SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-6
For Registration Under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities
of Unit Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2
A. Exact Name of Trust: FT 657
B. Name of Depositor: FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P.
C. Complete Address of Depositor's 1001 Warrenville Road
Principal Executive Offices: Lisle, Illinois 60532
D. Name and Complete Address of
Agents for Service: FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P.
Attention: James A. Bowen
Suite 300
1001 Warrenville Road
Lisle, Illinois 60532
CHAPMAN & CUTLER
Attention: Eric F. Fess
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois 60603
E. Title of Securities
Being Registered: An indefinite number of
Units pursuant to Rule
24f-2 promulgated under
the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended.
F. Approximate Date of Proposed
Sale to the Public: ____ Check if it is
proposed that this filing
will become effective on
_____ at ____ p.m.
pursuant to Rule 487.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement
shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED JULY 8, 2002
Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4
FT 657
FT 657 is a series of a unit investment trust, the FT Series. FT 657
consists of a single portfolio known as Nasdaq-100(R) Securities
Portfolio, Series 4 (the "Trust"). The Trust invests in a diversified
portfolio of common stocks ("Securities") of companies which comprise
the Nasdaq-100 Index(R). The objective of the Trust is to provide the
potential for above-average capital appreciation. The Trust has an
expected maturity of approximately five and one-half years.
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.
WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS
PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT
SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER
OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
FIRST TRUST (R)
1-800-621-9533
The date of this prospectus is July __, 2002
Page 1
Table of Contents
Summary of Essential Information 3
Fee Table 4
Report of Independent Auditors 5
Statement of Net Assets 6
Schedule of Investments 7
The FT Series 10
Portfolio 10
Risk Factors 11
Public Offering 12
Distribution of Units 14
The Sponsor's Profits 15
The Secondary Market 16
How We Purchase Units 16
Expenses and Charges 16
Tax Status 17
Retirement Plans 18
Rights of Unit Holders 18
Income and Capital Distributions 19
Redeeming Your Units 19
Removing Securities from the Trust 20
Amending or Terminating the Indenture 21
Information on the Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 22
Other Information 23
Page 2
Summary of Essential Information
Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4
FT 657
At the Opening of Business on the
Initial Date of Deposit-July __, 2002
Sponsor: First Trust Portfolios L.P.
Trustee: JPMorgan Chase Bank
Evaluator: First Trust Advisors L.P.
Initial Number of Units (1)
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit (1) 1/
Public Offering Price:
Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Securities per Unit (2) $ 9.900
Maximum Sales Charge of 4.85% of the Public Offering Price per Unit (4.899% of the net amount
invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge and creation and development fee) (3) $ .485
Less Deferred Sales Charge per Unit $ (.335)
Less Creation and Development Fee per Unit $ (.050)
Public Offering Price per Unit (4) $ 10.000
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit (5) $ 9.565
Redemption Price per Unit
(based on aggregate underlying value of Securities less deferred sales charge) (5) $ 9.565
Cash CUSIP Number 30267A 144
Reinvestment CUSIP Number 30267A 151
Fee Accounts Cash CUSIP Number 30267A 169
Fee Accounts Reinvestment CUSIP Number 30267A 177
Security Code
Ticker Symbol
First Settlement Date July __, 2002
Mandatory Termination Date (6) January 25, 2008
Income Distribution Record Date Fifteenth day of each June and December, commencing December 15, 2002.
Income Distribution Date (7) Last day of each June and December, commencing December 31, 2002.
______________
<FN>
NOTES TO SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
(1) As of the close of business on the Initial Date of Deposit, we may
adjust the number of Units of the Trust so that the Public Offering
Price per Unit will equal approximately $10.00. If we make such an
adjustment, the fractional undivided interest per Unit will vary from
the amounts indicated above.
(2) Each listed Security is valued at its last closing sale price. If a
Security is not listed, or if no closing sale price exists, it is valued
at its closing ask price. Evaluations for purposes of determining the
purchase, sale or redemption price of Units are made as of the close of
trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time) on each day on which it is open (the "Evaluation Time").
(3) The maximum sales charge consists of an initial sales charge, a
deferred sales charge and the creation and development fee. See "Fee
Table" and "Public Offering."
(4) The Public Offering Price shown above reflects the value of the
Securities on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit. No
investor will purchase Units at this price. The price you pay for your
Units will be based on their valuation at the Evaluation Time on the
date you purchase your Units. On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Public
Offering Price per Unit will not include any accumulated dividends on
the Securities. After this date a pro rata share of any accumulated
dividends on the Securities will be included.
(5) Until the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or
the end of the initial offering period, the Sponsor's Initial Repurchase
Price per Unit and the Redemption Price per Unit will include the
creation and development fee and estimated organization costs per Unit
set forth under "Fee Table." After such date, the Sponsor's Repurchase
Price and Redemption Price per Unit will not include such creation and
development fee and estimated organization costs. See "Redeeming Your
Units."
(6) See "Amending or Terminating the Indenture."
(7) Distributions from the Capital Account will be made monthly on the
last day of the month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day of
such month if the amount available for distribution equals at least
$1.00 per 100 Units. In any case, the Trustee will distribute any funds
in the Capital Account in December of each year.
</FN>
Page 3
Fee Table
This Fee Table describes the fees and expenses that you may, directly or
indirectly, pay if you buy and hold Units of the Trust. See "Public
Offering" and "Expenses and Charges." Although the Trust has a term of
approximately five and one-half years and is a unit investment trust
rather than a mutual fund, this information allows you to compare fees.
Amount
per Unit
_____
Unit Holder Sales Fees (as a percentage of public offering price)
Maximum Sales Charge
Initial sales charge 1.00%(a) $.100
Deferred sales charge 3.35%(b) $.335
Creation and development fee 0.50%(c) $.050
_______ _______
Maximum Sales Charge (including creation and development fee) 4.85% $.485
======= =======
Organization Costs (as a percentage of public offering price)
Estimated organization costs .290%(d) $.0290
======= =======
Estimated Annual Trust Operating Expenses(e)
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Portfolio supervision, bookkeeping, administrative and evaluation fees % $
Trustee's fee and other operating expenses %(f) $
_______ _______
Total % $
======= =======
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in
the Trust with the cost of investing in other investment products. The
example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Trust for the periods
shown and sell your Units at the end of those periods. The example also
assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the Trust's
operating expenses stay the same. The example does not take into
consideration transaction fees which may be charged by certain
broker/dealers for processing redemption requests. Although your actual
costs may vary, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 5 1/2 Years
______ _______ _______ ___________
$ $ $ $
The example will not differ if you hold rather than sell your Units at
the end of each period.
_____________
<FN>
(a) The combination of the initial and deferred sales charge comprises
what we refer to as the "transactional sales charge." The initial sales
charge is actually equal to the difference between the maximum sales
charge of 4.85% and the sum of any remaining deferred sales charge and
creation and development fee.
(b) The deferred sales charge is a fixed dollar amount equal to $.335
per Unit which, as a percentage of the Public Offering Price, will vary
over time. The deferred sales charge will be deducted in three monthly
installments commencing February 20, 2003.
(c)The creation and development fee compensates the Sponsor for creating
and developing the Trust. The creation and development fee is a charge
of $.050 per Unit collected at the end of the initial offering period
which is expected to be approximately six months from the Initial Date
of Deposit. If the price you pay for your Units exceeds $10 per Unit,
the creation and development fee will be less than 0.50%; if the price
you pay for your Units is less than $10 per Unit, the creation and
development fee will exceed 0.50%.
(d) Estimated organization costs will be deducted from the assets of the
Trust at the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or
the end of the initial offering period.
(e)Each of the fees listed herein is assessed on a fixed dollar amount
per Unit basis which, as a percentage of average net assets, will vary
over time.
(f) Other operating expenses include costs associated with a license
fee, but do not include brokerage costs and other portfolio transaction
fees. Other operating expenses also include the costs incurred by the
Trust for annually updating the Trust's registration statement. In
certain circumstances the Trust may incur additional expenses not set
forth above. See "Expenses and Charges."
</FN>
Page 4
Report of Independent Auditors
The Sponsor, First Trust Portfolios L.P., and Unit Holders
FT 657
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including the
schedule of investments, of FT 657, comprising the Nasdaq-100(R)
Securities Portfolio, Series 4 (the "Trust"), as of the opening of
business on July __, 2002 (Initial Date of Deposit). This statement of
net assets is the responsibility of the Trust's Sponsor. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on this statement of net assets
based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the statement of net assets is free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the statement of net assets. Our procedures
included confirmation of the irrevocable letter of credit held by
JPMorgan Chase Bank, the Trustee, and deposited in the Trust for the
purchase of Securities, as shown in the statement of net assets as of
the opening of business on July __, 2002, by correspondence with the
Trustee. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by the Trust's Sponsor, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the statement of net assets. We
believe that our audit of the statement of net assets provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the statement of net assets referred to above presents
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of FT 657,
comprising the Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4, at the
opening of business on July __, 2002 (Initial Date of Deposit) in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Chicago, Illinois
July __, 2002
Page 5
Statement of Net Assets
Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4
FT 657
At the Opening of Business on the
Initial Date of Deposit-July __, 2002
NET ASSETS
Investment in Securities represented by purchase contracts (1) (2) $
Less liability for reimbursement to Sponsor for organization costs (3) ( )
Less liability for deferred sales charge (4) ( )
Less liability for creation and development fee (5) ( )
________
Net assets $
========
Units outstanding
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Cost to investors (6) $
Less maximum sales charge (6) ( )
Less estimated reimbursement to Sponsor for organization costs (3) ( )
________
Net assets $
========
_____________
<FN>
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
(1) Aggregate cost of the Securities listed under "Schedule of
Investments" is based on their aggregate underlying value.
(2) An irrevocable letter of credit issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, of
which $300,000 will be allocated to the Trust, has been deposited with
the Trustee as collateral, covering the monies necessary for the
purchase of the Securities according to their purchase contracts.
(3) A portion of the Public Offering Price consists of an amount
sufficient to reimburse the Sponsor for all or a portion of the costs of
establishing the Trust. These costs have been estimated at $.0290 per
Unit for the Trust. A payment will be made at the earlier of six months
after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering
period to an account maintained by the Trustee from which the obligation
of the investors to the Sponsor will be satisfied. To the extent that
actual organization costs of the Trust are greater than the estimated
amount, only the estimated organization costs added to the Public
Offering Price will be reimbursed to the Sponsor and deducted from the
assets of the Trust.
