STEIN ROE MUTUAL FUNDS
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
DECEMBER 31, 1999
[PHOTO OF BONDS]
STEIN ROE FIXED INCOME FUND
TAXABLE BOND FUND
INSTITUTIONAL CLIENT HIGH YIELD FUND
LOGO: STEIN ROE MUTUAL FUNDS
Sensible Risks. Intelligent Investments.(R)
<PAGE>
CONTENTS
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PERFORMANCE................................................................ 1
How the Institutional Client High Yield Fund has done over time
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS........................................................ 2
Interview with the portfolio manager and summary of investment activity
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS................................................... 4
A complete list of investments with market values
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS....................................................... 8
Statements of assets and liabilities, operations and changes in net assets
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................. 14
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS....................................................... 16
Selected per-share data
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
<PAGE>
FUND PERFORMANCE
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One way to evaluate a fund's historical performance is to look at the cumulative
return percentage, the average annual total return percentage or the growth of a
hypothetical $10,000 investment. Below we compare the returns of the Stein Roe
Institutional Client High Yield Fund with its unmanaged benchmark and its peer
group.
Each performance figure includes changes in a fund's share price,
reinvestment of dividends (net investment income) and capital gains, if any (the
taxable profits a fund earns when it sells bonds that have grown in value).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE SIX-MONTH AND AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
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Life
6 Months 1 Year of Fund(1)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL CLIENT HIGH YIELD FUND 2.83% 8.98% 9.49%
Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II Index 0.02% 2.51% 5.64%
Lipper High Current Yield Fund Average (Peer Group) 0.93% 4.53% 4.37%
Number of Funds in Lipper Peer Group 352 339 190
</TABLE>
(1) Index and Lipper performance is from Feb. 28, 1997.
INVESTMENT COMPARISON
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COMPARISON of change in value of a $10,000 investment.
GRAPH DATA
Institutional Client Merrill Lynch High
High Yield Fund Yield Master II Index
2/28/97 10079 10000
3/31/97 9898 9863
10052 9989
10371 10199
6/30/97 10546 10357
10852 10631
10847 10619
9/30/97 11100 10810
11010 10865
11128 10967
12/31/97 11351 11072
11587 11249
11782 11294
3/31/98 12075 11401
12177 11450
12137 11519
6/30/98 12117 11579
12326 11652
11346 11064
9/30/98 11380 11093
11268 10856
11886 11419
12/31/98 11909 11399
12181 11553
12235 11474
3/31/99 12527 11607
12794 11820
12587 11711
6/30/99 12624 11682
12684 11698
12480 11574
9/30/99 12425 11528
12426 11465
12738 11615
12/31/99 12877 11685
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS. SHARE PRICE AND INVESTMENT
RETURN WILL VARY, SO YOU MAY HAVE A GAIN OR LOSS WHEN YOU SELL SHARES. An
expense limitation of .50% is currently in effect for Institutional Client High
Yield Fund, which began operating on Feb. 14, 1997. Returns would have been
lower without the limitation. Total return includes changes in share price and
reinvestment of income and capital gains distributions. Each index shown above
is an unmanaged group of fixed-income securities that differs from the
composition of each Stein Roe fund; they are not available for direct
investment. Source of data: Lipper, Inc., a monitor of mutual fund performance;
Bloomberg; Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc.
<PAGE>
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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AN INTERVIEW WITH STEVE LOCKMAN, PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL
CLIENT HIGH YIELD FUND AND SR&F HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
FUND DATA
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:
Seeks high current income and capital appreciation by investing
principally in high-yield, high-risk, medium and lower-quality debt
securities.
Q: DISCUSS THE FUND'S RETURN FOR THE PERIOD.
A: For the six-month period ended December 31, 1999, the Stein Roe Institutional
Client High Yield Fund returned 2.83%, while the Merrill Lynch High Yield Master
II Index showed a mere 0.02% increase.
Q: WHAT STRATEGIES KEPT YOU AHEAD IN SUCH A DIFFICULT HIGH YIELD BOND MARKET?
A: Our strategy starts with research. Primarily we look for value and quality in
the companies we buy. Digging deeper, we look at the entire infrastructure of
the industry and what could affect the issue over time. With this strategy, we
strive to uncover high value purchases, and don't focus on "hot" or potentially
volatile ideas that other investors may be chasing. We also "rebuy" our
Portfolio every day. By this I mean that every day we look at our Portfolio and
confirm or deny our confidence on the issues we hold. I stress to my analysts
that it's better to pay attention to what we own rather than don't own and watch
for declines in the issues we favor. This is how we have consistently avoided
defaults and maintained high quality holdings.
