<PAGE> 1
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 26, 1996
SECURITIES ACT FILE NO. 2-52711
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-2556
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 /X/
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. / /
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 29 /X/
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 /X/
AMENDMENT NO. 18 /X/
(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)
------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
800 SCUDDERS MILL ROAD
PLAINSBORO, NEW JERSEY
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
08536
(ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (609) 282-2800
ARTHUR ZEIKEL
MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST
800 SCUDDERS MILL ROAD, PLAINSBORO, NEW JERSEY
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
COPIES TO:
PHILIP L. KIRSTEIN
MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT
P.O. BOX 9011
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011
BROWN & WOOD
ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048-0557
ATTENTION: THOMAS R. SMITH, JR.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE (CHECK
APPROPRIATE BOX)
/X/ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b), or
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b), or
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
/ / 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
/ / on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
IF APPROPRIATE, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX:
/ / this post-effective amendment designates a new
effective date for a previously filed post-effective
amendment.
------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HAS REGISTERED AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF ITS SHARES UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 PURSUANT TO RULE 24f-2 UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT
OF 1940. THE NOTICE REQUIRED BY SUCH RULE FOR THE REGISTRANT'S MOST RECENT
FISCAL YEAR WAS FILED ON FEBRUARY 29, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSED PROPOSED
AMOUNT OF MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF SECURITIES SHARES BEING OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
BEING REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT OFFERING PRICE FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shares of beneficial interest
(par value $.10 per share)...... 5,707,930,910 $1.00 $290,000* $100
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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</TABLE>
*
(1) The calculation of the maximum aggregate offering price is made pursuant to
Rule 24e-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(2) The total amount of securities redeemed or repurchased during Registrant's
previous fiscal year was 14,155,972,930 shares of beneficial interest.
(3) 8,448,332,020 of the shares described in (2) above have been used for
reduction pursuant to Rule 24e-2(a) or Rule 24f-2(c) under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 in previous filings during Registrant's current fiscal
year.
(4) 5,707,640,910 of the shares redeemed during Registrant's previous fiscal
year are being used for the reduction of the registration fee in this
amendment to the Registration Statement.
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<PAGE> 2
MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM N-1A
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-1A ITEM NO. LOCATION
- ------------- -------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
Part A
Item 1. Cover Page.................................. Cover Page
Item 2. Synopsis.................................... Fee Table
Item 3. Condensed Financial Information............. Financial Highlights; Yield
Information
Item 4. General Description of Registrant........... Investment Objectives and Policies;
Additional Information
Item 5. Management of the Fund...................... Fee Table; Management of the Trust;
Portfolio Transactions; Inside Back
Cover Page
Item 5A. Management's Discussion of Fund
Performance................................. Not Applicable
Item 6. Capital Stock and Other Securities.......... Cover Page; Additional Information
Item 7. Purchase of Securities Being Offered........ Cover Page; Fee Table; Purchase of
Shares; Redemption of Shares;
Additional Information; Inside Back
Cover Page
Item 8. Redemption or Repurchase.................... Purchase of Shares; Redemption of
Shares
Item 9. Pending Legal Proceedings................... Not Applicable
Part B
Item 10. Cover Page.................................. Cover Page
Item 11. Table of Contents........................... Back Cover Page
Item 12. General Information and History............. Not Applicable
Item 13. Investment Objectives and Policies.......... Investment Objectives and Policies
Item 14. Management of the Fund...................... Management of the Trust
Item 15. Control Persons and Principal Holders of
Securities.................................. Management of the Trust
Item 16. Investment Advisory and Other Services...... Management of the Trust; Purchase of
Shares; Redemption of Shares;
General Information
Item 17. Brokerage Allocation........................ Portfolio Transactions
Item 18. Capital Stock and Other Securities.......... General Information--Description of
Shares
Item 19. Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of
Securities Being Offered.................... Purchase of Shares; Redemption of
Shares; Determination of Net Asset
Value; Shareholder Services
Item 20. Tax Status.................................. Taxes
Item 21. Underwriters................................ Purchase of Shares; Redemption of
Shares
Item 22. Calculation of Performance Data............. Yield Information
Item 23. Financial Statements........................ Financial Statements
</TABLE>
Part C
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the
appropriate Item, so numbered, in Part C to this Registration Statement.
<PAGE> 3
PROSPECTUS
April 26, 1996
MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST
P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011 - PHONE NO. (609) 282-2800
------------------------
Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust (the "Trust") is a no-load money market
fund organized as a Massachusetts business trust, seeking preservation of
capital, liquidity and the highest possible current income consistent with the
foregoing objectives available from investing in a diversified portfolio of
short-term money market securities. Portfolio securities principally consist of
short-term U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government agency securities, bank
money instruments, corporate debt instruments, including commercial paper and
variable amount master demand notes, and repurchase and reverse repurchase
agreements. The Trust shares common goals with those investors seeking to put
reserve assets to work in an income producing and prudent manner and to make
these assets readily available without penalty. There can be no assurance that
the investment objectives of the Trust will be realized. The Trust seeks to
maintain a constant $1.00 net asset value per share, although this cannot be
assured. An investment in the Trust is neither insured nor guaranteed by the
U.S. Government.
Shares of the Trust may be purchased at their net asset value without any
sales charge. The minimum initial purchase is $5,000 and subsequent purchases
generally must be $1,000 or more. For accounts advised by banks and registered
investment advisers, the minimum initial purchase is $300 and the minimum
subsequent purchase is $100. The minimum initial purchase with respect to
pension, profit sharing, individual retirement and certain other retirement
plans is $100 and the minimum subsequent purchase with respect to these plans is
$1, except that the minimum purchase requirements are waived for purchases of
Trust shares by certain Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans, as
defined herein. The minimum initial purchase under the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM
Program is $500 (or $50 if the shareholder elects to participate in the
automatic investment of sale proceeds option on the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM
Program application form) and the minimum subsequent purchase is $50. Shares may
be redeemed at any time at net asset value as described herein. The Trust pays
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") a
distribution fee for providing certain services in connection with the
distribution of Trust shares. See "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption of
Shares".
Shares may be purchased directly from Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc.
(the "Distributor"), P.O. Box 9081, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081, Tel. No.
(609) 282-2800, or from securities dealers which have entered into selected
dealer agreements with the Distributor including Merrill Lynch. See "Purchase of
Shares".
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
This Prospectus is a concise statement of information about the Trust that
is relevant to making an investment in the Trust. This Prospectus should be
retained for future reference. A statement containing additional information
about the Trust, dated April 26, 1996 (the "Statement of Additional
Information"), has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
can be obtained, without charge, by calling or by writing the Trust at the above
telephone number or address. The Statement of Additional Information is hereby
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT--MANAGER
MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.--DISTRIBUTOR
<PAGE> 4
FEE TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995:
- --------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Management Fees(a)................................................................. 0.36%
Rule 12b-1 Fees(b)................................................................. 0.12%
Other Expenses(c).................................................................. 0.19%
-----
Total Trust Operating Expenses....................................................... 0.67%
=====
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) See "Management of the Trust--Management and Advisory Arrangements"--page 9.
(b) See "Purchase of Shares--Distribution Plan"--page 12.
(c) See "Management of the Trust--Transfer Agency Services"--page 10.
EXAMPLE:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE EXPENSES PAID FOR THE
PERIOD OF:
---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 3 5 10
YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS
---- ----- ----- -----
An investor would pay the following expenses on a
$1,000 investment, assuming an operating expense
ratio of 0.67% and a 5% annual return throughout
the periods........................................ $7 $21 $37 $83
</TABLE>
The foregoing Fee Table is intended to assist investors in understanding
the costs and expenses that a shareholder in the Trust will bear directly or
indirectly. The Example set forth above assumes reinvestment of all dividends
and distributions and utilizes a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY
BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE ASSUMED FOR PURPOSES OF THE EXAMPLE.
2
<PAGE> 5
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial information in the table below has been audited in
conjunction with the annual audits of the financial statements of the Trust by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors. Financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995 and the independent auditors' report thereon are
included in the Statement of Additional Information. The following per share
data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the Trust's
audited financial statements. Further information about the performance of the
Trust is contained in the Trust's most recent annual report to shareholders
which may be obtained, without charge, by calling or writing the Trust at the
telephone number or address on the front cover of this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSET
VALUE:
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Investment income--net............ .0538 .0366 .0272 .0332 .0556 .0771 .0860
Realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments--net...... .0016 (.0012) .0003 .0009 .0029 .0010 .0005
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Total from investment operations..... .0554 .0354 .0275 .0341 .0585 .0781 .0865
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Less dividends and distributions:
Investment income--net............ (.0538) (.0366) (.0272) (.0332) (.0556) (.0771) (.0860)
Realized gain on
investments--net................ (.0001) (.0000)+ (.0005) (.0007) (.0029)* (.0010)* (.0005)*
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Total dividends and distributions.... (.0539) (.0366) (.0277) (.0339) (.0585) (.0781) (.0865)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Net asset value, end of year......... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN:............. 5.54% 3.74% 2.81% 3.44% 6.02% 8.08% 9.05%
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses, excluding distribution
fees................................ .55% .53% .53% .52% .50% .50% .52%
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
Expenses............................. .67% .65% .65% .64% .62% .62% .63%
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
Investment income and realized gain
(loss) on investments--net.......... 5.40% 3.67% 2.78% 3.48% 5.87%* 7.80%* 8.65%*
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (in
thousands).......................... $7,079,355 $6,240,997 $6,523,187 $7,465,869 $9,077,226 $10,180,436 $10,650,487
=========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
<CAPTION>
1988 1987 1986
---------- ---------- -----------
<S> <<C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSET
VALUE:
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
---------- ---------- -----------
Investment income--net............ .0695 .0616 .0622
Realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments--net...... (.0004) (.0005) .0004
---------- ---------- -----------
Total from investment operations..... .0691 .0611 .0626
---------- ---------- -----------
Less dividends and distributions:
Investment income--net............ (.0691) (.0611) (.0622)
Realized gain on
investments--net................ -- -- (.0004)*
---------- ---------- -----------
Total dividends and distributions.... (.0691) (.0611) (.0626)
---------- ---------- -----------
Net asset value, end of year......... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
=========== =========== ============
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN:............. 7.16% 6.30% 6.47%
=========== =========== ============
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses, excluding distribution
fees................................ .51% .51% .52%
=========== =========== ============
Expenses............................. .62% .62% .63%
=========== =========== ============
Investment income and realized gain
(loss) on investments--net.......... 6.88%* 6.10%* 6.31%*
=========== =========== ============
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of year (in
thousands).......................... $9,130,343 $9,864,068 $11,150,687
=========== =========== ============
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Includes unrealized gain (loss).
+ Amount is less than $.0001 per share.
3
<PAGE> 6
YIELD INFORMATION
Set forth below is yield information for the indicated seven-day periods,
computed to include and exclude realized gains and losses for the seven-day
period ended December 31, 1995 and to include and exclude realized gains and
losses for the seven-day period ended March 31, 1996, and information as to the
compounded annualized yield, excluding gains and losses, for the same periods.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEVEN-DAY PERIOD ENDED
------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, 1995 MARCH 31, 1996
----------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Annualized Yield:
Including gains and losses.......................... 5.21% 4.77%
Excluding gains and losses.......................... 5.21% 4.79%
Compounded Annualized Yield........................... 5.35% 4.91%
Average maturity of portfolio at end of period........ 85 days 50 days
</TABLE>
The yield of the Trust refers to the income generated by an investment in
the Trust over a stated seven-day period. This income is then annualized; that
is, the amount of income generated by the investment during that week is assumed
to be generated each week over a 52-week period and is shown as a percentage of
the investment. The compounded annualized yield is calculated similarly but,
when annualized, the income earned by an investment in the Trust is assumed to
be reinvested. The compounded annualized yield will be somewhat higher than the
yield because of the effect of the assumed reinvestment.
The yield on Trust shares normally will fluctuate on a daily basis.
Therefore, the yield for any given past period is not an indication or
representation by the Trust of future yields or rates of return on its shares.
The Trust's yield is affected by changes in interest rates on money market
securities, average portfolio maturity, the types and quality of portfolio
securities held and operating expenses. Current yield information may not
provide a basis for comparison with bank deposits or other investments which pay
a fixed yield over a stated period of time.
On occasion, the Trust may compare its yield to (1) yield data (including
Donoghue's Domestic Prime and Eurodollar and Yankeedollar Funds Average)
reported by Donoghue's Money Fund Report, a widely recognized independent
publication that monitors the performance of money market mutual funds, (2) the
average yield reported by the Bank Rate Monitor National Index(TM) for money
market deposit accounts offered by the 100 leading banks and thrift institutions
in the ten largest standard metropolitan statistical areas, (3) yield data
reported by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar Publications, Inc.,
Money Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Business Week, CDA Investment
Technology, Inc., Forbes Magazine and Fortune Magazine, or (4) the yield on an
investment in 90-day Treasury bills on a rolling basis, assuming quarterly
compounding. As with other performance data, yield comparisons should not be
considered indicative of the Trust's yield or relative performance for any
future period.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The investment objectives of the Trust are to seek preservation of capital,
liquidity and the highest possible current income consistent with these
objectives available from investing in a diversified portfolio of
4
<PAGE> 7
short-term money market securities. The investment objectives are fundamental
policies of the Trust which may not be changed without a vote of the majority of
the outstanding shares of the Trust.
Investment in the Trust offers several benefits. The Trust seeks to provide
as high a yield potential as is available, consistent with the preservation of
capital, from short-term money market securities utilizing professional money
market management, block purchases of securities and yield improvement
techniques. It provides high liquidity because of its redemption features and
seeks reduced risk resulting from diversification of assets. There can be no
assurance that the investment objectives of the Trust will be realized. Certain
expenses are borne by investors, including advisory and management fees,
administrative costs and operational costs.
In managing the Trust, Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. (the "Manager"
or "MLAM"), will employ a number of professional money management techniques,
including varying the composition of investments and the average maturity of the
portfolio based on its assessment of the relative values of the various money
market securities and future interest rate patterns. These assessments will
respond to changing economic and money market conditions and to shifts in fiscal
and monetary policy. The Manager also will seek to improve yield by taking
advantage of yield disparities that regularly occur in the money market. For
example, market conditions frequently result in similar securities trading at
different prices. Also, there frequently are differences in the yields between
the various types of money market securities. The Trust seeks to enhance yield
by purchasing and selling securities based on these yield disparities.