(4) Represents the amount of mandatory deferred sales charge
distributions from the Trust ($.335 per Unit), payable to the Sponsor in
three approximately equal monthly installments beginning on February 20,
2003 and on the twentieth day of each month thereafter (or if such date
is not a business day, on the preceding business day) through April 18,
2003. If Unit holders redeem Units before April 18, 2003, they will have
to pay the remaining amount of the deferred sales charge applicable to
such Units when they redeem them.
(5) The creation and development fee ($.050 per Unit) is payable by the
Trust on behalf of Unit holders out of assets of the Trust at the end of
the initial offering period. If Units are redeemed prior to the close of
the initial offering period, the fee will not be deducted from the
proceeds.
(6) The aggregate cost to investors in the Trust includes a maximum
sales charge (comprised of an initial sales charge, a deferred sales
charge and the creation and development fee) computed at the rate of
4.85% of the Public Offering Price per Unit (equivalent to 4.899% of the
net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge and the
creation and development fee), assuming no reduction of the maximum
sales charge as set forth under "Public Offering."
</FN>
Page 6
Schedule of Investments
Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4
FT 657
At the Opening of Business on the
Initial Date of Deposit-July __, 2002
Percentage Market Cost of
Number Ticker Symbol and of Aggregate Value per Securities to
of Shares Name of Issuer of Securities (1) Offering Price Share the Trust (2)
_____ ____________________________________ __________ ______ _______
% $ $
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Page 7
Schedule of Investments (cont'd.)
Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 3
FT 657
At the Opening of Business on the
Initial Date of Deposit-July __, 2002
Percentage Market Cost of
Number Ticker Symbol and of Aggregate Value per Securities to
of Shares Name of Issuer of Securities (1) Offering Price Share the Trust (2)
_____ ____________________________________ __________ ______ _______
% $ $
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Page 8
Schedule of Investments (cont'd.)
Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 3
FT 657
At the Opening of Business on the
Initial Date of Deposit-July __, 2002
Percentage Market Cost of
Number Ticker Symbol and of Aggregate Value per Securities to
of Shares Name of Issuer of Securities (1) Offering Price Share the Trust (2)
_____ ____________________________________ __________ ______ _______
% $ $
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
________ ________
Total Investments 100.00% $
======= ========
_____________
<FN>
(1) All Securities are represented by regular way contracts to purchase
such Securities which are backed by an irrevocable letter of credit
deposited with the Trustee. The Sponsor entered into purchase contracts
for the Securities on July __, 2002.
(2) The cost of the Securities to the Trust represents the aggregate
underlying value with respect to the Securities acquired (generally
determined by the closing sale prices of the listed Securities and the
ask prices of the over-the-counter traded Securities at the Evaluation
Time on the business day preceding the Initial Date of Deposit). The
valuation of the Securities has been determined by the Evaluator, an
affiliate of the Sponsor. The cost of the Securities to the Sponsor and
the Sponsor's profit or loss (which is the difference between the cost
of the Securities to the Sponsor and the cost of the Securities to the
Trust) are $ and $ , respectively.
</FN>
Page 9
The FT Series
The FT Series Defined.
We, First Trust Portfolios L.P. (formerly known as Nike Securities L.P.)
(the "Sponsor"), have created hundreds of similar yet separate series of
a unit investment trust which we have named the FT Series. The series to
which this prospectus relates, FT 657, consists of a single portfolio
known as Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4.
The Trust was created under the laws of the State of New York by a Trust
Agreement (the "Indenture") dated the Initial Date of Deposit. This
agreement, entered into among First Trust Portfolios L.P., as Sponsor,
JPMorgan Chase Bank as Trustee and First Trust Advisors L.P. as
Portfolio Supervisor and Evaluator, governs the operation of the Trust.
YOU MAY GET MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS CONCERNING THE NATURE, STRUCTURE AND
RISKS OF THIS PRODUCT IN AN "INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT" BY CALLING THE
TRUSTEE AT 1-800-682-7520.
How We Created the Trust.
On the Initial Date of Deposit, we deposited a portfolio of common
stocks with the Trustee and in turn, the Trustee delivered documents to
us representing our ownership of the Trust in the form of units ("Units").
After the Initial Date of Deposit, we may deposit additional Securities
in the Trust, or cash (including a letter of credit) with instructions
to buy more Securities to create new Units for sale. If we create
additional Units, we will attempt, to the extent practicable, to
maintain the percentage relationship established among the Securities on
the Initial Date of Deposit (as set forth under "Schedule of
Investments"), and not the percentage relationship existing on the day
we are creating new Units, since the two may differ. This difference may
be due to the sale, redemption or liquidation of any of the Securities.
Since the prices of the Securities will fluctuate daily, the ratio of
Securities in the Trust, on a market value basis, will also change
daily. The portion of Securities represented by each Unit will not
change as a result of the deposit of additional Securities or cash in
the Trust. If we deposit cash, you and new investors may experience a
dilution of your investment. This is because prices of Securities will
fluctuate between the time of the cash deposit and the purchase of the
Securities, and because the Trust pays the associated brokerage fees. To
reduce this dilution, the Trust will try to buy the Securities as close
to the Evaluation Time and as close to the evaluation price as possible.
In addition, because the Trust pays the brokerage fees associated with
its creation of new Units and with the sale of Securities to meet
redemption and exchange requests, frequent redemption and exchange
activity will likely result in higher brokerage expenses.
An affiliate of the Trustee may receive these brokerage fees or the
Trustee may retain and pay us (or our affiliate) to act as agent for the
Trust to buy Securities. If we or an affiliate of ours act as agent to
the Trust, we will be subject to the restrictions under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
We cannot guarantee that the Trust will keep its present size and
composition for any length of time. Securities may periodically be sold
under certain circumstances, and the proceeds from these sales will be
used to meet Trust obligations or distributed to Unit holders, but will
not be reinvested. However, Securities will not be sold to take
advantage of market fluctuations or changes in anticipated rates of
appreciation or depreciation, or if they no longer meet the criteria by
which they were selected. You will not be able to dispose of or vote any
of the Securities in the Trust. As the holder of the Securities, the
Trustee will vote all of the Securities and will do so based on our
instructions.
Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for a failure in any of the
Securities. However, if a contract for the purchase of any of the
Securities initially deposited in the Trust fails, unless we can
purchase substitute Securities ("Replacement Securities"), we will
refund to you that portion of the purchase price and transactional sales
charge resulting from the failed contract on the next Income
Distribution Date. Any Replacement Security the Trust acquires will be
identical to those from the failed contract.
Portfolio
Objectives.
The objective of the Trust is to provide the potential for above average
capital appreciation through an investment in common stocks of companies
which comprise the Nasdaq-100 Index(R).
The Nasdaq-100 Index(R) represents 100 of the largest and most active
non-financial domestic and international companies listed on the
National Market tier of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.(R) The Nasdaq-100
Index(R) reflects the Nasdaq's largest companies across major industry
groups, including computer hardware and software, telecommunications,
retail/wholesale trade and biotechnology. The Nasdaq-100 Index(R) is a
modified capitalization-weighted index, which is designed to limit
Page 10
domination of the Index by a few large stocks while generally retaining
the capitalization ranking of companies. To be eligible for inclusion in
the Index, a stock must have an average daily trading volume of more
than 100,000 shares. The stocks that are included in the Index, but not
the portfolio, are adjusted annually to reflect changes in market
capitalization.
Through an investment in the Trust, you can participate in the
collective performance of many of the Nasdaq(R) stocks that are often in
the news or have become household names. Because the portfolio reflects
the collective performance of these companies, you have the ability to
help meet an important investment objective-diversification. Although
risk cannot be eliminated entirely, this type of diversification helps
reduce the impact of price fluctuations caused by a specific company in
the Index.
The Trust consists of a portfolio of the securities contained in the
Nasdaq-100 Index(R) as of the business day prior to the date of this
prospectus. The weighting of the Securities in the Trust attempts to
match the weightings of the common stocks in the Nasdaq-100 Index(R) as
of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of this
prospectus subject to the limitation that only whole shares are
purchased for the Trust. The Nasdaq-100 Index(R) is reviewed and
adjusted annually to reflect changes in market capitalization. The
composition of the Trust, however, will not be adjusted during the life
of the Trust to reflect changes in the composition of the Nasdaq-100
Index(R) which occur after the Initial Date of Deposit.
You should be aware that predictions stated herein for the Nasdaq 100
Index(R) may not be realized. In addition, the Securities contained in
the Trust are not intended to be representative of The Nasdaq Stock
Market, Inc.(R) as a whole and the performance of the Trust is expected
to differ from that of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.(R) Of course, as
with any similar investments, there can be no guarantee that the
objective of the Trust will be achieved. See "Risk Factors" for a
discussion of the risks of investing in the Trust.
Risk Factors
Price Volatility. The Trust invests in common stocks. The value of the
Trust's Units will fluctuate with changes in the value of these common
stocks. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons including
changes in investors' perceptions of the financial condition of an
issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or when
political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. In addition,
common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest
rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase.
Because the Trust is not managed, the Trustee will not sell stocks in
response to or in anticipation of market fluctuations, as is common in
managed investments. As with any investment, we cannot guarantee that
the performance of the Trust will be positive over any period of time or
that you won't lose money. Units of the Trust are not deposits of any
bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency.
Certain of the Securities in the Trust are issued by companies with
market capitalizations of less than $1.5 billion. Smaller companies
present some unique investment risks. Small-caps may have limited
product lines, as well as shorter operating histories, less experienced
management and more limited financial resources than larger companies.
Stocks of smaller companies may be less liquid than those of larger
companies and may experience greater price fluctuations than larger
companies. In addition, small-cap stocks may not be widely followed by
the investment community, which may result in low demand.
Dividends. There is no guarantee that the issuers of the Securities will
declare dividends in the future or that if declared they will either
remain at current levels or increase over time.
Securities Selection. The Trust consists of the securities contained in
the Nasdaq-100 Index(R) as of the business day prior to the Initial Date
of Deposit. The composition of the Trust will not be adjusted to reflect
changes in the composition of the Nasdaq-100 Index(R) which occur after
the Initial Date of Deposit.
Technology Industry. Because more than 25% of the Trust is invested in
common stocks of companies in the technology industry, the Trust is
considered to be concentrated in technology stocks. A portfolio
concentrated in a single industry may present more risks than a
portfolio which is broadly diversified over several industries.