I should note that out of the Fund's return of 2.83% for the six months
ended December 31, 1999, 0.42% (or 14.8% of the Fund's return for the period)
was attributable to short-term investments in initial public offerings of common
stocks of companies that had issued bonds purchased by the Portfolio. While the
Fund was able to take advantage of these opportunities in this period, such
investments are not part of the Fund's principal investment strategy. Because
the Fund may not have such opportunities in the future, returns from such
investments should not be considered sustainable.
Q: WHAT WENT ON IN THE HIGH-YIELD MARKET DURING THE PERIOD?
A: There were an extremely high number of defaults in the market, and low demand
was evidenced by strong mutual fund outflows in the category. Liquidity dried up
and restricted supply, as companies could not find a market to place their debt.
We focused our purchases in companies that had liquidity, primarily companies
with several underwriters and otherwise strong financial backing.
Q: WHAT OTHER REPOSITIONING DID YOU DO DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD?
A: We made adjustments so that the Portfolio was less interest rate sensitive as
interest rates increased. We reduced our holdings in BB-rated bonds because that
category has shown more duration sensitivity and thus was affected by the higher
rates. Zero-coupon bonds outperformed during the period, especially in the media
and telecommunications sector. We held a strong position during the period, and
this contributed to our performance.
We increased our exposure to chemicals when we saw a valley in chemical
prices. We increased our allocation to supermarket bonds, avoiding the poor
performers in that arena. We increased our exposure to the telecommunications
area, focusing, as we do with all purchases, on companies with business plans
that are fully funded. We look for companies that have financial backing, are
not topping out their credit limits, have good management, and dedicated
investors. We were not heavily invested in deep cyclical industries such as
steel, paper, forestry and metals because we do not favor their volatility.
However these bonds all performed well during the period.
Q: THE MEDIA/TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR FOCUS FOR THE
PORTFOLIO. CAN YOU TELL US WHY THIS AREA IS SO IMPORTANT?
A: This area is not only vital to the Portfolio, but the entire high-yield
market. Media/telecommunications bonds made up more than 35% of the total
high-yield bond market's issues in 1999, and at the end of the period held more
than 40% of the Portfolio's assets. The sector has tremendous growth potential
as telecommunications services expand throughout the world, shaping the way
people live and do business. The large amount of capital dedicated to the
industry's growth and merger activity both supported the total return of the
market as a whole. In this sector, we avoided negative performing sectors such
as movie theaters and satellite companies. Although satellite companies offered
high yield and much promise in the ability to allow cellular service to anywhere
in the world, their technology was not perfected, and therefore, in our opinion,
was too risky for our lower-volatility philosophy.
Several telecommunications purchases were in European companies. The
European telecommunications and wireless markets have abundant growth potential
as the previously government-run utilities are being sold off. This allowed for
competition in European telecommunications for the first time in history. Amid
this booming growth is the
<PAGE>
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS CONTINUED
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underlying element of a need for infrastructure and bandwidth in order for
service to reach expanded markets. For that reason, we focus on companies that
have that foresight and, whether on their own or through alliances, are helping
the entire industry expand.
Q: WHAT MOTIVATED YOUR ALLOCATION TO THE INVESTMENT-GRADE BOND SECTOR THIS
PERIOD?
A: We have the ability to make purchases in investment-grade bonds, and we take
advantage of this on occasions when we find attractive purchases. We bought a
few investment grade bonds that displayed unique relative value while interest
rates increased.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR?
A: What will transpire in the high-yield market for the remainder of the year is
dependent on domestic and worldwide economies. We anticipate interest rate
increases and will monitor their affects on margin pressures and corporate cash
flows. Further recovery out of Asia and Latin America would support worldwide
economic recovery through the remainder of the fiscal year. The companies that
will most likely be in favor are those that have the resources to generate
internal financing, those that can retain quality employees, and those that will
realize productivity gains from improvements in the worldwide economy. Focusing
on these companies may lead us to upgrade the quality of the bonds we own. We
plan to maintain a cautious position with a moderate amount of cash until we
have confirmation of corporate earnings growth and low inflation.
The high-yield market will need to experience a positive flow of mutual
fund investments to turn around. If there is demand, the new issue calendar
should provide a strong amount of supply to the market. We also believe the
default rate may have reached a peak.
Now that the media/telecommunications sector has done so well, we might
lower our weighting there and dedicate more assets to coupon bonds. Zero coupons
have had a strong run and higher interest rates may prevent them from narrowing
versus coupon bonds going forward.