The following is a description of the types of money market securities in
which the Trust may invest:
U.S. Government Securities: Marketable securities issued by or
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government and
supported by the full faith and credit of the United States.
U.S. Government Agency Securities: Debt securities issued by U.S.
Government-sponsored enterprises, Federal agencies and certain
international institutions which are not direct obligations of the United
States but involve U.S. Government sponsorship or guarantees by U.S.
Government agencies or enterprises. The U.S. Government is not obligated to
provide financial support to these instrumentalities.
Bank Money Instruments: The Trust may invest in U.S.
dollar-denominated obligations of U.S. and foreign depository institutions,
including commercial and savings banks and savings and loan associations.
Such obligations include certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances,
time deposits, bank notes and deposit notes. For example, the obligations
may be issued by U.S. or foreign depository institutions, foreign branches
or subsidiaries of U.S. depository institutions ("Eurodollar" obligations),
U.S. branches or subsidiaries of foreign depository institutions
("Yankeedollar" obligations) or foreign branches or subsidiaries of foreign
depository institutions. Eurodollar and Yankeedollar obligations and
obligations of branches or subsidiaries of foreign depository institutions
may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the
issuing branch or subsidiary by the terms of the specific obligations or by
government regulation. Investments in obligations of foreign depository
institutions and their foreign branches and subsidiaries will only be made
if determined to be of comparable quality to other investments permissible
for the Trust. The Trust will not invest more than 25% of its total assets
(taken at market value at the time of each investment) in obligations of
foreign depository institutions and their foreign branches and
subsidiaries.
5
<PAGE> 8
Commercial Paper and Other Short-term Obligations: Commercial paper
(including variable amount master demand notes), which refers to
short-term, unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations,
partnerships, trusts, and other entities to finance short-term credit
needs, and non-convertible debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures)
with no more than 397 days (13 months) remaining to maturity at the date of
purchase. Short-term obligations issued by trusts include mortgage-related
or asset-backed debt instruments, including pass-through certificates
representing participations in, or bonds and notes backed by, pools of
mortgage, credit card, automobile or other types of receivables.
Foreign Short-term Debt Instruments. The Trust may also invest in
U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper and other short-term obligations
issued by foreign entities. Such investments are subject to quality
standards similar to those applicable to investments in comparable
obligations of domestic issuers. Investments in foreign entities in general
involve the same risks as those described in the Statement of Additional
Information in connection with investments in Eurodollar and Yankeedollar
obligations and obligations of foreign depository institutions and their
foreign branches and subsidiaries.
The following is a description of other types of investments or investment
practices in which the Trust may invest or engage:
Repurchase Agreements; Purchase and Sale Contracts. The Trust may
invest in repurchase agreements or purchase and sale contracts involving
the money market securities described above. Repurchase agreements and
purchase and sale contracts may be entered into only with a member bank of
the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer in U.S. Government
securities, or an affiliate thereof. Under such agreements, the bank or
primary dealer (or the affiliate) agrees, on entering into the contract, to
repurchase the security at a mutually agreed on time and price, thereby
determining the yield during the term of the agreement. This results in a
fixed rate of return insulated from market fluctuations during such period.
In the case of repurchase agreements, the prices at which the trades are
conducted do not reflect accrued interest on the underlying obligations;
whereas, in the case of purchase and sale contracts, the prices take into
account accrued interest. Such agreements usually cover short periods, such
as under one week. Repurchase agreements may be construed to be
collateralized loans by the purchaser to the seller secured by the
securities transferred to the purchaser. In the case of a repurchase
agreement, the Trust will require the seller to provide additional
collateral if the market value of the securities falls below the repurchase
price at any time during the term of the repurchase agreement; the Trust
does not have the right to seek additional collateral in the case of
purchase and sale contracts. In the event of default by the seller under a
repurchase agreement construed to be a collateralized loan, the underlying
securities are not owned by the Trust but only constitute collateral for
the seller's obligation to pay the repurchase price. Therefore, the Trust
may suffer time delays and incur costs or possible losses in connection
with the disposition of the collateral. A purchase and sale contract
differs from a repurchase agreement in that the contract arrangements
stipulate that the securities are owned by the Trust. In the event of a
default under such a repurchase agreement or under a purchase and sale
contract, instead of the contractual fixed rate of return, the rate of
return to the Trust shall be dependent on intervening fluctuations of the
market value of such security and the accrued interest on the security. In
such event, the Trust would have rights against the seller for breach of
contract with respect to any losses arising from market fluctuations
following the failure of the seller to perform.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase
agreements which involve the sale of money market securities held by the Trust,
with an agreement to repurchase the securities
6
<PAGE> 9
at an agreed on price, date and interest payment. During the time a reverse
repurchase agreement is outstanding, the Trust will maintain a segregated
custodial account containing U.S. Government or other appropriate high-grade
debt securities having a value equal to the repurchase price.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Trust may lend portfolio securities
(with a value not in excess of 20% of its total assets) to brokers, dealers and
financial institutions and receive collateral in cash or securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government which will be maintained at all times in an
amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned
securities. During the period of the loan, the Trust receives the income on both
the loaned securities and the collateral and thereby increases its yield.
Preservation of capital is a prime investment objective of the Trust, and
while the types of money market securities in which the Trust invests generally
are considered to have low principal risk, such securities are not completely
risk free. There is a risk of the failure of issuers to meet their principal and
interest obligations. Repurchase agreements may be construed to be
collateralized loans by the purchaser to the seller secured by the securities
transferred to the purchaser. In the event of default by the seller under a
repurchase agreement construed to be a collateralized loan, the underlying
securities are not owned by the Trust but only constitute collateral for the
seller's obligation to pay the repurchase price. With respect to repurchase
agreements, purchase and sale contracts, reverse repurchase agreements and the
lending of portfolio securities by the Trust, there is also the risk of the
failure of the parties involved to repurchase at the agreed upon price or to
return the securities involved in such transactions, in which event the Trust
may suffer time delays and incur costs or possible losses in connection with
such transactions.
Bank money instruments in which the Trust invests must be issued by
depository institutions with total assets of at least $1 billion, except that up
to 10% of total assets (taken at market value) may be invested in certificates
of deposit of smaller institutions if such certificates of deposit are Federally
insured. Investments in Eurodollar and Yankeedollar obligations may not exceed
25% of total assets. For purposes of this requirement, the Trust treats bank
money instruments issued by U.S. branches or subsidiaries of foreign banks as
obligations issued by domestic banks (not subject to the 25% limitation) if the
branch or subsidiary is subject to the same banking regulation as U.S. banks.
The Trust's investments in short-term corporate debt and bank money
instruments will be rated, or will be issued by issuers who have been rated, in
one of the two highest rating categories for short-term debt obligations by a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization (an "NRSRO") or, if not
rated, will be of comparable quality as determined by the Trustees of the Trust.
The Trust's investments in corporate bonds and debentures (which must have
maturities at the date of purchase of 397 days (13 months) or less) will be in
issuers who have received from an NRSRO a rating, with respect to a class of
short-term debt obligations that is comparable in priority and security with the
investment, in one of the two highest rating categories for short-term
obligations or, if not rated, will be of comparable quality as determined by the
Trustees of the Trust. Currently, there are six NRSROs: Duff & Phelps Inc.,
Fitch Investors Service, Inc., IBCA Limited and its affiliate IBCA Inc.,
Thompson BankWatch, Inc., Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's
Ratings Group.
A regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission limits investments
by the Trust in securities issued by any one issuer (other than the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities) ordinarily to not more than 5% of
its total assets, or in the event that such securities do not have the highest
rating, not more
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<PAGE> 10
than 1% of its total assets. In addition, such regulation requires that not more
than 5% of the Trust's total assets be invested in securities that do not have
the highest rating.
The Trust may purchase money market securities on a forward commitment
basis at fixed purchase terms. The purchase will be recorded on the date the
Trust enters into the commitment and the value of the security thereafter will
be reflected in the calculation of the Trust's net asset value. The value of the
security on the delivery date may be more or less than its purchase price. A
separate account of the Trust will be established with its custodian consisting
of cash or liquid money market securities having a market value at all times at
least equal to the amount of the forward commitment.
For purposes of its investment policies, the Trust defines short-term money
market securities as securities having a maturity of no more than 762 days (25
months) in the case of U.S. Government and U.S. Government agency securities and
no more than 397 days (13 months) in the case of all other securities. The
dollar-weighted average maturity of the Trust's Portfolio will not exceed 90
days. During the Trust's fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the average
maturity of its portfolio ranged from 45 days to 87 days.
Investment Restrictions. The Trust has adopted a number of restrictions
and policies relating to the investment of its assets and its activities, which
are fundamental policies and may not be changed without the approval of the
holders of a majority of the Trust's outstanding voting securities, as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company
Act"). Among the more significant restrictions, the Trust may not: (1) purchase
any securities other than (i) money market securities and (ii) other securities
described under "Investment Objectives and Policies"; (2) invest more than 25%
of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in
the securities of issuers in any particular industry (other than U.S. Government
securities, U.S. Government agency securities or bank money instruments); (3)
(i) invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time
of each investment) in the securities (other than U.S. Government or U.S.
Government agency securities) of any one issuer (including repurchase agreements
and purchase and sale contracts with any one bank) except that up to 25% of the
value of the Trust's total assets may be invested without regard to such 5%
limitation but shall instead be subject to a 10% limitation, (ii) purchase more
than 10% of the outstanding securities of an issuer except that this restriction
shall not apply to U.S. Government or U.S. Government agency securities, bank
money instruments, repurchase agreements and purchase and sale contracts; (4)
enter into repurchase agreements or purchase and sale contracts if, as a result,
more than 10% of the Trust's net assets (taken at market value at the time of
each investment) would be subject to repurchase agreements or purchase and sale
contracts maturing in more than seven days; and (5) borrow amounts in excess of
20% of its total assets, taken at market value, and then only from banks as a
temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes [usually only
"leveraged" investment companies may borrow in excess of 5% of their assets;
however, the Trust will not borrow to increase income but only to meet
redemption requests which might otherwise require untimely dispositions of
portfolio securities; interest paid on such borrowings will reduce net income].
The Trust will not purchase securities while borrowings described in investment
restriction (5) are outstanding except to honor prior commitments.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
TRUSTEES
The Trustees of the Trust consist of six individuals, five of whom are not
"interested persons" of the Trust as defined in the Investment Company Act. The
Trustees of the Trust are responsible for the overall
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<PAGE> 11
supervision of the operations of the Trust and perform the various duties
imposed on the directors of investment companies by the Investment Company Act.
The Trustees of the Trust are:
ARTHUR ZEIKEL*--President of MLAM and its affiliate, Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM"); President and Director of Princeton Services,
Inc. ("Princeton Services"); Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch &
Co., Inc. ("ML & Co."); and Director of the Distributor.
DONALD CECIL--Special Limited Partner of Cumberland Partners (an
investment partnership).
M. COLYER CRUM--James R. Williston Professor of Investment Management,
Harvard Business School.
EDWARD H. MEYER--Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Grey Advertising Inc.
JACK B. SUNDERLAND--President and Director of American Independent Oil
Company, Inc. (an energy company).
J. THOMAS TOUCHTON--Managing Partner of The Witt-Touchton Company (a
private investment partnership).
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* Interested person, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Trust.
MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY ARRANGEMENTS
The Manager, which is owned and controlled by ML & Co., a financial
services holding company, acts as the Manager for the Trust and provides the
Trust with management services. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager, FAM,
acts as the investment adviser for more than 130 registered investment companies
and provides investment advisory services to individual and institutional
accounts. As of March 31, 1996, the Manager and FAM had a total of approximately
$207.7 billion in investment company and other portfolio assets under
management, including accounts of certain affiliates of the Manager.
The agreement with the Manager (the "Management Agreement") provides that,
subject to the direction of the Trustees, the Manager is responsible for the
actual management of the Trust's portfolio and constantly reviews the Trust's
holdings in light of its own research analysis and that from other relevant
sources. The responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a
particular security rests with the Manager subject to review by the Board of
Trustees. The Manager performs certain of the other administrative services and
provides all of the office space, facilities, equipment and necessary personnel
for management of the Trust.
The Manager receives compensation at the annual rate of 0.50% of the
portion of average net assets not exceeding $500 million; this rate is reduced
at several breakpoints for net assets in excess of $500 million. For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995, the total management fee paid by the Trust to the
Manager aggregated $24,584,276 (based on average net assets of approximately
$6.89 billion) and the effective fee rate was 0.36%. At March 31, 1996, the net
assets of the Trust aggregated approximately $7.5 billion. At this asset level,
the annual effective fee rate is approximately 0.36% of average net assets and
the annual management fee would aggregate approximately $26.6 million.
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<PAGE> 12
John Ng is Vice President and Portfolio Manager of the Trust and is
responsible for the day to day management of the Trust. Mr. Ng has been a
Portfolio Manager and Vice President of the Manager since 1984.
The Management Agreement obligates the Trust to pay certain expenses
incurred in its operations, including, among other things, the management fee,
legal and audit fees, unaffiliated Trustees' fees and expenses, registration
fees, custodian and transfer agency fees, accounting and pricing costs and
certain of the costs of printing proxies, shareholder reports, prospectuses and
statements of additional information. Accounting services are provided to the
Trust by the Manager, and the Trust reimburses the Manager for its costs in
connection with such services. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the
amount of such reimbursement was $426,505. For the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995, the ratio of operating expenses, excluding distribution fees, to
average net assets was 0.55%.
TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES
Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), which
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML & Co., acts as the Trust's transfer agent
pursuant to a transfer agency agreement (the "Transfer Agency Agreement").
Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for
the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening and maintenance
of shareholder accounts. Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Transfer
Agent receives a fee of $15.00 per shareholder account, and is entitled to
reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it under the Transfer
Agency Agreement. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the total fee
paid by the Trust to the Transfer Agent pursuant to the Transfer Agency
Agreement was $11,927,793. At March 31, 1996, the Trust had 571,071 shareholder
accounts. At this level of accounts, the annual fee payable to the Transfer
Agent would aggregate approximately $8.6 million (including certain subaccounts
on which the standard annual transfer agent fees are not assessed).
