1.   But redemptions of shares in Pioneer funds last year rose sharply fromthe previous year.

2.   Lawyers familiar with mutual fund laws said any buyer would have to get the Pioneer fund trustees on its side.

3.   Pioneer uses Russell Reynolds, the headhunting firm, for it searches, but declined to say if it is looking for a new manager for the Pioneer fund.

4.   There will be little immediate change for Pioneer fund investors.