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 282 B. Name of Depositor: NIKE SECURITIES 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: NIKE SECURITIES 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 60606 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. FT 282 Cross-Reference Sheet (Form N-8B-2 Items required by Instructions as to the Prospectus in Form S-6) FORM N-8B-2 FORM S-6 ITEM NUMBER HEADING IN PROSPECTUS I. ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION 1. (a) Name of trust Prospectus front cover (b) Title of securities issued Summary of Essential Information 2. Name and address of each Information as to depositor Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 3. Name and address of Information as to trustee Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 4. Name and address of Underwriting principal underwriters 5. State of organization The FT Series of trust 6. Execution and termination The FT Series; Other of trust agreement Information 7. Changes of name * 8. Fiscal Year * 9. Litigation * II. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND SECURITIES OF THE TRUST 10. (a) Registered or bearer Rights of Unit Holders securities (b) Cumulative or distributive securities The FT Series (c) Redemption Rights of Unit Holders (d) Conversion, transfer, etc. Rights of Unit Holders (e) Periodic payment plan certificates * (f) Voting rights Rights of Unit Holders; Other Information (g) Notice of certificate- Rights of Unit Holders; holders Other Information (h) Consents required Rights of Unit Holders; Other Information (i) Other provisions The FT Series 11. Types of securities comprising The FT Series 12. Certain information regarding periodic payment plan certificates * 13. (a) Load, fees, expenses, etc. Summary of Essential Information; Public Offering; The FT Series (b) Certain information regarding periodic payment plan certificates * (c) Certain percentages Summary of Essential Information; The FT Series; Public Offering (d) Difference in price offered Public Offering for any class of transactions to any class or group of individuals (e) Certain other load fees, Rights of Unit Holders expenses, etc. payable by holders (f) Certain profits receivable The FT Series by depositor, principal underwriters, trustee or affiliated persons (g) Ratio of annual charges to income * 14. Issuance of trust's Rights of Unit Holders securities 15. Receipt and handling of payments from purchasers * 16. Acquisition and disposition of underlying securities The FT Series; Rights of Unit Holders 17. Withdrawal or redemption The FT Series; Public Offering; Rights of Unit Holders 18. (a) Receipt, custody and disposition of income Rights of Unit Holders (b) Reinvestment of distributions Rights of Unit Holders (c) Reserves or special funds Information as to Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator (d) Schedule of distributions * 19. Records, accounts and reports Rights of Unit Holders 20. Certain miscellaneous provisions of trust agreement (a) Amendment Other Information (b) Termination Other Information (c) and (d) Trustee, removal and successor Information as to Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator (e) and (f) Depositor, removal Information as to and successor Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 21. Loans to security holders * 22. Limitations on liability The FT Series; Information as to Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 23. Bonding arrangements Contents of Registration Statement 24. Other material provisions of trust agreement * III. ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR 25. Organization of depositor Information as to Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 26. Fees received by depositor * 27. Business of depositor Information as to Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 28. Certain information as to * officials and affiliated persons of depositor 29. Voting securities of * depositor 30. Persons controlling * depositor 31. Payment by depositor for * certain services rendered to trust 32. Payment by depositor for * certain other services rendered to trust 33. Remuneration of other * persons for certain services rendered to trust 34. Remuneration of other * persons for certain services rendered to trust IV. DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION 35. Distribution of trust's securities by states Public Offering 36. Suspension of sales of trust's securities * 37. Revocation of authority to distribute * 38. (a) Method of distribution Public Offering (b) Underwriting agreements Public Offering; Underwriting (c) Selling agreements Public Offering 39. (a) Organization of principal Information as to underwriters Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator (b) N.A.S.D. membership of Information as to principal underwriters Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 40. Certain fee received by See Items 13(a) and 13(e) principal underwriters 41. (a) Business of principal Information as to underwriters Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator (b) Branch offices of principal underwriters * (c) Salesmen of principal underwriters * 42. Ownership of trust's securities by certain persons * 43. Certain brokerage commissions received by principal underwriters * 44. (a) Method of valuation Summary of Essential Information; The FT Series; Public Offering (b) Schedule as to offering price * (c) Variation in offering Public Offering price to certain persons 45. Suspension of redemption rights * 46. (a) Redemption Valuation Rights of Unit Holders (b) Schedule as to redemption price * 47. Maintenance of position Public Offering; Rights in underlying securities of Unit Holders V. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN 48. Organization and regulation Information as to of trustee Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator 49. Fees and expenses of trustee The FT Series 50. Trustee's lien The FT Series VI. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INSURANCE OF HOLDERS OR SECURITIES 51. Insurance of holders of * trust's securities VII. POLICY OF REGISTRANT 52. (a) Provisions of trust The FT Series; Rights agreement with respect of Unit Holders to selection or elimination of underlying securities (b) Transactions involving elimination of underlying securities * (c) Policy regarding The FT Series; Rights substitution or elimination of Unit Holders of underlying securities (d) Fundamental policy not otherwise covered * 53. Tax status of Trust The FT Series VIII. FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION 54. Trust's securities during last ten years * 55. Certain information regarding periodic payment plan certificates 56. Certain information regarding periodic payment plan certificates 57. Certain information regarding * periodic payment plan certificates 58. Certain information regarding periodic payment plan certificates 59. Financial statements Report of Independent (Instruction 1(b) to Auditors; Statement of Form S-6) Net Assets __________________________ * Inapplicable, answer negative or not required. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 10, 1998 Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2 The Trust. FT 282 (the "Trust") is a unit investment trust consisting of common stocks of United States-based small-cap companies (the "Equity Securities"). The objective of the Trust is to provide above-average capital appreciation potential by investing the Trust's portfolio in the Equity Securities. See "Schedule of Investments." The Trust has a mandatory termination date (the "Mandatory Termination Date" or "Trust Ending Date") of approximately two years from the date of this Prospectus as set forth under "Summary of Essential Information." There is, of course, no guarantee that the objective of the Trust will be achieved. Each Unit of the Trust represents an undivided fractional interest in all the Equity Securities deposited in the Trust. The Equity Securities deposited in the Trust's portfolio have no fixed maturity date and the value of these underlying Equity Securities will fluctuate with changes in the values of stocks in general but may decline more than or not increase as much as stocks in general. See "Portfolio." The Sponsor may, from time to time after the Initial Date of Deposit, deposit additional Equity Securities in the Trust or cash (including a letter of credit) with instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in the Trust. Such deposits of additional Equity Securities or cash will, therefore, be done in such a manner that the original proportionate relationship among the number of shares of the individual issues of the Equity Securities shall be maintained. Any deposit by the Sponsor of additional Equity Securities, or the purchase of additional Equity Securities pursuant to a cash deposit, will duplicate, as nearly as is practicable, the original proportionate share relationship established on the Initial Date of Deposit, and not the actual proportionate share relationship on the subsequent date of deposit, because the two may differ. Any such difference may be due to the sale, redemption or liquidation of any of the Equity Securities deposited in the Trust on the Initial, or any subsequent, Date of Deposit. Moreover, because of fluctuations in the price of the Equity Securities, the proportionate value relationship among the Equity Securities on any subsequent date of deposit will probably be different from that established on the Initial Date of Deposit. See "What is the FT Series?" and "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?" Public Offering Price. The Public Offering Price per Unit of the Trust is equal to the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the closing sale prices of the listed Equity Securities and the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus a pro rata share of cash, if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust, plus an initial sales charge equal to the difference between the maximum sales charge (3.3% of the Public Offering Price) and the maximum remaining deferred sales charge (initially $.23 per Unit). Commencing _____, 1998, and on the last business day of each month thereafter, through _____, 1999, a deferred sales charge of $.046 will be assessed per Unit. Units purchased subsequent to the initial deferred sales charge payment will be subject to the initial sales charge and the remaining deferred sales charge payments not yet collected. The deferred sales charge will be paid from funds in the Capital Account, if sufficient, or from the periodic sale THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. J.C. Bradford & Co. The date of this Prospectus is ________, 1998 Page 1 of Equity Securities. The total maximum sales charge assessed to Unit holders on a per Unit basis will be 3.3% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 3.333% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge). A pro rata share of accumulated dividends, if any, in the Income Account is included in the Public Offering Price. In addition, a portion of the Public Offering Price on Units purchased prior to the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period also consists of Equity Securities in an amount sufficient to pay for all or a portion of the costs incurred in establishing the Trust. The organizational and offering costs will be deducted from the assets of the Trust as of the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period. Upon completion of the deferred sales charge period, the secondary market Public Offering Price per Unit for the Trust will not include deferred payments, but will instead include only a one-time initial sales charge of 2.8% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 2.881% of the net amount invested). The minimum amount which an investor may purchase in the Trust is $2,000 ($1,000 for Individual Retirement Accounts or other retirement plans). The sales charge for the Trust is reduced on a graduated scale for sales involving at least $100,000. See "Public Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?" UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED BY, ANY BANK, AND UNITS ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION AND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISK INCLUDING LOSS OF PRINCIPAL. Dividend and Capital Distributions. Distributions of dividends and capital, if any, received by the Trust will be paid on the Income Distributions Dates to Unit holders of record on the preceding Income Distribution Record Date as set forth in "Summary of Essential Information." Distributions of funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be made at least annually in December of each year. Any distribution of income and/or capital will be net of expenses of a Trust. See "What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?" Additionally, upon termination of a Trust, the Trustee will distribute, upon surrender of Units, to each remaining Unit holder his pro rata share of such Trust's assets, less expenses, in the manner set forth under "Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?"" Secondary Market for Units. While under no obligation to do so, the Sponsor and the Underwriter intend to maintain a market for Units of the Trust and offer to repurchase such Units at prices which are based on the aggregate underlying value of Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the bid prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus cash, if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust. If a secondary market is not maintained, a Unit holder may redeem Units through redemption at prices based upon the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and either the ask prices (during the initial offering period) or the bid prices (subsequent to the initial offering period) of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus a pro rata share of cash, if any, in the Capital and Income Accounts of the Trust. Units sold or tendered for redemption prior to such time as the entire deferred sales charge on such Units has been collected will be assessed the amount of the remaining deferred sales charge at the time of sale or redemption. A Unit holder tendering 10,000 Units or more Units of the Trust for redemption may request a distribution of shares of Equity Securities (reduced by customary transfer and registration charges) in lieu of payment in cash. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Units be Redeemed?" Termination. Commencing no later than the Mandatory Termination Date, Equity Securities will begin to be sold in connection with the termination of the Trust. The Sponsor will determine the manner, timing and execution of the sale of the Equity Securities. Written notice of any termination of the Trust specifying the time or times at which Unit holders may surrender their certificates for cancellation shall be given by the Trustee to each Unit holder at his or her address appearing on the registration books of the Trust maintained by the Trustee. At least 30 days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date, the Trustee will provide written notice thereof to all Unit holders and will include with such notice a form to enable Unit holders to elect a distribution of shares of Equity Securities (reduced by customary transfer and registration charges) if such Unit holder owns at least 10,000 Units of the Trust, rather than to receive payment in cash for such Unit holder's pro rata share of the amounts realized upon the disposition by the Trustee of Equity Securities. To be effective, the election form, together with surrendered certificates and other documentation required by the Trustee, must be returned to the Trustee at least ten business Page 2 days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust. Unit holders not electing a distribution of shares of the Equity Securities will receive a cash distribution within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?" Risk Factors. An investment in the Trust should be made with an understanding of the risks associated therewith, including, among other factors, the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of the issuers of the Equity Securities or the general condition of the stock market, changes in interest rates or an economic recession. The Trust's portfolio is not managed and Equity Securities will not be sold by the Trust regardless of market fluctuations, although some Equity Securities may be sold under certain limited circumstances. Finally, the results of ownership of Units will differ from the results of ownership of the underlying Equity Securities of the Trust for various reasons, including the timing of the purchase and sale (or redemption) of Units of the Trust, sales charges and expenses of the Trust and taxes. See "What are Equity Securities?