PURCHASE OF SHARES
The Trust is offering its shares without a sales charge at a public
offering price equal to the net asset value (normally $1.00 per share) next
determined after a purchase order becomes effective. Share purchase orders are
effective on the date Federal Funds become available to the Trust. If Federal
Funds are available to the Trust prior to the determination of net asset value
(generally 4:00 P.M., New York time) on any business day, the order will be
effective on that day. Shares purchased will begin accruing dividends on the day
following the date of purchase. Any order may be rejected by the Trust or the
Distributor.
The minimum initial purchase is $5,000 and the minimum subsequent purchase
is $1,000, except that lower minimums apply in the case of purchases made under
certain retirement plans. The Trust may, at its discretion, establish reduced
minimum initial and subsequent purchase requirements with respect to various
types of accounts. For pension, profit sharing, individual retirement and
certain other retirement plans, including self-directed retirement plans for
which Merrill Lynch acts as passive custodian, and the various retirement plans
available from the Distributor, the minimum initial purchase is $100 and the
minimum subsequent investment is $1. The minimum initial or subsequent purchase
requirements may be waived for certain employer sponsored retirement or savings
plans, such as tax qualified retirement plans within the meaning of Section
401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), deferred
compensation plans within the meaning of Section 403(b) and Section 457 of the
Code, other deferred compensation arrangements, Voluntary Employee Benefits
Association ("VEBA") plans, and non-qualified
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<PAGE> 13
After Tax Savings and Investment programs, maintained on the Merrill Lynch Group
Employee Services system, referred to herein and in the Statement of Additional
Information as "Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans." The minimum
initial purchase with respect to other retirement plans and pension and
profit-sharing plans is $100 and the minimum subsequent investment is $1. For
accounts advised by banks and registered investment advisers, the minimum
initial purchase is $300 and the minimum subsequent purchase is $100.
METHODS OF PAYMENT
Payment Through Securities Dealers. Investment in the Trust may be made
through securities dealers, including Merrill Lynch, who have entered into
selected dealer agreements with the Distributor. In such a case, the dealer will
transmit payment to the Trust on behalf of the investor and will supply the
Trust with the required account information. Generally, purchase orders placed
through Merrill Lynch will be made effective on the day following the day the
order is placed with Merrill Lynch, except that orders received through the
Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program ("Blueprint") in some circumstances may be
executed two business days following the day the order is placed with Merrill
Lynch. Investments in the Trust through Blueprint may be made only through
Merrill Lynch. Such orders should be sent to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, Attention: The BlueprintSM Program, P.O. Box 30441, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08989-0441. Blueprint maintains a toll-free telephone
number for inquiries: (800) 637-3766. Investors who are not placing orders
through Blueprint and who desire same day effectiveness should utilize the
Payment by Wire procedure described below. Investors with free cash credit
balances (i.e., immediately available funds) in securities accounts of Merrill
Lynch will not have their funds invested in the Trust until the day after the
order is placed with Merrill Lynch and will not receive the daily dividend which
would have been received had their funds been invested in the Trust on the day
the order was placed with Merrill Lynch. Merrill Lynch has an order procedure
pursuant to which investors can have the proceeds from the sale of listed
securities invested in shares of the Trust on the day investors receive such
proceeds in their Merrill Lynch securities accounts and can have the proceeds
from the sale of most other securities invested in shares of the Trust on the
day following the day investors receive such proceeds in their Merrill Lynch
securities accounts.
Payment by Wire. An expeditious method of investing in the Trust is
available through the transmittal of Federal Funds by wire to the Transfer
Agent. The Trust will not be responsible for delays in the wiring system. To
purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds, payment should be wired to First Union
National Bank of Florida. Shareholders should give their financial institutions
the following wiring instructions: ABA #063000021, DDA #2112600061186, Merrill
Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. The wire should be identified as a payment
to Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust and should include the shareholder's name
and account number. Failure to submit the required information may delay
investment. Investors are urged to make payment by wire in Federal Funds.
Payment to the Transfer Agent. Purchase orders for which remittance is to
be made by check may be submitted directly by mail or otherwise to the Transfer
Agent. Purchase orders by mail should be sent to Merrill Lynch Financial Data
Services, Inc., P.O. Box 45290, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5290. Purchase
orders which are sent by hand should be delivered to Merrill Lynch Financial
Data Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida
32246-6484. Investors opening a new account must enclose a completed Purchase
Application. Existing shareholders should enclose the detachable stub from a
monthly account statement which they have received. Checks should be made
payable to Merrill Lynch Funds
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<PAGE> 14
Distributor, Inc. Certified checks are not necessary, but checks are accepted
subject to collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn in U.S.
dollars on a U.S. bank. Payments for the accounts of corporations, foundations
and other organizations may not be made by third party checks.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Trust has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan and Agreement (the
"Plan") in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act pursuant
to which the Trust is authorized to pay Merrill Lynch a fee at the annual rate
of 0.125% of the average daily net asset value of Trust accounts maintained
through Merrill Lynch. The Plan reimburses Merrill Lynch only for actual
expenses incurred in the fiscal year in which the fee is paid. The fee is
principally to provide compensation to Merrill Lynch financial consultants and
other Merrill Lynch personnel for providing certain services to shareholders who
maintain their Trust accounts through Merrill Lynch. The fee is for direct
personal services to Trust shareholders. Under the Plan, as amended to date,
Merrill Lynch, in its sole discretion, may expend out of the fee an amount not
exceeding 0.01% of such average daily net asset value as reimbursement for
expenditures incurred in advertising activities promoting the sale, marketing
and distribution of the shares of the Trust.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, $7,712,779 was paid to Merrill
Lynch pursuant to the Plan (based on average net assets subject to the Plan of
$6.9 billion). At March 31, 1996, the net assets of the Trust subject to the
Plan aggregated approximately $7.5 billion. At this asset level, the annual fee
payable to Merrill Lynch pursuant to the Plan would aggregate approximately $9.3
million.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The Trust is required to redeem for cash all full and fractional shares of
the Trust. The redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined
after receipt by the Transfer Agent of proper notice of redemption as described
in accordance with one of the procedures set forth below. If such notice is
received by the Transfer Agent prior to the determination of net asset value
(generally 4:00 P.M., New York time) on any day during which the New York Stock
Exchange or New York banks are open for business, the redemption will be
effective on such day and payment will be made on the next business day. If the
notice is received after the determination of net asset value has been made, the
redemption will be effective on the next business day and payment will be made
on the second business day thereafter. If notice of a redemption of shares held
in connection with Blueprint is received by Merrill Lynch prior to the Trust's
determination of net asset value, it will be effective on the business day
following receipt of the redemption request. If the notice is received after the
determination of net asset value has been made, the redemption will be effective
on the second business day thereafter.
At various times, the Trust may be requested to redeem shares for which
good payment has not yet been received (e.g., cash, Federal Funds or a certified
check drawn on a U.S. bank). The Trust may delay, or cause to be delayed, the
payment of redemption proceeds until such time as it or the Transfer Agent has
assured itself that good payment has been collected for the purchase of such
shares. Normally, this delay will not exceed 10 days. In addition, the Trust
reserves the right not to honor redemption checks or requests for Federal Funds
redemptions where the shares to be redeemed have been purchased by check within
10 days prior to the date the redemption request is received by the Transfer
Agent.
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<PAGE> 15
METHODS OF REDEMPTION
Set forth below is information as to the five methods pursuant to which
shareholders may redeem shares. In certain instances, the Transfer Agent may
require documents in connection with redemptions.
Redemption by Check. Shareholders may redeem shares by check in an amount
not less than $500. At the shareholder's request, the Transfer Agent will
provide the shareholder with checks drawn on the custody account of the Trust
with its Custodian. These checks can be made payable to the order of any person
in any amount not less than $500; however, these checks may not be used to
purchase securities in transactions with Merrill Lynch. The payee of the check
may cash or deposit it like any check drawn on a bank. When such a check is
presented to the Transfer Agent for payment, the Transfer Agent will present the
check to the Trust as authority to redeem a sufficient number of full and
fractional shares in the shareholder's account to cover the amount of the check.
This enables the shareholder to continue earning daily dividends until the check
is cleared. Canceled checks will be returned to the shareholder by the Transfer
Agent.
Shareholders will be subject to the Transfer Agent's rules and regulations
governing such checking accounts, including the right of the Transfer Agent not
to honor checks in amounts exceeding the value of the shareholder's account at
the time the check is presented for payment. The Trust or the Transfer Agent may
modify or terminate the redemption by check privilege at any time on 30 days'
notice to participating shareholders. In order to be eligible for the redemption
by check privilege, purchasers should check the box under the caption "Check
Redemption Privilege" in the Purchase Application. The Transfer Agent will then
send checks to the shareholder.
Federal Funds Redemption. Shareholders also may arrange to have redemption
proceeds of $5,000 or more wired in Federal Funds to a pre-designated bank
account. In order to be eligible for Federal Funds redemption, the shareholder
must designate on his or her Purchase Application the domestic commercial bank
and account number to receive the proceeds of his or her redemption and must
have his or her signature on the Purchase Application guaranteed. The redemption
request for Federal Funds redemption may be made by telephone, wire or letter
(no signature guarantee required) to the Transfer Agent and, if received before
the determination of net asset value of the Trust on any business day (generally
4:00 P.M., New York time) the redemption proceeds will be wired to the
investor's pre-designated bank account on the next business day. Shareholders
may effect Federal Funds redemptions by telephoning the Transfer Agent at (800)
221-7210 toll-free. The Trust will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine; if it does not, the Trust
may be liable for any losses due to fraudulent or unauthorized instructions.
Among other things, redemption proceeds may only be wired into the bank account
designated on the Purchase Application. The investor must independently verify
this information at the time the redemption request is made.
Repurchase Through Securities Dealers. The Trust will repurchase shares
through securities dealers. The Trust normally will accept orders to repurchase
shares by wire or telephone from dealers for customers at the net asset value
next computed after receipt of the order from the dealer, provided that such
request for repurchase is received from the dealer prior to the determination of
net asset value of the Trust (generally 4:00 P.M., New York time) on any
business day. These repurchase arrangements are for the convenience of
shareholders and do not involve a charge by the Trust; however, dealers may
impose a charge on the shareholder for transmitting the notice of repurchase to
the Trust. Redemption of Trust shares held in connection with Blueprint may be
made only through Merrill Lynch. Such a redemption may be made by
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<PAGE> 16
submitting a written notice by mail directly to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, Attention: The BlueprintSM Program, P.O. Box 30441, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08989-0441. Investors whose shares are held through
Blueprint also may effect notice of redemption by telephoning Merrill Lynch at
(800) 637-3766 toll-free. The Trust reserves the right to reject any order for
repurchase through a securities dealer, but it may not reject properly submitted
requests for redemption as described below. The Trust will promptly notify any
shareholder of any rejection of a repurchase with respect to his or her shares.
For shareholders repurchasing through their securities dealer, payment will be
made by the Transfer Agent to the dealer.
Regular Redemption. Shareholders may redeem shares by submitting a written
notice by mail directly to the Transfer Agent, Merrill Lynch Financial Data
Services, Inc., P.O. Box 45290, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5290. Redemption
requests which are sent by hand should be delivered to Merrill Lynch Financial
Data Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida
32246-6484. Redemption requests should not be sent to the Trust. The notice
requires the signatures of all persons in whose names the shares are registered,
signed exactly as their names appear on the Transfer Agent's register. The
signatures on the redemption request must be guaranteed by an "eligible
guarantor institution" as such is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the existence and validity of which may be verified by the
Transfer Agent through the use of industry publications. Notarized signatures
are not sufficient.
Automatic Redemption. Merrill Lynch has instituted an automatic redemption
procedure applicable to shareholders of the Trust who maintain securities
accounts with Merrill Lynch. Merrill Lynch may utilize this procedure, which is
not applicable to margin accounts, to satisfy amounts due it by the shareholder
as a result of account fees and expenses owed to Merrill Lynch or one of its
affiliates or as a result of purchases of securities or other transactions in
the shareholder's securities account. Under this procedure, unless the
shareholder notifies Merrill Lynch to the contrary, the shareholder's Merrill
Lynch securities account will be scanned each business day prior to the
determination of net asset value of the Trust (generally 4:00 P.M., New York
time) after application of any cash balances in the account, a sufficient number
of Trust shares will be redeemed at the net asset value, as determined on that
day, to satisfy any amounts for which the shareholder is obligated to make
payment to Merrill Lynch or one of its affiliates. Redemptions will be effected
on the business day preceding the date the shareholder is obligated to make such
payment, and Merrill Lynch or its affiliate will receive the redemption proceeds
on the business day following the redemption date. Shareholders will receive all
dividends declared and reinvested through the date of redemption, except that,
in those instances where shareholders request transactions that settle on a
"same-day" basis (such as Federal Funds wire redemptions, branch office checks,
transfers to other Merrill Lynch accounts and certain securities transactions)
the Trust shares necessary to effect such transactions will be deemed to have
been transferred to Merrill Lynch prior to the Trust's declaration of dividends
on that day. In such instances, shareholders will receive all dividends declared
and reinvested through the date immediately preceding the date of redemption.
------------------------
Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining accounts of less than
$1,000, the Trust reserves the right to redeem shares in any account for their
then current value (which will be promptly paid to the shareholder), if at any
time the total investment does not have a value of at least $1,000. Shareholders
will be notified that the value of their account is less than $1,000 and allowed
two months to make an additional investment before the redemption is processed.
In such event, the $1,000 minimum on subsequent investment will not be
applicable.
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SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Trust offers a number of shareholder services designed to facilitate
investment in its shares. Full details as to each of such services, copies of
the various plans described below and instructions as to how to participate in
the various services or plans, or to change options with respect thereto can be
obtained from the Trust, the Distributor or Merrill Lynch. Included in such
services are the following:
Investment Account. Each shareholder whose account is maintained at the
Transfer Agent has an Investment Account and will receive from the Transfer
Agent a monthly report showing the activity in his or her account for the month.