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS. SHARE PRICE AND INVESTMENT
RETURN WILL VARY, SO YOU MAY HAVE A GAIN OR LOSS WHEN YOU SELL SHARES. Total
return includes changes in share price and reinvestment of income and capital
gains distributions. Portfolio holdings are as of 12/31/99 and are subject to
change.
Investing in high yield bonds involves greater credit and other risks not
associated with investing in higher-quality bonds. Foreign investments involve
market, political, accounting and currency risks not associated with other
investments. The Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II Index is an unmanaged group
of bonds that vary in quality; it is not available for direct investment. Source
of Lipper data: Lipper, Inc.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SR&F HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
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Portfolio of Investments at December 31, 1999 (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands)
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS 93.4% Par Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
AEROSPACE AND MILITARY TECHNOLOGY 3.8%
BE Aerospace:
9.500% 11/01/08............................................................................... $ 750 $ 705
10.750% 07/15/08.............................................................................. 1,000 870
Derlan Manufacturing (Yankee Issue) 10.000% 01/15/07............................................. 583 576
Fairchild Corp. 10.750% 04/15/09 ................................................................ 1,000 850
Level 3 Communications Series B 10.375% 05/01/07 (a)............................................. 1,000 605
----------
3,606
AUTOMOTIVE 2.3%
Budget Group 9.125% 04/01/06..................................................................... 1,500 1,395
Penda Series B 10.750% 03/01/04.................................................................. 800 760
----------
2,155
BANKING 1.3%
Sovereign Bank 10.500% 11/15/06.................................................................. 1,250 1,271
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 3.3%
Beazer Homes USA 8.875% 04/01/08................................................................. 1,000 925
D R Horton 8.000% 02/01/09....................................................................... 1,500 1,380
PYCSA Panama 10.280% 12/15/12 (a)................................................................ 1,469 881
----------
3,186
BUSINESS SERVICES 2.1%
Penhall Acquisition 12.000% 08/01/06 ............................................................ 1,000 1,010
Nationsrent 10.375% 12/15/08..................................................................... 1,000 978
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1,988
CABLE AND MEDIA 2.5%
Charter Communication (b) (Yield to Maturity 4.094%) 04/01/11.................................... 2,500 1,466
Perry-Judd 10.625% 12/15/07...................................................................... 1,000 880
----------
2,346
CHEMICALS 2.7%
Biovail Corporation International 10.875% 11/15/05 .............................................. 1,000 1,050
Metromedia Fiber Network 10.000% 12/15/09........................................................ 1,500 1,530
----------
2,580
COAL MINING 1.0%
AEI Resources 11.500% 12/15/06 (a)............................................................... 1,500 975
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT 4.0%
Axia 10.750% 07/15/08............................................................................ 1,500 1,376
Rhythms Netconn 12.750% 04/15/09 ................................................................ 1,500 1,448
Voicestream Wire 10.375% 11/15/09................................................................ 1,000 1,030
----------
3,854
CONTAINERS 0.5%
Allied Waste N.A. 10.000% 08/01/09 (a)........................................................... 500 445
CONSUMER PRODUCTS 1.1%
Sleepmaster 11.000% 05/15/09 (a)................................................................. 1,000 1,001
FINANCIAL 1.5%
TPSA Finance 7.750% 12/10/08..................................................................... 1,500 1,400
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
SR&F HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO Continued
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Par Value
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<S> <C> <C>
FOOD AND BEVERAGES 3.7%
Marsh Supermarket Series B 8.875% 08/01/07....................................................... $ 1,000 $ 970
Pepsi-Gemex Series B (Yankee Issue) 9.750% 03/30/04.............................................. 1,000 998
Stater Brothers Holdings 10.750% 08/15/06........................................................ 1,500 1,515
----------
3,483
HEALTH SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT 3.9%
Express Scripts 9.625% 06/15/09 ................................................................. 1,500 1,523
Hanger Orthopedic Group 11.250% 06/15/09 ........................................................ 1,000 1,028
Insight Health Services Series B 9.625% 06/15/08................................................. 1,250 1,175
----------
3,726
HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOME CARE 3.3%
Lifepoint Hospitals 10.750% 05/15/09 ............................................................ 2,000 2,075
Triad Hospitals 11.000% 05/15/09 ................................................................ 1,000 1,035
----------
3,110
HOTELS AND ENTERTAINMENT 7.2%
Boyd Gaming 9.500% 07/15/07...................................................................... 750 742
Horseshoe Gaming 8.625% 05/15/09 ................................................................ 1,500 1,444
Mohegan Tribal Gaming 8.750% 01/01/09............................................................ 1,500 1,489
Premier Parks:
9.250% 04/01/06............................................................................... 250 246
9.750% 01/15/07............................................................................... 250 256