-Risk Factors." Page 3 Summary of Essential Information At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit of the Equity Securities-________, 1998 Underwriter: J.C. Bradford & Co. Sponsor: Nike Securities L.P. Trustee: The Chase Manhattan Bank Evaluator: First Trust Advisors L.P. General Information Initial Number of Units (1) Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit (1) 1/ Public Offering Price: Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Equity Securities in Portfolio (2) $ Aggregate Offering Price Evaluation of Equity Securities per Unit $ Maximum Sales Charge 3.3% of the Public Offering Price per Unit (3.333% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge) (3) $ Less Deferred Sales Charge per Unit $ ( ) Public Offering Price per Unit (3) $ Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit (4) $ Redemption Price per Unit (based on aggregate underlying value of Equity Securities less the deferred sales charge) (4) $ CUSIP Number First Settlement Date _____, 1998 Mandatory Termination Date September 29, 2000 Discretionary Liquidation Amount The Trust may be terminated if the value of the Equity Securities is less than the lower of $4,000,000 or 40% of the total value of Equity Securities deposited in a Trust during the initial offering period. Trustee's Annual Fee $ per Unit outstanding. Evaluator's Annual Fee $ per Unit outstanding. Evaluations for purposes of sale, purchase or redemption of Units are made as of the close of trading (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange on each day on which it is open. Supervisory Fee (5) Maximum of $ per Unit outstanding annually payable to an affiliate of the Sponsor. Estimated Organizational and Offering Costs (6) $ per Unit. Income Distribution Record Date First day of each December, commencing December 1, 1998. Income Distribution Date (7) Fifteenth day of each December, commencing December 15, 1998. ______________ <FN> (1) As of the close of business on the Initial Date of Deposit, the number of Units of the Trust may be adjusted so that the Public Offering Price per Unit will equal approximately $10.00. Therefore, to the extent of any such adjustment, the fractional undivided interest per Unit will increase or decrease accordingly, from the amounts indicated above. (2) Each listed Equity Security is valued at the last closing sale price or if no such price exists or the Equity Security is not so listed at the closing ask price thereof. (3) The maximum sales charge consists of an initial sales charge and a deferred sales charge. See "Fee Table" and "Public Offering" for additional information regarding these charges. On the Initial Date of Deposit there will be no accumulated dividends in the Income Account. Anyone ordering Units after such date will pay a pro rata share of any accumulated dividends in such Income Account. The Public Offering Price as shown reflects the value of the Equity Securities at the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit and establishes the original proportionate relationship amongst the individual securities. No sales to investors will be executed at this price. Additional Equity Securities will be deposited during the day of the Initial Date of Deposit which will be valued as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and sold to investors at a Public Offering Price per Unit based on this valuation. (4) The Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price per Unit and the Redemption Price per Unit set forth above and until the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period include estimated organizational and offering costs per Unit. After such date, the Sponsor's Repurchase Price and Redemption Price per Unit will not include such estimated organizational and offering costs. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Units be Redeemed?" (5) In addition, the Sponsor will be reimbursed for bookkeeping and other administrative expenses currently at a maximum annual rate of $______ per Unit. (6) Investors will bear all or a portion of its organizational and offering costs (including costs of preparing the registration statement, the Trust indenture and other closing documents, registering Units with the Securities and Exchange Commission and states, the initial audit of the Trust portfolio, legal fees and the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee but not including the expenses incurred in the printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, and expenses incurred in the preparation and printing of brochures and other advertising materials and any other selling expenses). Estimated organizational and offering costs are included in the Public Offering Price per Unit and 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. See "Public Offering" and "Statement of Net Assets." (7) Distributions from the Capital Account will be made monthly payable on the fifteenth day of the month to Unit holders of record on the first day of such month if the amount available for distribution equals at least $0.01 per Unit. Notwithstanding, distributions of funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be made in December of each year. </FN> Page 4 FEE TABLE This Fee Table is intended to help you to understand the costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. See "Public Offering" and "What are the Expenses and Charges?" Although the Trust has a term of only approximately two years and is a unit investment trust rather than a mutual fund, this information is presented to permit a comparison of fees. Amount per Unit ________ Unit holder Transaction Expenses Initial sales charge imposed on purchase (as a percentage of the Public Offering Price) 1.00%(a) $ .10 Deferred sales charge (as a percentage of Public Offering Price) 2.30%(b) .23 _______ _______ 3.30% $ .33 ======= ======= Organizational and Offering Costs Estimated Organizational and Offering Costs (as a percentage of public offering price) %(c) $ ======= ======= Estimated Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a percentage of average net assets) Trustee's fee % $ Portfolio supervision, bookkeeping, administrative and evaluation fees, and amortization of organizational and offering costs % Other operating expenses % _______ _______ Total % $ ======= ======= Example ________ Cumulative Expenses Paid for Period: 1 Year 2 Years _______ __________ An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming the Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2 estimated operating expense ratio of % and a 5% annual return on the investment throughout the periods $ $ ______________ <FN> (a) The Initial Sales Charge is actually the difference between the maximum total sales charge of 3.3% and the maximum remaining deferred sales charge (initially $.23 per Unit) and would exceed 1.00% if the Public Offering Price exceeds $10.00 per Unit. (b) The actual fee is $.046 per month per Unit, irrespective of purchase or redemption price deducted in each of the five months during the period from _____, 1998 to _____, 1999. If the Unit price exceeds $10.00 per Unit, the deferred sales charge will be less than 2.3%. If the Unit price is less than $10.00 per Unit, the deferred sales charge will exceed 2.3%. Units purchased subsequent to the initial deferred sales charge payment will be subject to only the Initial Sales Charge and the remaining deferred sales charge payments not yet collected. (c) Investors will bear all or a portion of the costs incurred in organizing the Trust (including costs of preparing the registration statement, the Trust indenture and other closing documents, registering Units with the Securities and Exchange Commission and states, the initial audit of the Trust portfolio, legal fees and the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee) as is common for mutual funds. Estimated organizational and offering costs are included in the Public Offering Price per Unit and 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. </FN> The example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and utilizes a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by Securities and Exchange Commission regulations applicable to mutual funds. For purposes of the example, the deferred sales charge imposed on reinvestment of dividends is not reflected until the year following payment of the dividend; the cumulative expenses would be higher if sales charges on reinvested dividends were reflected in the year of reinvestment. The example should not be considered a representation of past or future expenses or annual rate of return; the actual expenses and annual rate of return may be more or less than those assumed for purposes of the example. Page 5 EMERGING COMPANIES EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 2 FT 282 What is the FT Series? The FT 282 is one of a series of investment companies created by the Sponsor under the name of The FT Series, all of which are generally similar but each of which is separate and is designated by a different series number. The FT Series was formerly known as The First Trust Special Situations Trust. The Trust is a unit investment trust created under the laws of the State of New York pursuant to a Trust Agreement (the "Indenture"), dated the Initial Date of Deposit, among Nike Securities L.P., as Sponsor, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, and First Trust Advisors L.P. as Portfolio Supervisor and Evaluator. On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor deposited with the Trustee confirmations of contracts for the purchase of common stocks as of the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit (the "Equity Securities"), together with an irrevocable letter or letters of credit of a financial institution in an amount at least equal to the purchase price of such Equity Securities. In exchange for the deposit of securities or contracts to purchase securities in the Trust, the Trustee delivered to the Sponsor documents evidencing the entire ownership of the Trust. The objective of the Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2 (the "Emerging Companies Equity Trust") is to provide investors with above- average capital appreciation potential through an investment in a diversified portfolio of professionally-selected emerging growth companies in several industries which the Underwriter believes could help investors achieve sustainable growth and capital appreciation over the next two years. America's future corporate giants are often spawned as small, unheralded companies. Investing in small-cap companies can be exciting-and potentially rewarding since these companies are typically driven and strong-spirited, filling unique niches normally not covered by their cousins. In the Underwriter's opinion, investing early in these companies, certain of which have the potential to be the future leaders of American business, may provide the greatest upside potential. In addition, since they are small companies, they are typically undiscovered by Wall Street; and, therefore, may be undervalued because of this limited following. Emerging small-cap companies, in the opinion of J.C. Bradford equity experts, currently present an excellent investment opportunity for these reasons: recent steep selloff in this sector appears to have been overdone, creating value in certain companies whose strong fundamentals remain intact; a few "fallen angels," whose missteps have resulted in severe price punishment as investors have shunned these shares, look attractive for patient investors; stellar companies exist which continue to exhibit superior growth and a positive earnings outlook; although small-cap returns have lagged the market in 1998, the Underwriter believes there are currently strong indications of a reversal; and, according to Ibbotson Associates, small-cap stocks have provided some of the best returns among all asset classes since 1925. An investment in the high risk, high reward potential of the Emerging Companies Equity Trust is not for everyone. The Underwriter recommends this two-year Trust for the aggressive investor who understands the opportunity for exceptional returns through small capitalization companies, as well as the price volatility and capital loss possibility typically associated with these emerging small-cap companies. The Trust seeks to reduce risk through diversification by investing in professionally-selected emerging growth companies in several industries. The portfolio's securities will be researched and evaluated using database screening techniques, fundamentals analysis, and the judgment of research analysts. Although not actively managed, the portfolio will be professionally monitored, and securities may be sold if their retention is deemed detrimental to Unit holders. The Emerging Companies Equity Trust is a unit investment trust comprised of selected companies which the Underwriter believes could help investors achieve sustainable growth and capital appreciation over the next two years. J.C. Bradford's Equity Research, which selected the portfolio, is a recognized source for coverage of small-cap emerging companies. Their research analysts follow industry trends and individual companies and carefully identify companies, primarily in the Southeast, which should be bought for their capital appreciation potential. Research cannot, however, protect investors from sudden shifts in market sentiment and related selling pressure. Small-cap stocks may have limited liquidity, which magnifies price swings during uncertain markets. Page 6 See "Schedule of Investments" and "What are Equity Securities?-Risk Factors" for the Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2. There is, however, no assurance that the objective of the Emerging Companies Equity Growth Trust will be achieved. With the deposit of the Equity Securities on the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor established a percentage relationship between the number of shares of Equity Securities in the Trust's portfolio. See "Portfolio-What are the Equity Securities Selected for Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2?" From time to time following the Initial Date of Deposit, the Sponsor, pursuant to the Indenture, may deposit additional Equity Securities in the Trust or cash (including a letter of credit) with instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in the Trust, and Units may be continuously offered for sale to the public by means of this Prospectus, resulting in a potential increase in the outstanding number of Units of the Trust. Any deposit by the Sponsor of additional Equity Securities or cash will duplicate, as nearly as is practicable, the original proportionate share relationship (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends and the like) and not the actual proportionate share relationship on the subsequent date of deposit, since the two may differ. Any such difference may be due to the sale, redemption or liquidation of any of the Equity Securities deposited in the Trust on the Initial, or any subsequent, Date of Deposit. Moreover, because of fluctuations in the price of the Equity Securities, the proportionate value relationship among the Equity Securities on any subsequent Date of Deposit will probably be different from that established on the Initial Date of Deposit. See "How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?" Since the prices of the underlying Equity Securities will fluctuate daily, the ratio, on a market value basis, will also change daily. The portion of Equity Securities represented by each Unit will not change as a result of the deposit of additional Equity Securities in the Trust. If the Sponsor deposits cash, however, existing and new investors may experience a dilution of their investment and a reduction in their anticipated income because of fluctuations in the price of the Equity Securities between the time of the cash deposit and the purchase of the Equity Securities and because the Trust will pay the associated brokerage fees. To minimize this effect, the Trust will try to purchase the Equity Securities as close to the evaluation time or as close to the evaluation price as possible. The Trustee may from time to time retain and pay compensation to the Sponsor (or an affiliate of the Sponsor) to act as agent for the Trust with respect to acquiring Equity Securities for the Trust. In acting in such capacity, the Sponsor or its affiliate will be held subject to the restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. On the Initial Date of Deposit, each Unit of the Trust represented the undivided fractional interest in the Equity Securities deposited in the Trust set forth under "Summary of Essential Information." To the extent that Units of the Trust are redeemed, the aggregate value of the Equity Securities in the Trust will be reduced and the undivided fractional interest represented by each outstanding Unit of the Trust will be increased proportionately. However, if additional Units are issued by the Trust in connection with the deposit of additional Equity Securities or cash by the Sponsor, the aggregate value of the Equity Securities in the Trust will be increased by amounts allocable to additional Units, and the undivided fractional interest represented by each outstanding Unit of the Trust will be decreased proportionately. See "How May Units be Redeemed?" The Trust has a Mandatory Termination Date as set forth herein under "Summary of Essential Information." What are the Expenses and Charges? With the exception of brokerage fees discussed above and bookkeeping and other administrative services provided to the Trust, for which the Sponsor will be reimbursed in amounts as set forth under "Summary of Essential Information," the Sponsor will not receive any fees in connection with its activities relating to the Trust. First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of the Sponsor, will receive an annual supervisory fee, which is not to exceed the amount set forth