Technology companies are generally subject to the risks of rapidly
changing technologies; short product life cycles; fierce competition;
aggressive pricing; frequent introduction of new or enhanced products;
the loss of patent, copyright and trademark protections; cyclical market
patterns; evolving industry standards; and frequent new product
introductions. Technology companies may be smaller and less experienced
companies, with limited product lines, markets or financial resources.
Technology company stocks have experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations that are often unrelated to their operating performance.
Page 11
Also, the stocks of many Internet companies have exceptionally high
price-to-earnings ratios with little or no earnings histories.
Legislation/Litigation. From time to time, various legislative
initiatives are proposed in the United States and abroad which may have
a negative impact on certain companies represented in the Trust. In
addition, litigation regarding any of the issuers of the Securities,
such as that concerning Microsoft Corporation, or the industries
represented by these issuers, may negatively impact the share prices of
these Securities. We cannot predict what impact any pending or proposed
legislation or pending or threatened litigation will have on the share
prices of the Securities.
Foreign Stocks. Certain of the Securities in the Trust are issued by
foreign companies, which makes the Trust subject to more risks than if
it invested solely in domestic common stocks. These Securities are
either listed directly on a U.S. securities exchange or are in the form
of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") which are listed on a U.S.
securities exchange. Risks of foreign common stocks include higher
brokerage costs; different accounting standards; expropriation,
nationalization or other adverse political or economic developments;
currency devaluations, blockages or transfer restrictions; restrictions
on foreign investments and exchange of securities; inadequate financial
information; and lack of liquidity of certain foreign markets.
Public Offering
The Public Offering Price.
You may buy Units at the Public Offering Price, the per Unit price of
which is comprised of the following:
- - The aggregate underlying value of the Securities;
- - The amount of any cash in the Income and Capital Accounts;
- - Dividends receivable on Securities; and
- - The maximum sales charge (which combines an initial upfront sales
charge, a deferred sales charge and the creation and development fee).
The price you pay for your Units will differ from the amount stated
under "Summary of Essential Information" due to various factors,
including fluctuations in the prices of the Securities and changes in
the value of the Income and/or Capital Accounts.
Although you are not required to pay for your Units until three business
days following your order (the "date of settlement"), you may pay before
then. You will become the owner of Units ("Record Owner") on the date of
settlement if payment has been received. If you pay for your Units
before the date of settlement, we may use your payment during this time
and it may be considered a benefit to us, subject to the limitations of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Organization Costs. Securities purchased with the portion of the Public
Offering Price intended to be used to reimburse the Sponsor for the
Trust's organization costs (including costs of preparing the
registration statement, the Indenture and other closing documents,
registering Units with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
and states, the initial audit of the Trust portfolio, legal fees and the
initial fees and expenses of the Trustee) will be purchased in the same
proportionate relationship as all the Securities contained in the Trust.
Securities will be sold to reimburse the Sponsor for the Trust's
organization costs at the earlier of six months after the Initial Date
of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period (a significantly
shorter time period than the life of the Trust). During the period
ending with the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit
or the end of the initial offering period, there may be a decrease in
the value of the Securities. To the extent the proceeds from the sale of
these Securities are insufficient to repay the Sponsor for Trust
organization costs, the Trustee will sell additional Securities to allow
the Trust to fully reimburse the Sponsor. In that event, the net asset
value per Unit of the Trust will be reduced by the amount of additional
Securities sold. Although the dollar amount of the reimbursement due to
the Sponsor will remain fixed and will never exceed the per Unit amount
set forth in "Notes to Statement of Net Assets," this will result in a
greater effective cost per Unit to Unit holders for the reimbursement to
the Sponsor. To the extent actual organization costs are less than the
estimated amount, only the actual organization costs will be deducted
from the assets of the Trust. When Securities are sold to reimburse the
Sponsor for organization costs, the Trustee will sell Securities, to the
extent practicable, which will maintain the same proportionate
relationship among the Securities contained in the Trust as existed
prior to such sale.
Minimum Purchase.
The minimum amount you can purchase of the Trust is $1,000 worth of
Units ($500 if you are purchasing Units for your Individual Retirement
Account or any other qualified retirement plan).
Transactional Sales Charge.
The transactional sales charge you will pay has both an initial and a
deferred component. The initial sales charge, which you will pay at the
time of purchase, is equal to the difference between the maximum sales
charge of 4.85% of the Public Offering Price and the sum of the maximum
remaining deferred sales charge and creation and development fee
Page 12
(initially $.385 per Unit). This initial sales charge is initially equal
to approximately 1.00% of the Public Offering Price of a Unit, but will
vary from 1.00% depending on the purchase price of your Units and as
deferred sales charge and creation and development fee payments are
made. When the Public Offering Price per Unit exceeds $10.00, the
initial sales charge will exceed 1.00% of the Public Offering Price.
After the initial offering period the initial sales charge will be
reduced by the amount of the creation and development fee.
Monthly Deferred Sales Charge. In addition, three monthly deferred sales
charge payments of approximately $.1117 per Unit will be deducted from
the Trust's assets on approximately the twentieth day of each month from
February 20, 2003 through April 18, 2003. If you buy Units at a price of
less than $10.00 per Unit, the dollar amount of the deferred sales
charge will not change, but the deferred sales charge on a percentage
basis will be more than 3.35% of the Public Offering Price.
If you purchase Units after the last deferred sales charge payment has
been assessed, your transactional sales charge will consist of a one-
time initial sales charge of 4.35% of the Public Offering Price per Unit
(equivalent to 4.548% of the net amount invested). The transactional
sales charge will be reduced by 1/2 of 1% on each subsequent July 31,
commencing July 31, 2003, to a minimum transactional sales charge of
3.00%.
Discounts for Certain Persons.
If you invest at least $50,000 (except if you are purchasing for "Fee
Accounts" as described below), the maximum sales charge is reduced as
follows:
If you invest Your maximum
(in thousands):* sales charge will be:
_______________ ____________
$50 but less than $100 4.60%
$100 but less than $250 4.35%
$250 but less than $500 3.85%
$500 but less than $1,000 2.85%
$1,000 or more 1.95%
* Breakpoint sales charges are also applied on a Unit basis utilizing a
breakpoint equivalent in the above table of $10 per Unit and will be
applied on whichever basis is more favorable to the investor. The
breakpoints will be adjusted to take into consideration purchase orders
stated in dollars which cannot be completely fulfilled due to the
requirement that only whole Units be issued.
The reduced sales charge for quantity purchases will apply only to
purchases made by the same person on any one day from any one dealer. To
help you reach the above levels, you can combine the Units you purchase
of the Trust with any other same day purchases of other trusts for which
we are Principal Underwriter and are currently in the initial offering
period. In addition, we will also consider Units you purchase in the
name of your spouse or child under 21 years of age to be purchases by
you. The reduced sales charges will also apply to a trustee or other
fiduciary purchasing Units for a single trust estate or single fiduciary
account. You must inform your dealer of any combined purchases before
the sale in order to be eligible for the reduced sales charge.
Broker/dealers will receive a concession of .70% of the Public Offering
Price on Units sold subject to the sales charge reduction for purchases
of $1 million or more. In all other instances, any reduced sales charge
is the responsibility of the party making the sale.
You may use termination proceeds from other unit investment trusts with
a similar strategy as the Trust or your redemption or termination
proceeds from any unit investment trust we sponsor to purchase Units of
the Trust during the initial offering period at the Public Offering
Price less 1.00%. However, if you invest redemption or termination
proceeds of $500,000 or more in Units of the Trust, the maximum sales
charge on your Units will be limited to the maximum sales charge for the
applicable amount invested in the table set forth above. Please note
that if you purchase Units of the Trust in this manner using redemption
proceeds from trusts which assess the amount of any remaining deferred
sales charge at redemption, you should be aware that any deferred sales
charge remaining on these units will be deducted from those redemption
proceeds.
Investors purchasing Units through registered broker/dealers who charge
periodic fees in lieu of commissions or who charge for financial
planning, investment advisory or asset management services, or provide
these or comparable services as part of an investment account where a
comprehensive "wrap fee" or similar charge is imposed ("Fee Accounts")
will not be assessed the transactional sales charge described in this
section on the purchase of Units. Certain Fee Accounts Unit holders may
be assessed transaction or other account fees on the purchase and/or
redemption of such Units by their broker/dealer or other processing
organizations for providing certain transaction or account activities.
We reserve the right to limit or deny purchases of Units not subject to
the transactional sales charge by investors whose frequent trading activity
we determine to be detrimental to the Trust.
Employees, officers and directors (and immediate family members) of the
Sponsor, our related companies, dealers and their affiliates, and
vendors providing services to us may purchase Units at the Public
Offering Price less the applicable dealer concession. Immediate family
members include spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents,
siblings, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law,
brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and trustees, custodians or
fiduciaries for the benefit of such persons.
Page 13
The Sponsor and certain dealers may establish a schedule where
employees, officers and directors of such dealers can purchase Units of
the Trust at the Public Offering Price less the established schedule
amount, which is designed to compensate such dealers for activities
relating to the sale of Units (the "Employee Dealer Concession").
You will be charged the deferred sales charge per Unit regardless of any
discounts. However, if you are eligible to receive a discount such that
the maximum sales charge you must pay is less than the applicable
maximum deferred sales charge, including Fee Accounts Units, you will be
credited the difference between your maximum sales charge and the
maximum deferred sales charge at the time you buy your Units. If you
elect to have distributions reinvested into additional Units of the
Trust, in addition to the reinvestment Units you receive you will also
be credited additional Units with a dollar value at the time of
reinvestment sufficient to cover the amount of any remaining deferred
sales charge to be collected on such reinvestment Units. The dollar
value of these additional credited Units (as with all Units) will
fluctuate over time, and may be less on the dates deferred sales charges
are collected than their value at the time they were issued.
As Sponsor, we will also receive, and the Unit holders will pay, a
creation and development fee. See "Expenses and Charges" for a
description of the services provided for this fee.
The Value of the Securities.
The Evaluator will determine the aggregate underlying value of the
Securities in the Trust as of the Evaluation Time on each business day
and will adjust the Public Offering Price of the Units according to this
valuation. This Public Offering Price will be effective for all orders
received before the Evaluation Time on each such day. If we or the
Trustee receive orders for purchases, sales or redemptions after that
time, or on a day which is not a business day, they will be held until
the next determination of price. The term "business day" as used in this
prospectus will exclude Saturdays, Sundays and certain national holidays
on which the NYSE is closed.