(b) (Yield to Maturity 4.939%) 04/01/08....................................................... 1,750 1,207
Prime Hospitality Series B 9.750% 04/01/07....................................................... 1,490 1,445
----------
6,829
INDUSTRIAL 2.7%
Chippac International 12.750% 08/01/09 (a)....................................................... 1,500 1,575
Companhia Petrolifera Marlim 13.125% 12/17/04 (a)................................................ 1,000 1,030
----------
2,605
INTERNET SERVICES 4.5%
Concentric Network 12.750% 12/15/07 (a).......................................................... 1,500 1,575
ICG Services (b) (Yield to Maturity 4.884%) 05/01/08............................................. 2,250 1,166
PSINet 10.000% 02/15/05.......................................................................... 1,500 1,485
----------
4,226
LEISURE PRODUCTS 0.4%
Boyds Collection 9.000% 05/15/08 ................................................................ 448 419
MANUFACTURING 0.6%
Westinghouse Air Brake 9.375% 06/15/05 .......................................................... 600 600
METALS AND STEEL 1.8%
LTV Corp. 11.750% 11/15/09 (a)................................................................... 1,000 1,050
Republic Technologies International 13.750% 07/15/09 (a)......................................... 1,000 660
----------
1,710
NONDEPOSITORY CREDIT INSTITUTION 0.9%
Mego 1997-3 CTFS 8.010% 08/25/23................................................................. 1,000 806
OIL AND GAS 3.2%
Key Energy Services 14.000% 01/15/09 ............................................................ 1,500 1,639
Lomac Petroleum 8.750 01/15/07................................................................... 1,500 1,376
----------
3,015
PAPER PRODUCTS 2.0%
Buhrmann US Inc. 9.125% 11/01/09................................................................. 1,500 1,560
Indah Kiat Finance 10.000% 07/01/07.............................................................. 500 370
----------
1,930
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
SR&F HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO Continued
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Par Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING 2.0%
World Color Press 8.375% 11/15/08 ............................................................... $ 2,000 $ 1,955
RESTAURANTS 0.3%
AFC Enterprises 10.250% 05/15/07................................................................. 250 251
RUBBER, PLASTIC AND RELATED MATERIALS 1.3%
Key Plastics Series B 10.250% 03/15/07........................................................... 500 190
Tekni-Plex 9.250% 03/01/08....................................................................... 1,000 1,015
----------
1,205
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 16.5%
Carrier One 13.250% 02/15/09..................................................................... 1,000 1,020
Exodus Communications 10.750 12/15/09 (a)........................................................ 1,000 1,020
Focal Communications Series B (b) (Yield to Maturity 5.967%) 02/15/08 (a)........................ 2,000 1,320
Global Crossing 9.125% 11/15/06 (a).............................................................. 1,500 1,483
Globenet Communications 13.000% 07/15/07 (a)..................................................... 1,500 1,522
MGC Communications Series B 13.000% 10/01/04 .................................................... 1,000 1,005
Metronet Communications (Yankee Issue):
12.000% 08/15/07.............................................................................. 1,000 1,169
(b) (Yield to Maturity 6.132%) 06/15/08...................................................... 1,000 802
Nextlink Communications:
10.750% 06/01/09.............................................................................. 1,000 1,038
(b) (Yield to Maturity 6.034%) 06/01/09....................................................... 1,000 615
RCN Corp. 10.125% 02/15/05....................................................................... 1,500 1,498
Tele1 Europe 13.000% 05/15/09 (a)................................................................ 1,000 1,130
Versatel Communications 11.875% 07/15/09......................................................... 1,000 1,020
Viatel 11.250% 04/15/08.......................................................................... 1,000 1,005
----------
15,647
TELEPHONE 6.8%
Allegiance Telecom Series B (b) (Yield to Maturity 5.870%) 02/15/08.............................. 1,500 1,087
BTI Telecom 10.500% 09/15/07 .................................................................... 1,000 920
Comtel Brasileira (Yankee Issue) 10.750% 09/26/04 (a)............................................ 250 243
Intermedia Communications Series B (b) (Yield to Maturity 6.046%) 03/01/09....................... 3,000 1,800
Knology Holdings (b) (Yield to Maturity 5.840%) 10/15/07......................................... 2,000 1,340
Primus Telecom 12.750% 04/15/09.................................................................. 1,000 1,040
----------
6,430
TEXTILE AND APPAREL 1.9%
William Carter Series A 10.375% 12/01/06......................................................... 2,000 1,760
Transportation and Transportation Equipment 4.3%
Atlas Air 9.375% 11/15/06 ....................................................................... 2,000 1,950
Holt Group 9.750% 01/15/06 ...................................................................... 1,000 650
Railworks 11.500% 04/15/09 ...................................................................... 1,500 1,519
----------
4,119
TOTAL LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
(cost of $91,786)................................................................................ 88,633
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<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
SR&F HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO Continued
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COMMON STOCK (C) 0.2% Shares Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 0.2%
Viatel Inc.