under "Summary of Essential Information," for providing portfolio supervisory services for the Trust. Such fee is based on the number of Units outstanding in the Trust on January 1 of each year except for the year or years in which an initial offering period occurs in which case the fee for a month is based on the number of Units outstanding at the end of such month. In providing such supervisory services, the portfolio Supervisor may purchase research services from a variety of sources which may include the Underwriter or dealers of the Trust. Page 7 Subsequent to the initial offering period, First Trust Advisors L.P., in its capacity as Evaluator for the Trust, will receive a fee as indicated in the "Summary of Essential Information." The Trustee pays certain expenses of the Trust for which it is reimbursed by the Trust. The Trustee will receive for its ordinary recurring services to the Trust an annual fee as set forth in the "Summary of Essential Information." Such fee is based upon the largest aggregate number of Units of the Trust outstanding during the calendar year, except during the initial offering period, in which case the fee is calculated based on the largest number of Units outstanding during the period for which compensation is paid. For a discussion of the services performed by the Trustee pursuant to its obligations under the Indenture, reference is made to the material set forth under "Rights of Unit Holders." The Trustee's and the above described fees are payable from the Income Account of the Trust to the extent funds are available and then from the Capital Account of the Trust. Since the Trustee has the use of the funds being held in the Capital and Income Accounts for payment of expenses and redemptions and since such Accounts are noninterest-bearing to Unit holders, the Trustee benefits thereby. Part of the Trustee's compensation for its services to the Trust is expected to result from the use of these funds. Each of the above mentioned fees may be increased without approval of the Unit holders by amounts not exceeding proportionate increases under the category "All Services Less Rent of Shelter" in the Consumer Price Index published by the United States Department of Labor. In addition, with respect to the fees payable to the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor for providing bookkeeping and other administrative services, supervisory services and evaluation services, such individual fees may exceed the actual costs of providing such services for the Trust, but at no time will the total amount received for such services rendered to all unit investment trusts of which Nike Securities L.P. is the Sponsor in any calendar year exceed the actual cost to the Sponsor or its affiliate of supplying such services in such year. The following additional charges are or may be incurred by the Trust: all legal expenses of the Trustee incurred by or in connection with its responsibilities under the Indenture; the expenses and costs of any action undertaken by the Trustee to protect the Trust and the rights and interests of the Unit holders; fees of the Trustee for any extraordinary services performed under the Indenture; indemnification of the Trustee for any loss, liability or expense incurred by it without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with its acceptance or administration of the Trust; any offering costs incurred after the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period; indemnification of the Sponsor for any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in acting as Depositor of the Trust; all taxes and other government charges imposed upon the Securities or any part of the Trust (no such taxes or charges are being levied or made or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor, contemplated). The above expenses and the Trustee's annual fee, when paid or owing to the Trustee, are secured by a lien on the Trust. In addition, the Trustee is empowered to sell Equity Securities in the Trust in order to make funds available to pay all these amounts if funds are not otherwise available in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust. Since the Equity Securities are all common stocks and the income stream produced by dividend payments, if any, is unpredictable, the Sponsor cannot provide any assurance that dividends will be sufficient to meet any or all expenses of the Trust. As described above, if dividends are insufficient to cover expenses, it is likely that Equity Securities will have to be sold to meet Trust expenses. These sales may result in capital gains or losses to Unit holders and may tend to reduce gains or increase the losses which are ultimately received by the Unit holders from investing in the Trust. See "What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?" The Indenture requires the Trust to be audited on an annual basis at the expense of the Trust by independent auditors selected by the Sponsor. So long as the Sponsor is making a secondary market for the Units, the Sponsor is required to bear the cost of such annual audits to the extent such cost exceeds $.0050 per Unit. Unit holders of the Trust covered by an audit may obtain a copy of the audited financial statements upon request. What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders? This is a general discussion of certain of the Federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Units. The summary is limited to investors who hold the Units as "capital assets" (generally, property held for investment) within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). Unit Page 8 holders should consult their tax advisors in determining the Federal, state, local and any other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Units in the Trust. For purposes of the following discussion and opinions, it is assumed that each Equity Security is equity for Federal income tax purposes. In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, special counsel for the Sponsor, under existing law: 1. The Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for Federal income tax purposes; each Unit holder will be treated as the owner of a pro rata portion of each of the assets of the Trust under the Code; and the income of the Trust will be treated as income of the Unit holders thereof under the Code. Each Unit holder will be considered to have received his or her pro rata share of the income derived from each Equity Security when such income is considered to be received by the Trust. 2. Each Unit holder will be considered to have received all of the dividends paid on his or her pro rata portion of each Equity Security when such dividends are considered to be received by the Trust regardless of whether such dividends are used to pay a portion of the deferred sales charge. Unit holders will be taxed in this manner regardless of whether distributions from such Trust are actually received by the Unit holder. 3. Each Unit holder will have a taxable event when the Trust disposes of an Equity Security (whether by sale, taxable exchange, liquidation, redemption, or otherwise) or upon the sale or redemption of Units by such Unit holder (except to the extent an In-Kind distribution of stocks is received by such Unit holder as described below). The price a Unit holder pays for his or her Units, generally including sales charges, is allocated among his or her pro rata portion of each Equity Security held by the Trust (in proportion to the fair market values thereof on the valuation date closest to the date the Unit holder purchases his or her Units) in order to determine the tax basis for his or her pro rata portion of each Equity Security held by the Trust. Unit holders should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the calculation of basis. For Federal income tax purposes, a Unit holder's pro rata portion of dividends, as defined by Section 316 of the Code, paid by a corporation with respect to an Equity Security held by the Trust is taxable as ordinary income to the extent of such corporation's current and accumulated "earnings and profits." A Unit holder's pro rata portion of dividends paid on such Equity Security which exceed such current and accumulated earnings and profits will first reduce a Unit holder's tax basis in such Equity Security, and to the extent that such dividends exceed a Unit holder's tax basis in such Equity Security shall generally be treated as capital gain. In general, the holding period for such capital gain will be determined by the period of time a Unit holder has held his or her Units. 4. A Unit holder's portion of gain, if any, upon the sale or redemption of Units or the disposition of Equity Securities held by the Trust will generally be considered a capital gain (except in the case of a dealer or a financial institution). A Unit holder's portion of loss, if any, upon the sale or redemption of Units or the disposition of Equity Securities held by the Trust will generally be considered a capital loss (except in the case of a dealer or a financial institution). Unit holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the recognition of such capital gains and losses for Federal income tax purposes. Deferred Sales Charge. Generally, the tax basis of a Unit holder includes sales charges, and such charges are not deductible. A portion of the sales charge for the Trust is deferred. It is possible that for Federal income tax purposes, a portion of the deferred sales charge may be treated as interest which would be deductible by a Unit holder subject to limitations on the deduction of investment interest. In such a case, the non-interest portion of the deferred sales charge would be added to the Unit holder's tax basis in his or her Units. The deferred sales charge could cause the Unit holder's Units to be considered to be debt-financed under Section 246A of the Code which would result in a small reduction of the dividends-received deduction. In any case, the income (or proceeds from redemption) a Unit holder must take into account for Federal income tax purposes is not reduced by amounts deducted to pay the deferred sales charge. Unit holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the income tax consequences of the deferred sales charge. Dividends Received Deduction. A corporation that owns Units will generally be entitled to a 70% dividends received deduction with respect Page 9 to such Unit holder's pro rata portion of dividends received by the Trust (to the extent such dividends are taxable as ordinary income, as discussed above, and are attributable to domestic corporations) in the same manner as if such corporation directly owned the Equity Securities paying such dividends (other than corporate Unit holders, such as "S" corporations, which are not eligible for the deduction because of their special characteristics and other than for purposes of special taxes such as the accumulated earnings tax and the personal holding corporation tax). However, a corporation owning Units should be aware that Sections 246 and 246A of the Code impose additional limitations on the eligibility of dividends for the 70% dividends received deduction. These limitations include a requirement that stock (and therefore Units) must generally be held at least 46 days (as determined under Section 246(c) of the Code). Final regulations have been issued which address special rules that must be considered in determining whether the 46-day holding period requirement is met. Moreover, the allowable percentage of the deduction will be reduced from 70% if a corporate Unit holder owns certain stock (or Units) the financing of which is directly attributable to indebtedness incurred by such corporation. To the extent dividends received by the Trust are attributable to foreign corporations, a corporation that owns Units will not be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to its pro rata portion of such dividends, since the dividends received deduction is generally available only with respect to dividends paid by domestic corporations. It should be noted that various legislative proposals that would affect the dividends received deduction have been introduced. Unit holders should consult with their tax advisors with respect to the limitations on and possible modifications to the dividends received deduction. Limitations on Deductibility of the Trust's Expenses by Unit Holders. Each Unit holder's pro rata share of each expense paid by the Trust is deductible by the Unit holder to the same extent as though the expense had been paid directly by such Unit holder. It should be noted that as a result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, certain miscellaneous itemized deductions, such as investment expenses, tax return preparation fees and employee business expenses will be deductible by an individual only to the extent they exceed 2% of such individual's adjusted gross income. Unit holders may be required to treat some or all of the expenses of the Trust as miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to this limitation. Unit holders should consult with their tax advisors regarding the limitations on the deductibility of Trust expenses. Recognition of Taxable Gain or Loss Upon Disposition of Equity Securities by the Trust or Disposition of Units. As discussed above, a Unit holder may recognize taxable gain (or loss) when an Equity Security is disposed of by the Trust or if the Unit holder disposes of a Unit. The Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (the "1998 Tax Act") provides that for taxpayers other than corporations, net capital gain (which is defined as net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for the taxable year) realized from property (with certain exclusions) is subject to a maximum marginal stated tax rate of 20% (10% in the case of certain taxpayers in the lowest tax bracket). 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. The date on which a Unit is acquired (i.e., the "trade date") is excluded for purposes of determining the holding period of the Unit. The legislation is generally effective retroactively for amounts properly taken into account on or after January 1, 1998. Capital gains realized from assets held for one year or less are taxed at the same rates as ordinary income. In addition, please note that capital gains may be recharacterized as ordinary income in the case of certain financial transactions that are considered "conversion transactions" effective for transactions entered into after April 30, 1993. Unit holders and prospective investors should consult with their tax advisors regarding the potential effect of this provision on their investment in Units. If the Unit holder disposes of a Unit, he or she is deemed thereby to have disposed of his or her entire pro rata interest in all assets of the Trust involved including his or her pro rata portion of all the Equity Securities represented by the Unit. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the "1997 Act") includes provisions that treat certain transactions designed to reduce or eliminate risk of loss and opportunities for gain (e.g., short sales, off-setting notional principal contracts, futures or forward contracts, or similar transactions) as constructive sales for purposes of recognition of gain (but not loss) and for purposes of determining the holding period. Unit holders should consult their own tax advisors with regard to any such constructive sales rules. Special Tax Consequences of In-Kind Distributions Upon Redemption of Units or Termination of the Trust. As discussed in "Rights of Unit Page 10 Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?", under certain circumstances a Unit holder who owns at least 10,000 Units of the Trust may request an In-Kind Distribution upon the redemption of Units or the termination of the Trust. The Unit holder requesting an In-Kind Distribution will be liable for expenses related thereto (the "Distribution Expenses") and the amount of such In-Kind Distribution will be reduced by the amount of the Distribution Expenses. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?" As previously discussed, prior to the redemption of Units or the termination of the Trust, a Unit holder is considered as owning a pro rata portion of each of the Trust's assets for Federal income tax purposes. The receipt of an In-Kind Distribution will result in a Unit holder receiving an undivided interest in whole shares of stock plus, possibly, cash. The potential tax consequences that may occur under an In-Kind Distribution with respect to each Equity Security owned by the Trust will depend on whether or not a Unit holder receives cash in addition to Equity Securities. An "Equity Security" for this purpose is a particular class of stock issued by a particular corporation. A Unit holder will not recognize gain or loss if a Unit holder only receives Equity Securities in exchange for his or her pro rata portion in the Equity Securities held by the Trust. However, if a Unit holder also receives cash in exchange for a fractional share of an Equity Security held by the Trust, such Unit holder will generally recognize gain or loss based upon the difference between the amount of cash received by the Unit holder and his or her tax basis in such fractional share of an Equity Security held by the Trust. Because the Trust will own many Equity Securities, a Unit holder who requests an In-Kind Distribution will have to analyze the tax consequences with respect to each Equity Security owned by the Trust. The amount of taxable gain (or loss) recognized upon such exchange will generally equal the sum of the gain (or loss) recognized under the rules described above by such Unit holder with respect to each Equity Security owned by the Trust. Unit holders who request an In-Kind Distribution are advised to consult their tax advisors in this regard. Computation of the Unit Holder's Tax Basis. Initially, a Unit holder's tax basis in his or her Units will generally equal the price paid by such Unit holder for his or her Units. The cost of the Units is allocated among the Equity Securities held in the Trust in accordance with the proportion of the fair market values of such Equity Securities as of the valuation date nearest the date the Units are purchased in order to determine such Unit holder's tax basis for his or her pro rata portion of each Equity Security. A Unit holder's tax basis in his or her Units and his or her pro rata portion of an Equity Security held by the Trust will be reduced to the extent dividends paid with respect to such Equity Security are received by the Trust which are not taxable as ordinary income as described above. General. Each Unit holder will be requested to provide the Unit holder's taxpayer identification number to the Trustee and to certify that the Unit holder has not been notified that payments to the Unit holder are subject to back-up withholding. If the proper taxpayer identification number and appropriate certification are not provided when requested, distributions by the Trust to such Unit holder (including amounts received upon the redemption of Units) will be subject to back-up withholding. Distributions by the Trust (other than those that are not treated as United States source income, if any) will generally be subject to United States income taxation and withholding in the case of Units held by non-resident alien individuals, foreign corporations or other non-United States persons. Such persons should consult their tax advisors. In general, income that is not effectively connected to the conduct of a trade or business within the United States that is earned by non-U.S. Unit holders and derived from dividends of foreign corporations will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax provided that less than 25 percent of the gross income of the foreign corporation for a three-year period ending with the close of its taxable year preceding payment was not effectively connected to the conduct of a trade or business within the United States. In addition, such earnings may be exempt from U.S. withholding pursuant to a specific treaty between the United States and a foreign country. Non-U.S. Unit holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the imposition of U.S. withholding on distributions from the Trust. It should be noted that payments to the Trust of dividends on Equity Securities that are attributable to foreign corporations may be subject to foreign withholding taxes and Unit holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential tax consequences relating to the payment of any such withholding taxes by the Trust. Any dividends withheld as a result thereof will nevertheless be treated as income to Page 11 the Unit holders. Because, under the grantor trust rules, an investor is deemed to have paid directly his or her share of foreign taxes that have been paid or accrued, if any, an investor may be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for United States purposes with respect to such taxes. The 1997 Act imposes a required holding period for such credits. Investors should consult their tax advisors with respect to foreign withholding taxes and foreign tax credits. At the termination of the Trust, the Trustee will furnish to each Unit holder a statement containing information relating to the dividends received by the Trust on the Equity Securities, the gross proceeds received by the Trust from the disposition of any Equity Security (resulting from redemption or the sale of any Equity Security) and the fees and expenses paid by the Trust. The Trustee will also furnish annual information returns to Unit holders and to the Internal Revenue Service. Unit holders desiring to purchase Units for tax-deferred plans and IRAs should consult their broker for details on establishing such accounts. Units may also be purchased by persons who already have self-directed plans established. See "Are Investments in the Trust Eligible for Retirement Plans?" In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, Special Counsel to the Trust for New York tax matters, under the existing income tax laws of the State of New York, each Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of such Trusts will be treated as the income of the Unit holders thereof. The foregoing discussion relates only to the tax treatment of U.S. Unit holders ("U.S. Unit holders") with regard to federal and certain aspects of New York State and City income taxes. Unit holders may be subject to taxation in New York or in other jurisdictions and should consult their own tax advisors in this regard. As used herein, the term "U.S. Unit holder" means an owner of a Unit in the Trust that (a) is (i) for United States federal income tax purposes a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, or (iii) an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or (b) does not qualify as a U.S. Unit holder in paragraph (a) but whose income from a Unit is effectively connected with such Unit holder's conduct of a United States trade or business. The term also includes certain former citizens of the United States whose income and gain on the Units will be taxable. Are Investments in the Trust Eligible for Retirement Plans? Units of the Trust may be well suited for purchase by Individual Retirement Accounts, Keogh Plans, pension funds and other tax-deferred retirement plans. Generally, the Federal income tax relating to capital gains and income received in each of the foregoing plans is deferred until distributions are received. Distributions from such plans are generally treated as ordinary income but may, in some cases, be eligible for special averaging or tax-deferred rollover treatment. Investors considering participation in any such plan should review specific tax laws related thereto and should consult their attorneys or tax advisors with respect to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan. Such plans are offered by brokerage firms and other financial institutions. Fees and charges with respect to such plans may vary. Accordingly, investors considering investing through a retirement plan should consider doing so with funds already in such plan. PORTFOLIO What are the Equity Securities? The Trust will consist of different issues of Equity Securities issued primarily by small-capitalization companies. See "Portfolio-What are the Equity Securities Selected for the Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2?" for a general description of the companies. What are the Equity Securities Selected for the Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2? 800-JR Cigar, Inc. Action Performance Companies, Inc. Acxiom Corporation Allied Capital Corporation American Healthcorp, Inc. Page 12 American Homestar Corporation Basin Exploration, Inc. Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc. Brightpoint, Inc. Castle Dental Centers, Inc. Central Parking Corporation Chattem, Inc. CheckFree Holdings Corporation Corrections Corporation of America Correctional Services Corporation Envoy Corporation Equity Corporation International First American Corporation Fossil, Inc. Genesco Inc. Goody's Family Clothing, Inc. Harley-Davidson, Inc. HEALTHSOUTH Corporation Infinium Software, Inc. International Speedway Corporation ITC DeltaCom, Inc. J.D. Edwards & Company K & G Men's Center, Inc. Kendle International Inc. Medical Assurance, Inc. MICROS Systems, Inc. MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. Movie Gallery, Inc. NCI Building Systems, Inc. OrthAlliance, Inc. (Class A) Palm Harbor Homes, Inc. Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. Phoenix International Ltd., Inc. PJ America, Inc. Qwest Communications International Inc. RARE Hospitality International, Inc. Renaissance Worldwide, Inc. Res-Care, Inc. Russell Corporation SCI Systems, Inc. Sanmina Corporation Sirrom Capital Corporation SkyTel Communications Inc. SouthTrust Corporation StaffMark, Inc. Stein Mart, Inc. Suburban Lodges of America, Inc. Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc. Tech Data Corporation Tractor Supply Company U.S. Foodservice, Inc. The Sponsor has obtained the foregoing descriptions from sources it deems reliable. The Sponsor has not independently verified the provided information either in terms of accuracy or completeness. Risk Factors. An investment of Units of the Emerging Companies Equity Trust should be made with an understanding of the risks such an Page 13 investment may entail. 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 the companies in which the Emerging Companies Equity Trust may invest 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 Emerging Companies Equity Trust to buy and sell significant amounts of such shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. The securities of small companies are often traded over-the-counter and may not be traded in the volumes typical on a national securities exchange. The Trust consists of such Equity Securities listed under the "Schedule of Investments" as may continue to be held from time to time in the Trust and any additional Equity Securities acquired and held by the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture, together with cash held in the Income and Capital Accounts. Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee shall be liable in any way for any failure in any of the Equity Securities. However, should any contract for the purchase of any of the Equity Securities initially deposited hereunder fail, the Sponsor will, unless substantially all of the moneys held in the Trust to cover such purchase are reinvested in substitute Equity Securities in accordance with the Indenture, refund the cash and sales charge attributable to such failed contract to all Unit holders on the next distribution date. Because certain of the Equity Securities from time to time may be sold under certain circumstances described herein, and because the proceeds from such events will be distributed to Unit holders and will not be reinvested, no assurance can be given that the Trust will retain for any length of time its present size and composition. Although the Portfolio is not managed, the Sponsor may instruct the Trustee to sell Equity Securities under certain limited circumstances. Pursuant to the Indenture and with limited exceptions, the Trustee may sell any securities or other property acquired in exchange for Equity Securities such as those acquired in connection with a merger or other transaction. See "How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?" Equity Securities, however, will not be sold by the Trust to take advantage of market fluctuations or changes in anticipated rates of appreciation or depreciation. In fact, no Equity Security will be sold prior to termination of the Trust (except to satisfy redemption requests or to pay expenses and in certain other limited circumstances) even if the Underwriter comes to believe that such Equity Security no longer has the potential for capital appreciation, or issues a "sell" recommendation with respect to such Equity Security. Whether or not the Equity Securities are listed on a national securities exchange, the principal trading market for the Equity Securities may be in the over-the-counter market. As a result, the existence of a liquid trading market for the Equity Securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in the Equity Securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made for any of the Equity Securities, that any market for the Equity Securities will be maintained or of the liquidity of the Equity Securities in any markets made. In addition, the Trust may be restricted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 from selling Equity Securities to the Sponsor. The price at which the Equity Securities may be sold to meet redemptions, and the value of the Trust, will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Equity Securities are limited or absent. 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 Equity Securities or the general condition of the common stock market may worsen and the value of the Equity 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. Shareholders of common Page 14 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. Shareholders of common stocks of the type held by the Trust have a right to receive dividends only when and if, and in the amounts, declared by the issuer's board of directors and have a right to participate in amounts available for distribution by the issuer only after all other claims on the issuer have been paid or provided for. Common stocks do not represent an obligation of the issuer and, therefore, do not offer any assurance of income or 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. The value of common stocks is subject to market fluctuations for as long as the common stocks remain outstanding, and thus the value of the Equity Securities in the Portfolio may be expected to fluctuate over the life of the Trust to values higher or lower than those prevailing on the Initial Date of Deposit. Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the entity, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Cumulative preferred stock dividends must be paid before common stock dividends and any cumulative preferred stock dividend omitted is added to future dividends payable to the holders of cumulative preferred stock. Preferred stockholders are also generally entitled to rights on liquidation which are senior to those of common stockholders. Unit holders will be unable to dispose of any of the Equity Securities in the Portfolio, as such, and will not be able to vote the Equity Securities. As the holder of the Equity Securities, the Trustee will have the right to vote all of the voting stocks in the Trust and will vote such stocks in accordance with the instructions of the Sponsor. The Underwriter has acquired or will acquire the Equity Securities for the Sponsor and thereby benefits from transaction fees. The Underwriter in its general securities business acts as agent or principal in connection with the purchase and sale of equity securities, including the Equity Securities in the Trust, and may act as a market maker in certain of the Equity Securities. The Underwriter also from time to time may issue reports on and make recommendations relating to equity securities, which may include the Equity Securities. The Underwriter has performed investment banking services for emerging market companies which may include certain of the issuers of the Equity Securities. What are Some Additional Considerations for Investors? Investors should be aware of certain other considerations before making a decision to invest in the Trust. The value of the Equity Securities will fluctuate over the life of the Trust and may be more or less than the value at the time they were deposited in the Trust. The Equity Securities may appreciate or depreciate in value (or pay dividends) depending on the full range of economic and market influences affecting these securities, including the impact of the Sponsor's purchase and sale of the Equity Securities (especially during the primary offering period of Units of the Trust) and other factors. Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee shall be liable in any way for any default, failure or defect in any Equity Security. In the event of a notice that any Equity Security will not be delivered ("Failed Contract Obligations") to the Trust, the Sponsor is authorized under the Indenture to direct the Trustee to acquire other Equity Securities ("Replacement Securities"). Any Replacement Security will be identical to those which were the subject of the failed contract. The Replacement Securities must be purchased within 20 days after delivery of the notice of a failed contract and the purchase price may not exceed the amount of funds reserved for the purchase of the Failed Contract Obligations. If the right of limited substitution described in the preceding paragraphs is not utilized to acquire Replacement Securities in the event of a failed contract, the Sponsor will refund the sales charge attributable to such Failed Contract Obligations to all Unit holders of the Trust and the Trustee will distribute the principal attributable to such Failed Contract Obligations not more than 120 days after the date Page 15 on which the Trustee received a notice from the Sponsor that a Replacement Security would not be deposited in the Trust. In addition, Unit holders should be aware that, at the time of receipt of such principal, they may not be able to reinvest such proceeds in other securities at a yield equal to or in excess of the yield which such proceeds would have earned for Unit holders of the Trust. The Indenture also authorizes the Sponsor to increase the size of the Trust and the number of Units thereof by the deposit of additional Equity Securities or cash (including a letter of credit) with instructions to purchase additional Equity Securities in the Trust and the issuance of a corresponding number of additional Units. If the Sponsor deposits cash, however, existing and new investors may experience a dilution of their investment and a reduction in their anticipated income because of fluctuations in the prices of the Equity Securities between the time of the cash deposit and the purchase of the Equity Securities and because the Trust will pay the associated brokerage fees. The Trust consists of the Equity Securities listed under "Schedule of Investments" (or contracts to purchase such Securities) as may continue to be held from time to time in the Trust and any additional Equity Securities acquired and held by the Trust pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture (including provisions with respect to deposits into the Trust of Equity Securities or cash in connection with the issuance of additional Units). Once all of the Equity Securities in the Trust are acquired, the Trustee will have no power to vary the investments of the Trust, i.e., the Trustee will have no managerial power to take advantage of market variations to improve a Unit holder's investment, and may dispose of Equity Securities only under limited circumstances. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust?" Like other investment companies, financial and business organizations and individuals around the world, the Trust could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by the Sponsor, Evaluator, Portfolio Supervisor or Trustee or other service providers to the Trust do not properly process and calculate date-related information and data involving dates of January 1, 2000 and thereafter. This is commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem." The Sponsor, Evaluator, Portfolio Supervisor and Trustee are taking steps that they believe are reasonably designed to address the Year 2000 Problem with respect to computer systems that they use and to obtain reasonable assurances that comparable steps are being taken by the Trust's other service providers. At this time, however, there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact to the Trust. The Year 2000 Problem is expected to impact corporations, which may include issuers of the Equity Securities contained in the Trust, to varying degrees based upon various factors, including, but not limited to, their industry sector and degree of technological sophistication. The Sponsor is unable to predict what impact, if any, the Year 2000 Problem will have on issuers of the Equity Securities contained in the Trust. To the best of the Sponsor's knowledge, there is no litigation pending as of the Initial Date of Deposit in respect of any Equity Security which might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Trust. At any time after the Initial Date of Deposit, litigation may be instituted on a variety of grounds with respect to the Equity Securities. The Sponsor is unable to predict whether any such litigation will be instituted, or if instituted, whether such litigation might have a material adverse effect on the Trust. Legislation. From time to time Congress considers proposals to reduce the rate of the dividends-received deductions. Enactment into law of a proposal to reduce the rate would adversely affect the after-tax return to investors who can take advantage of the deduction. Unit holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors. Further, at any time after the Initial Date of Deposit, legislation may be enacted that could negatively affect the Equity Securities in the Trust or the issuers of the Equity Securities. Changing approaches to regulation, particularly with respect to the environment or with respect to the petroleum industry, may have a negative impact on certain companies represented in the Trust. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on the Trust or will not impair the ability of the issuers of the Equity Securities to achieve their business goals. PUBLIC OFFERING How is the Public Offering Price Determined? Units are offered at the Public Offering Price, which is based on the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust Page 16 (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities) plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of such Trust, plus an initial sales charge with respect to the Trust equal to the difference between the maximum sales charge for the Trust (3.3% of the Public Offering Price) and the maximum remaining deferred sales charge (initially $.23 per Unit for the Trust) divided by the amount of Units of the Trust outstanding. Commencing _____, 1998, and on the last business day of each month thereafter, through _____, 1999, Unit holders will be assessed a deferred sales charge of $.046 per Unit per month. Units purchased subsequent to the initial deferred sales charge payment will be subject to the initial sales charge and the remaining deferred sales charge payments. The deferred sales charge will be paid from funds in the Capital Account, if sufficient, or from the periodic sale of Equity Securities. The total maximum sales charge assessed to Unit holders on a per Unit basis will be 3.3% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 3.333% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge). In addition, a portion of the Public Offering Price of Units purchased prior to the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period also consists of Equity Securities in an amount sufficient to pay for all or a portion of the costs incurred in establishing the Trust, including the costs of preparing the registration statement, the Indenture and other closing documents, registering Units with the Securities and Exchange Commission and states, the initial audit of the Trust portfolio, legal fees and the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee. The organizational and offering costs will be deducted from the assets of the Trust as of the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period. For secondary market sales after the completion of the deferred sales charge period, the Public Offering Price is also based on the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the bid prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities), plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts, plus a one-time initial sales charge of ____% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to ____% of the net amount invested), divided by the number of outstanding Units of the Trust. During the initial offering period, the Sponsor's Repurchase Price is based on the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities), plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust, plus, until the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period, estimated organizational and offering costs, divided by the number of Units of the Trust outstanding and reduced by the deferred sales charge not yet paid. During the secondary market, the Sponsor's Repurchase Price is also based on the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the bid prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities), plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust, divided by the number of outstanding Units of the Trust. The minimum amount an investor may purchase in the Trust is $2,000 ($1,000 for Individual Retirement Accounts or other retirement plans). The applicable sales charge of the Trust for primary market sales is reduced by a discount as indicated below for volume purchases as a percentage of the Public Offering Price (except for sales made pursuant to a "wrap fee account" or similar arrangements as set forth below): Maximum Dollar Amount of Transaction at Sales Net Dealer Public Offering Price* Discount Charge Concession _____________________ ________ _______ __________ $ 100,000 but less than $250,000 0.50% 2.80% 1.900% $ 250,000 but less than $500,000 1.00% 2.30% 1.400% $ 500,000 but less than $1,000,000 1.50% 1.80% 1.000% $1,000,000 but less than $2,500,000 2.00% 1.30% 0.750% $2,500,000 but less than $5,000,000 2.30% 1.00% 0.500% $5,000,000 or more 2.55% 0.75% 0.375% <FN> * The 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. </FN> Page 17 Any such reduced sales charge shall be the responsibility of the selling Underwriter, broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent. The reduced sales charge structure will apply on all purchases of Units in the Trust by the same person on any one day from the Underwriter or any other broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent. Investors may utilize their redemption or termination proceeds from prior series of the Trust to purchase Units of the Trust during the initial offering period subject only to the remaining deferred sales charge to be collected on such Units. Additionally, Units purchased in the name of the spouse of a purchaser or in the name of a child of such purchaser under 21 years of age will be deemed, for the purposes of calculating the applicable sales charge, to be additional purchases by the purchaser. The reduced sales charges will also be applicable to a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing securities for a single trust estate or single fiduciary account. The purchaser must inform the Underwriter, broker/dealer, bank or other selling agent of any such combined purchase prior to the sale in order to obtain the indicated discount. In addition, employees, officers and directors (including their immediate family members, defined as spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in- law, and trustees, custodians or fiduciaries for the benefit of such persons) of the Sponsor, Underwriter, broker/dealers, banks or other selling agents and their subsidiaries, and the companies represented in the Trust's portfolio may purchase Units of the Trust at the Public Offering Price, less the applicable dealer concession. Investors who purchase Units through registered broker/dealers who charge periodic fees for financial planning, investment advisory or asset management services or provide such services in connection with the establishment of an investment account for which a comprehensive "wrap fee" charge is imposed may purchase Units in the primary or secondary market at the Public Offering Price, less the concession the Sponsor typically would allow such broker/dealer. See "Public Offering- How are Units Distributed?" Had the Units of the Trust been available for sale on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, the Public Offering Price would have been as indicated in "Summary of Essential Information." The Public Offering Price of Units on the date of the prospectus or during the initial offering period may vary from the amount stated under "Summary of Essential Information" in accordance with fluctuations in the prices of the underlying Equity Securities. During the initial offering period, the aggregate value of the Units of the Trust shall be determined on the basis of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities therein plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust. The aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities will be determined in the following manner: if the Equity Securities are listed on a national securities exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market, this evaluation is generally based on the closing sale prices on that exchange or that system (unless it is determined that these prices are inappropriate as a basis for valuation) or, if there is no closing sale price on that exchange or system, at the closing ask prices. If the Equity Securities are not so listed or, if so listed and the principal market therefor is other than on the exchange, the evaluation shall generally be based on the current ask prices on the over-the-counter market (unless it is determined that these prices are inappropriate as a basis for evaluation). If current ask prices are unavailable, the evaluation is generally determined (a) on the basis of current ask prices for comparable securities, (b) by appraising the value of the Equity Securities on the ask side of the market or (c) by any combination of the above. After the completion of the initial offering period, the secondary market Public Offering Price will be equal to the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities therein, plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The calculation of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities for secondary market sales is determined in the same manner as described above for sales made during the initial offering period with the exception that bid prices are used instead of ask prices. Although payment is normally made three business days following the order for purchase (the "date of settlement"), payment may be made prior thereto. A person will become owner of Units on the date of settlement provided payment has been received. Cash, if any, made available to the Sponsor prior to the date of settlement for the purchase of Units may be used in the Sponsor's business and may be deemed to be a benefit to the Sponsor, subject to the limitations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Delivery of Certificates representing Units so ordered will be made three business days following such order or shortly thereafter. See "Rights of Unit Holders-How May Units be Redeemed?" for information regarding the ability to redeem Units ordered for purchase. Page 18 How are Units Distributed? During the initial offering period (i) for Units issued on the Initial Date of Deposit and (ii) for additional Units issued after such date as additional Equity Securities or cash are deposited by the Sponsor, Units will be distributed to the public at the then current Public Offering Price. During such period, the Sponsor may deposit additional Equity Securities or cash in the Trust and create additional Units. Units reacquired by the Sponsor during the initial offering period (at prices based upon the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust plus or minus a pro rata share of cash, if any in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust) may be resold at the then current Public Offering Price. Upon the termination of the initial offering period, unsold Units created or reacquired during the initial offering period will be sold or resold at the then current Public Offering Price. Upon completion of the initial offering, Units repurchased in the secondary market (see "Public Offering-Will There be a Secondary Market?") may be offered by this prospectus at the secondary market public offering price determined in the manner described above. It is the intention of the Sponsor to qualify Units of the Trust for sale in a number of states. Sales initially will be made to dealers and others at prices which represent a concession or agency commission of 2.25% of the Public Offering Price for primary and secondary market sales (or ____% of the Public Offering Price after ____________, 1999). Notwithstanding the foregoing, dealers and other selling agents will receive the concession or agency commission set forth in "Public Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?" for Units sold subject to a reduced sales charge for volume purchases or $____ per Unit for Units sold subject only to any remaining deferred sales charges to be collected on such Units. However, resales of Units of the Trusts by such dealers and others to the public will be made at the Public Offering Price described in the prospectus. The Sponsor reserves the right to change the amount of the concession or agency commission from time to time. In the event the Sponsor reacquires, or the Trustee redeems, Units from brokers, dealers and others while a market is being maintained for such Units, such entities agree to repay immediately to the Sponsor any such concession or agency commission relating to such reacquired Units. Certain commercial banks may be making Units of the Trusts available to their customers on an agency basis. A portion of the sales charge paid by these customers is retained by or remitted to the banks in the amounts indicated above. Under the Glass-Steagall Act, banks are prohibited from underwriting Trust Units; however, the Glass- Steagall Act does permit certain agency transactions and the banking regulators have not indicated that these particular agency transactions are not permitted under such Act. In Texas and in certain other states, any banks making Units available must be registered as broker/dealers under state law. What are the Sponsor's and Underwriter's Profits? The Underwriter of the Trust will receive a gross sales commission equal to 3.3% of the Public Offering Price of the Units (equivalent to 3.333% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge), less any reduced sales charge as described under "Public Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?" See "Underwriting" for information regarding the receipt of the excess gross sales commissions by the Sponsor from the Underwriter and additional concessions available to the Underwriter, dealers and others. In addition, the Sponsor may be considered to have realized a profit or to have sustained a loss, as the case may be, in the amount of any difference between the cost of the Equity Securities to the Trust (which is based on the Evaluator's determination of the aggregate offering price of the underlying Equity Securities of such