. (File Nos. 33-51247 and 811-7129).

(+)   All exhibits are being filed electronically.

(1)   Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Initial
      Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 25, 1993.
      (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)
(2)   Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A filed December 21,
      1993. (File Nos. 33-50773 and 811-7115)
(3)   Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form N-1A filed January 13,
      1994. (File Nos. 33-50773 and 811-7115)
(4)   Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-1A filed May 27, 1994.
      (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)
(7)   Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 on Form N-1A filed June 6, 1995.
      (File Nos. 33-50773 and 811-7115)
(10)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 on Form N-1A filed November 27,
      1996. (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)
(11)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 on Form N-1A filed March 31,
      1997. (File Nos. 33-50773 and 811-7115)
(13)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 on Form N-1A filed November 26,
      1997. (File Nos. 33-50773 and 811-7115)
(16)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 on Form N-1A filed October 28,
      1998. (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)
(18)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 on Form N-1A filed February 15,
      2000. (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)
(19)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 on Form N-1A filed November 29,
      2000. (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)
(20)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-
      Effective Amendment No. 24 on Form N-1A filed July 26, 2001.
      (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)
(21)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 on Form N-1A filed November 29,
      2001. (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)
(22)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 on Form N-1A filed November 27,
      2002. (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)
(23)  Response is incorporated by reference to Registrant's
      Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 on Form N-1A filed February 7
      2003. (File Nos.  33-50773 and 811-7115)


Item 24.    Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the
      Fund:

            None

Item 25.    Indemnification: (1)

Item 26.    Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser:

            For a description of the other business of the investment
            adviser, see the section entitled "Who Manages the Fund?" in Part
            A. The affiliations with the Registrant of four of the Trustees
            and one of the Officers of the investment adviser are included in
            Part B of this Registration Statement under "Who Manages and
            Provides Services to the Fund?"  The remaining Trustees of the
            investment adviser and, in parentheses, their principal
            occupations are:  Thomas R. Donahue, (Chief Financial Officer,
            Federated Investors, Inc.), 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA,
            15222-3779 and Mark D. Olson (a principal of the firm, Mark D.
            Olson & Company, L.L.C. and Partner, Wilson, Halbrook & Bayard,
            P.A.), 800 Delaware Avenue, P.O. Box 2305, Wilmington, DE
            19899-2305.

The remaining Officers of the investment adviser are:

Vice Chairman:                                  J. Thomas Madden

President/ Chief Executive Officer:             Keith M. Schappert

Executive Vice Presidents:                      Stephen F. Auth
                                                William D. Dawson, III

Senior Vice Presidents:                         Joseph M. Balestrino
                                                David A. Briggs
                                                Jonathan C. Conley
                                                Christopher F. Corapi
                                                Deborah A. Cunningham
                                                Linda A. Duessel
                                                Mark E. Durbiano
                                                James E. Grefenstette
                                                Robert M. Kowit
                                                Jeffrey A. Kozemchak
                                                Susan M. Nason
                                                Mary Jo Ochson
                                                Robert J. Ostrowski
                                                Frank Semack
                                                Richard Tito
                                                Peter Vutz

Vice Presidents:                                Todd A. Abraham
                                                J. Scott Albrecht
                                                Randall S. Bauer
                                                Nancy J.Belz
                                                G. Andrew Bonnewell
                                                David M. Bruns
                                                Robert E. Cauley
                                                Regina Chi
                                                Ross M. Cohen
                                                Fred B. Crutchfield
                                                Lee R. Cunningham, II
                                                Alexandre de Bethmann
                                                Anthony Delserone, Jr.
                                                Donald T. Ellenberger
                                                Eamonn G. Folan
                                                Thomas M. Franks
                                                John T. Gentry
                                                David P. Gilmore
                                                Marc Halperin
                                                John W. Harris
                                                Patricia L. Heagy
                                                Susan R. Hill
                                                Nikola A. Ivanov
                                                William R. Jamison
                                                Constantine J. Kartsonas
                                                Nathan H. Kehm
                                                John C. Kerber
                                                J. Andrew Kirschler
                                                Uri. D. Landesman
                                                Steven Lehman
                                                Marian R. Marinack
                                                Natalie F. Metz
                                                Thomas J. Mitchell
                                                Joseph M. Natoli
                                                John L. Nichol
                                                Mary Kay Pavuk
                                                Jeffrey A. Petro
                                                John P. Quartarolo
                                                Ihab L. Salib
                                                Roberto Sanchez-Dahl, Sr.
                                                Aash M. Shah
                                                John Sidawi
                                                Michael W. Sirianni, Jr.
                                                Christopher Smith
                                                Timothy G. Trebilcock
                                                Leonardo A. Vila
                                                Steve Wagner
                                                Paige M. Wilhelm
                                                Richard M. Winkowski, Jr.
                                                Lori A. Wolff
                                                George B. Wright