(cost of $15).................................................................................... 4 $ 216
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREFERRED STOCK 0.5%
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TELEPHONE 0.5%
21st Century Telecom Group (a)
(cost of $537)................................................................................... 1 521
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WARRANTS (C) 0.7%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNET SERVICES 0.3%
Concentric Network (a) (expires 12/15/07)........................................................ 1 250
OIL AND GAS 0.1%
Key Energy Services (expires 01/15/09)........................................................... 2 38
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELECOMMUNICATIONS 0.3%
Carrier One (expires 02/15/09)................................................................... 1 20
Metronet Communications (a) (expires 08/15/07)................................................... 1 116
MGC Communications (a) (expires 10/01/04)........................................................ 1 175
----------
311
TELEPHONE 0.0%
Allegiance Telecom (a) (expires 02/03/08)........................................................ 2 14
Knology Holdings (a) (expires 10/15/07)......................................................... 2 4
21st Century Telecommunications (a) (expires 02/15/10)........................................... 1 10
----------
28
TOTAL WARRANTS
(cost of $20).................................................................................... 627
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<CAPTION>
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATIONS 3.2% Par
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<S> <C> <C>
COMMERCIAL PAPER 3.2%
Associates Corp. of North America 5.600% 01/03/00
(cost of $3,029)................................................................................. $ 3,030 3,029
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TOTAL INVESTMENTS 98.0%
(cost of $95,387) (d)............................................................................ 93,026
OTHER ASSETS, LESS LIABILITIES 2.0%.............................................................. 1,909
----------
NET ASSETS 100.0%................................................................................ $ 94,935
==========
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NOTES TO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Represents private placement securities issued under Rule 144A, which are
exempt from the registration requirements requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933. These securities generally are issued only to qualified
institutional investors, and any resale must be in an exempt transaction,
normally to other qualified institutional investors. At December 31, 1999,
the aggregate value of the Portfolio's private placement securities was
$19,071, which represented 20.1% of net assets.
(b) Zero coupon bond.
(c) Non income producing.
(d) At December 31, 1999, the cost of investments for financial reporting and
federal income tax purposes was identical.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SR&F HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
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STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 1999 (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands)
ASSETS
Investments, at market value (cost of $95,387).................... $ 93,026
Receivable for investments sold................................... --
Interest receivable............................................... 1,916
Dividend receivable............................................... 2
Cash.............................................................. 3
Variation margin on futures....................................... --
---------
Total assets................................................... 94,947
---------
LIABILITIES
Payable for investments purchased................................. --
Other liabilities................................................. 12
---------
Total liabilities.............................................. 12
---------
Net assets applicable to investors' beneficial interest........ $94,935
=========
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
SR&F HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
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STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended December 31, 1999 (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands)
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest............................................................ $ 5,310
Dividend............................................................ 21
---------
Total income..................................................... 5,331
EXPENSES
Management fees..................................................... 222
Transfer Agent fees................................................. 3
Accounting fees..................................................... 13
Trustees fees....................................................... 5
Custodian fees...................................................... --
Audit fees.......................................................... 8
Legal fees.......................................................... --
Other............................................................... 5
---------
Total expenses................................................... 256
---------
Net investment income............................................ 5,075
---------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
Net realized loss on investments.................................... (1,923)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments... (496)
---------
Net loss on investments.......................................... (2,419)
---------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS................ $ 2,656
==========
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
<PAGE>
SR&F High Yield Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
(All amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
1999 1999
------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Net investment income ......................................................... $ 5,075 $ 7,208
Net realized gain (loss) on investments ....................................... (1,923) (632)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments ............. (496) (2,238)
-------- --------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ....................... 2,656 4,338
-------- --------
TRANSACTIONS IN INVESTORS' BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Contributions ................................................................. 43,820 51,100
Withdrawals ................................................................... (39,864) (45,602)
-------- --------
Net increase from transactions in investors' beneficial interest ........... 3,956 5,498
-------- --------
Net increase in net assets ................................................. 6,612 9,836
NET ASSETS
Beginning of period ........................................................... 88,323 78,487
-------- --------
End of period ................................................................. $ 94,935 $ 88,323
======== ========