Trust on the Initial Date of Deposit as well as subsequent deposits) and the cost of such Equity Securities to the Sponsor. See "Underwriting" and Note (2) of "Schedule of Investments." During the initial offering period, the dealers and other selling agents also may realize profits or sustain losses as a result of fluctuations after the Initial Date of Deposit in the Public Offering Price received by the dealers and other selling agents upon the sale of Units. In maintaining a market for the Units, the Sponsor and the Underwriter will also realize profits or sustain losses in the amount of any difference between the price at which Units are purchased and the price at which Units are resold (which price includes a sales charge of 3.3%) or redeemed. The secondary market public offering price of Units may be greater or less than the cost of such Units to the Sponsor or the Underwriter. Page 19 Will There be a Secondary Market? After the initial offering period, although it is not obligated to do so, the Sponsor intends to maintain a market for the Units and continuously offer to purchase Units at prices, subject to change at any time, based upon the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust. All expenses incurred in maintaining a secondary market, other than the fees of the Evaluator and the costs of the Trustee in transferring and recording the ownership of Units, will be borne by the Sponsor. If the supply of Units exceeds demand, or for some other business reason, the Sponsor may discontinue purchases of Units at such prices. IF A UNIT HOLDER WISHES TO DISPOSE OF HIS OR HER UNITS, HE OR SHE SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE SPONSOR AS TO CURRENT MARKET PRICES PRIOR TO MAKING A TENDER FOR REDEMPTION TO THE TRUSTEE. Units sold or tendered for redemption prior to such time as the entire deferred sales charge on such Units has been collected will be assessed the amount of the remaining deferred sales charge at the time of sale or redemption. RIGHTS OF UNIT HOLDERS How is Evidence of Ownership Issued and Transferred? The Trustee is authorized to treat as the record owner of Units that person who is registered as such owner on the books of the Trustee. Ownership of Units may be evidenced by registered certificates executed by the Trustee and the Sponsor. Delivery of certificates representing Units ordered for purchase is normally made three business days following such order or shortly thereafter. Certificates are transferable by presentation and surrender to the Trustee properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer. Certificates to be redeemed must be properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer. A Unit holder must sign exactly as his or her name appears on the face of the certificate with signature guaranteed by a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other signature guaranty program in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, as may be accepted by the Trustee. In certain instances the Trustee may require additional documents such as, but not limited to, trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor or administrator or certificates of corporate authority. Record ownership may occur before settlement. 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, numbered serially for purposes of identification. Unit holders may elect to hold their Units in uncertificated (book entry) form. The Trustee will maintain an account for each such Unit holder and will credit each such account with the number of Units purchased by that Unit holder. Within two business days of the issuance or transfer of Units held in uncertificated form, the Trustee will send to the registered owner of Units a written initial transaction statement containing a description of the Trust; the number of Units issued or transferred; the name, address and taxpayer identification number, if any, of the new registered owner; a notation of any liens and restrictions of the issuer and any adverse claims to which such Units are or may be subject or a statement that there are no such liens, restrictions or adverse claims; and the date the transfer was registered. Uncertificated (book entry) Units are transferable through the same procedures applicable to Units evidenced by certificates (described above), except that no certificate need be presented to the Trustee and no certificate will be issued upon the transfer unless requested by the Unit holder. A Unit holder may at any time request the Trustee to issue certificates for Units. Although no such charge is now made or contemplated, a Unit holder may be required to pay $2.00 to the Trustee per certificate reissued or transferred and to pay any governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with each such transfer or exchange. For new certificates issued to replace destroyed, stolen or lost certificates, the Unit holder may be required to furnish indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee and pay such expenses as the Trustee may incur. Mutilated certificates must be surrendered to the Trustee for replacement. How are Income and Capital Distributed? The Trustee will distribute any net income received with respect to any of the Equity Securities in the Trust on or about the Income Page 20 Distribution Dates to Unit holders of record on the preceding Income Distribution Record Date. See "Summary of Essential Information." Persons who purchase Units will commence receiving distributions only after such person becomes a Record Owner. Notification to the Trustee of the transfer of Units is the responsibility of the purchaser, but in the normal course of business such notice is provided by the selling broker/dealer. Proceeds received on the sale of any Equity Securities in the Trust, to the extent not used to meet redemptions of Units, pay the deferred sales charge or pay expenses, will, however, be distributed on the last day of each month to Unit holders of record on the fifteenth day of each month if the amount available for distribution equals at least $0.01 per Unit. The Trustee is not required to pay interest on funds held in the Capital Account of the Trust (but may itself earn interest thereon and therefore benefit from the use of such funds). Notwithstanding, distributions of funds in the Capital Account, if any, will be made as part of the final liquidation distribution, and in certain circumstances, earlier. See "What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders?" It is anticipated that the deferred sales charge will be collected from the Capital Account and that amounts in the Capital Account will be sufficient to cover the cost of the deferred sales charge. However, to the extent that amounts in the Capital Account are insufficient to satisfy the then current deferred sales charge obligation, Equity Securities may be sold to meet such shortfall. Distributions of amounts necessary to pay the deferred portion of the sales charge will be made to an account designated by the Sponsor for purposes of satisfying Unit holders' deferred sales charge obligations. Under regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee is required to withhold a specified percentage of any distribution made by the Trust if the Trustee has not been furnished the Unit holder's tax identification number in the manner required by such regulations. Any amount so withheld is transmitted to the Internal Revenue Service and may be recovered by the Unit holder under certain circumstances by contacting the Trustee, otherwise the amount may be recoverable only when filing a tax return. Under normal circumstances the Trustee obtains the Unit holder's tax identification number from the selling broker. However, a Unit holder should examine his or her statements from the Trustee to make sure that the Trustee has been provided a certified tax identification number in order to avoid this possible "back-up withholding." In the event the Trustee has not been previously provided such number, one should be provided as soon as possible. Within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated, each Unit holder will, upon surrender of his or her Units for redemption, receive (i) the pro rata share of the amounts realized upon the disposition of Equity Securities, unless he or she elects an In-Kind Distribution as described under "How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated?" and (ii) a pro rata share of any other assets of the Trust, less expenses of such Trust. The Trustee will credit to the Income Account of the Trust any dividends received on the Equity Securities therein. All other receipts (e.g., return of capital, etc.) are credited to the Capital Account of the Trust. The Trustee may establish reserves (the "Reserve Account") within the Trust for state and local taxes, if any, and any governmental charges payable out of the Trust. What Reports will Unit Holders Receive? The Trustee shall furnish Unit holders in connection with each distribution a statement of the amount of income, if any, and the amount of other receipts, if any, which are being distributed, expressed in each case as a dollar amount per Unit. Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to each person who at any time during the calendar year was a Unit holder of the Trust the following information in reasonable detail: (1) a summary of transactions in such Trust for such year; (2) any Equity Securities sold during the year and the Equity Securities held at the end of such year by such Trust; (3) the redemption price per Unit based upon a computation thereof on the 31st day of December of such year (or the last business day prior thereto); and (4) amounts of income and capital distributed during such year. In order to comply with Federal and state tax reporting requirements, Unit holders will be furnished, upon request to the Trustee, evaluations of the Securities in the Trust furnished to it by the Evaluator. Page 21 How May Units be Redeemed? A Unit holder may redeem all or a portion of his or her Units by tender to the Trustee at its unit investment trust office in the City of New York of the certificates representing the Units to be redeemed, or in the case of uncertificated Units, delivery of a request for redemption, duly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer with signature guaranteed as explained above (or by providing satisfactory indemnity, as in connection with lost, stolen or destroyed certificates), and payment of applicable governmental charges, if any. No redemption fee will be charged. On the third business day following such tender, the Unit holder will be entitled to receive in cash an amount for each Unit equal to the Redemption Price per Unit next computed after receipt by the Trustee of such tender of Units. The "date of tender" is deemed to be the date on which Units are received by the Trustee (if such day is a day in which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading), except that as regards Units received after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (or as of any earlier closing time on a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is scheduled in advance to close at such earlier time), the date of tender is the next day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and such Units will be deemed to have been tendered to the Trustee on such day for redemption at the redemption price computed on that day. Units so redeemed shall be cancelled. Units tendered for redemption prior to such time as the entire deferred sales charge on such Units has been collected will be assessed the amount of the remaining deferred sales charge at the time of redemption. Any Unit holder tendering 10,000 Units or more of the Trust for redemption may request by written notice submitted at the time of tender from the Trustee in lieu of a cash redemption a distribution of shares of Equity Securities in an amount and value of Equity Securities per Unit equal to the Redemption Price Per Unit as determined as of the evaluation next following tender. However, no In-Kind Distribution requests submitted during the nine business days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date will be honored. To the extent possible, in-kind distributions ("In-Kind Distributions") shall be made by the Trustee through the distribution of each of the Equity Securities in book-entry form to the account of the Unit holder's bank or broker/dealer at the Depository Trust Company. An In-Kind Distribution will be reduced by customary transfer and registration charges. The tendering Unit holder will receive his or her pro rata number of whole shares of each of the Equity Securities comprising a portfolio and cash from the Capital Account equal to the fractional shares to which the tendering Unit holder is entitled. The Trustee may adjust the number of shares of any issue of Equity Securities included in a Unit holder's In-Kind Distribution to facilitate the distribution of whole shares, such adjustment to be made on the basis of the value of Equity Securities on the date of tender. If funds in the Capital Account are insufficient to cover the required cash distribution to the tendering Unit holder, the Trustee may sell Equity Securities in the manner described above. Under regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee is required to withhold a specified percentage of the principal amount of a Unit redemption if the Trustee has not been furnished the redeeming Unit holder's tax identification number in the manner required by such regulations. For further information regarding this withholding, see "Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?" In the event the Trustee has not been previously provided such number, one must be provided at the time redemption is requested. Any amounts paid on redemption representing income shall be withdrawn from the Income Account of the Trust to the extent that funds are available for such purpose, or from the Capital Account. All other amounts paid on redemption shall be withdrawn from the Capital Account of the Trust. The Trustee is empowered to sell Equity Securities of the Trust in order to make funds available for redemption. To the extent that Equity Securities are sold, the size of the Trust will be and the diversity of the Trust may be reduced. Such sales may be required at a time when Equity Securities would not otherwise be sold and might result in lower prices than might otherwise be realized. The Redemption Price per Unit (as well as the secondary market Public Offering Price) will be determined on the basis of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust plus or minus cash, if any, in the Income and Capital Accounts of the Trust. The Redemption Price per Unit is the pro rata share of each Unit determined by the Trustee by adding: (1) the cash on hand in the Trust other than cash deposited in the Trust to purchase Equity Securities not applied to the purchase of such Equity Securities; (2) the aggregate value of the Equity Securities (including "when issued" contracts, if any) held in the Trust, as determined by the Evaluator on the basis of the aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities in the Trust next computed; and (3) dividends receivable on the Equity Securities trading ex- Page 22 dividend as of the date of computation; and deducting therefrom: (1) amounts representing any applicable taxes or governmental charges payable out of the Trust; (2) any amounts owing to the Trustee for its advances; (3) an amount representing estimated accrued expenses of the Trust, including but not limited to fees and expenses of the Trustee (including legal fees), the Evaluator and supervisory fees, if any; (4) cash held for distribution to Unit holders of record of the Trust as of the business day prior to the evaluation being made; and (5) other liabilities incurred by the Trust; and finally dividing the results of such computation by the number of Units of the Trust outstanding as of the date thereof. The Redemption Price per Unit will be assessed the amount, if any, of the remaining deferred sales charge at the time of redemption. 