Assistant Vice Presidents:                      Lori Andrews
                                                Catherine A. Arendas
                                                Angela A. Auchey
                                                Nicholas P. Besh
                                                Hanan Callas
                                                David W. Cook
                                                James R. Crea, Jr.
                                                Karol M. Crummie
                                                David Dao
                                                Richard J. Gallo
                                                Kathyrn P. Glass
                                                Igor Golalic
                                                James Grant
                                                Anthony Han
                                                Kathryn P. Heagy
                                                Carol B. Kayworth
                                                Angela A. Kohler
                                                Robert P. Kozlowski
                                                Ted T. Lietz, Sr.
                                                Monica Lugani
                                                Tracey L. Lusk
                                                Ann Manley
                                                Theresa K. Miller
                                                Karl Mocharko
                                                Bob Nolte
                                                Rae Ann Rice
                                                Jennifer G. Setzenfand
                                                Diane R. Startari
                                                Kyle D. Stewart
                                                Mary Ellen Tesla
                                                Nichlas S. Tripodes
                                                Michael R. Tucker
                                                Steven J. Wagner
                                                Mark Weiss

Secretary:                                      G. Andrew Bonnewell

Treasurer:                                      Thomas R. Donahue

Assistant Secretaries:                          Jay S. Neuman
                                                Leslie K. Ross

Assistant Treasurer:                            Denis McAuley, III

            The business address of each of the Officers of the investment
            adviser is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue,
            Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779.  These individuals are also
            officers of a majority of the investment advisers to the
            investment companies in the Federated Fund Complex described in
            Part B of this Registration Statement.

Item 27.    Principal Underwriters:

            (a)   Federated Securities Corp. the Distributor for shares
                  of the Registrant, acts as principal underwriter for
                  the following open-end investment companies,
                  including the Registrant:

                  Cash Trust Series II; Cash Trust Series, Inc.; Edward
                  Jones Money Market Fund; Edward Jones Tax-Free Money
                  Market Fund; Federated American Leaders Fund, Inc.;
                  Federated Adjustable Rate Securities Fund; Federated
                  Capital Income Fund, Inc.; Federated Core Trust;
                  Federated Core Trust II, L.P.; Federated Equity
                  Funds; Federated Equity Income Fund, Inc.; Federated
                  Fixed Income Securities, Inc.; Federated GNMA Trust;
                  Federated Government Income Securities, Inc.;
                  Federated High Income Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated High
                  Yield Trust; Federated Income Securities Trust;
                  Federated Income Trust; Federated Index Trust;
                  Federated Institutional Trust; Federated Insurance
                  Series; Federated International Series, Inc.;
                  Federated Investment Series Funds, Inc.; Federated
                  Limited Duration Government Fund, Inc.; Federated
                  Managed Allocation Portfolios; Federated Municipal
                  Opportunities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal
                  Securities Fund, Inc.; Federated Municipal Securities
                  Income Trust; Federated Short-Term Municipal Trust;
                  Federated Stock and Bond Fund, Inc.; Federated Stock
                  Trust; Federated Total Return Government Bond Fund;
                  Federated Total Return Series, Inc.; Federated U.S.
                  Government Bond Fund; Federated U.S. Government
                  Securities Fund: 1-3 Years; Federated U.S. Government
                  Securities Fund: 2-5 Years; Federated World
                  Investment Series, Inc.; Intermediate Municipal
                  Trust; Money Market Obligations Trust; CCMI Funds;
                  Regions Morgan Keegan Select Funds; RIGGS Funds;
                  SouthTrust Funds; and Vision Group of Funds.


         (b)

         (1)                        (2)                        (3)
Positions and Offices                                 Positions and Offices
  With Distributor                  Name                 With Registrant
_____________________         _________________       ______________________

Chairman:                     Richard B. Fisher

Director:                     Arthur L. Cherry

President-Institutional
Sales and Director:           John B. Fisher

Executive Vice
Vice President, Assistant
Secretary and Director:       Thomas R. Donahue

President-Broker/Dealer
And Director:                 James F. Getz

Senior Vice Presidents:
                              Mark W. Bloss
                              Richard W. Boyd
                              Laura M. Deger
                              Peter W. Eisenbrandt
                              Theodore Fadool, Jr.
                              Christopher T. Fives
                              James S. Hamilton
                              James M. Heaton
                              Amy Michaliszyn
                              Keith Nixon
                              Solon A. Person, IV
                              Ronald M. Petnuch
                              Timothy C. Pillion
                              Thomas E. Territ
                              Robert F. Tousignant