A shareholder may make additions to his or her Investment Account at any time by
purchasing shares at the public offering price either through his securities
dealer, by wire or by mail directly to the Transfer Agent, acting as agent for
his or her dealer. A shareholder may ascertain the number of shares in his or
her Investment Account by telephoning the Transfer Agent at (800) 221-7210
toll-free. The Transfer Agent will furnish this information only after the
shareholder has specified the name, address, account number and social security
number of the registered owner or owners. Shareholders also may maintain their
accounts through Merrill Lynch. Upon the transfer of shares out of a Merrill
Lynch brokerage account, an Investment Account in the transferring shareholder's
name may be opened at the Transfer Agent. Shareholders considering transferring
a tax-deferred retirement account such as an individual retirement account from
Merrill Lynch to another brokerage firm or financial institution should be aware
that, if the firm to which the retirement account is to be transferred will not
take delivery of shares of the Trust, a shareholder must either redeem the
shares so that the cash proceeds can be transferred to the account at the new
firm, or such shareholder must continue to maintain a retirement account at
Merrill Lynch for those shares.
Exchange Privilege. Shareholders of the Trust have an exchange privilege
with Class D shares of certain other mutual funds advised by the Manager or FAM
("MLAM-advised mutual funds"). Alternatively, shareholders may exchange shares
of the Trust for Class A shares of one of the MLAM-advised mutual funds if the
shareholder holds any Class A shares of that fund in his or her account in which
the exchange is made at the time of the exchange or is otherwise an eligible
Class A investor. Shareholders of the Trust also may exchange shares of the
Trust into shares of certain MLAM-advised money market funds specifically
designated as available for exchange by holders of Trust shares. There is
currently no limitation on the number of times a shareholder may exercise the
exchange privilege. The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any
time in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Exercise of the exchange privilege is treated as a sale for Federal income tax
purposes. For further information, see "Shareholder Services--Exchange
Privilege" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Accrued Monthly Payout Plan. Shareholders desiring their dividends in cash
may enroll in this plan and receive monthly cash payments resulting from the
redemption of the shares received on dividend reinvestments during the month.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. A shareholder may elect to receive systematic
withdrawal payments from his or her Investment Account in the form of payments
by check or through automatic payment by direct deposit to his bank account on
either a monthly or quarterly basis.
Automatic Investment Plan. Regular additions may be made to an investor's
Investment Account by prearranged charges to his or her regular bank account at
a minimum of $50 per month.
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<PAGE> 18
Retirement Plans. Self-directed individual retirement accounts and other
retirement plans are available from Merrill Lynch. Under these plans,
investments may be made in the Trust and in certain of the other mutual funds
whose shares are distributed by the Distributor, as well as in other securities.
Merrill Lynch charges an initial establishment fee and an annual custodial fee
for each account. In addition, eligible shareholders of the Trust may
participate in a variety of qualified employee benefit plans which are available
from the Distributor. The minimum initial purchase to establish any such plan is
$100.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The money market securities in which the Trust invests are traded primarily
in the over-the-counter market. Where possible, the Trust will deal directly
with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those
circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such
dealers usually are acting as principal for their own account. On occasion,
securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. Money market securities
generally are traded on a net basis and normally do not involve either brokerage
commissions or transfer taxes. The cost of executing portfolio transactions will
consist primarily of dealer spreads and underwriting commissions. Under the
Investment Company Act, persons affiliated with the Trust are prohibited from
dealing with the Trust as a principal in the purchase and sale of securities
unless an exemptive order allowing such transactions is obtained from the
Securities and Exchange Commission. An affiliated person of the Trust may serve
as its broker in over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued an exemptive order
permitting the Trust to conduct certain principal transactions with Merrill
Lynch Government Securities Inc. or its subsidiary, Merrill Lynch Money Markets
Inc. subject to certain terms and conditions. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995, the Trust engaged in 48 transactions pursuant to such orders
aggregating approximately $1.8 billion.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DIVIDENDS
Dividends are declared and reinvested daily in the form of additional
shares at net asset value. Shareholders will receive statements monthly as to
such reinvestments. Shareholders liquidating their holdings will receive on
redemption all dividends declared and reinvested through the date of redemption.
Since the net income (including realized gains and losses on the portfolio
assets) is declared as a dividend in shares each time the net income of the
Trust is determined, the net asset value per share of the Trust normally remains
constant at $1.00 per share. Fluctuations in value may be reflected in the
number of outstanding shares in the shareholder's account.
Net income (from the time of the immediately preceding determination
thereof) consists of (i) interest accrued and/or discount earned (including both
original issue and market discount), (ii) plus or minus all realized gains and
losses on portfolio securities, (iii) less the estimated expenses of the Trust
applicable to that dividend period.
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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of the Trust is determined by the Manager once daily,
immediately after the daily declaration of dividends, on each day during which
the New York Stock Exchange or New York banks are open for business. Such
determination is made as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange
(generally 4:00 P.M., New York time) or, on days when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed but New York banks are open, at 4:00 P.M., New York time. The
net asset value per share is computed pursuant to the "penny-rounding" method by
dividing the value of the securities held by the Trust plus any cash or other
assets (including interest accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities
by the total number of shares outstanding at such time. The result of this
computation will be rounded to the nearest whole cent. It is anticipated that
net asset value will remain constant at $1.00 per share.
The money market securities in which the Trust invests are valued at the
most recent bid price or yield equivalent as obtained from dealers that make
markets in such securities. Assets for which market quotations are not readily
available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the
direction of the Trustees of the Trust. Securities with a remaining maturity of
60 days or less are valued on an amortized cost basis, i.e., by valuing an
instrument at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to
maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating
interest rates on the market value of the instrument.
TAXES
The Trust intends to continue to qualify for the special tax treatment
afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If it so qualifies, the Trust (but not its
shareholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax on the part of its net
ordinary income and net realized capital gains which it distributes to
shareholders. The Trust intends to distribute substantially all of such income.
Dividends paid by the Trust from its ordinary income or from an excess of
net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses (together
referred to hereafter as "ordinary income dividends") are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions made from an excess of net
long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses ("capital gain
dividends") are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless
of the length of time the shareholder has owned Trust shares. Any loss upon the
sale or exchange of Trust shares held for six months or less, however, will be
treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends
received by the shareholder. Distributions in excess of the Trust's earnings and
profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and, after
such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to
such holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset).
Dividends are taxable to shareholders even though they are reinvested in
additional shares of the Trust. Not later than 60 days after the close of its
taxable year, the Trust will provide its shareholders with a written notice
designating the amounts of any ordinary income dividends or capital gain
dividends. Distributions by the Trust, whether from ordinary income or capital
gains, will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to
corporations under the Code. If the Trust pays a dividend in January which was
declared in the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record
on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated
for tax purposes as being paid by the Trust and received by its shareholders on
December 31 of the year in which such dividend was declared.
17
<PAGE> 20
If the value of assets held by the Trust declines, the Board of Trustees
may authorize a reduction in the number of outstanding shares in shareholders'
accounts so as to preserve a net asset value of $1.00 per share. After such a
reduction, the basis of eliminated shares would be added to the basis of
shareholders' remaining Trust shares, and any shareholders disposing of shares
at that time may recognize a capital loss. Distributions, including
distributions reinvested in additional shares of the Trust, will nonetheless be
fully taxable, even if the number of shares in shareholders' accounts has been
reduced as described above.
Ordinary income dividends paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens
or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax under existing
provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities unless a
reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under
applicable treaty law. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own
tax advisors concerning the applicability of the U.S. withholding tax.
Dividends and interest received by the Trust may give rise to withholding
and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes.
Under certain provisions of the Code, some shareholders may be subject to a
31% withholding tax on ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and
redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Generally, shareholders subject to
backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification
number is on file with the Trust or who, to the Trust's knowledge, have
furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must
certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such
investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding.
If a shareholder exercises an exchange privilege within 90 days of
acquiring the shares, then the loss the shareholder can recognize on the
exchange will be reduced (or the gain increased) to the extent any sales charge
paid to the Trust on the exchanged shares reduces any sales charge the
shareholder would have owed upon purchase of the new shares in the absence of
the exchange privilege. Instead, such sales charge will be treated as an amount
paid for the new shares.
A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Trust will be
disallowed if other Trust shares are acquired (whether through the automatic
reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In
such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable
provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations presently in effect. For the
complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and
the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and the Treasury
regulations are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative
action either prospectively or retroactively.
Ordinary income and capital gain dividends may also be subject to state and
local taxes.
Certain states exempt from state income taxation dividends paid by RICs
which are derived from interest on U.S. Government obligations. State law varies
as to whether dividend income attributable to U.S. Government obligations is
exempt from state income tax.
18
<PAGE> 21
Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding specific
questions as to Federal, foreign, state or local taxes. Foreign investors should
consider applicable foreign taxes in their evaluation of an investment in the
Trust.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST
The Trust was organized on May 14, 1987 under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust of
the same name organized on January 21, 1975. It is a no-load, diversified,
open-end investment company. The Declaration of Trust of the Trust permits the
Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of
beneficial interest of a single class. Upon liquidation of the Trust,
shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Trust
available for distribution to shareholders. Shares are fully paid and
nonassessable by the Trust. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full
share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held and vote in the
election of the Trustees and on other matters submitted to the vote of
shareholders.
The Declaration of Trust of the Trust does not require that the Trust hold
an annual meeting of shareholders. However, the Trust will be required to call
special meetings of shareholders in accordance with the requirements of the
Investment Company Act to seek approval of new management and advisory
arrangements, of a material increase in distribution fees or of a change in the
fundamental policies, objectives or restrictions of the Trust. The Trust also
would be required to hold a special shareholders' meeting to elect new Trustees
at such time as less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been
elected by shareholders. The Declaration provides that a shareholders' meeting
may be called for any reason at the request of 10% of the outstanding shares of
the Trust or by a majority of the Trustees. Except as set forth above, the
Trustees shall continue to hold office and appoint successor Trustees.
SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
Only one copy of each shareholder report and certain shareholder
communications will be mailed to each identified shareholder regardless of the
number of accounts such shareholder has. If a shareholder wishes to receive
separate copies of each report and communication for each of the shareholder's
related accounts the shareholder should notify in writing:
Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 45290
Jacksonville, FL 32232-5290
The written notification should include the shareholder's name, address,
tax identification number and Merrill Lynch and/or mutual fund account numbers.
If you have any questions regarding this please call your Merrill Lynch
financial consultant or Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. at (800)
221-7210.
19
<PAGE> 22
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES
Shareholder inquiries may be addressed to the Trust at the address or
telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.
------------------------
The Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, dated May 14, 1987, a copy
of which, together with all amendments thereto (the "Declaration"), is on file
in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides
that the name "Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust" refers to the Trustees under
the Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally;
and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be
held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private
property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim of said Trust but the
"Trust Property" (as defined in the Declaration) only shall be liable.
20
<PAGE> 23
Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust PURCHASE APPLICATION
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Send this completed form to: MERRILL LYNCH FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC., P.O. Box 45290,
Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5290
INSTRUCTIONS Note: This form may not be used for purchases through the Merrill Lynch Blueprint(SM) Program.
You may request a Merrill Lynch Blueprint(SM) Program application form by calling toll free (800)
637-3766.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. TO REGISTER SHARES. THE ACCOUNT SHOULD BE REGISTERED AS FOLLOWS:
(Please print except
for signatures)
Print Applicant's Name. For clarity, please skip a space between names.
Print Joint Registrant's Name, if any. In case of joint registration, a joint
tenancy with right of survivorship will be presumed, unless otherwise indicated.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Street Address Social Security No. or Tax ID No.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City State Zip Code
- ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
Occupation Name and Address of Employer
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Please make any check payable to Merrill Lynch Financial ----------------------------------------------------------
Data Services, Inc. Amount of investment $____________ Home Phone No. (Include Area Code) Business Phone No.
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. CHECK REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE (SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THE PROSPECTUS)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
I hereby request and authorize Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent") to
honor checks or automatic clearing house ("ACH") debits drawn by me on my Merrill Lynch Ready Assets
Trust (the "Trust") account subject to acceptance by the Trust, with payment therefor to be made by
/ / redeeming sufficient shares in my account without a signature guarantee. The Transfer Agent and the
Check box Trust do hereby reserve all their lawful rights for honoring checks or ACH debits drawn by me and for
(if desired) effecting redemptions pursuant to the Check Redemption Privilege. I understand that this election does
not create a checking or other bank account relationship between myself and the Transfer Agent or the
Trust and that the relationship between myself and the Transfer Agent is that of shareholder-transfer
agent.
FOR JOINT ACCOUNT: CHECK HERE WHETHER EITHER OWNER / / IS AUTHORIZED, OR ALL OWNERS / / ARE REQUIRED TO
SIGN CHECKS.
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. FEDERAL FUNDS REDEMPTION (SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THE PROSPECTUS)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
The undersigned hereby authorize(s) and direct(s) Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. (the
"Transfer Agent") to act on telephonic, telegraphic, or other instructions (without signature
guarantee) from any person representing himself to be either the investor or any authorized
representative of the investor, directing redemption of shares in an amount of $5,000 or more of
Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust (the "Trust") held by the Transfer Agent on behalf of the undersigned,
and to transmit the proceeds by wire only to the bank account designated below.
Any change in the bank account designated to receive redemption proceeds shall require a signature
guarantee. The investor understands and agrees that the Trust and Transfer Agent reserve the right to
/ / refuse any instructions.
Check box
(if desired) The Transfer Agent requires additional documentation from corporations, partnerships, trustees and
similar institutional investors in addition to this authorization (see No. 7 below).
Absent its own negligence, and so long as reasonable procedures to confirm the validity of telephoned
instructions are employed, neither Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust nor Merrill Lynch Financial Data
Services, Inc. shall be liable for any redemption caused by unauthorized instructions. Investors may
effect notice of this type of redemption by telephoning the Transfer Agent at the toll-free number
(800) 221-7210. Shares which are being repurchased through securities dealers will not qualify for
Federal Funds redemption.