The aggregate underlying value of the Securities in the Trust will be
determined as follows: if the Securities are listed on a securities
exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market, their value is generally based on
the closing sale prices on that exchange or system (unless it is
determined that these prices are not appropriate as a basis for
valuation). However, if there is no closing sale price on that exchange
or system, they are valued based on the closing ask prices. If the
Securities are not so listed, or, if so listed and the principal market
for them is other than on that exchange or system, their value will
generally be based on the current ask prices on the over-the-counter
market (unless it is determined that these prices are not appropriate as
a basis for valuation). If current ask prices are unavailable, the
valuation is generally determined:
a) On the basis of current ask prices for comparable securities;
b) By appraising the value of the Securities on the ask side of the
market; or
c) By any combination of the above.
After the initial offering period is over, the aggregate underlying
value of the Securities will be determined as set forth above, except
that bid prices are used instead of ask prices when necessary.
Distribution of Units
We intend to qualify Units of the Trust for sale in a number of states.
All Units will be sold at the then current Public Offering Price.
Dealer Concessions.
Dealers and other selling agents can purchase Units at prices which
reflect a concession or agency commission of 3.30% of the Public
Offering Price per Unit (or 65% of the maximum transactional sales
charge after July 31, 2003). However, for Units subject to a
transactional sales charge which are purchased using redemption or
termination proceeds, this amount will be reduced to 2.30% of the sales
price of these Units (1.3% for purchases of $500,000 but less than
$1,000,000 and .70% for purchases of $1,000,000 or more). Dealers and
other selling agents will receive an additional volume concession or
agency commission on all Units they sell equal to .30% of the Public
Offering Price if they purchase at least $100,000 worth of Units of the
Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit or $250,000 on any day thereafter
or if they were eligible to receive a similar concession in connection
with sales of similarly structured trusts sponsored by us which are
currently in the initial offering period.
Eligible dealer firms and other selling agents who sell Units of the
Trust during the initial offering period in the dollar amounts shown
below will be entitled to the following additional sales concessions as
a percentage of the Public Offering Price:
Page 14
Total Sales Additional
(in millions): Concession:
_________________ ___________
$1 but less than $5 0.10%
$5 but less than $10 0.15%
$10 or more 0.20%
Dealers and other selling agents will not receive a concession on the
sale of Units which are not subject to a transactional sales charge, but
such Units will be included in determining whether the above volume
sales levels are met. Eligible dealer firms and other selling agents
include entities that are providing marketing support for First Trust
unit investment trusts by distributing or permitting the distribution of
marketing materials and other product information. Eligible dealer firms
and other selling agents will not include firms that solely provide
clearing services to other broker/dealer firms. Dealers and other
selling agents who, during any consecutive 12-month period, sell at
least $250 million or $500 million worth of primary market units of unit
investment trusts sponsored by us will receive a concession of $2,500 or
$5,000, respectively, in the month following the achievement of this
level. We reserve the right to change the amount of concessions or
agency commissions from time to time. Certain commercial banks may be
making Units of the Trust available to their customers on an agency
basis. A portion of the transactional sales charge paid by these
customers is kept by or given to the banks in the amounts shown above.
Award Programs.
From time to time we may sponsor programs which provide awards to a
dealer's registered representatives who have sold a minimum number of
Units during a specified time period. We may also pay fees to qualifying
dealers for services or activities which are meant to result in sales of
Units of the Trust. In addition, we will pay to dealers who sponsor
sales contests or recognition programs that conform to our criteria, or
participate in our sales programs, amounts equal to no more than the
total applicable transactional sales charge on Units sold by such
persons during such programs. We make these payments out of our own
assets and not out of Trust assets. These programs will not change the
price you pay for your Units.
Advertising and Investment Comparisons.
Advertising materials regarding the Trust may discuss several topics,
including: developing a long-term financial plan; working with your
financial professional; the nature and risks of various investment
strategies and unit investment trusts that could help you reach your
financial goals; the importance of discipline; how the Trust operates;
how securities are selected; various unit investment trust features such
as convenience and costs; and options available for certain types of
unit investment trusts. These materials may include descriptions of the
principal businesses of the companies represented in the Trust, research
analysis of why they were selected and information relating to the
qualifications of the persons or entities providing the research
analysis. In addition, they may include research opinions on the economy
and industry sectors included and a list of investment products
generally appropriate for pursuing those recommendations.
From time to time we may compare the estimated returns of the Trust
(which may show performance net of the expenses and charges the Trust
would have incurred) and returns over specified periods of other similar
trusts we sponsor in our advertising and sales materials, with (1)
returns on other taxable investments such as the common stocks
comprising various market indexes, corporate or U.S. Government bonds,
bank CDs and money market accounts or funds, (2) performance data from
Morningstar Publications, Inc. or (3) information from publications such
as Money, The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, BusinessWeek,
Forbes or Fortune. The investment characteristics of the Trust differ
from other comparative investments. You should not assume that these
performance comparisons will be representative of the Trust's future
performance. We may also, from time to time, use advertising which
classifies trusts according to capitalization and/or investment style.
The Sponsor's Profits
We will receive a gross sales commission equal to the maximum
transactional sales charge per Unit of the Trust less any reduction as
stated in "Public Offering." We will also receive the amount of any
collected creation and development fee. Also, any difference between our
cost to purchase the Securities and the price at which we sell them to
the Trust is considered a profit or loss (see Note 2 of "Schedule of
Investments"). During the initial offering period, dealers and others
may also realize profits or sustain losses as a result of fluctuations
in the Public Offering Price they receive when they sell the Units.
In maintaining a market for the Units, any difference between the price
at which we purchase Units and the price at which we sell or redeem them
will be a profit or loss to us.
Page 15
The Secondary Market
Although not obligated, we intend to maintain a market for the Units
after the initial offering period and continuously offer to purchase
Units at prices based on the Redemption Price per Unit.
We will pay all expenses to maintain a secondary market, except the
Evaluator fees, Trustee costs to transfer and record the ownership of
Units and costs incurred in annually updating the Trust's registration
statement. We may discontinue purchases of Units at any time. IF YOU
WISH TO DISPOSE OF YOUR UNITS, YOU SHOULD ASK US FOR THE CURRENT MARKET
PRICES BEFORE MAKING A TENDER FOR REDEMPTION TO THE TRUSTEE. If you sell
or redeem your Units before you have paid the total deferred sales
charge on your Units, you will have to pay the remainder at that time.
How We Purchase Units
The Trustee will notify us of any tender of Units for redemption. If our
bid at that time is equal to or greater than the Redemption Price per
Unit, we may purchase the Units. You will receive your proceeds from the
sale no later than if they were redeemed by the Trustee. We may tender
Units that we hold to the Trustee for redemption as any other Units. If
we elect not to purchase Units, the Trustee may sell tendered Units in
the over-the-counter market, if any. However, the amount you will
receive is the same as you would have received on redemption of the Units.
Expenses and Charges
The estimated annual expenses of the Trust are listed under "Fee Table."
If actual expenses of the Trust exceed the estimate, the Trust will bear
the excess. The Trustee will pay operating expenses of the Trust from
the Income Account if funds are available, and then from the Capital
Account. The Income and Capital Accounts are noninterest-bearing to Unit
holders, so the Trustee may earn interest on these funds, thus
benefiting from their use.
First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of ours, will be compensated for
providing bookkeeping and other administrative services to the Trust
and, as Sponsor, we will receive brokerage fees when the Trust uses us
(or an affiliate of ours) as agent in buying or selling Securities.
Legal, typesetting, electronic filing and regulatory filing fees and
expenses associated with updating the Trust's registration statement
yearly are also chargeable to the Trust. In addition, First Trust
Advisors L.P. acts as both Portfolio Supervisor and Evaluator to the
Trust and will receive the fees set forth under "Fee Table" for
providing portfolio supervisory and evaluation services to the Trust. In
providing portfolio supervisory services, the Portfolio Supervisor may
purchase research services from a number of sources, which may include
underwriters or dealers of the Trust.
The fees payable to First Trust Advisors L.P. and the Trustee are based
on the largest aggregate number of Units of the Trust outstanding at any
time during the calendar year, except during the initial offering
period, in which case these fees are calculated based on the largest
number of Units outstanding during the period for which compensation is
paid. These fees may be adjusted for inflation without Unit holders'
approval, but in no case will the annual fees paid to us or our
affiliates for providing services to all unit investment trusts be more
than the actual cost of providing such services in such year.
As Sponsor, we will receive a fee from the Trust for creating and
developing the Trust, including determining the Trust's objectives,
policies, composition and size, selecting service providers and
information services and for providing other similar administrative and
ministerial functions. The "creation and development fee" is a charge of
$.050 per Unit outstanding at the end of the initial offering period.
The Trustee will deduct this amount from the Trust's assets as of the
close of the initial offering period. We do not use this fee to pay
distribution expenses or as compensation for sales efforts. This fee
will not be deducted from your proceeds if you sell or redeem your Units
before the end of the initial offering period.
In addition to the Trust's operating expenses and those fees described
above, each Trust may also incur the following charges:
- - A quarterly license fee (which will fluctuate with the Trust's net
asset value) payable by the Trust for the use of certain trademarks and
trade names of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.(R);
- - All legal and annual auditing expenses of the Trustee according to its
responsibilities under the Indenture;
- - The expenses and costs incurred by the Trustee to protect the Trust
and your rights and interests;
- - Fees for any extraordinary services the Trustee performed under the
Indenture;
- - Payment for any loss, liability or expense the Trustee incurred
without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, in
connection with its acceptance or administration of the Trust;
- - Payment for any loss, liability or expenses we incurred without
Page 16
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in acting as Depositor of
the Trust; and/or
- - All taxes and other government charges imposed upon the Securities or
any part of the Trust.
The above expenses and the Trustee's annual fee are secured by a lien on
the Trust. Since the Securities are all common stocks and dividend
income is unpredictable, we cannot guarantee that dividends will be
sufficient to meet any or all expenses of the Trust. If there is not
enough cash in the Income or Capital Account, the Trustee has the power
to sell Securities in the Trust to make cash available to pay these
charges which may result in capital gains or losses to you. See "Tax
Status."