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL CLIENT HIGH YIELD FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 1999 (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands, except per-share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Investment in SR&F High Yield Portfolio, at value .............................. $ 57,222
Cash ........................................................................... 44
Expense reimbursement due from
Advisor ..................................................................... 54
Other .......................................................................... 12
--------
Total assets .............................................................. 57,332
--------
LIABILITIES
Dividends payable .............................................................. 12
Total liabilities ......................................................... 12
--------
Net assets ................................................................ $ 57,320
========
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Paid-in capital ................................................................ $ 59,793
Undistributed net investment income ............................................ 138
Accumulated net realized loss on investments ................................... (1,180)
Net unrealized depreciation on investments ..................................... (1,431)
--------
Net assets ................................................................ $ 57,320
========
Shares outstanding (unlimited number authorized) ............................... 5,993
========
Net asset value per share ...................................................... $ 9.56
========
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL CLIENT HIGH YIELD FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended December 31, 1999 (Unaudited)
(All amounts in thousands)
<S> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income allocated from SR&F High Yield Portfolio ....................... $ 3,313
-------
EXPENSES
Expenses allocated from SR&F High Yield Portfolio .............................. 161
Administrative fees ............................................................ 42
Accounting fees ................................................................ 13
Transfer agent fees ............................................................ 14
SEC and state registration fees ................................................ 4
Trustees' fees ................................................................. 4
Legal and audit fees ........................................................... 7
Other .......................................................................... 5
-------
Total expenses .............................................................. 250
Fees and expenses waived by the Advisor ........................................ (112)
-------
Net expenses ................................................................ 138
-------
Net investment income ....................................................... 3,175
-------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS
Net realized loss on investments ............................................... (1,178)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments .............. (389)
-------
Net loss on investments ..................................................... (1,567)
-------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS ........................... $ 1,608
=======
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL CLIENT HIGH YIELD FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(All amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS YEAR
ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
1999 1999
----------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Net investment income .......................................................... $ 3,175 $ 3,943
Net realized gains (losses) on investments ..................................... (1,178) 176
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments .............. (389) (1,277)
-------- --------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations ........................ 1,608 2,842
-------- --------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Dividends from net investment income ........................................... (3,016) (3,964)
Distributions from net capital gains ........................................... (178) (1,401)
-------- --------
Total distributions to shareholders ......................................... (3,194) (5,365)
-------- --------
SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Subscriptions to fund shares ................................................... 250 16,562
Value of distributions reinvested .............................................. 3,261 6,199
-------- --------
Net increase from share transactions ........................................ 3,511 22,761
-------- --------
Net increase in net assets .................................................. 1,925 20,238
TOTAL NET ASSETS
Beginning of period ............................................................ 55,395 35,157
-------- --------
End of period .................................................................. $ 57,320 $ 55,395
======== ========
ANALYSES OF CHANGES IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Subscriptions to fund shares ................................................... 26 1,791
Issued in reinvestment of distributions ........................................ 341 535
-------- --------
Net increase in fund shares .................................................... 367 2,326
Shares outstanding at beginning of period ...................................... 5,626 3,300
-------- --------
Shares outstanding at end of period ............................................ 5,993 5,626
======== ========
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(All amounts in thousands) (Unaudited)
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION
Stein Roe Institutional Client High Yield Fund (the "Fund") is a series of
Liberty-Stein Roe Trust (the "Trust"), formerly Stein Roe Trust, an open-end
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The
Fund invests substantially all of its assets in SR&F High Yield Portfolio (the
"Portfolio"), which seeks a high level of current income and capital growth by
investing primarily in high yield, high-risk, medium- and lower-quality debt
securities.
The Portfolio is a series of SR&F Base Trust, a Massachusetts common law
trust organized under an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 23,
1993. The Portfolio commenced operations on November 1, 1996. The Portfolio
allocates income, expenses, realized and unrealized gains and losses to each
investor on a daily basis, based on methods approved by the Internal Revenue
Service. At December 31, 1999, Stein Roe Institutional Client High Yield Fund
owned 60.3% of the SR&F High Income Portfolio.
NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund and the
Portfolio. These policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME
Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Interest income,
including discount accretion and premium amortization, is recorded daily on the
accrual basis. Realized gains or losses from investment transactions are
reported on an identified cost basis.
Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may be
settled a month or more after the transaction date. The values of such
securities are subject to market fluctuations during this period. The Portfolio
had no when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments as of December 31,
1999.
SECURITY VALUATIONS
Long-term debt securities are valued using market quotations if readily
available at the time of valuation. If market quotations are not readily
available, they are valued at a fair value using a procedure determined in good
faith by the Board of Trustees, which has authorized the use of market
valuations provided by a pricing service. Short-term debt securities with
remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost.
Those with remaining maturities of more than 60 days for which market quotations
are not readily available are valued by use of a matrix, prepared by the
Advisor, based on quotations for comparable securities. Other assets are valued
by a method that the Board of Trustees believes represents a fair value.
AMORTIZATION OF ORGANIZATION EXPENSES
Organization costs are amortized on a straight-line basis against income over
various periods of up to sixty months from the commencement of public offering
by the Fund, depending on the nature of the individual cost.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
No provision is made for federal income taxes, since (a) the Fund elects to be
taxed as a "regulated investment company" and makes such distributions to its
shareholders as to be relieved of all federal income tax under provisions of
current federal tax law; and (b) the Portfolio is treated as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes and all of its income is allocated to its owners
based on methods approved by the Internal Revenue Service.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO FUND SHAREHOLDERS
Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly.
Capital gains distributions, if any, are distributed annually. Distributions in
excess of tax basis earnings are reported in the financial statements as a
return of capital. Permanent differences in the recognition or classification of
income between the financial statements and tax earnings are reclassified to
paid-in capital.
NOTE 3. PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
The Portfolio invests primarily in high yield, high-risk medium- and lower
quality debt securities. See the Portfolio's Portfolio of Investments for
information regarding individual securities.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Continued
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 4. TRUSTEES' FEES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Portfolio pays a monthly management fee and the Fund pays a monthly
administrative fee to Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated (the "Advisor"), an
indirect, majority- owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, for
its services as investment advisor and manager.
The management fee for the Portfolio is computed at an annual rate of 0.50%
of the first $500 million of average daily net assets, and 0.475% thereafter.
The administrative fee for the Fund is computed at an annual rate of 0.15% of
the first $500 million of average daily net assets, and 0.125% thereafter.
The Advisor also provides fund accounting services.
The Advisor has agreed to reimburse the Fund to the extent that expenses
exceed 0.50% of average annual net assets. This commitment expires January 31,
2001, subject to earlier termination by the Advisor on 30 days' notice to the
Fund.
Transfer agent fees of the Fund are paid to SteinRoe Services, Inc. (SSI),
an indirect, majority-owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. SSI
has entered into an agreement with Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc., also an
indirect, majority-owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, to act
as subtransfer agent for the Fund. The Transfer Agent provides shareholder
services for a monthly fee equal to 0.05% annually of the Fund's average net
assets and receives reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers of the Advisor.
Compensation is paid to trustees not affiliated with the Advisor. No
remuneration was paid to any other trustee or officer of the Trust who is
affiliated with the Advisor.
NOTE 5. SHORT-TERM DEBT
To facilitate portfolio liquidity, the Fund and the Portfolio maintain borrowing
arrangements under which they can borrow against portfolio securities. There
were no borrowings during the six months ended December 31, 1999.
NOTE 6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales (other than short-term
obligations) for the Portfolio for the six months ended December 31, 1999, were
$68,831 and $64,080, respectively.
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at December 31, 1999 for both
financial statement and federal income tax purposes for the Portfolio was:
Gross unrealized appreciation................ $ 3,838
Gross unrealized depreciation................ (6,199)
-------
Net unrealized depreciation ................. $(2,361)
=======
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SR&F HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS YEAR YEAR PERIOD
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
SELECT RATIOS 1999 1999 1998 1997 (a)
---------------- ----------- ----------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets................. 0.58%(b) 0.57% 0.65% 0.89%(b)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets........ 11.50%(b) 8.27% 8.13% 8.24%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate..................................... 78%(c) 296% 426% 168%(c)
</TABLE>
(a)From commencement of operations on November 1, 1996.
(b)Annualized.