</TABLE>
Fill out the rest of this space only if the above box is checked. Your bank must
be a member of the Federal Reserve or have a correspondent banking relation with
a bank that does belong to the Federal Reserve.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ENCLOSE A SPECIMEN COPY OF YOUR PERSONAL CHECK
(MARKED "VOID") FOR THE BANK ACCOUNT LISTED BELOW. IF YOUR BANK IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE:
------------------------------------------------------
IF YOUR BANK IS A MEMBER OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE: Correspondent Bank Name Routing Code
- ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------
Your Bank Name Bank Routing Code Your Bank Name Routing Code
- ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------
Your Account Name Your Account Number Your Account Name Your Account Number
- ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------
Address of Bank City State Zip Code Your Bank Address City State Zip Code
</TABLE>
(continued on reverse side)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21
<PAGE> 24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN PRIVILEGE (SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THE
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
/ / Check this box only if you wish to have an Authorization Form sent to you.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN (SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Minimum requirements: $10,000 for monthly disbursement, $5,000 for quarterly, of
shares in Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust at cost or current offering price. In
addition, your signature(s) must be guaranteed. This option is available only if
you do not check No. 6.
The undersigned hereby authorizes and directs Merrill Lynch Financial Data
Services, Inc. on (check only one)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/ / the 24th of each month / / the registered owner as indicated in item 1
/ / March 24, June 24, September 24 and December 24 herein above.
/ / to redeem a sufficient number of Shares in my / / (other)
account to generate redemption proceeds of $ ; Such check or ACH debit should be mailed to (check only
/ / to redeem % of the Shares in my account on one)
or such date and pay the redemption proceeds by / / the address indicated in item 1 herein above.
check or ACH debit payable to the order of / / the following name and address:
(check only one)
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. ACCRUED MONTHLY PAYOUT PLAN (SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
The undersigned hereby authorizes and directs Merrill Lynch Financial Data
Services, Inc. to redeem on the last Friday of each month all shares purchased
during such month through reinvestment of dividends and distributions and send
the proceeds to me.
/ /
Check box
(if desired)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. OTHER INFORMATION
This application enables you to take advantage of any or all of the optional
services available to Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust shareholders and will
update any options in effect for your account.
If you select the Check Redemption Privilege, a supply of checks imprinted
with your name and shareholder account number will be sent to you in
approximately 10 days. You should be certain that a sufficient number of shares
are held by the Transfer Agent for your account to cover the amount of any check
or ACH debit drawn by you. If insufficient shares are in the account, the check
will be returned or the ACH debit will be dishonored marked insufficient funds.
Since the dollar value of your account is constantly changing, the total value
of your account cannot be determined in advance and the account cannot be
entirely redeemed by check or ACH debit. If the Check Redemption Privilege is
being requested for an account in the name of a corporation or other
institution, the following additional documents must be submitted with this
authorization.
CORPORATIONS--"Certification of Corporate Resolution," indicating the names
and titles of officers authorized to write checks or draw ACH debits, must be
signed by an officer other than one empowered to execute transactions, with his
signature guaranteed and the corporate seal affixed.
PARTNERSHIPS--"Certification of Partnership," naming the partners and the
required number that may act in accordance with the terms of the Partnership
Agreement is to be executed by a general partner with his signature guaranteed.
TRUSTS--"Certification of Trustees," naming the trustees and the required
number that may act in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, must be
executed by a certifying trustee with his signature guaranteed and under the
corporate seal.
If you are adding or reinstating the Federal Funds Redemption option, the
signature(s) must be guaranteed in the space provided below. Your signature(s)
must be guaranteed by a commercial bank (not a savings bank) in New York City or
one having a New York City correspondent, or by a member firm of any national
securities exchange. (A Notary Public's seal does not constitute a signature
guarantee.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. SIGNATURES
Under penalty of perjury, I certify (1) that the number set forth above is my
correct Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number and (2) that I
am not subject to backup withholding (as discussed under "Additional
Information--Taxes" in the Prospectus) either because I have not been notified
that I am subject thereto as a result of failure to report all interest and
dividends, or the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has notified me that I am no
longer subject thereto. Instructions: You must strike out the language in (2)
above if you have been notified that you are subject to backup withholding due
to underreporting and you have not received a notice from the IRS that backup
withholding has been terminated. By your signature below, you authorize the
furnishing of this certification to other Merrill Lynch-sponsored mutual funds.
By the execution of this Purchase Application, the investor represents and
warrants that the investor has full right, power and authority to make the
investment applied for pursuant to this Application, and the person or persons
signing on behalf of the investor represent and warrant that they are duly
authorized to sign this Application and to purchase or redeem shares of the
Trust on behalf of the investor.
The investor hereby affirms that he or she has received a current Trust
Prospectus and appoints Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. as his or
her agent to receive dividends and distributions for their automatic
reinvestment in additional Trust shares.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Signature of Investor Date Signature of Joint Registrant, if any
NOTE: The Guarantor must be either a U.S. commercial bank (not a savings
bank) or a trust company in New York City or one that is a
correspondent of a New York City commercial bank or trust company,
or a member firm of a national securities exchange (a Notary
Public's seal does not constitute a signature guarantee).
Signature(s) Guaranteed: (only for those electing No. 3 or No. 5)
By:
-------------------------
(Authorized Signatory)
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE> 25
Manager
Merrill Lynch Asset Management
Administrative Offices:
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9011
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011
Distributor
Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc.
Administrative Offices:
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9081
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081
Custodian
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
12th Floor
New York, New York 10286
Transfer Agent
Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc.
Administrative Offices:
4800 Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 45290
Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5290
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
117 Campus Drive
Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6400
Counsel
Brown & Wood
One World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0557
<PAGE> 26
NO DEALER, SALESMAN, OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON
AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST, THE MANAGER, OR THE DISTRIBUTOR. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING
MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
-------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Fee Table............................. 2
Financial Highlights.................. 3
Yield Information..................... 4
Investment Objectives and Policies.... 4
Management of the Trust............... 8
Trustees............................ 8
Management and Advisory
Arrangements..................... 9
Transfer Agency Services............ 10
Purchase of Shares.................... 10
Methods of Payment.................. 11
Distribution Plan................... 12
Redemption of Shares.................. 12
Methods of Redemption............... 13
Shareholder Services.................. 15
Portfolio Transactions................ 16
Additional Information................ 16
Dividends........................... 16
Determination of Net Asset Value.... 17
Taxes............................... 17
Organization of the Trust........... 19
Shareholder Reports................. 19
Shareholder Inquiries............... 20
Purchase Application.................. 21
Code #10053-0496
</TABLE>
(LOGO)
MERRILL LYNCH
READY ASSETS TRUST
PROSPECTUS
April 26, 1996
Distributor:
Merrill Lynch
Funds Distributor, Inc.
This prospectus should be
retained for future reference.
<PAGE> 27
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- -----------------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST
P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011 - PHONE NO. (609) 282-2800
------------------------
The Trust is a no-load money market fund, organized as a Massachusetts
business trust, seeking preservation of capital, liquidity and the highest
possible current income consistent with the foregoing objectives available from
investing in a diversified portfolio of short-term money market securities.
Portfolio securities principally consist of short-term U.S. Government
securities, U.S. Government agency securities, bank money instruments, corporate
debt instruments, including commercial paper and variable amount master demand
notes, and repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. The Trust shares common
goals with those investors seeking to put reserve assets to work in an income
producing and prudent manner and to make these assets readily available without
penalty. There can be no assurance that the investment objectives of the Trust
will be realized. The Trust pays Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") a distribution fee for providing certain services
in connection with the distribution of Trust shares. See "Purchase of Shares".
------------------------
This Statement of Additional Information of the Trust is not a prospectus
and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Trust, dated April
26, 1996 (the "Prospectus"), which has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and can be obtained, without charge, by calling or by
writing the Trust at the above telephone number or address. This Statement of
Additional Information has been incorporated by reference into the Prospectus.
------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT--MANAGER
MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.--DISTRIBUTOR
------------------------
The date of this Statement of Additional Information is April 26, 1996.
<PAGE> 28
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The investment objectives of the Trust are to seek preservation of capital,
liquidity and the highest possible current income consistent with these
objectives available from investing in a diversified portfolio of short-term
money market securities. Reference is made to "Investment Objectives and
Policies" in the Prospectus for a discussion of the investment objectives and
policies of the Trust.
As discussed in the Prospectus, the Trust may invest in U.S.
dollar-denominated obligations of U.S. and foreign depository institutions,
including commercial and savings banks and savings and loan associations. The
obligations may be issued by U.S. or foreign depository institutions, foreign
branches or subsidiaries of U.S. depository institutions ("Eurodollar"
obligations), U.S. branches or subsidiaries of foreign depository institutions
("Yankeedollar" obligations) or foreign branches or subsidiaries of foreign
depository institutions. Obligations of foreign depository institutions, their
branches and subsidiaries, and Eurodollar and Yankeedollar obligations may
involve additional investment risks to the risks of obligations of U.S.
institutions. Such investment risks include adverse political and economic
developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest income
payable on such obligations, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign
deposits and the possible establishment of exchange controls or other foreign
governmental laws or restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of
principal and interest. Generally, the issuers of such obligations are subject
to fewer regulatory requirements than are applicable to U.S. banks. Foreign
depository institutions, their branches or subsidiaries, and foreign branches or
subsidiaries of U.S. banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements
than U.S. banks. U.S. branches or subsidiaries of foreign banks are subject to
the reserve requirements of the state in which they are located. There may be
less publicly available information about a foreign bank or a branch or
subsidiary of a foreign bank than about a U.S. institution, and such branches or
subsidiaries may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial
record keeping standards and requirements as U.S. banks. Evidence of ownership
of foreign depository and Eurodollar obligations may be held outside of the
United States and the Trust may be subject to the risks associated with the
holding of such property overseas. Foreign depository and Eurodollar obligations
of the Trust held overseas will be held by foreign branches of the Custodian for
the Trust's portfolio securities or by other U.S. or foreign banks under
subcustodian arrangements complying with the requirements of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). The Trust's
manager, Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. (the "Manager" or "MLAM"), will
consider the above factors in making investments in foreign depository,
Eurodollar and Yankeedollar obligations and will not knowingly purchase
obligations which, at the time of purchase, are subject to exchange controls or
withholding taxes. Generally, the Trust will limit its foreign depository and
Yankeedollar investments to obligations of banks organized in Canada, France,
Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and other
western industrialized nations. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Trust may
also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper and other short-term
obligations issued by foreign entities. Such investments are subject to quality
standards similar to those applicable to investments in comparable obligations
of domestic issuers. Investments in foreign entities in general involve the same
risks as those described above in connection with investments in Eurodollar and
Yankeedollar obligations and obligations of foreign depository institutions and
their foreign branches and subsidiaries.
Also as discussed in the Prospectus, the Trust may invest in money market
securities pursuant to repurchase agreements or purchase and sale contracts.
Repurchase agreements and purchase and sale contracts may be entered into only
with a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer in U.S.
Government securities or an affiliate thereof. Under such agreements, the bank
or primary dealer (or the
2
<PAGE> 29
affiliate) agrees, on entering into the contract, to repurchase the security at
a mutually agreed upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the
term of the agreement. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from
market fluctuations during such period. In the case of repurchase agreements,
the prices at which the trades are conducted do not reflect accrued interest on
the underlying obligation; whereas, in the case of purchase and sale contracts,
the prices take into account accrued interest. Such agreements usually cover
short periods, such as under one week. Repurchase agreements may be construed to
be collateralized loans by the purchaser to the seller secured by the securities
transferred to the purchaser. In the case of a repurchase agreement, the Trust
will require the seller to provide additional collateral if the market value of
the securities falls below the repurchase price at any time during the term of
the repurchase agreement; the Trust does not have the right to seek additional
collateral in the case of purchase and sale contracts. In the event of default
by the seller under a repurchase agreement construed to be a collateralized
loan, the underlying securities are not owned by the Trust but only constitute
collateral for the seller's obligation to pay the repurchase price. Therefore,
the Trust may suffer time delays and incur costs or possible losses in
connection with the disposition of the collateral. A purchase and sale contract
differs from a conventional repurchase agreement in that the contract
arrangements stipulate that the securities are owned by the Trust and, if the
seller should fail to repurchase the security, the Trust retains ownership of
the security. The Trust would also retain ownership of the securities in the
event of a default under a repurchase agreement that is construed not to be a
collateralized loan. In the event of a default under such a repurchase agreement
or under a purchase and sale contract, instead of the contractual fixed rate of
return, the rate of return to the Trust shall be dependent on intervening
fluctuations of the market value of such security and accrued interest on the
security. In such event, the Trust would have rights against the seller for
breach of contract with respect to any losses arising from market fluctuations
following the failure of the seller to perform. While the substance of purchase
and sale contracts is similar to repurchase agreements, because of the different
treatment with respect to accrued interest and additional collateral, management
believes that purchase and sale contracts are not repurchase agreements as such
term is understood in the banking and brokerage community, although they are
considered repurchase agreements for purposes of the Investment Company Act.
The Trust's investments in short-term corporate debt and bank money
instruments will be rated, or will be issued by issuers who have been rated, in
one of the two highest rating categories for short-term debt obligations by a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization (an "NRSRO") or, if not
rated, will be of comparable quality. The Trust's investments in corporate bonds
and debentures (which must have maturities at the date of purchase of 397 days
(13 months) or less) will be in issuers who have received from NRSRO a rating
with respect to a class of short-term debt obligations that is comparable in
priority and security with the investment in one of the two highest rating
categories for short-term obligations or if not rated, will be of comparable
quality. Currently, there are six NRSROs: Duff and Phelps Inc., Fitch Investors
Service, Inc., IBCA Limited and its affiliate IBCA Inc., Thompson BankWatch,
Inc., Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Group. See
"Appendix--Description of Commercial Paper, Bank Money Instruments and Corporate
Bond Ratings".