The Trust will be audited annually. So long as we are making a secondary
market for Units, we will bear the cost of these annual audits to the
extent the costs exceed $0.0050 per Unit. Otherwise, the Trust will pay
for the audit. You can request a copy of the audited financial
statements from the Trustee.
Tax Status
This section summarizes some of the main U.S. federal income tax
consequences of owning Units of the Trust. This section is current as of
the date of this prospectus. Tax laws and interpretations change
frequently, and these summaries do not describe all of the tax
consequences to all taxpayers. For example, these summaries generally do
not describe your situation if you are a corporation, a non-U.S. person,
a broker/dealer, or other investor with special circumstances. In
addition, this section does not describe your state or foreign taxes. As
with any investment, you should consult your own tax professional about
your particular consequences. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service
issued new withholding and reporting regulations effective January 1,
2001. Foreign investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding
the tax consequences of these regulations.
Trust Status.
The Trust will not be taxed as a corporation for federal income tax
purposes. As a Unit owner, you will be treated as the owner of a pro
rata portion of the Securities and other assets held by your Trust, and
as such you will be considered to have received a pro rata share of
income (e.g., dividends and capital gains, if any) from each Security
when such income would be considered to be received by you if you
directly owned the Trust's assets. This is true even if you elect to
have your distributions automatically reinvested into additional Units.
In addition, the income from the Trust which you must take into account
for federal income tax purposes is not reduced by amounts used to pay
Trust expenses (including a deferred sales charge, if any).
Your Tax Basis and Income or Loss upon Disposition.
If the Trust disposes of Securities, you will generally recognize gain
or loss. If you dispose of your Units or redeem your Units for cash, you
will also generally recognize gain or loss. To determine the amount of
this gain or loss, you must subtract your tax basis in the related
Securities from your share of the total amount received in the
transaction. You can generally determine your initial tax basis in each
Security or other Trust asset by apportioning the cost of your Units,
generally including sales charges, among each Security or other Trust
asset ratably according to their value on the date you purchase your
Units. In certain circumstances, however, you may have to adjust your
tax basis after you purchase your Units (for example, in the case of
certain dividends that exceed a corporation's accumulated earnings and
profits).
If you are an individual, the maximum marginal federal tax rate for net
capital gain is generally 20% (10% for certain taxpayers in the 10% and
15% tax brackets). The 20% rate is reduced to 18% and the 10% rate is
reduced to 8% for long-term gains from most property acquired after
December 31, 2000, with a holding period of more than five years.
Net capital gain equals net long-term capital gain minus net short-term
capital loss for the taxable year. Capital gain or loss is long-term if
the holding period for the asset is more than one year and is short-term
if the holding period for the asset is one year or less. You must
exclude the date you purchase your Units to determine the holding period
of your Units. The tax rates for capital gains realized from assets held
for one year or less are generally the same as for ordinary income. The
Internal Revenue Code, however, treats certain capital gains as ordinary
income in special situations.
In-Kind Distributions.
Under certain circumstances, as described in this prospectus, you may
request a distribution of Securities (an "In-Kind Distribution") when
you redeem your Units or at the Trust's termination. By electing to
receive an In-Kind Distribution, you will receive whole shares of stock
plus, possibly, cash.
You will not recognize gain or loss if you only receive Securities in
exchange for your pro rata portion of the Securities held by the Trust.
However, if you also receive cash in exchange for a fractional share of
a Security held by the Trust, you will generally recognize gain or loss
Page 17
based on the difference between the amount of cash you receive and your
tax basis in such fractional share of the Security.
Limitations on the Deductibility of Trust Expenses.
Generally, for federal income tax purposes, you must take into account
your full pro rata share of the Trust's income, even if some of that
income is used to pay Trust expenses. You may deduct your pro rata share
of each expense paid by the Trust to the same extent as if you directly
paid the expense. You may, however, be required to treat some or all of
the expenses of the Trust as miscellaneous itemized deductions.
Individuals may only deduct certain miscellaneous itemized deductions to
the extent they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income.
Foreign, State and Local Taxes.
Some distributions by the Trust may be subject to foreign withholding
taxes. Any dividends withheld will nevertheless be treated as income to
you. However, because you are deemed to have paid directly your share of
foreign taxes that have been paid or accrued by the Trust, you may be
entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for U.S. tax purposes with
respect to such taxes.
Under the existing income tax laws of the State and City of New York,
the Trust will not be taxed as a corporation, and the income of the
Trust will be treated as the income of the Unit holders in the same
manner as for federal income tax purposes.
Retirement Plans
You may purchase Units of the Trust for:
- - Individual Retirement Accounts;
- - Keogh Plans;
- - Pension funds; and
- - Other tax-deferred retirement plans.
Generally, the federal income tax on capital gains and income received
in each of the above plans is deferred until you receive distributions.
These distributions are generally treated as ordinary income but may, in
some cases, be eligible for special averaging or tax-deferred rollover
treatment. Before participating in a plan like this, you should review
the tax laws regarding these plans and consult your attorney or tax
advisor. Brokerage firms and other financial institutions offer these
plans with varying fees and charges.
Rights of Unit Holders
Unit Ownership.
The Trustee will treat as Record Owner of Units persons registered as
such on its books. It is your responsibility to notify the Trustee when
you become Record Owner, but normally your broker/dealer provides this
notice. You may elect to hold your Units in either certificated or
uncertificated form. All Fee Accounts Units, however, will be held in
uncertificated form.
Certificated Units. When you purchase your Units you can request that
they be evidenced by certificates, which will be delivered shortly after
your order. Certificates will be issued in fully registered form,
transferable only on the books of the Trustee in denominations of one
Unit or any multiple thereof. You can transfer or redeem your
certificated Units by endorsing and surrendering the certificate to the
Trustee, along with a written instrument of transfer. You must sign your
name exactly as it appears on the face of the certificate with your
signature guaranteed by an eligible institution. In certain cases the
Trustee may require additional documentation before they will transfer
or redeem your Units.
You may be required to pay a nominal fee to the Trustee for each
certificate reissued or transferred, and to pay any government charge
that may be imposed for each transfer or exchange. If a certificate gets
lost, stolen or destroyed, you may be required to furnish indemnity to
the Trustee to receive replacement certificates. You must surrender
mutilated certificates to the Trustee for replacement.
Uncertificated Units. You may also choose to hold your Units in
uncertificated form. If you choose this option, the Trustee will
establish an account for you and credit your account with the number of
Units you purchase. Within two business days of the issuance or transfer
of Units held in uncertificated form, the Trustee will send you:
- - A written initial transaction statement containing a description of
the Trust;
- - A list of the number of Units issued or transferred;
- - Your name, address and Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN");
- - A notation of any liens or restrictions of the issuer and any adverse
claims; and
- - The date the transfer was registered.
Uncertificated Units may be transferred the same way as certificated
Units, except that no certificate needs to be presented to the Trustee.
Page 18
Also, no certificate will be issued when the transfer takes place unless
you request it. You may at any time request that the Trustee issue
certificates for your Units.
Unit Holder Reports.
In connection with each distribution, the Trustee will provide you with
a statement detailing the per Unit amount of income (if any)
distributed. After the end of each calendar year, the Trustee will
provide you with the following information:
- - A summary of transactions in the Trust for the year;
- - A list of any Securities sold during the year and the Securities held
at the end of that year by the Trust;
- - The Redemption Price per Unit, computed on the 31st day of December of
such year (or the last business day before); and
- - Amounts of income and capital distributed during the year.
You may request from the Trustee copies of the evaluations of the
Securities as prepared by the Evaluator to enable you to comply with
federal and state tax reporting requirements.
Income and Capital Distributions
You will begin receiving distributions on your Units only after you
become a Record Owner. The Trustee will credit dividends received on the
Trust's Securities to the Income Account of the Trust. All other
receipts, such as return of capital, are credited to the Capital Account
of the Trust.
The Trustee will distribute any net income in the Income Account on or
near the Income Distribution Dates to Unit holders of record on the
preceding Income Distribution Record Date. See "Summary of Essential
Information." No income distribution will be paid if accrued expenses of
the Trust exceed amounts in the Income Account on the Income
Distribution Dates. Distribution amounts will vary with changes in the
Trust's fees and expenses, in dividends received and with the sale of
Securities. The Trustee will distribute amounts in the Capital Account,
net of amounts designated to meet redemptions, pay the deferred sales
charge or pay expenses on the last day of each month to Unit holders of
record on the fifteenth day of each month provided the amount equals at
least $1.00 per 100 Units. If the Trustee does not have your TIN, it is
required to withhold a certain percentage of your distribution and
deliver such amount to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). You may
recover this amount by giving your TIN to the Trustee, or when you file
a tax return. However, you should check your statements to make sure the
Trustee has your TIN to avoid this "back-up withholding."
We anticipate that there will be enough money in the Capital Account of
the Trust to pay the deferred sales charge. If not, the Trustee may sell
Securities to meet the shortfall.
Within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated, you will receive
the pro rata share of the money from the sale of the Securities.
However, if you are eligible, you may elect to receive an In-Kind
Distribution as described under "Amending or Terminating the Indenture."
You will receive a pro rata share of any other assets remaining in your
Trust after deducting any unpaid expenses.
The Trustee may establish reserves (the "Reserve Account") within the
Trust to cover anticipated state and local taxes or any governmental
charges to be paid out of the Trust.
Distribution Reinvestment Option. You may elect to have each
distribution of income and/or capital reinvested into additional Units
of the Trust by notifying the Trustee at least 10 days before any Record
Date. Each later distribution of income and/or capital on your Units
will be reinvested by the Trustee into additional Units of the Trust.
There is no transactional sales charge on Units acquired through the
Distribution Reinvestment Option, as discussed under "Public Offering."
This option may not be available in all states.PLEASE NOTE THAT EVEN IF
YOU REINVEST DISTRIBUTIONS, THEY ARE STILL CONSIDERED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR
INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
Redeeming Your Units
You may redeem all or a portion of your Units at any time by sending the
certificates representing the Units you want to redeem to the Trustee at
its unit investment trust office. If your Units are uncertificated, you
need only deliver a request for redemption to the Trustee. In either
case, the certificates or the redemption request must be properly
endorsed with proper instruments of transfer and signature guarantees as
explained in "Rights of Unit Holders-Unit Ownership" (or by providing
satisfactory indemnity if the certificates were lost, stolen, or
destroyed). No redemption fee will be charged, but you are responsible
for any governmental charges that apply. Certain broker/dealers may
charge a transaction fee for processing redemption requests. Units
redeemed directly through the Trustee are not subject to such
transaction fees. Three business days after the day you tender your
Units (the "Date of Tender") you will receive cash in an amount for each
Page 19
Unit equal to the Redemption Price per Unit calculated at the Evaluation
Time on the Date of Tender.