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 organizational and offering costs as set forth under "Summary of Essential Information." The aggregate value of the Equity Securities will be determined in the following manner: if the Equity Securities are listed on a national securities exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market, this evaluation is generally based on the closing sale prices on that exchange or that system (unless it is determined that these prices are inappropriate as a basis for valuation) or, if there is no closing sale price on that exchange or system either at the closing ask prices (during the initial offering period) or at the closing bid prices (subsequent to the initial offering period). If the Equity Securities are not so listed or, if so listed and the principal market therefore is other than on the exchange, the evaluation shall generally be based on the current ask or bid prices (as appropriate) on the over-the-counter market (unless these prices are inappropriate as a basis for evaluation). If current ask or bid prices (as appropriate) are unavailable, the evaluation is generally determined (a) on the basis of current ask or bid prices (as appropriate) for comparable securities, (b) by appraising the value of the Equity Securities on the ask or bid side of the market (as appropriate) or (c) by any combination of the above. The right of redemption may be suspended and payment postponed for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than for customary weekend and holiday closings, or during which the Securities and Exchange Commission determines that trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted or any emergency exists, as a result of which disposal or evaluation of the Securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order permit. Under certain extreme circumstances, the Sponsor may apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission for an order permitting a full or partial suspension of the right of Unit holders to redeem their Units. The Trustee is not liable to any person in any way for any loss or damage which may result from any such suspension or postponement. How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor or Underwriter? The Trustee shall notify the Sponsor or Underwriter of any tender of Units for redemption. If the Sponsor's or Underwriter's bid in the secondary market at that time equals or exceeds the Redemption Price per Unit, it may purchase such Units by notifying the Trustee before 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same business day and by making payment therefor to the Unit holder not later than the day on which the Units would otherwise have been redeemed by the Trustee. Units held by the Sponsor or Underwriter may be tendered to the Trustee for redemption as any other Units. In the event the Sponsor or Underwriter does not purchase Units, the Trustee may sell Units tendered for redemption in the over-the-counter market, if any, as long as the amount to be received by the Unit holder is equal to the amount he or she would have received on redemption of the Units. The offering price of any Units acquired by the Sponsor or Underwriter will be in accord with the Public Offering Price described in the then effective prospectus describing such Units. Any profit or loss resulting from the resale or redemption of such Units will belong to the Sponsor or Underwriter. How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust? The Portfolio of the Trust is not "managed" by the Sponsor or the Trustee. Their respective activities described herein are governed solely by the provisions of the Indenture. The Indenture provides that the Sponsor may (but need not) direct the Trustee to dispose of an Equity Security in the event that an issuer defaults in the payment of a dividend that has been declared, that any action or proceeding has been instituted restraining the payment of dividends or there exists any legal question or impediment affecting such Equity Security, that the Page 23 issuer of the Equity Security has breached a covenant which would affect the payments of dividends, the credit standing of the issuer or otherwise impair the sound investment character of the Equity Security, that the issuer has defaulted on the payment on any other of its outstanding obligations, that the price of the Equity Security has declined to such an extent or other such credit factors exist so that in the opinion of the Sponsor, the retention of such Equity Securities would be detrimental to the Trust. Except as stated under "Portfolio- What are Some Additional Considerations for Investors?" for Failed Obligations, the acquisition by the Trust of any securities or other property other than the Equity Securities is prohibited. Pursuant to the Indenture and with limited exceptions, the Trustee may sell any securities or other property acquired in exchange for Equity Securities such as those acquired in connection with a merger or other transaction. If offered such new or exchanged securities or property, the Trustee shall reject the offer. However, in the event such securities or property are nonetheless acquired by the Trust, they may be accepted for deposit in the Trust and either sold by the Trustee or held in the Trust pursuant to the direction of the Sponsor (who may rely on the advice of the Portfolio Supervisor). Proceeds from the sale of Equity Securities by the Trustee are credited to the Capital Account of the Trust for distribution to Unit holders or to meet redemptions. The Trustee may from time to time retain and pay compensation to the Sponsor (or an affiliate of the Sponsor) to act as agent for the Trust with respect to selling Equity Securities from the Trust. In acting in such capacity the Sponsor or its affiliate will be held subject to the restrictions under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Trustee may also sell Equity Securities designated by the Sponsor, or if not so directed, in its own discretion, for the purpose of redeeming Units of a Trust tendered for redemption and the payment of expenses. The Sponsor, in designating Equity Securities to be sold by the Trustee, will generally make selections in order to maintain, to the extent practicable, the proportionate relationship among the number of shares of individual issues of Equity Securities. To the extent this is not practicable, the composition and diversity of the Equity Securities may be altered. In order to obtain the best price for the Trust, it may be necessary for the Sponsor to specify minimum amounts (generally 100 shares) in which blocks of Equity Securities are to be sold. The Sponsor may consider sales of Units of unit investment trusts which it sponsors in making recommendations to the Trustee as to the selection of broker/dealers to execute the Trust's portfolio transactions. INFORMATION AS TO UNDERWRITER, SPONSOR, TRUSTEE AND EVALUATOR Who is the Underwriter? J.C. Bradford & Co., the Underwriter, is one of America's top ten investment firms located outside New York City. Founded in 1927, J.C. Bradford & Co. is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and currently has over 90 offices, primarily across the southeast. A major strength of the firm is its primary research and national correspondence network which provides coverage of major U.S. corporations. J.C. Bradford & Co. is a member of the New York Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, Inc. (Nasdaq). Who is the Sponsor? Nike Securities L.P., the Sponsor, specializes in the underwriting, trading and distribution of unit investment trusts and other securities. Nike Securities L.P., an Illinois limited partnership formed in 1991, acts as Sponsor for successive series of The First Trust Combined Series, the 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, Templeton Growth and Treasury Trust, Templeton Foreign Fund & U.S. Treasury Securities Trust and The Advantage Growth and Treasury Securities Trust. First Trust introduced the first insured unit investment trust in 1974 and to date more than $20 billion in First Trust unit investment trusts have been deposited. The Sponsor's employees include a team of professionals with many years of experience in the unit investment trust industry. The Sponsor is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and Securities Investor Protection Corporation and has its principal offices at 1001 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532; telephone number (630) 241-4141. As of December 31, 1997, the total Page 24 partners' capital of Nike Securities L.P. was $11,724,071 (audited). (This paragraph relates only to the Sponsor and not to the Trusts or to any series thereof. The information is included herein only for the purpose of informing investors as to the financial responsibility of the Sponsor and its ability to carry out its contractual obligations. More detailed financial information will be made available by the Sponsor upon request.) Who is the Trustee? The Trustee is The Chase Manhattan Bank, with its principal executive office located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and its unit investment trust office at 4 New York Plaza, 6th floor, New York, New York 10004-2413. Unit holders who have questions regarding the Trust may call the Customer Service Help Line at 1-800-682-7520. The Trustee is subject to supervision 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, whose duties are ministerial in nature, has not participated in the selection of the Equity Securities. For information relating to the responsibilities of the Trustee under the Indenture, reference is made to the material set forth under "Rights of Unit Holders." The Trustee and any successor trustee may resign by executing an instrument in writing and filing the same with the Sponsor and mailing a copy of a notice of resignation to all Unit holders. Upon receipt of such notice, the Sponsor is obligated to appoint a successor trustee promptly. If the Trustee becomes incapable of acting or becomes bankrupt or its affairs are taken over by public authorities, the Sponsor may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor as provided in the Indenture. If upon resignation of a trustee no successor has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor. The resignation or removal of a trustee becomes effective only when the successor trustee accepts its appointment as such or when a court of competent jurisdiction appoints a successor trustee. Any corporation into which a Trustee may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which a Trustee shall be a party, shall be the successor Trustee. The Trustee must be a banking corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any State and having at all times an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than $5,000,000. Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee The Sponsor and the Trustee shall be under no liability to Unit holders for taking any action or for refraining from taking any action in good faith pursuant to the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence (ordinary negligence in the case of the Trustee) or reckless disregard of their obligations and duties. The Trustee shall not be liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the Trustee of any of the Equity Securities. In the event of the failure of the Sponsor to act under the Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any action taken by it in good faith under the Indenture. The Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges imposed upon or in respect of the Equity Securities or upon the interest thereon or upon it as Trustee under the Indenture or upon or in respect of a Trust which the Trustee may be required to pay under any present or future law of the United States of America or of any other taxing authority having jurisdiction. In addition, the Indenture contains other customary provisions limiting the liability of the Trustee. If the Sponsor shall fail to perform any of its duties under the Indenture or becomes incapable of acting or becomes bankrupt or its affairs are taken over by public authorities, then the Trustee may (a) appoint a successor Sponsor at rates of compensation deemed by the Trustee to be reasonable and not exceeding amounts prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or (b) terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trust as provided herein, or (c) continue to act as Trustee without terminating the Indenture. Who is 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 Evaluator may resign or may be removed by the Sponsor and the Trustee, Page 25 in which event the Sponsor and the Trustee are to use their best efforts to appoint a satisfactory successor. Such resignation or removal shall become effective upon the acceptance of appointment by the successor Evaluator. If upon resignation of the Evaluator no successor has accepted appointment within 30 days after notice of resignation, the Evaluator may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor. The Trustee, Sponsor and Unit holders may rely on any evaluation furnished by the Evaluator and shall have no responsibility for the accuracy thereof. Determinations by the Evaluator under the Indenture shall be made in good faith upon the basis of the best information available to it, provided, however, that the Evaluator shall be under no liability to the Trustee, Sponsor or Unit holders for errors in judgment. This provision shall not protect the Evaluator in any case of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties. OTHER INFORMATION How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated? The Sponsor and the Trustee have the power to amend the Indenture without the consent of any of the Unit holders when such an amendment is (1) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision of the Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained therein, or (2) to make such other provisions as shall not adversely affect the interest of the Unit holders (as determined in good faith by the Sponsor and the Trustee). The Indenture provides that the Trust shall terminate upon the Mandatory Termination Date indicated herein under "Summary of Essential Information." The Trust may be liquidated at any time by consent of 100% of the Unit holders of the Trust or by the Trustee when the value of the Equity Securities owned by such Trust as shown by any evaluation, is less than the lower of $4,000,000 or 40% of the total value of Equity Securities deposited in the Trust during the primary offering period, 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 a broker/dealer, including the Sponsor. If the Trust is liquidated because of the redemption of unsold Units of the Trust by a broker/dealer, the Sponsor will refund to each purchaser of Units of the Trust the entire sales charge paid by such purchaser. In the event of termination, written notice thereof will be sent by the Trustee to all Unit holders of the Trust. Within a reasonable period after termination, the Trustee will follow the procedures set forth under "Rights of Unit Holders-How are Income and Capital Distributed?" Also, because of the Special Redemption and Liquidation in a New Trust, there is a possibility that the Trust may be reduced below the Discretionary Liquidation Amount and that the Trust could therefore be terminated at that time before the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust. Commencing during the period beginning nine business days prior to and no later than the Mandatory Termination Date, Equity Securities will begin to be sold in connection with the termination of the Trust. The Sponsor will determine the manner, timing and execution of the sale of the Equity Securities. Written notice of any termination of the Trust specifying the time or times at which Unit holders may surrender their certificates for cancellation shall be given by the Trustee to each Unit holder at his or her address appearing on the registration books of the Trust maintained by the Trustee. At least 30 days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust the Trustee will provide written notice thereof to all Unit holders and will include with such notice a form to enable Unit holders to elect a distribution of shares of Equity Securities (reduced by customary transfer and registration charges), if such Unit holder owns at least 10,000 Units of the Trust, rather than to receive payment in cash for such Unit holder's pro rata share of the amounts realized upon the disposition by the Trustee of Equity Securities. To be effective, the election form, together with surrendered certificates and other documentation required by the Trustee, must be returned to the Trustee at least ten business days prior to the Mandatory Termination Date of the Trust. Qualifying Unit holders requesting an In-Kind Distribution will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares of the Equity Securities. A Unit holder receiving an In-Kind Distribution may, of course, at any time after the Equity Securities are distributed to him or her by the Trust, sell all or a portion of the Equity Securities. Unit holders not electing a distribution of shares of Equity Securities will receive a cash distribution from the sale of the remaining Equity Securities within a reasonable time after the Trust is terminated. Regardless of the Page 26 distribution involved, the Trustee will deduct from the funds of the Trust any accrued costs, expenses, advances or indemnities provided by the Indenture, including estimated compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any amounts required as a reserve to provide for payment of any applicable taxes or other governmental charges. Any sale of Equity Securities in the Trust upon termination may result in a lower amount than might otherwise be realized if such sale were not required at such time. In addition, to the extent that Equity Securities are sold prior to the Mandatory Termination Date, Unit holders will not benefit from any stock appreciation they would have received had the Equity Securities not been sold at such time. The Trustee will then distribute to each Unit holder his or her pro rata share of the balance of the Income and Capital Accounts. Legal Opinions The legality of the Units offered hereby and certain matters relating to Federal tax law have been passed upon by Chapman and Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, as counsel for the Sponsor. Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, will act as counsel for the Trustee and as special New York tax counsel for the Trust. Experts The statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, of the Trust at the opening of business on the Initial Date of Deposit appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement, and is included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. UNDERWRITING The Underwriter named below has purchased Units in the following amount: Number Name Address of Units ____ _______ ________ J.C. Bradford & Co. 330 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37201-1809 ======== On the Initial Date of Deposit, the Underwriter of the Trust became the owner of the Units of the Trust and entitled to the benefits thereof, as well as the risks inherent therein. The Underwriter Agreement provides that a public offering of the Units of the Trust will be made at the Public Offering Price described in the prospectus. Units may also be sold to or through dealers and other selling agents during the initial offering period and in the secondary market at prices representing a concession or agency commission as described in "Public Offering-How are Units Distributed?" The Underwriter has agreed to underwrite additional Units of the Trust as they become available. The Sponsor will receive from the Underwriter the difference between the gross sales commission and 2.40% of the Public Offering Price per Unit. From time to time the Sponsor may implement programs under which the dealers of the Trust may receive nominal awards from the Sponsor for each of their registered representatives who have sold a minimum number of UIT Units during a specified time period. In addition, at various times the Sponsor may implement other programs under which the sales force of the dealers may be eligible to win other nominal awards for certain sales efforts, or under which the Sponsor will reallow to any such dealer that sponsors sales contests or recognition programs conforming to criteria established by the Sponsor, or participates in sales programs sponsored by Sponsor, an amount not exceeding the total applicable sales charges on the sales generated by such person at the public offering price during such programs. Also, the Sponsor in its discretion may from time to time pursuant to objective criteria established by the Sponsor pay fees to the qualifying dealers for certain services or activities which are primarily intended to result in sales of Units of the Trust. Such payments are made by the Sponsor out of its own assets, and not out of the assets of the Trust. These programs will not change the price Unit holders pay for their Units or the amount that the Trust will receive from the Units sold. The Sponsor may from time to time in its advertising and sales materials compare the then current estimated returns on the Trust and returns over Page 27 specified periods on other similar Trusts sponsored by Nike Securities L.P. with returns on other taxable investments such as the common stocks comprising the Dow Jones Industrial Average, corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank CDs and money market accounts or money market funds, each of which has investment characteristics that may differ from those of the Trust. U.S. Government bonds, for example, are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and bank CDs and money market accounts are insured by an agency of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide stability of principal, but pay interest at rates that vary with the condition of the short-term debt market. The investment characteristics of the Trust are described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus. Trust performance may be compared to performance on a total return basis of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 Composite Price Stock Index, or performance data from Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and Morningstar Publications, Inc. or from publications such as Money, The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, Business Week, Forbes or Fortune. As with other performance data, performance comparisons should not be considered representative of the Trust's relative performance for any future period. Page 28 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Sponsor, Nike Securities L.P., and Unit Holders FT 282 We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including the schedule of investments, of FT 282, comprised of Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2, as of the opening of business on ________, 1998. 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 generally accepted auditing standards. 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 letter of credit held by the Trustee and deposited in the Trust on ________, 1998. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the 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 282, comprised of Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2, at the opening of business on ________, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. ERNST & YOUNG LLP Chicago, Illinois ________, 1998 Page 29 Statement of Net Assets EMERGING COMPANIES EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 2 FT 282 At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit ________, 1998 NET ASSETS Investment in Equity Securities represented by purchase contracts (1) (2) $ Less accrued organizational and offering costs (3) ( ) Less liability for deferred sales charge (4) ( ) __________ Net assets $ ========== Units outstanding ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS Cost to investors (5) $ Less sales charge (5) ( ) Less estimated organizational and offering costs (3) ( ) __________ Net assets $ ========== <FN> NOTES TO STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS (1) Aggregate cost of the Equity Securities listed under "Schedule of Investments" is based on their aggregate underlying value. (2) An irrevocable letter of credit totaling $ issued by The Chase Manhattan Bank has been deposited with the Trustee as collateral, covering the monies necessary for the purchase of the Equity Securities pursuant to purchase contracts for such Equity Securities. (3) A portion of the Public Offering Price on Units purchased prior to the earlier of six months after the Initial Date of Deposit or the end of the initial offering period consists of Equity Securities in an amount sufficient to pay for all or a portion of the costs incurred in establishing the Trust. These costs have been estimated at $ per Unit, based upon the expected number of Units of the Trust to be created. A distribution 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 organizational and offering cost obligation of the investors to the Sponsor will be satisfied. To the extent the number of Units of the Trust is larger or smaller than the estimate, the actual distribution per Unit may differ from that set forth above. (4) Represents the amount of mandatory distributions from the Trust ($.23 per Unit), payable to the Sponsor in equal monthly installments beginning on _____, 1998, and on the twentieth day of each month thereafter (or if such date is not a business day, on the preceding business day) through _____, 1999. If Units are redeemed prior to _____, 1999, the remaining amount of the deferred sales charge applicable to such Units will be payable at the time of redemption. (5) The aggregate cost to investors includes a sales charge computed at the rate of 3.3% of the Public Offering Price (equivalent to 3.333% of the net amount invested, exclusive of the deferred sales charge), assuming no reduction of sales charge as set forth under "Public Offering-How is the Public Offering Price Determined?" </FN> Page 30 Schedule of Investments EMERGING COMPANIES EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 2 FT 282 At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit ________, 1998 Approximate Cost of Number Percentage Market Equity of Ticker Symbol and of Aggregate Value per Securities Shares Name of Issuer of Equity Securities (1) Offering Price (3) Share to Trust (2) ______ _______________________________________ __________________ _________ ____________ JRJR 800-JR Cigar, Inc. % $ $ ACTN Action Performance Companies, Inc. % ACXM Acxiom Corporation % ALLC Allied Capital Corporation % AMHC American Healthcorp, Inc. % HSTR American Homestar Corporation % BSNX Basin Exploration, Inc. % BFAM Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc. % CELL Brightpoint, Inc. % CASL Castle Dental Centers, Inc. % CPC Central Parking Corporation % CHTT Chattem, Inc. % CKFR CheckFree Holdings Corporation % CCA Corrections Corporation of America % CSCQ Correctional Services Corporation % ENVY Envoy Corporation % EQU Equity Corporation International % FAM First American Corporation % FOSL Fossil, Inc. % GCO Genesco Inc. % GDYS Goody's Family Clothing, Inc. % HDI Harley-Davidson, Inc. % HRC HEALTHSOUTH Corporation % INFM Infinium Software, Inc. % ISCA International Speedway Corporation % ITCD ITC DeltaCom, Inc. % JDEC J.D. Edwards & Company % MENS K & G Men's Center, Inc. % KNDL Kendle International Inc. % MAI Medical Assurance, Inc. % MCRS MICROS Systems, Inc. % MSPG MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. % MOVI Movie Gallery, Inc. % NCS NCI Building Systems, Inc. % ORAL OrthAlliance, Inc. (Class A) % PHHM Palm Harbor Homes, Inc. % PPDI Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. % PHXX Phoenix International Ltd., Inc. % PJAM PJ America, Inc. % Page 31 Schedule of Investments (cont.) EMERGING COMPANIES EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 2 FT 282 At the Opening of Business on the Initial Date of Deposit-________, 1998 Approximate Percentage of Aggregate Market Cost of Number Ticker Symbol and Offering Value per Securities of Shares Name of Issuer of Equity Securities (1) Price (3) Share to Trust (2) ________ _______________________________________ __________ _______ __________ QWST Qwest Communications International Inc. % $ $ RARE RARE Hospitality International, Inc. % REGI Renaissance Worldwide, Inc. % RSCR Res-Care, Inc. % RML Russell Corporation % SCI SCI Systems, Inc. % SANM Sanmina Corporation % SIR Sirrom Capital Corporation % SKYT SkyTel Communications Inc. % SOTR SouthTrust Corporation % STAF StaffMark, Inc. % SMRT Stein Mart, Inc. % SLAM Suburban Lodges of America, Inc. % SNRZ Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc. % TECD Tech Data Corporation % TSCO Tractor Supply Company % UFS U.S. Foodservice, Inc. % _______ ________ Total Investments 100% $ ====== ======== ______________ <FN> (1) All Equity Securities are represented by regular way contracts to purchase such Equity Securities for the performance of which an irrevocable letter of credit has been deposited with the Trustee. The purchase contracts for the Equity Securities were entered into by the Sponsor on _____, 1998. The Trust has a mandatory termination date of September 29, 2000. (2) The cost of the Equity Securities to the Trust represents the aggregate underlying value with respect to the Equity Securities acquired (generally determined by the closing sale prices of listed Equity Securities and the ask prices of over-the-counter traded Equity Securities on the business day preceding the Initial Date of Deposit). The valuation of the Equity Securities has been determined by the Evaluator, an affiliate of the Sponsor. The aggregate underlying value of the Equity Securities on the Initial Date of Deposit was $ . Cost and loss to Sponsor relating to the Equity Securities sold to the Trust were $ and $ , respectively. (3) Certain of the Equity Securities listed above may not be included in the final portfolio and certain other securities may be added to the final portfolio. Also, the percentages of the Aggregate Offering Price for the Equity Securities are approximate amounts and may vary in the final portfolio. </FN> Page 32 This page is intentionally left blank. Page 33 This page is intentionally left blank. Page 34 This page is intentionally left blank. Page 35 CONTENTS: Summary of Essential Information: Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2 4 FT 282: What is the FT Series? 6 What are the Expenses and Charges? 7 What is the Federal Tax Status of Unit Holders? 8 Are Investments in the Trust Eligible for Retirement Plans? 12 Portfolio: What are the Equity Securities? 12 What are the Equity Securities Selected for the Emerging Companies Equity Trust, Series 2? 12 Risk Factors 13 What are Some Additional Considerations for Investors? 15 Public Offering: How is the Public Offering Price Determined? 16 How are Units Distributed? 19 What are the Sponsor's and Underwriter's Profits? 19 Will There be a Secondary Market? 19 Rights of Unit Holders: How is Evidence of Ownership Issued and Transferred? 20 How are Income and Capital Distributed? 20 What Reports will Unit Holders Receive? 21 How May Units be Redeemed? 22 How May Units be Purchased by the Sponsor or Underwriter? 23 How May Equity Securities be Removed from the Trust? 23 Information as to Underwriter, Sponsor, Trustee and Evaluator: Who is the Underwriter? 24 Who is the Sponsor? 24 Who is the Trustee? 25 Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee 25 Who is the Evaluator? 25 Other Information: How May the Indenture be Amended or Terminated? 26 Legal Opinions 27 Experts 27 Underwriting 27 Report of Independent Auditors 29 Statement of Net Assets 30 Schedule of Investments 31 ___________ When Units of the Trusts are no longer available, or for investors who will reinvest into subsequent series of the Trusts, this Prospectus may be used as a preliminary prospectus for a future series; in which case investors should note the following: INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO SECURITIES OF A FUTURE SERIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, SECURITIES IN ANY STATE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH STATE. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS RELATING THERETO, WHICH THE TRUST HAS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, D.C. UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AND TO WHICH REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE. J.C. Bradford & Co. EMERGING COMPANIES EQUITY TRUST, SERIES 2 J.C. Bradford & Co. 330 Commerce Street Nashville, Tennessee 37201-1809 Trustee: The Chase Manhattan Bank 4 New York Plaza, 6th floor New York, New York 10004-2413 1-800-682-7520 24-Hour Pricing Line: 1-800-446-0132 ________, 1998 PLEASE RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE Page 36 MEMORANDUM Re: FT 282 As indicated in our cover letter transmitting the Registration Statement on Form S-6 and other related material under the Securities Act of 1933 to the Commission, the only difference of consequence (except as described below) between FT 276, which is the current fund, and FT 282, 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 276 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 bonds deposited in the Fund. CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM A Bonding Arrangements of Depositor: Nike Securities L.P. is covered by a Broker's Fidelity Bond, in the total amount of $1,000,000, 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 Cross-Reference Sheet The Prospectus The signatures Exhibits Financial Data Schedule S-1 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant, FT 282 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 September 10, 1998. FT 282 (Registrant) By: NIKE SECURITIES L.P. (Depositor) By Robert M. Porcellino Senior Vice President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person in the capacity and on the date indicated: NAME TITLE* DATE Robert D. Van Kampen Director of Nike Securities September 10, 1998 Corporation, the General Partner of Nike Securities L.P. Robert M. Porcellino Attorney-in-Fact** David J. Allen Director of Nike Securiites Corporation, the General Partner of Nike Securities L.P. ___________________________ * The title of the person named herein represents his capacity in and relationship to Nike Securities L.P., the Depositor. ** An executed copy of the related power of attorney was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with Amendment No. 1 to form S-6 of The First Trust Combined Series 258 (File No. 33-63483) and the same is hereby incorporated by this reference. S-2 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 ERNST & YOUNG LLP The consent of Ernst & Young 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-3 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 Series 282 among Nike Securities L.P., as Depositor, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee and First Trust Advisors L.P., as Evaluator and Portfolio Supervisor. 1.2 Copy of Certificate of Limited Partnership of Nike Securities 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 Nike Securities 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 Nike Securities Corporation, the general partner of Nike Securities 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 Nike Securities Corporation, the general partner of Nike Securities 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). 3.1* Opinion of counsel as to legality of Securities being registered. 3.2* Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of Securities being registered. S-4 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 Director listed on page S-3 of this Registration Statement (incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-6 [File No. 33-63483] filed on behalf of The First Trust Combined Series 258). ___________________________________ * To be filed by amendment. S-5