In addition to the investment restrictions set forth in the Prospectus, the
Trust has adopted the following restrictions and policies relating to the
investment of its assets and its activities, which are fundamental policies and
may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Trust's outstanding voting securities (which for this purpose means the lesser
of (i) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the
outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding
3
<PAGE> 30
shares). The Trust may not (1) make investments for the purpose of exercising
control or management; (2) purchase securities of other investment companies,
except in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or
reorganization; (3) purchase or sell real estate (other than money market
securities secured by real estate or interests therein or money market
securities issued by companies which invest in real estate, or interests
therein), commodities or commodity contracts, interests in oil, gas or other
mineral exploration or development programs; (4) purchase any securities on
margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases
and sales of portfolio securities; (5) make short sales of securities or
maintain a short position or write, purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles,
spreads or combinations thereof; (6) make loans to other persons, provided that
the Trust may purchase money market securities or enter into repurchase
agreements or purchase and sale contracts and lend securities owned or held by
it pursuant to (7) below; (7) lend its portfolio securities in excess of 20% of
its total assets, taken at market value, provided that such loans are made
according to the guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
Trust's Board of Trustees, including maintaining collateral from the borrower
equal at all times to the current market value of the securities loaned; (8)
borrow amounts in excess of 20% of its total assets, taken at market value, and
then only from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency
purposes (the borrowing provisions shall not apply to reverse repurchase
agreements with respect to which see (12) below) [usually only "leveraged"
investment companies may borrow in excess of 5% of their assets; however, the
Trust will not borrow to increase income but only to meet redemption requests
which might otherwise require untimely dispositions of portfolio securities;
interest paid on such borrowings will reduce net income]; (9) mortgage, pledge,
hypothecate or in any manner transfer (except as provided in (7) above), as
security for indebtedness any securities owned or held by the Trust except as
may be necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in (8) above, and then
such mortgaging, pledging or hypothecating may not exceed 25% of the Trust's
total assets, taken at market value [although the Trust has the authority to
mortgage, pledge or hypothecate up to 25% of total assets under this investment
restriction (9), as a matter of operating policy, it will not mortgage, pledge
or hypothecate in excess of 10% of net assets in order to comply with the
requirements of certain state securities commissions]; (10) invest in securities
(except for repurchase agreements, purchase and sale contracts or variable
amount master demand notes) with legal or contractual restrictions on resale or
for which no readily available market exists or in securities of issuers (other
than issuers of U.S. Government agency securities) having a record, together
with predecessors, of less than three years of continuous operation if,
regarding all such securities, more than 5% of its total assets, taken at market
value, would be invested in such securities; (11) act as an underwriter of
securities; (12) enter into reverse repurchase agreements if, as a result
thereof, the Trust's obligations with respect to reverse repurchase agreements
would exceed one-third of the Trust's net assets (defined to be total assets,
taken at market value, less liabilities other than reverse repurchase
agreements). The Trust will not purchase securities while borrowings described
in investment restriction (8) are outstanding except to honor prior commitments.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. Subject to investment restriction (7)
above, the Trust may from time to time loan securities from its portfolio to
brokers, dealers and financial institutions and receive collateral in cash or
cash equivalents which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at
least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. Such collateral
will be invested in short-term securities, the income from which will increase
the return to the Trust. The Trust will retain all rights of beneficial
ownership as to the loaned portfolio securities, including voting rights and
rights to interest or other distributions, and will have the right to regain
record ownership of loaned securities to exercise such beneficial rights. Such
loans will be terminable at any time. The Trust may pay reasonable fees to
persons unaffiliated with the Trust in connection with the arranging of such
loans.
4
<PAGE> 31
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees and executive officers of the Trust, their ages and their
principal occupations for at least the last five years are set forth below.
Unless otherwise noted, the address of each executive officer and Trustee is
P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011.
ARTHUR ZEIKEL (63)--President and Trustee(1)(2)--President of the Manager
(which term as used herein includes its corporate predecessors) since 1977;
President of Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM", which term as used herein
includes its corporate predecessors) since 1977; President and Director of
Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services") since 1993; Executive Vice
President of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") since 1990 and Director of
Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor").
DONALD CECIL (69)--Trustee(2)--1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New
York 10036. Special Limited Partner of Cumberland Partners (an investment
partnership) since 1982; Member of Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts;
Member and Chairman of Westchester County (N.Y.) Board of Transportation.
M. COLYER CRUM (63)--Trustee(2)--Soldiers Field Road, Boston, Massachusetts
02163. James R. Williston Professor of Investment Management, Harvard Business
School, since 1971; Director of Cambridge Bancorp, Copley Properties, Inc. and
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.
EDWARD H. MEYER (69)--Trustee(2)--777 Third Avenue, New York, New York
10017. President of Grey Advertising Inc. since 1968, Chief Executive Officer
since 1970 and Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1972; Director of The
May Department Stores Company, Bowne & Co., Inc. (financial printers), Ethan
Allen Interiors, Inc. and Harman International Industries, Inc.
JACK B. SUNDERLAND (67)--Trustee(2)--P.O. Box 7, West Cornwall, Connecticut
06796. President and Director of American Independent Oil Company, Inc. (an
energy company) since 1987; Member of Council on Foreign Relations since 1971.
J. THOMAS TOUCHTON (57)--Trustee(2)--Suite 3405, One Tampa City Center,
Tampa, Florida 33602. Managing Partner of The Witt-Touchton Company and its
predecessor The Witt Co. (a private investment partnership) since 1972; Trustee
Emeritus of Washington and Lee University; Director of TECO Energy, Inc. (an
electric utility holding company).
TERRY K. GLENN (55)--Executive Vice President(1)(2)--Executive Vice
President of the Manager and FAM since 1983; Executive Vice President and
Director of Princeton Services since 1993; President of the Distributor since
1986 and Director thereof since 1991; President of Princeton Administrators,
L.P. since 1988.
JOSEPH T. MONAGLE, JR. (47)--Senior Vice President(1)(2)--Senior Vice
President of the Manager and FAM since 1990; Vice President of the Manager from
1978 to 1990; Senior Vice President of Princeton Services since 1993.
DONALD C. BURKE (35)--Vice President(1)(2)--Vice President and Director of
Taxation of the Manager since 1990; employee of Deloitte & Touche LLP from 1982
to 1990.
JOHN NG (42)--Vice President(1)--Vice President of the Manager since 1984.
5
<PAGE> 32
GERALD M. RICHARD (46)--Treasurer(1)(2)--Senior Vice President and
Treasurer of the Manager and FAM since 1984; Senior Vice President and Treasurer
of Princeton Services since 1993; Vice President of the Distributor since 1981
and Treasurer since 1984.
MARK B. GOLDFUS (49)--Secretary(1)(2)--Vice President of the Manager and
FAM since 1985.
- ---------------
(1) Interested person, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Trust.
(2) Such Trustee or officer is a director or officer of certain other investment
companies for which the Manager or FAM acts as investment adviser.
At March 31, 1996, the Trustees and the officers of the Trust as a group
(12 persons) owned an aggregate of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust. At such date, Mr. Zeikel, an officer and
Trustee of the Trust, and the other officers of the Trust, owned less than 1% of
the outstanding shares of common stock of ML & Co.
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES
Pursuant to the terms of its management agreement with the Trust (the
"Management Agreement"), the Manager pays all compensation of all officers and
employees of the Trust as well as the fees of all Trustees of the Trust who are
affiliated persons of ML & Co. or its subsidiaries. The Trust pays each
non-interested Trustee an annual fee of $14,000 plus a fee of $2,000 for each
meeting attended and pays all Trustees' actual out-of-pocket expenses relating
to attendance at meetings. Additionally, the Trust has established an Audit
Committee of the Board of Trustees of which all of the unaffiliated Trustees are
members. Each member of such committee receives an annual fee of $5,000 and the
chairman of such committee receives an additional annual fee of $2,500. The
total fees and expenses of the non-interested Trustees aggregated $135,687 for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
The following table sets forth, for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1995, compensation paid by the Trust to the non-interested Trustees and, for the
calendar year ended December 31, 1995, the aggregate compensation paid by all
investment companies advised by MLAM and its affiliate, FAM ("MLAM/FAM Advised
Funds"), to the non-interested Trustees.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL
PENSION COMPENSATION
OR FROM
RETIREMENT TRUST
BENEFITS AND
ACCRUED MLAM/FAM
AGGREGATE AS PART ADVISED
COMPENSATION OF FUNDS
NAME OF FROM TRUST PAID TO
TRUSTEE TRUST EXPENSES TRUSTEES
- ------- ------------ ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Donald Cecil(1).................. $29,500 None $271,850
M. Colyer Crum(1)................ $27,000 None $126,600
Edward H. Meyer(1)............... $27,000 None $239,225
Jack B. Sunderland(1)............ $27,000 None $134,600
J. Thomas Touchton(1)............ $27,000 None $134,600
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The Trustees serve on the boards of other MLAM/FAM Advised Funds as follows:
Mr. Cecil (34 funds and portfolios), Mr. Crum (17 funds and portfolios), Mr.
Meyer (34 funds and portfolios), Mr. Sunderland (28 funds and portfolios)
and Mr. Touchton (28 funds and portfolios).
MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY ARRANGEMENTS
Reference is made to "Management of the Trust--Management and Advisory
Arrangements" in the Prospectus for certain information concerning management
and advisory arrangements of the Trust.
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<PAGE> 33
Subject to the direction of the Board of Trustees, the Manager is
responsible for the actual management of the Trust's portfolio and constantly
reviews the Trust's holdings in light of its own research analysis and that from
other relevant sources. The responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or
hold a particular security rests with the Manager. The Manager performs certain
of the other administrative services and provides all of the office space,
facilities, equipment and necessary personnel for portfolio management of the
Trust.
The Manager has access to the expertise of its affiliate, Merrill Lynch
Government Securities Inc. ("GSI"), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML &
Co. In terms of dollar volume of trading, GSI is one of the largest dealers in
U.S. Government securities and U.S. Government agency securities, acting both as
a primary dealer and a secondary market trader. GSI is one of the reporting
dealers in U.S. Government securities who report their daily position and
activity to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. A subsidiary of GSI acts as a
dealer in other money market securities including bankers' acceptances,
certificates of deposit and commercial paper. In addition, the total securities
and economic research facilities of Merrill Lynch are available to the Manager.
Securities held by the Trust also may be held by, or be appropriate
investments for, other funds or clients (collectively referred to as "clients")
for which the Manager or its affiliate, FAM, acts as an adviser or by investment
advisory clients of the Manager. Because of different objectives or other
factors, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or
more clients are selling the same security. If purchases or sales of securities
for the Trust or other advisory clients arise for consideration at or about the
same time, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible,
for the respective funds and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all. To the
extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of the Manager or its
subsidiary during the same period may increase the demand for securities being
purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect
on price.
As compensation for its services to the Trust, the Manager receives a fee
from the Trust at the end of each month at the following annual rates:
Portion of average daily value of net assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATE
-------
<S> <C>
Not exceeding $500 million.................................................. 0.500%
In excess of $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion...................... 0.400%
In excess of $1 billion but not exceeding $5 billion........................ 0.350%
In excess of $5 billion but not exceeding $10 billion....................... 0.325%
In excess of $10 billion but not exceeding $15 billion...................... 0.300%
In excess of $15 billion but not exceeding $20 billion...................... 0.275%
In excess of $20 billion.................................................... 0.250%
</TABLE>
The State of California imposes limitations on the expenses of the Trust.
This annual expense limitation applicable to the Trust requires that the Manager
reimburse the Trust to the extent that the Trust's ordinary operating expenses
exceed 2.5% of the first $30 million of average daily net assets, 2.0% of the
next $70 million of average daily net assets and 1.5% of the average daily net
assets in excess thereof. Expenses which are not subject to this limitation are
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary items such as
litigation costs. The obligation of the Manager to reimburse the Trust under
this limitation is not limited to the amount of the management fee. For the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, the total management
7
<PAGE> 34
fees paid by the Trust to the Manager aggregated $25,841,742, $23,487,917 and
$24,584,276, respectively. At the date of this Statement of Additional
Information, the Manager had not been required to make any reimbursement to the
Trust pursuant to limitations on operating expenses.
The Manager is obligated to provide investment advisory services, to
furnish administrative services, office space and facilities for management of
the Trust's affairs, to pay all compensation of officers of the Trust as well as
all Trustees of the Trust who are affiliated persons of ML & Co. and its
subsidiaries, and to bear the costs and expenses of the advertising of the
Trust. The Trust pays all other expenses incurred in the operation of the Trust
(except for certain expenses incurred by the Distributor--see "Purchase of
Shares"), including, among other things, taxes, expenses for legal, auditing and
accounting services, allocated portions of clerical salaries related to Trust
activities, costs of printing of prospectuses and statements of additional
information (to the extent not paid by the Distributor), shareholder reports and
proxy statements, charges of the custodian and transfer agent, expenses of
redemption of shares, expenses of registering and qualifying shares for sale
under Federal, state and other laws, costs of conducting shareholder relations,
fees and actual out-of-pocket expenses of unaffiliated Trustees, interest,
brokerage costs and other expenses properly payable by the Trust. Accounting
services are provided to the Trust by the Manager, and the Trust reimburses the
Manager for its costs in connection with such services. For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995, $426,505 was required to be reimbursed.
For information as to the fee to be paid by the Trust to Merrill Lynch
pursuant to the Shareholder Servicing Plan and Agreement, see the Prospectus
under "Purchase of Shares--Distribution Plan" and below under "Purchase of
Shares--Distribution Plan".
The Manager is a limited partnership, the partners of which are ML & Co.
and Princeton Services. ML & Co. and Princeton Services are "controlling
persons" of the Manager (as defined in the Investment Company Act) because of
their ownership of its voting securities or their power to exercise a
controlling influence over its management or policies.
Duration and Termination. Unless earlier terminated as described below,
the Management Agreement will continue in effect from year to year if approved
annually (a) by the Trustees of the Trust or by a majority of the outstanding
voting shares of the Trust and (b) by a majority of Trustees who are not parties
to such contract or "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company
Act) of any such party. Such contract is not assignable and may be terminated
without penalty on 60 days' written notice at the option of either party thereto
or by the vote of the shareholders of the Trust.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
Reference is made to "Purchase of Shares" in the Prospectus for certain
information as to the purchase of Trust shares.