The Date of Tender is considered to be the date on which the Trustee
receives your certificates or redemption request (if such day is a day
the NYSE is open for trading). However, if your certificates or
redemption request are received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (or after
any earlier closing time on a day on which the NYSE is scheduled in
advance to close at such earlier time), the Date of Tender is the next
day the NYSE is open for trading.
Any amounts paid on redemption representing income will be withdrawn
from the Income Account if funds are available for that purpose, or from
the Capital Account. All other amounts paid on redemption will be taken
from the Capital Account. The IRS will require the Trustee to withhold a
portion of your redemption proceeds if it does not have your TIN, as
generally discussed under "Income and Capital Distributions."
If you tender at least 2,500 Units, or such other amount as required by
your broker/dealer, for redemption, rather than receiving cash, you may
elect to receive an In-Kind Distribution in an amount equal to the
Redemption Price per Unit by making this request in writing to the
Trustee at the time of tender. However, to be eligible to participate in
the In-Kind Distribution option at redemption, Fee Accounts Unit holders
must hold their Units through the end of the initial offering period. No
In-Kind Distribution requests submitted during the nine business days
prior to the Trust's Mandatory Termination Date will be honored. Where
possible, the Trustee will make an In-Kind Distribution by distributing
each of the Securities in book-entry form to your bank or broker/dealer
account at the Depository Trust Company. The Trustee will subtract any
customary transfer and registration charges from your In-Kind
Distribution. As a tendering Unit holder, you will receive your pro rata
number of whole shares of the Securities that make up the portfolio, and
cash from the Capital Account equal to the fractional shares to which
you are entitled.
The Trustee may sell Securities to make funds available for redemption.
If Securities are sold, the size and diversification of the Trust will
be reduced. These sales may result in lower prices than if the
Securities were sold at a different time.
Your right to redeem Units (and therefore, your right to receive
payment) may be delayed:
- - If the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings);
- - If the SEC determines that trading on the NYSE is restricted or that
an emergency exists making sale or evaluation of the Securities not
reasonably practical; or
- - For any other period permitted by SEC order.
The Trustee is not liable to any person for any loss or damage which may
result from such a suspension or postponement.
The Redemption Price.
The Redemption Price per Unit is determined by the Trustee by:
adding
1. cash in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust not designated
to purchase Securities;
2. the aggregate value of the Securities held in the Trust; and
3. dividends receivable on the Securities trading ex-dividend as of the
date of computation; and
deducting
1. any applicable taxes or governmental charges that need to be paid out
of the Trust;
2. any amounts owed to the Trustee for its advances;
3. estimated accrued expenses of the Trust, if any;
4. cash held for distribution to Unit holders of record of the Trust as
of the business day before the evaluation being made;
5. liquidation costs for foreign Securities, if any; and
6. other liabilities incurred by the Trust; and
dividing
1. the result by the number of outstanding Units of the Trust.
Any remaining deferred sales charge on the Units when you redeem them
will be deducted from your redemption proceeds. In addition, until the
earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of
the initial offering period, the Redemption Price per Unit will include
estimated organization costs as set forth under "Fee Table."
Removing Securities from the Trust
The portfolio of the Trust is not managed. However, we may, but are not
required to, direct the Trustee to dispose of a Security in certain
limited circumstances, including situations in which:
- - The issuer of the Security defaults in the payment of a declared
dividend;
- - Any action or proceeding prevents the payment of dividends;
- - There is any legal question or impediment affecting the Security;
- - The issuer of the Security has breached a covenant which would affect
Page 20
the payment of dividends, the issuer's credit standing, or otherwise
damage the sound investment character of the Security;
- - The issuer has defaulted on the payment of any other of its
outstanding obligations;
- - There has been a public tender offer made for a Security or a merger
or acquisition is announced affecting a Security, and that in our
opinion the sale or tender of the Security is in the best interest of
Unit holders; or
- - The price of the Security has declined to such an extent, or such
other credit factors exist, that in our opinion keeping the Security
would be harmful to the Trust.
Except in the limited instance in which the Trust acquires Replacement
Securities, as described in "The FT Series," the Trust may not acquire
any securities or other property other than the Securities. The Trustee,
on behalf of the Trust, will reject any offer for new or exchanged
securities or property in exchange for a Security, such as those
acquired in a merger or other transaction. If such exchanged securities
or property are nevertheless acquired by the Trust, at our instruction,
they will either be sold or held in the Trust. In making the
determination as to whether to sell or hold the exchanged securities or
property we may get advice from each Portfolio Supervisor. Any proceeds
received from the sale of Securities, exchanged securities or property
will be credited to the Capital Account for distribution to Unit holders
or to meet redemption requests. The Trustee may retain and pay us or an
affiliate of ours to act as agent for the Trust to facilitate selling
Securities, exchanged securities or property from the Trust. If we or
our affiliate act in this capacity, we will be held subject to the
restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The Trustee may sell Securities designated by us or, absent our
direction, at its own discretion, in order to meet redemption requests
or pay expenses. In designating Securities to be sold, we will try to
maintain the proportionate relationship among the Securities. If this is
not possible, the composition and diversification of the Trust may be
changed. To get the best price for the Trust we may specify minimum
amounts (generally 100 shares) in which blocks of Securities are to be
sold. We may consider sales of units of unit investment trusts which we
sponsor when we make recommendations to the Trustee as to which
broker/dealers they select to execute the Trust's portfolio
transactions, or when acting as agent for the Trust in acquiring or
selling Securities on behalf of the Trust.
Amending or Terminating the Indenture
Amendments. The Indenture may be amended by us and the Trustee without
your consent:
- - To cure ambiguities;
- - To correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision;
- - To make any amendment required by any governmental agency; or
- - To make other changes determined not to be materially adverse to your
best interests (as determined by us and the Trustee).
Termination. As provided by the Indenture, the Trust will terminate on
the Mandatory Termination Date as stated in the "Summary of Essential
Information." The Trust may be terminated earlier:
- - Upon the consent of 100% of the Unit holders of the Trust;
- - If the value of the Securities owned by the Trust as shown by any
evaluation is less than the lower of $2,000,000 or 20% of the total
value of Securities deposited in the Trust during the initial offering
period ("Discretionary Liquidation Amount"); or
- - In the event that Units of the Trust not yet sold aggregating more
than 60% of the Units of the Trust are tendered for redemption by
underwriters, including the Sponsor.
Prior to termination, the Trustee will send written notice to registered
account holders which will specify how certificates, if any, should be
tendered to the Trustee. If the Trust is terminated due to this last
reason, we will refund your entire transactional sales charge; however,
termination of the Trust before the Mandatory Termination Date for any
other stated reason will result in all remaining unpaid deferred sales
charges on your Units being deducted from your termination proceeds. For
various reasons, the Trust may be reduced below the Discretionary
Liquidation Amount and could therefore be terminated before the
Mandatory Termination Date.
Unless terminated earlier, the Trustee will begin to sell Securities in
connection with the termination of the Trust during the period beginning
nine business days prior to, and no later than, the Mandatory
Termination Date. We will determine the manner and timing of the sale of
Securities. Because the Trustee must sell the Securities within a
relatively short period of time, the sale of Securities as part of the
termination process may result in a lower sales price than might
otherwise be realized if such sale were not required at this time.
If you own at least 2,500 Units of the Trust, or such other amount as
Page 21
required by your broker/dealer, the Trustee will send the registered
account holders a form at least 30 days prior to the Mandatory
Termination Date which will enable you to receive an In-Kind
Distribution (reduced by customary transfer and registration charges and
subject to any additional restrictions imposed on Fee Accounts by "wrap
fee" plans) rather than the typical cash distribution. See "Tax Status"
for additional information. You must notify the Trustee at least ten
business days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date if you elect this
In-Kind Distribution option. If you do not elect to participate in the
In-Kind Distribution option, you will receive a cash distribution from
the sale of the remaining Securities, along with your interest in the
Income and Capital Accounts, within a reasonable time after the Trust is
terminated. Regardless of the distribution involved, the Trustee will
deduct from the Trust any accrued costs, expenses, advances or
indemnities provided for by the Indenture, including estimated
compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any amounts
required as a reserve to pay any taxes or other governmental charges.
Information on the Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator
The Sponsor.
We, First Trust Portfolios L.P. (formerly known as Nike Securities
L.P.), specialize in the underwriting, trading and wholesale
distribution of unit investment trusts under the "First Trust" brand
name and other securities. An Illinois limited partnership formed in
1991, we act as Sponsor for successive series of:
- - The First Trust Combined Series
- - FT Series (formerly known as The First Trust Special Situations Trust)
- - The First Trust Insured Corporate Trust
- - The First Trust of Insured Municipal Bonds
- - The First Trust GNMA
First Trust introduced the first insured unit investment trust in 1974.
To date we have deposited more than $40 billion in First Trust unit
investment trusts. Our employees include a team of professionals with
many years of experience in the unit investment trust industry.
We are a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
and Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Our principal offices
are at 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532; telephone number
(630) 241-4141. As of December 31, 2001, the total partners' capital of
First Trust Portfolios L.P. was $17,560,001 (audited).
This information refers only to us and not to the Trust or to any series
of the Trust or to any other dealer. We are including this information
only to inform you of our financial responsibility and our ability to
carry out our contractual obligations. We will provide more detailed
financial information on request.
Code of Ethics. The Sponsor and the Trust have adopted a code of ethics
requiring the Sponsor's employees who have access to information on
Trust transactions to report personal securities transactions. The
purpose of the code is to avoid potential conflicts of interest and to
prevent fraud, deception or misconduct with respect to the Trust.
The Trustee.
The Trustee is JPMorgan Chase Bank, with its principal executive office
located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and its unit
investment trust office at 4 Chase MetroTech Center, 3rd Floor,
Brooklyn, New York 11245. If you have questions regarding the Trust, you
may call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-800-682-7520. The Trustee
is supervised by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York,
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System.
The Trustee has not participated in selecting the Securities for the
Trust; it only provides administrative services.
Limitations of Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee.
Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for taking any action or for
not taking any action in good faith according to the Indenture. We will
also not be accountable for errors in judgment. We will only be liable
for our own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence (ordinary
negligence in the Trustee's case) or reckless disregard of our
obligations and duties. The Trustee is not liable for any loss or
depreciation when the Securities are sold. If we fail to act under the
Indenture, the Trustee may do so, and the Trustee will not be liable for
any action it takes in good faith under the Indenture.
The Trustee will not be liable for any taxes or other governmental
charges or interest on the Securities which the Trustee may be required
to pay under any present or future law of the United States or of any
other taxing authority with jurisdiction. Also, the Indenture states
other provisions regarding the liability of the Trustee.
If we do not perform any of our duties under the Indenture or are not
able to act or become bankrupt, or if our affairs are taken over by
public authorities, then the Trustee may:
- - Appoint a successor sponsor, paying them a reasonable rate not more
Page 22
than that stated by the SEC;
- - Terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trust; or
- - Continue to act as Trustee without terminating the Indenture.
The Evaluator.
The Evaluator is First Trust Advisors L.P., an Illinois limited
partnership formed in 1991 and an affiliate of the Sponsor. The
Evaluator's address is 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532.
The Trustee, Sponsor and Unit holders may rely on the accuracy of any
evaluation prepared by the Evaluator. The Evaluator will make
determinations in good faith based upon the best available information,
but will not be liable to the Trustee, Sponsor or Unit holders for
errors in judgment.
Other Information
Legal Opinions.
Our counsel is Chapman and Cutler, 111 W. Monroe St., Chicago, Illinois,
60603. They have passed upon the legality of the Units offered hereby
and certain matters relating to federal tax law. Carter, Ledyard &
Milburn acts as the Trustee's counsel, as well as special New York tax
counsel for the Trust.
Experts.
The Trust's statement of net assets, including the schedule of
investments, as of the opening of business on the Initial Date of
Deposit included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration
statement has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their report appearing herein and elsewhere in
the registration statement, and is included in reliance upon the report
of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
Supplemental Information.
If you write or call the Trustee, you will receive free of charge
supplemental information about this Series, which has been filed with
the SEC and to which we have referred throughout. This information
states more specific details concerning the nature, structure and risks
of this product.
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
The Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4 is not sponsored,
endorsed, sold or promoted by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (including
its affiliates) (Nasdaq, with its affiliates, are referred to as the
"Corporations"). The Corporations have not passed on the legality or
suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and
disclosures relating to the Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series
4. The Corporations make no representation or warranty, express or
implied, to the owners of Units of the Nasdaq-100(R) Securities
Portfolio, Series 4 or any member of the public regarding the
advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Nasdaq-
100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4 particularly, or the ability of
the Nasdaq-100 Index(R) to track general stock market performance. The
Corporations' only relationship to the Sponsor ("Licensee") is in the
licensing of the Nasdaq 100(R), Nasdaq-100 Index(R) and Nasdaq(R)
trademarks or service marks, and certain trade names of the Corporations
and the use of the Nasdaq-100 Index(R) which is determined, composed and
calculated by Nasdaq without regard to Licensee or the Nasdaq-100(R)
Securities Portfolio, Series 4. Nasdaq has no obligation to take the
needs of the Licensee or the owners of Units of the Nasdaq-100(R)
Securities Portfolio, Series 4 into consideration in determining,
composing or calculating the Nasdaq-100 Index(R). The Corporations are
not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of
the timing of, prices at or quantities of the Nasdaq-100(R) Securities
Portfolio, Series 4 to be issued or in the determination or calculation
of the equation by which the Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series
4 is to be converted into cash. The Corporations have no liability in
connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Nasdaq-
100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4.
THE CORPORATIONS DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR UNINTERRUPTED
CALCULATION OF THE NASDAQ-100 INDEX(R) OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE
CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE
OBTAINED BY THE LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE NASDAQ-100(R) SECURITIES
PORTFOLIO, SERIES 3 OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE
NASDAQ-100 INDEX(R) OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE
NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH
RESPECT TO THE NASDAQ-100 INDEX(R) OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT
LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE CORPORATIONS HAVE
ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE,
INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Page 23
First Trust(R)
Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4
FT 657
Sponsor:
FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS L.P.
Formerly known as Nike Securities L.P.
1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
Lisle, Illinois 60532
1-630-241-4141
Trustee:
JPMorgan Chase Bank
4 Chase MetroTech Center, 3rd floor
Brooklyn, New York 11245
1-800-682-7520
24-Hour Pricing Line:
1-800-446-0132
This prospectus contains information relating to Nasdaq-100(R)
Securities Portfolio, Series 4, but does not contain all of the
information about this investment company as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. under the:
- - Securities Act of 1933 (file no. 333-_____) and
- - Investment Company Act of 1940 (file no. 811-05903)
Information about the Trust, including its Code of Ethics, can be
reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public
Reference Room in Washington D.C. Information regarding the operation of
the Commission's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the
Commission at
1-202-942-8090.
Information about the Trust is available on the EDGAR Database on the
Commission's Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov.
To obtain copies at prescribed rates -
Write: Public Reference Section of the Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549-0102
e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov
July __, 2002
PLEASE RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Page 24
First Trust(R)
The FT Series
Information Supplement
This Information Supplement provides additional information concerning
the structure, operations and risks of the unit investment trust
contained in FT 657 not found in the prospectus for the Trust. This
Information Supplement is not a prospectus and does not include all of
the information you should consider before investing in the Trust. This
Information Supplement should be read in conjunction with the prospectus
for the Trust in which you are considering investing.
This Information Supplement is dated July __, 2002. Capitalized terms
have been defined in the prospectus.
Table of Contents
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.(R) 1
Risk Factors
Securities 1
Small-Cap Companies 1
Dividends 1
Foreign Issuers 2
Litigation
Microsoft Corporation 2
Concentration
Technology Companies 3
Portfolio 3
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
The "Nasdaq 100(R)," "Nasdaq-100 Index(R)," and "Nasdaq(R)" are trade or
service marks of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (which with its
affiliates are the "Corporations") and are licensed for use by us. The
Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio, Series 4 has not been passed on by
the Corporations as to its legality or suitability. The Nasdaq-100(R)
Securities Portfolio, Series 4 is not issued, endorsed, sold, or
promoted by the Corporations. The Corporations make no warranties and
bear no liability with respect to the Nasdaq-100(R) Securities
Portfolio, Series 4.
Risk Factors
Securities. An investment in Units should be made with an understanding
of the risks which an investment in common stocks entails, including the
risk that the financial condition of the issuers of the Securities or
the general condition of the relevant stock market may worsen, and the
value of the Securities and therefore the value of the Units may
decline. Common stocks are especially susceptible to general stock
market movements and to volatile increases and decreases of value, as
market confidence in and perceptions of the issuers change. These
perceptions are based on unpredictable factors, including expectations
regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation
and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or
regional political, economic or banking crises. Both U.S. and foreign
markets have experienced substantial volatility and significant declines
recently as a result of certain or all of these factors.
Small-Cap Companies. While historically small-cap company stocks have
outperformed the stocks of large companies, the former have customarily
involved more investment risk as well. Small-cap companies may have
limited product lines, markets or financial resources; may lack
management depth or experience; and may be more vulnerable to adverse
general market or economic developments than large companies. Some of
these companies may distribute, sell or produce products which have
recently been brought to market and may be dependent on key personnel.
The prices of small company securities are often more volatile than
prices associated with large company issues, and can display abrupt or
erratic movements at times, due to limited trading volumes and less
publicly available information. Also, because small cap companies
normally have fewer shares outstanding and these shares trade less
frequently than large companies, it may be more difficult for the Trusts
which contain these Securities to buy and sell significant amounts of
such shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices.
Dividends. Shareholders of common stocks have rights to receive payments
from the issuers of those common stocks that are generally subordinate
to those of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred
stocks of, such issuers. Common stocks do not represent an obligation of
the issuer and, therefore, do not offer any assurance of income or
Page 1
provide the same degree of protection of capital as do debt securities.
The issuance of additional debt securities or preferred stock will
create prior claims for payment of principal, interest and dividends
which could adversely affect the ability and inclination of the issuer
to declare or pay dividends on its common stock or the rights of holders
of common stock with respect to assets of the issuer upon liquidation or
bankruptcy.
Foreign Issuers. Since certain of the Securities included in the Trust
consist of securities of foreign issuers, an investment in the Trust
involves certain investment risks that are different in some respects
from an investment in a trust which invests entirely in the securities
of domestic issuers. These investment risks include future political or
governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment or
receipt of payment of dividends on the relevant Securities, the
possibility that the financial condition of the issuers of the
Securities may become impaired or that the general condition of the
relevant stock market may worsen (both of which would contribute
directly to a decrease in the value of the Securities and thus in the
value of the Units), the limited liquidity and relatively small market
capitalization of the relevant securities market, expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, economic uncertainties and foreign currency
devaluations and fluctuations. In addition, for foreign issuers that are
not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, there may be less publicly available information than is
available from a domestic issuer. Also, foreign issuers are not
necessarily subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those
applicable to domestic issuers. The securities of many foreign issuers
are less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of
comparable domestic issuers. In addition, fixed brokerage commissions
and other transaction costs on foreign securities exchanges are
generally higher than in the United States and there is generally less
government supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers and issuers
in foreign countries than there is in the United States. However, due to
the nature of the issuers of the Securities selected for the Trust, the
Sponsor believes that adequate information will be available to allow
the Supervisor to provide portfolio surveillance for the Trust.
Securities issued by non-U.S. issuers generally pay dividends in foreign
currencies and are principally traded in foreign currencies. Therefore,
there is a risk that the U.S. dollar value of these securities will vary
with fluctuations in the U.S. dollar foreign exchange rates for the
various Securities.
On the basis of the best information available to the Sponsor at the
present time, none of the Securities in the Trust are subject to
exchange control restrictions under existing law which would materially
interfere with payment to the Trust of dividends due on, or proceeds
from the sale of, the Securities. However, there can be no assurance
that exchange control regulations might not be adopted in the future
which might adversely affect payment to the Trust. The adoption of
exchange control regulations and other legal restrictions could have an
adverse impact on the marketability of international securities in the
Trust and on the ability of the Trust to satisfy its obligation to
redeem Units tendered to the Trustee for redemption. In addition,
restrictions on the settlement of transactions on either the purchase or
sale side, or both, could cause delays or increase the costs associated
with the purchase and sale of the foreign Securities and correspondingly
could affect the price of the Units.