Vice Presidents:              Irving Anderson
                              John B. Bohnet
                              Edward Bozek
                              Jane E. Broeren-Lambesis
                              Craig Burness
                              David J. Callahan
                              Mark Carroll
                              Scott Charlton
                              Steven R. Cohen
                              Mary J. Combs
                              R. Edmond Connell, Jr.
                              Kevin J. Crenny
                              Daniel T. Culbertson
                              G. Michael Cullen
                              Marc C. Danile
                              Robert J. Deuberry
                              Ron Dorman
                              William C. Doyle
                              Donald C. Edwards
                              Lee England
                              Timothy Franklin
                              Renee Gebben
                              Peter J. Germain
                              Joseph D. Gibbons
                              G. Tad Gullickson
                              Scott Gundersen
                              Dayna C. Haferkamp
                              Raymond J. Hanley
                              Vincent L. Harper, Jr.
                              Bruce E. Hastings
                              Charlene H. Jennings
                              Teresa M. Johnson
                              Christopher L. Johnston
                              H. Joseph Kennedy
                              Stephen Kittel
                              Michael W. Koenig
                              Ed Koontz
                              Christopher A. Layton
                              Michael H. Liss
                              Michael R. Manning
                              Martin J. McCaffrey
                              Mary Ann McCaffrey
                              Maurice W. McKinney
                              Mark J. Miehl
                              Richard C. Mihm
                              Vincent T. Morrow
                              Alec H. Neilly
                              Thomas A. Peter III
                              Raleigh Peters
                              Robert F. Phillips
                              Richard A. Recker
                              Christopher Renwick
                              Brian S. Ronayne
                              Thomas S. Schinabeck
                              Edward J. Segura
                              Peter Siconolfi
                              Edward L. Smith
                              David W. Spears
                              John A. Staley
                              Colin B. Starks
                              Jeffrey A. Stewart
                              Kevin Stutz
                              Timothy A. Rosewicz
                              Greg Spralding
                              William C. Tustin
                              Paul A. Uhlman
                              G. Walter Whalen
                              Stephen White
                              Patrick M. Wiethorn
                              Edward J. Wojnarowski
                              Michael P. Wolff


Assistant Vice Presidents:    Lisa Arcuri
                              Robert W. Bauman
                              Charles L. Davis, Jr.
                              Beth C. Dell
                              Jennifer Fetteroff
                              John T. Glickson
                              William Rose
                              Lynn Sherwood-Long

Treasurer:                    Denis McAuley, III

Secretary:                    Stephen A. Keen

Assistant Secretaries:        Peter J. Germain

The business address of each of the Officers of Federated Securities
Corp. is Federated Investors Tower, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15222-3779.

            (c)   Not applicable

Item 28.    Location of Accounts and Records:

All accounts and records required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 through 31a-3
promulgated thereunder are maintained at one of the following
locations:

Registrant
                                    Reed Smith LLP
                                    Investment and Asset
                                    Management Group (IAMG)
                                    Federated Investors Tower
                                    12th Floor
                                    1001 Liberty Avenue
                                    Pittsburgh, PA  15222-3779

(Notices should be sent to the Agent for Service at above address)

                                    Federated Investors Funds
                                    5800 Corporate Drive
                                    Pittsburgh, PA  15237-7000

Federated Shareholder               P.O. Box 8600
Services Company                    Boston, MA 02266-8600
("Transfer Agent and Dividend
Disbursing Agent")

Federated Services Company          Federated Investors Tower
("Administrator")                   1001 Liberty Avenue
                                    Pittsburgh, PA  15222-3779

Federated Investment                Federated Investors Tower
Management Company                  1001 Liberty Avenue
("Adviser")                         Pittsburgh, PA  15222-3779

State Street Bank and Trust         P.O. Box 8600
Company ("Custodian")               Boston, MA 02266-8600

Item 29.    Management Services:

            Not applicable.

Item 30.    Undertakings:

            Registrant hereby undertakes to comply with the provisions
            of Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act with respect to the
            removal of Directors and the calling of special
            shareholder meetings by shareholders.

                               SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and
the Investment  Company Act of 1940,  the  Registrant,  FEDERATED  TOTAL
RETURN   SERIES,   INC.,   has  duly  caused  this   Amendment   to  its
Registration  Statement  to be signed on its behalf by the  undersigned,
duly  authorized,   in  the  City  of  Pittsburgh  and  Commonwealth  of
Pennsylvania, on the 2nd day of April, 2003.

                  FEDERATED TOTAL RETURN SERIES, INC.
                  BY: /s/ Andrew P. Cross
                  Andrew P. Cross, Assistant Secretary
                  April 2, 2003

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment to its Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following person in the capacity and on the date indicated:

           NAME                     TITLE             DATE

By: /s/ Andrew P. Cross       Attorney In Fact    April 2, 2003
      Andrew P. Cross         For the Persons
      ASSISTANT SECRETARY     Listed Below


           NAME                     TITLE

John F. Donahue*                    Chairman and Director

J. Christopher Donahue*             President and Director
                                    (Principal Executive Officer)

Edward C. Gonzales*                 Executive Vice President

John W. McGonigle*                  Executive Vice President
                                    and Secretary

Richard J. Thomas*                  Treasurer
                                    (Principal Financial Officer)

William D. Dawson III*              Chief Investment Officer

Thomas G. Bigley*                   Director

John T. Conroy, Jr.*                Director

Nicholas P. Constantakis*           Director

John F. Cunningham*                 Director

Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D.*            Director

Peter E. Madden*                    Director

Charles F. Mansfield, Jr.*          Director

John E. Murray, Jr.*                Director

Marjorie P. Smuts*                  Director

John S. Walsh*                      Director

*  By Power of Attorney