The Trust is offering its shares without a sales charge at a public
offering price equal to the net asset value next determined after a purchase
order becomes effective. Share purchase orders are effective on the day Federal
Funds become available to the Trust. The Trustees anticipate that the net asset
value will remain constant at $1.00 per share and that fluctuations in value
will be reflected in the number of outstanding shares in the shareholder's
account rather than in the per share dollar value. See "Determination of Net
Asset Value". The minimum initial purchase is $5,000. The minimum subsequent
purchase is $1,000. The minimum
8
<PAGE> 35
initial purchase with respect to pension, profit sharing, individual retirement
and certain other retirement plans is $100 and the minimum subsequent purchase
in connection with such plans is $1. The minimum initial or subsequent purchase
requirements may be waived for certain employer sponsored retirement or savings
plans, such as tax qualified retirement plans within the meaning of Section
401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), deferred
compensation plans within the meaning of Section 403(b) and Section 457 of the
Code, other deferred compensation arrangements, Voluntary Employee Benefits
Association ("VEBA") plans, and non-qualified After Tax Savings and Investment
programs, maintained on the Merrill Lynch Group Employee Services system,
referred to herein and in the Prospectus as "Employer Sponsored Retirement or
Savings Plans." For accounts advised by banks and registered investment
advisers, including the Manager, the minimum initial purchase is $300 and the
minimum subsequent purchase is $100. Any order may be rejected by the
Distributor or the Trust.
The Distributor acts as the distributor in the continuous offering of the
Trust's shares. Shares may be purchased directly from the Distributor or from
other securities dealers, including Merrill Lynch, with whom the Distributor has
entered into a selected dealer agreement. Securities dealers may charge
investors a fee in connection with such transactions. Merrill Lynch has informed
the Trust that it does not charge such a fee.
The Trust's distribution agreement with the Distributor is renewable
annually, and may be terminated upon 60 days' written notice by either party.
Under such agreement, after the prospectuses, statements of additional
information and periodic reports have been prepared and set in type, the
Distributor will pay for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in
connection with the offering to dealers and investors. The Distributor also will
pay for other supplementary sales literature.
It is the Trust's policy to be invested as fully as reasonably practicable
at all times to maximize the yield on the Trust's portfolio. The money markets
in which the Trust will purchase and sell portfolio securities normally require
immediate settlement of transactions in Federal Funds. Federal Funds are a
commercial bank's deposits in a Federal Reserve Bank and can be transferred from
one member bank's account to that of another member bank on the same day and
thus are considered to be immediately available funds. Orders for the purchase
of Trust shares shall become effective on the day Federal Funds become available
to the Trust and the shares being purchased will be issued at the net asset
value per share next determined. If Federal Funds are available to the Trust
prior to the determination of net asset value (generally 4:00 P.M., New York
time) on any business day, the order will be effective on that day. Shares
purchased will begin accruing dividends on the day following the date of
purchase.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Trust has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan and Agreement (the
"Plan") in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act pursuant
to which the Trust is authorized to pay Merrill Lynch a fee at the annual rate
of 0.125% of an average daily net asset value of Trust accounts maintained
through Merrill Lynch. The Plan reimburses Merrill Lynch only for actual
expenses incurred in the fiscal year in which the fee is paid. The fee is
principally to provide compensation to Merrill Lynch financial consultants and
other Merrill Lynch personnel for providing direct personal services to
shareholders of the Trust. Under the Plan, as amended to date, Merrill Lynch, in
its sole discretion, may expend out of the fee an amount not exceeding 0.01% of
the average daily net asset value as reimbursement for expenditures incurred in
advertising activities promoting the sale, marketing and distribution of the
shares of the Trust.
9
<PAGE> 36
The Trustees believe that the Trust's expenditures under the Plan benefit
the Trust and its shareholders by providing better shareholder services and by
affecting positively the sale and distribution of Trust shares. For the fiscal
years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, $8,501,923, $7,661,910 and
$7,712,779, respectively, was paid to Merrill Lynch pursuant to the Plan. All of
the amounts expended for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 were
allocated to Merrill Lynch financial consultants, other Merrill Lynch personnel
and related administrative costs.
Among other things, the Plan provides that Merrill Lynch shall provide and
the Trustees of the Trust shall review quarterly reports of the distribution
expenditures made by Merrill Lynch pursuant to the Plan. In their consideration
of the Plan, the Trustees must consider all factors they deem relevant,
including information as to the benefits of the Plan to the Trust and its
shareholders. The Plan further provides that, so long as the Plan remains in
effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees of the Trust who are not
"interested persons" of the Trust as defined in the Investment Company Act (the
"Independent Trustees") shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent
Trustees then in office. The Plan can be terminated at any time, without
penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.
Finally, the Plan cannot be amended to increase materially the amount to be
spent by the Trust thereunder without shareholder approval, and all material
amendments are required to be approved by vote of the Trustees of the Trust,
including a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting
called for that purpose.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Reference is made to "Redemption of Shares" in the Prospectus for certain
information as to the repurchase and redemption of Trust shares.
The right to redeem shares or to receive payment with respect to any such
redemption may be suspended for a period of up to seven days. Suspensions of
more than seven days may not be made except (1) for any period (A) during which
the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than customary weekend and holiday
closings or (B) during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
restricted; (2) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of
which (A) disposal by the Trust of securities owned by it is not reasonably
practicable or (B) it is not reasonably practicable for the Trust fairly to
determine the value of its net assets; or (3) for such other periods as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may by order permit for the protection of
security holders of the Trust. The Commission shall by rules and regulations
determine the conditions under which (i) trading shall be deemed to be
restricted and (ii) an emergency shall be deemed to exist within the meaning of
clause (2) above.
The total value of the shareholder's investment at the time of redemption
may be more or less than his or her cost, depending on the market value of the
securities held by the Trust at such time and income earned.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Trust has no obligation to deal with any dealer or group of dealers in
the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to policy
established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Manager is primarily
responsible for the Trust's portfolio decisions and the placing of the Trust's
portfolio transactions. In placing orders, it is the policy of the Trust to
obtain the best net results taking into account such factors as
10
<PAGE> 37
price (including the applicable dealer spread), the size, type and difficulty of
the transaction involved, the firm's general execution and operational
facilities, and the firm's risk in positioning the securities involved. While
the Manager generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the
Trust will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available.
The Trust's policy of investing in securities with short maturities will result
in high portfolio turnover.
The money market securities in which the Trust invests are traded primarily
in the over-the-counter market. Bonds and debentures usually are traded
over-the-counter, but may be traded on an exchange. Where possible, the Trust
will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved
except in those circumstances where better prices and execution are available
elsewhere. Such dealers usually are acting as principal for their own account.
On occasion, securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. Money market
securities generally are traded on a net basis and normally do not involve
either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. The cost of executing portfolio
securities transactions of the Trust will consist primarily of dealer spreads
and underwriting commissions. Under the Investment Company Act, persons
affiliated with the Trust are prohibited from dealing with the Trust as a
principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless an exemptive order
allowing such transactions is obtained from the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Since over-the-counter transactions usually are principal
transactions, affiliated persons of the Trust, including GSI and Merrill Lynch,
may not serve as the Trust's dealer in connection with such transactions except
pursuant to the exemptive orders described below. However, affiliated persons of
the Trust may serve as its broker in over-the-counter transactions conducted on
an agency basis.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued an exemptive order
permitting the Trust to conduct principal transactions with GSI in U.S.
Government and U.S. Government agency securities and with a subsidiary of GSI in
certificates of deposit and other short-term money instruments and commercial
paper. This order contains a number of conditions, including conditions designed
to ensure that the price to the Trust from GSI or its subsidiary is equal to or
better than that available from other sources. GSI and its subsidiary have
informed the Trust that they will in no way, at any time, attempt to influence
or control the activities of the Trust or the Manager in placing such principal
transactions. The exemptive order allows GSI or its subsidiary, Merrill Lynch
Money Markets Inc., to receive a dealer spread on any transaction with the Trust
no greater than their customary dealer spread for transactions of the type
involved. Generally, such spreads do not exceed 0.25% of the principal amount of
the securities involved. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, the
Trust engaged in 152 such transactions aggregating approximately $5.6 billion.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, the Trust engaged in 47 such
transactions aggregating approximately $2.0 billion. During the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995, the Trust engaged in 48 such transactions aggregating
approximately $1.8 billion.
The Trustees of the Trust have considered the possibilities of recapturing
for the benefit of the Trust expenses of possible portfolio transactions, such
as dealer spreads and underwriting commissions, by conducting such portfolio
transactions through affiliated entities, including GSI and Merrill Lynch. For
example, dealer spreads received by GSI or its subsidiary on transactions
conducted pursuant to the permissive orders described above could be offset
against the management fee payable by the Trust to the Manager. After
considering all factors deemed relevant, the Trustees made a determination not
to seek such recapture. The Trustees will reconsider this matter from time to
time.
The Trust does not expect to use one particular dealer, but, subject to
obtaining the best price and execution, dealers who provide supplemental
investment research (such as economic data and market
11
<PAGE> 38
forecasts) to the Manager may receive orders for transactions by the Trust.
Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services
required to be performed by the Manager under its Management Agreement and the
expenses of the Manager will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the
receipt of such supplemental information.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of the shares of the Trust is determined by the Manager
once daily, immediately after the daily declaration of dividends, on each day
the New York Stock Exchange or New York banks are open for business. Such
determination is made as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange
(generally 4:00 P.M., New York time) or, on days when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed but New York banks are open, at 4:00 P.M., New York time. As
a result of this procedure, the net asset value is determined each day except
for days on which both the New York Stock Exchange and New York banks are
closed. Both the New York Stock Exchange and New York banks are closed on New
Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value per share is computed
pursuant to the "penny-rounding" method by adding the value of all securities
held by the Trust plus any cash or other assets (including interest accrued but
not yet received), deducting all liabilities (including accrued expenses),
dividing by the total number of shares outstanding at such time and rounding the
result to the nearest whole cent. Expenses, including the fees payable to the
Manager, are accrued daily.
The Trust values its portfolio securities with remaining maturities of 60
days or less on an amortized cost basis and values its securities with remaining
maturities of greater than 60 days for which market quotations are readily
available at market value. Other securities held by the Trust are valued at
their fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the
Board of Trustees.
In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rule applicable
to the valuation of its portfolio securities, the Trust will maintain a
dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less and will purchase
instruments having remaining maturities of not more than 397 days (13 months),
with the exception of U.S. Government and U.S. Government agency securities,
which may have remaining maturities of up to 762 days (25 months). The Trust
will invest only in securities determined by the Trustees to be of high quality
with minimal credit risks. In addition, the Trustees have established procedures
designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, the Trust's price per
share as computed for the purposes of sales and redemptions at $1.00. Deviations
of more than an insignificant amount between the net asset value calculated
using market quotations and that calculated on a "penny-rounded" basis will be
reported to the Trustees by the Manager. In the event the Trustees determine
that a deviation exists which may result in the material dilution or other
unfair results to investors or existing shareholders, the Trust will take such
corrective action as it regards as necessary and appropriate, including the
reduction of the number of outstanding shares of the Trust by having each
shareholder proportionately contribute shares to the Trust's capital; the sale
of portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or
to shorten average portfolio maturity; withholding dividends; or establishing a
net asset value per share solely by using available market quotations. If the
number of outstanding shares is reduced in order to maintain a constant
penny-rounded net asset value of $1.00 per share, the shareholders will
contribute proportionately to the Trust's capital the number of shares which
represents their proportionate shares of the difference between the portfolio's
fair market value and net
12
<PAGE> 39
asset value based on $1.00 per share. Each shareholder will be deemed to have
agreed to such contribution by an investment in the Trust.
Since the net income of the Trust (including realized gains and losses on
the portfolio securities) is determined and declared as a dividend immediately
prior to each time the net income of the Trust is determined, the net asset
value per share of the Trust normally remains at $1.00 per share immediately
after each such determination and dividend declaration. Any increase in the
value of a shareholder's investment in the Trust, representing the reinvestment
of dividend income, is reflected by an increase in the number of shares of the
Trust in the account and any decrease in the value of a shareholder's investment
may be reflected by a decrease in the number of shares in the account. (See
"Taxes".)
YIELD INFORMATION
The Trust normally computes its annualized yield by determining the net
income for a seven-day base period for a hypothetical pre-existing account
having a balance of one share at the beginning of the base period, dividing the
net income by the net asset value of the account at the beginning of the base
period to obtain the base period return, multiplying the result by 365 and then
dividing by seven. Under this calculation, the yield reflects realized gains and
losses on portfolio securities. In accordance with regulations adopted by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Trust is required to disclose its
annualized yield for certain seven-day base periods in a standardized manner
which does not take into consideration any realized or unrealized gains or
losses on portfolio securities. The Securities and Exchange Commission also
permits the calculation of a standardized effective or compounded yield. This is
computed by compounding the unannualized base period return which is done by
adding one to the base period return, raising the sum to a power equal to 365
divided by seven, and subtracting one from the result. This compounded yield
calculation also excludes realized and unrealized gains or losses on portfolio
securities.
The yield on the Trust's shares normally will fluctuate on a daily basis.
Therefore, the yield for any given past period is not an indication or
representation by the Trust of future yields or rates of return on its shares.
The yield is affected by such factors as changes in interest rates on Treasury
securities, average portfolio maturity, the types and quality of portfolio
securities held and operating expenses. The yield on Trust shares for various
reasons may not be comparable to the yield on shares of other money market funds
or other investments.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Trust offers a number of shareholder services described below designed
to facilitate investment in its shares. Full details as to each of such services
and copies of the various plans described below and instructions as to how to
participate in the various services or plans, or to change options with respect
thereto, can be obtained from the Trust, the Distributor or Merrill Lynch.
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT
Each shareholder whose account is maintained at Merrill Lynch Financial
Data Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent") has an Investment Account and will
receive monthly statements from the Transfer Agent showing any activity in his
or her account since the preceding statement. A shareholder may make additions
to
13
<PAGE> 40
his Investment Account at any time by purchasing shares at the applicable public
offering price either through his or her securities dealer, by wire or by mail
directly to the Transfer Agent, acting as agent for his or her dealer. A
shareholder may ascertain the number of shares in his or her Investment Account
by telephoning the Transfer Agent at (800) 221-7210 toll-free. The Transfer
Agent will furnish this information only after the shareholder has specified the
name, address, account number and social security number of the registered owner
or owners.