Investors should be aware that it may not be possible to buy all
Securities at the same time because of the unavailability of any
Security, and restrictions applicable to the Trust relating to the
purchase of a Security by reason of the federal securities laws or
otherwise.
Foreign securities generally have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 and may not be exempt from the registration
requirements of such Act. Sales of non-exempt Securities by the Trust in
the United States securities markets are subject to severe restrictions
and may not be practicable. Accordingly, sales of these Securities by
the Trust will generally be effected only in foreign securities markets.
Although the Sponsor does not believe that the Trust will encounter
obstacles in disposing of the Securities, investors should realize that
the Securities may be traded in foreign countries where the securities
markets are not as developed or efficient and may not be as liquid as
those in the United States. The value of the Securities will be
adversely affected if trading markets for the Securities are limited or
absent.
Litigation
Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Corporation is currently engaged in
litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice and several state
Attorneys General. The complaints against Microsoft include unfair
competition and anti-trust violations. The claims seek injunctive relief
and monetary damages. The District Court handling the antitrust case
recently held that Microsoft exercised monopoly power in violation of
the Sherman Antitrust Act and various state antitrust laws. The federal
appeals court overturned a June 7, 2000 ruling which called for
Microsoft to be broken up into two separate companies, one composed of
the company's operating systems and the other containing its
applications software business. The appeals court has sent the case back
to the lower court to determine penalties. It is impossible to predict
what impact the penalties will have on Microsoft or the value of its
stock.
Page 2
Concentration
Technology Companies. The Trust is considered to be concentrated in
common stocks of technology companies. Technology companies generally
include companies involved in the development, design, manufacture and
sale of computers and peripherals, software and services, data
networking/communications equipment, internet access/information
providers, semiconductors and semiconductor equipment and other related
products, systems and services. The market for these products,
especially those specifically related to the Internet, is characterized
by rapidly changing technology, rapid product obsolescence, cyclical
market patterns, evolving industry standards and frequent new product
introductions. The success of the issuers of the Securities depends in
substantial part on the timely and successful introduction of new
products. An unexpected change in one or more of the technologies
affecting an issuer's products or in the market for products based on a
particular technology could have a material adverse affect on an
issuer's operating results. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that
the issuers of the Securities will be able to respond in a timely manner
to compete in the rapidly developing marketplace.
Based on trading history of common stock, factors such as announcements
of new products or development of new technologies and general
conditions of the industry have caused and are likely to cause the
market price of high-technology common stocks to fluctuate
substantially. In addition, technology company stocks have experienced
extreme price and volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated to
the operating performance of such companies. This market volatility may
adversely affect the market price of the Securities and therefore the
ability of a Unit holder to redeem Units at a price equal to or greater
than the original price paid for such Units.
Some key components of certain products of technology issuers are
currently available only from single sources. There can be no assurance
that in the future suppliers will be able to meet the demand for
components in a timely and cost effective manner. Accordingly, an
issuer's operating results and customer relationships could be adversely
affected by either an increase in price for, or an interruption or
reduction in supply of, any key components. Additionally, many
technology issuers are characterized by a highly concentrated customer
base consisting of a limited number of large customers who may require
product vendors to comply with rigorous industry standards. Any failure
to comply with such standards may result in a significant loss or
reduction of sales. Because many products and technologies of technology
companies are incorporated into other related products, such companies
are often highly dependent on the performance of the personal computer,
electronics and telecommunications industries. There can be no assurance
that these customers will place additional orders, or that an issuer of
Securities will obtain orders of similar magnitude as past orders from
other customers. Similarly, the success of certain technology companies
is tied to a relatively small concentration of products or technologies.
Accordingly, a decline in demand of such products, technologies or from
such customers could have a material adverse impact on issuers of the
Securities.
Many technology companies rely on a combination of patents, copyrights,
trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect their
proprietary rights in their products and technologies. There can be no
assurance that the steps taken by the issuers of the Securities to
protect their proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent
misappropriation of their technology or that competitors will not
independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or
superior to such issuers' technology. In addition, due to the increasing
public use of the Internet, it is possible that other laws and
regulations may be adopted to address issues such as privacy, pricing,
characteristics, and quality of Internet products and services. The
adoption of any such laws could have a material adverse impact on the
Securities in the Trust.
Like many areas of technology, the semiconductor business environment is
highly competitive, notoriously cyclical and subject to rapid and often
unanticipated change. Recent industry downturns have resulted, in part,
from weak pricing, persistent overcapacity, slowdown in Asian demand and
a shift in retail personal computer sales toward the low end, or "sub-
$1,000" segment. Industry growth is dependent upon several factors,
including: the rate of global economic expansion; demand for products
such as personal computers and networking and communications equipment;
excess productive capacity and the resultant effect on pricing; and the
rate of growth in the market for low-priced personal computers.
Portfolio
Equity Securities Selected for the Nasdaq-100(R) Securities Portfolio,
Series 4
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We have obtained the foregoing descriptions from sources we deem
reliable. We have not independently verified the provided information
either in terms of accuracy or completeness.
Page 5
MEMORANDUM
Re: FT 657
The only difference of consequence (except as described
below) between FT 645, which is the current fund, and FT 657, the
filing of which this memorandum accompanies, is the change in the
series number. The list of securities comprising the Fund, the
evaluation, record and distribution dates and other changes
pertaining specifically to the new series, such as size and
number of Units in the Fund and the statement of condition of the
new Fund, will be filed by amendment.
1940 ACT
FORMS N-8A AND N-8B-2
These forms were not filed, as the Form N-8A and Form N-8B-2
filed in respect of Templeton Growth and Treasury Trust, Series 1
and subsequent series (File No. 811-05903) related also to the
subsequent series of the Fund.
1933 ACT
PROSPECTUS
The only significant changes in the Prospectus from the
Series 645 Prospectus relate to the series number and size and
the date and various items of information which will be derived
from and apply specifically to the securities deposited in the
Fund.
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM A Bonding Arrangements of Depositor:
First Trust Portfolios, L.P. is covered by a Broker's
Fidelity Bond, in the total amount of $2,000,000, the
insurer being National Union Fire Insurance Company of
Pittsburgh.
ITEM B This Registration Statement on Form S-6 comprises the
following papers and documents:
The facing sheet
The Prospectus
The signatures
Exhibits
S-1
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
the Registrant, FT 657 has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the Village of Lisle and State of
Illinois on July 8, 2002.
FT 657
(Registrant)
By: FIRST TRUST PORTFOLIOS, L.P.
(Depositor)
By Robert M. Porcellino
Senior Vice President
S-2
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed
below by the following person in the capacity and on the date
indicated:
NAME TITLE* DATE
David J. Allen Director )
of The Charger )
Corporation, the ) July 8, 2002
General Partner of )
First Trust )
Portfolios, L.P. )
Judith M. Van Kampen Director )
of The Charger )Robert M. Porcellino
Corporation, the ) Attorney-in-Fact**
General Partner of )
First Trust )
Portfolios, L.P. )
Karla M. Van Kampen-Pierre Director )
of The Charger )
Corporation, the )
General Partner of )
First Trust )
Portfolios, L.P. )
David G. Wisen Director )
of The Charger )
Corporation, the )
General Partner of )
First Trust )
Portfolios, L.P. )
* The title of the person named herein represents his
or her capacity in and relationship to First Trust
Portfolios, L.P., Depositor.
** An executed copy of the related power of attorney
was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 of FT 597
(File No. 333-76518) and the same is hereby incorporated
herein by this reference.
S-3
CONSENTS OF COUNSEL
The consents of counsel to the use of their names in the
Prospectus included in this Registration Statement will be
contained in their respective opinions to be filed as Exhibits
3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the Registration Statement.
CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
The consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP to the use of its name
and to the reference to such firm in the Prospectus included in
this Registration Statement will be filed by amendment.
CONSENT OF FIRST TRUST ADVISORS L.P.
The consent of First Trust Advisors L.P. to the use of its
name in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is
filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.
S-4
EXHIBIT INDEX
1.1 Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust for The
First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 22 and
certain subsequent Series, effective November 20, 1991
among Nike Securities, L.P., as Depositor, United States
Trust Company of New York as Trustee, Securities
Evaluation Service, Inc., as Evaluator, and Nike
Financial Advisory Services L.P. as Portfolio Supervisor
(incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6
[File No. 33-43693] filed on behalf of The First Trust
Special Situations Trust, Series 22).
1.1.1* Form of Trust Agreement for FT 657 among First Trust
Portfolios, L.P., as Depositor, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as
Trustee and First Trust Advisors L.P., as Evaluator and
Portfolio Supervisor.
1.2 Copy of Certificate of Limited Partnership of First Trust
Portfolios, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Amendment
No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of
The First Trust Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.3 Copy of Amended and Restated Limited Partnership
Agreement of First Trust Portfolios, L.P. (incorporated
by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No.
33-42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust Special
Situations Trust, Series 18).
1.4 Copy of Articles of Incorporation of The Charger
Corporation, the general partner of First Trust
Portfolios, L.P., Depositor (incorporated by reference to
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on
behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust,
Series 18).
1.5 Copy of By-Laws of The Charger Corporation, the general
partner of First Trust Portfolios, L.P., Depositor
(incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6
[File No. 33-42683] filed on behalf of The First Trust
Special Situations Trust, Series 18).
2.1 Copy of Certificate of Ownership (included in Exhibit 1.1
filed herewith on page 2 and incorporated herein by reference).
2.2 Copy of Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to
Amendment No. 1 to form S-6 [File No. 333-31176] filed on behalf
of FT 415).
3.1* Opinion of counsel as to legality of Securities being
registered.
S-5
3.2* Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of
Securities being registered.
3.3* Opinion of counsel as to New York income tax status of
Securities being registered.
3.4* Opinion of counsel as to advancement of funds by Trustee.
4.1* Consent of First Trust Advisors L.P.
6.1 List of Directors and Officers of Depositor and other
related information (incorporated by reference to
Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-42683] filed on
behalf of The First Trust Special Situations Trust,
Series 18).
7.1 Power of Attorney executed by the Directors listed on
page S-3 of this Registration Statement (incorporated by
reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No.
333-76518] filed on behalf of FT 597).
___________________________________
* To be filed by amendment.
S-6