(c)Not annualized.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEIN ROE INSTITUTIONAL CLIENT HIGH YIELD FUND
Selected per-share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period), ratios
and supplemental data.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS YEAR YEAR PERIOD
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
1999 1999 1998 1997(e)
------------ --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD...................... $ 9.85 $ 10.65 $ 10.21 $ 10.00
------- --------- --------- ---------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income.................................. 0.55 0.98 0.88 0.33
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. (0.29) (0.62) 0.58 0.21
------- --------- --------- ---------
Total from investment operations..................... 0.26 0.36 1.46 0.54
------- --------- --------- ---------
DISTRIBUTIONS
Net investment income.................................. (0.52) (0.87) (0.88) (0.33)
Net realized gains..................................... (0.03) (0.29) (0.14) --
------- --------- --------- ---------
Total distributions.................................. (0.55) (1.16) (1.02) (0.33)
------- --------- --------- ---------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD............................ $ 9.56 $ 9.85 $ 10.65 $ 10.21
======= ========= ========= =========
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (a)........... 0.50%(b) 0.50% 0.50% 0.50%(b)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (c).. 11.51%(b) 8.72% 8.31% 8.76%(b)
Total return (c).......................................... 2.83%(d) 4.20% 14.88% 5.48%
Net assets, end of period (000's)......................... $57,320 $ 55,395 $ 35,157 $ 25,674
(a) If the Fund had paid all of its expenses and there had been no
reimbursement by the Advisor, this ratio would have been 0.91% for the six
months ended December 31, 1999, 0.97% and 1.28% for the years ended June
30, 1999 and 1998, respectively and 2.59% for the period ended June 30,
1997, respectively.
(b) Annualized.
(c) Computed giving effect to the Advisor's expense limitation undertaking.
(d) Not annualized.
(e) From commencement of operations or November 1, 1996.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
TO CONTACT US. . .
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BY PHONE 800-338-2550
You can discuss your investment questions with a Stein Roe account
representative by calling us toll free. We'll be happy to answer questions about
your current account or to provide you with information about opening a Stein
Roe account, including Stein Roe Traditional, Roth and Education IRAs. We're
available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, and Saturdays and
Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET.
STEIN ROE'S FUNDS-ON-CALL(R)
24-HOUR SERVICE LINE
Using a touch-tone phone, call our toll-free number, day or night, for your
current account balance, the latest Stein Roe Fund prices and yields, and other
information. In addition, if you have a Personal Identification Number (PIN),
you may place orders for the following transactions 24 hours a day:
o Exchange shares between your Stein Roe accounts;
o Purchase fund shares by electronic transfer;
o Order additional account statements and money market fund checks;
o Redeem shares by check, wire or electronic transfer.
RETIREMENT PLAN ACCOUNTS
Call us for information about how we can assist you with your defined
contribution plan, including 401(k) plans. You can reach us toll free at
800-322-1130. For information on Traditional, Roth and Education IRA plans, call
us toll free at 800-338-2550.
BY MAIL OR E-MAIL
If you prefer to contact us by mail, please address all correspondence to: P.O.
Box 8900, Boston, MA 02205-8900. To contact us by e-mail, send correspondence
directly to: [email protected] or visit us at www.steinroe.com on the
Internet.
ADDITIONAL REPORTS
The Funds mail one shareholder report to each shareholder address. If you would
like more than one report, please call 800-338-2550 and additional reports will
be sent to you.
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
<PAGE>
LIBERTY-STEIN ROE FUNDS INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRUSTEES
John A. Bacon, Jr.
Private Investor
William W. Boyd
Chairman and Director, Sterling Plumbing
Group Inc.
Lindsay Cook
Executive Vice President, Liberty Financial
Companies, Inc.
Douglas A. Hacker
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
United Airlines
Janet Langford Kelly
Executive Vice President, Secretary and General
Counsel, Kellogg Company
Charles R. Nelson
Van Voorhis Professor of Political Economy,
University of Washington
Thomas C. Theobald
Managing Director, William Blair Capital Partners
OFFICERS
Stephen E. Gibson, President
William D. Andrews, Executive Vice President
Kevin M. Carome, Executive Vice President,
Secretary
Loren A. Hansen, Executive Vice President
Christine Balzano, Vice President
Denise Chasmer, Vice President
J. Kevin Connaughton, Vice President, Treasurer
Timothy Jacoby, Senior Vice President
Gail Knudsen, Vice President, Controller
Stephen F. Lockman, Vice President
Mary McKenzie, Vice President
Nicholas Norton, Vice President
Nicolette D. Parrish, Vice President,
Assistant Secretary
Michael Fisher, Assistant Treasurer
AGENTS AND ADVISORS
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated
Investment Advisor
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Custodian
Stein Roe Services, Inc.
Transfer Agent
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLC
Legal Counsel to the Trust
Ernst & Young LLP
Independent Auditors
<PAGE>
Stein Roe & Farnham
One South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-1130
www.steinroe.com
Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc. 2/00
DIR-03/275A-0100 (2/00) 00/209