In the interest of economy and convenience and because of the operating
procedures of the Trust, certificates representing the Trust's shares will not
be issued physically. Shares are maintained by the Trust on its register
maintained by the Transfer Agent and the holders thereof will have the same
rights and ownership with respect to such shares as if certificates had been
issued.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
The Trust offers an Automatic Investment Plan in connection with accounts
maintained at the Transfer Agent whereby the Transfer Agent is authorized
through preauthorized checks of $50 or more to charge the regular bank account
of the shareholder on a regular basis to provide systematic additions to the
Investment Account of such shareholder. See the Purchase Application in the
Prospectus. A shareholder's Automatic Investment Plan may be terminated at any
time without charge or penalty by the shareholder, the Trust, the Transfer Agent
or the Distributor.
ACCRUED MONTHLY PAYOUT PLAN
The dividends of the Trust are reinvested automatically in additional
shares. Shareholders with accounts maintained at the Transfer Agent desiring
cash payments may enroll in the Accrued Monthly Payout Plan, under which shares
equal in number to shares credited through the automatic reinvestment of
dividends and distributions during each month are redeemed at net asset value on
the last Friday of such month in order to meet the monthly distribution.
Investors may open an Accrued Monthly Payout Plan by completing the appropriate
portion of the Purchase Application in the Prospectus. A shareholder's Accrued
Monthly Payout Plan may be terminated at any time without charge or penalty by
the shareholder, the Trust, the Transfer Agent or the Distributor.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS
A shareholder may elect to make systematic withdrawals from an Investment
Account on either a monthly or quarterly basis as provided below. Quarterly
withdrawals are available for shareholders who have acquired shares of the Trust
having a value, based on cost or the current offering price, of $5,000 or more,
and monthly withdrawals for shareholders with shares with such a value of
$10,000 or more. The quarterly periods end on the 24th day of March, June,
September and December. See the Purchase Application in the Prospectus.
At the time of each withdrawal payment, sufficient shares are redeemed from
those on deposit in the shareholder's account to provide the withdrawal payment
specified by the shareholder. The shareholder may specify either a dollar amount
or a percentage of the value of his or her shares. Redemptions will be made at
net asset value as determined at the close of business on the New York Stock
Exchange on the 24th day of each month or the 24th day of the last month of each
quarter, whichever is applicable. A shareholder's
14
<PAGE> 41
Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time, without charge or
penalty, by the shareholder, the Trust, the Transfer Agent or the Distributor. A
shareholder may not elect to make systematic withdrawals while he or she is
enrolled in the Accrued Monthly Payout Plan.
Withdrawal payments should not be considered as dividends, yield or income.
Withdrawals are sales of shares and may result in taxable gain or loss. If
periodic withdrawals continuously exceed reinvested dividends, the shareholder's
original investment will be reduced correspondingly. Shareholders are cautioned
not to designate withdrawal programs that result in an undue reduction of
principal. There are no minimums on amounts that may be systematically
withdrawn. Periodic investments may not be made into an Investment Account in
which the shareholder has elected to make systematic withdrawals.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Self-directed individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans are
available from Merrill Lynch. Under these plans, investments may be made in the
Trust and in certain of the other mutual funds sponsored by Merrill Lynch as
well as in other securities. Merrill Lynch charges an initial establishment fee
and an annual custodial fee for each account. Information with respect to these
plans is available upon request from Merrill Lynch. In addition, eligible
shareholders of the Trust may participate in a variety of qualified employee
benefit plans which are available from the Distributor. Participants in these
plans may invest in the Trust and in certain other mutual funds sponsored by
Merrill Lynch. Information with respect to these plans is available upon request
from the Distributor. See "Purchase of Shares" in the Prospectus.
Capital gains and income received in each of the plans referred to above
are exempt from Federal taxation until distributed from the plans. Investors
considering participation in any such plan should review specific tax laws
relating thereto and should consult their attorneys or tax advisers with respect
to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shareholders of the Trust who have held all or part of their shares for at
least 15 days may exchange their shares of the Trust for Class D shares of
mutual funds advised by the Manager or FAM (collectively referred to as the
"MLAM-advised mutual funds") on the basis described below. Shares with a net
asset value of at least $250 are required to qualify for the exchange privilege.
It is contemplated that the exchange privilege may be applicable to other new
mutual funds whose shares are distributed by the Distributor. The exchange
privilege available to participants in the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program may
be different from that available to other investors.
Alternatively, shareholders may exchange shares of the Trust for Class A
shares of one of the MLAM-advised mutual funds if the shareholder holds any
Class A shares of that fund in the account in which the exchange is made at the
time of the exchange or is otherwise an eligible Class A investor. An eligible
Class A investor includes the following: certain employer sponsored retirement
or savings plans, including eligible 401(k) plans, provided such plans meet the
required minimum number of eligible employees or required amount of assets
advised by MLAM or any of its affiliates; corporate warranty insurance reserve
fund programs provided that the program has $3 million or more initially
invested in MLAM-advised mutual funds; participants in certain investment
programs including TMASM Managed Trusts to which Merrill Lynch Trust Company
provides discretionary trustee services and certain purchases made in connection
with the Merrill
15
<PAGE> 42
Lynch Mutual Fund Adviser program; and ML & Co. and its subsidiaries and their
directors and employees and members of the Boards of MLAM-advised investment
companies, including the Trust.
Shareholders of the Trust also may exchange shares of the Trust into shares
of certain Class A Share Money Market Funds
Under the exchange privilege, each of the MLAM-advised mutual funds offers
to exchange its shares ("new shares") for shares ("outstanding shares") of any
of the other funds, on the basis of relative net asset value per share, plus an
amount equal to the difference, if any, between the sales charge previously paid
on the outstanding shares and the sales charge payable at the time of the
exchange on the new shares. At the present time, the shares of each of the funds
are sold with varying sales charges. With respect to outstanding shares as to
which previous exchanges have taken place, the "sales charge previously paid"
shall include the aggregate of the charges paid with respect to such shares in
the initial purchase and any subsequent exchange. Shares issued pursuant to
dividend reinvestment are sold on a no-load basis in each of the funds. For
purposes of the exchange privilege, dividend reinvestment shares shall be deemed
to have been sold with a sales charge equal to the sales charge previously paid
on the shares on which the dividend was paid. Based on this formula an exchange
of shares of the Trust, which are sold on a no-load basis, for shares of the
other funds, which are sold with a sales charge, generally will require the
payment of a sales charge.
Before effecting an exchange, shareholders of the Trust should obtain a
currently effective prospectus of the fund into which the exchange is to be
made. Exercise of the exchange privilege is treated as a sale for Federal income
tax purposes and, depending on the circumstances, a short- or long-term capital
gain or loss may be realized. In addition, an exchanging shareholder of any of
the funds may be subject to backup withholding unless such shareholder certifies
under penalty of perjury that the taxpayer identification number on file with
any such fund is correct, and that such shareholder is not otherwise subject to
backup withholding. See "Taxes".
To exercise the exchange privilege shareholders may either contact their
listed securities dealer, who will advise the Trust of the exchange, or write to
the Transfer Agent requesting that the exchange be effected. Such letter must be
signed exactly as the account is registered with the signatures guaranteed by a
national bank or member firm of any national or regional stock exchange.
Shareholders of the Trust, and shareholders of the other funds described above
with shares for which certificates have not been issued, may exercise the
exchange privilege by wire through their securities dealer. The Trust reserves
the right to require a properly completed Exchange Application. This exchange
privilege may be modified or terminated at any time in accordance with the rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Trust reserves the right to limit
the number of times an investor may exercise the exchange privilege. Certain
funds may suspend the continuous offering of their shares at any time and may
thereafter resume such offering from time to time. The exchange privilege is
available only to U.S. shareholders in states where the exchange legally may be
made.
TAXES
The Trust intends to continue to qualify for the special tax treatment
afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If it so qualifies, the Trust (but not its
shareholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax on the part of its net
ordinary income and net realized capital gains which it distributes to
shareholders. The Trust intends to distribute substantially all of such income.
16
<PAGE> 43
Dividends paid by the Trust from its ordinary income or from an excess of
net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses (together
referred to hereafter as "ordinary income dividends") are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions made from an excess of net
long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses ("capital gain
dividends") are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of
the length of time the shareholder has owned Trust shares. Any loss upon the
sale or exchange of Trust shares held for six months or less, however, will be
treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends
received by the shareholder. Distributions in excess of the Trust's earnings and
profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and, after
such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to
such holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset).
Dividends are taxable to shareholders even though they are reinvested in
additional shares of the Trust. Not later than 60 days after the close of its
taxable year, the Trust will provide its shareholders with a written notice
designating the amounts of any ordinary income or capital gain dividends.
Distributions by the Trust, whether from ordinary income or capital gains, will
not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations
under the Code. If the Trust pays a dividend in January which was declared in
the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record on a
specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for tax
purposes as being paid by the Trust and received by its shareholders on December
31 of the year in which such dividend was declared.
If the value of assets held by the Trust declines, the Board of Trustees
may authorize a reduction in the number of outstanding shares in shareholders'
accounts so as to preserve a net asset value of $1.00 per share. After such a
reduction, the basis of eliminated shares would be added to the basis of
shareholders' remaining Trust shares, and any shareholders disposing of shares
at that time may recognize a capital loss. Distributions, including
distributions reinvested in additional shares of the Trust, will nonetheless be
fully taxable, even if the number of shares in shareholders' accounts has been
reduced as described above.
Ordinary income dividends paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens
or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax under existing
provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities unless a
reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under
applicable treaty law. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own
tax advisers concerning the applicability of the U.S. withholding tax.
Dividends and interest received by the Trust may give rise to withholding
and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes.
Under certain provisions of the Code, some shareholders may be subject to a
31% withholding tax on ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and
redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Generally, shareholders subject to
backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification
number is on file with the Trust or who, to the Trust's knowledge, have
furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must
certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such
investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding.
If a shareholder exercises an exchange privilege within 90 days of
acquiring the shares, then the loss the shareholder can recognize on the
exchange will be reduced (or the gain increased) to the extent any sales charge
paid to the Trust on the exchanged shares reduces any sales charge the
shareholder would have owed
17
<PAGE> 44
upon purchase of the new shares in the absence of the exchange privilege.
Instead, such sales charge will be treated as an amount paid for the new shares.
A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Trust will be
disallowed if other Trust shares are acquired (whether through the automatic
reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In
such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss.
The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent
the RIC does not distribute, during any calendar year, 98% of its ordinary
income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains,
determined, in general, on an October 31 year end, plus certain undistributed
amounts from previous years. While the Trust intends to distribute its income
and capital gains in a manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% excise
tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Trust's taxable
income and capital gains will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of
the tax. In such event, the Trust will be liable for the tax only on the amount
by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirements.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable
provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations presently in effect. For the
complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and
the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and the Treasury
regulations are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative
action either prospectively or retroactively.
Ordinary income and capital gain dividends also may be subject to state and
local taxes.
Certain states exempt from state income taxation dividends paid by RICs
which are derived in whole or in part from interest on U.S. Government
obligations. State law varies as to whether dividend income attributable to U.S.
Government obligations is exempt from state income tax.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding specific
questions as to Federal, foreign, state or local taxes. Foreign investors should
consider applicable foreign taxes in their evaluation of an investment in the
Trust.
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Declaration of Trust of the Trust permits the Trustees to issue an
unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest, par value
$.10 per share, of a single class and to divide or combine the shares into a
greater or lesser number of shares without thereby changing the proportionate
beneficial interests in the Trust. Each share represents an equal proportionate
interest in the Trust with each other share. Upon liquidation of the Trust,
shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Trust
available for distribution to shareholders. Shares have no preemptive or
conversion rights. The rights of redemption are described elsewhere herein and
in the Prospectus. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and
fractional votes for fractional shares held and vote in the election of Trustees
and on other matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. Voting rights are
not cumulative, so that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting in the
election of Trustees
18
<PAGE> 45
can, if they choose to do so, elect all Trustees of the Trust. No amendment may
be made to the Declaration of Trust without the affirmative vote of a majority
of the outstanding shares of the Trust except under certain limited
circumstances set forth in the Declaration of Trust.
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York, 90 Washington Street, 12th Floor, New York, New York
10286, acts as custodian of the Trust's assets (the "Custodian"). The Custodian
is responsible for safeguarding and controlling the Trust's cash and securities,
handling the delivery of securities and collecting interest on the Trust's
investments.
TRANSFER AGENT
Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), 4800
Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484, a subsidiary of ML &
Co., acts as the Trust's transfer agent. The Transfer Agent is responsible for
the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening, maintenance and
servicing of shareholder accounts.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 117 Campus Drive, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, have
been selected as the independent auditors of the Trust. The selection of the
independent auditors is subject to ratification by the shareholders of the
Trust. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the annual
financial statements of the Trust.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Brown & Wood, One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, is
counsel for the Trust.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The fiscal year of the Trust ends on December 31 of each year. The Trust
will send to its shareholders at least semi-annually reports showing its
portfolio securities and other information. An annual report, containing
financial statements audited by independent auditors, is sent to shareholders
each year.
Only one copy of each shareholder report and certain shareholder
communications will be mailed to each identified shareholder regardless of the
number of accounts such shareholder has. If a shareholder wishes to receive
separate copies of each report and communication for each of the shareholder's
related accounts the shareholder should notify in writing:
Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 45290
Jacksonville, FL 32232-5290
The written notification should include the shareholder's name, address,
tax identification number and Merrill Lynch and/or mutual fund account numbers.
If you have any questions regarding this please call your Merrill Lynch
financial consultant or Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. at (800)
221-7210.
19
<PAGE> 46
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the 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, to which reference is hereby made.
To the knowledge of the Trust, no person or entity owned beneficially 5% or
more of the Trust's shares on April 3, 1996.
------------------------
The Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, dated May 14, 1987, a copy
of which together with all amendments thereto (the "Declaration"), is on file in
the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that
the name "Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust" refers to the Trustees under the
Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and
no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be held
to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property for
the satisfaction of any obligation or claim of said Trust but the "Trust
Property" (as defined in the Declaration) only shall be liable.
20
<PAGE> 47
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders,
MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the schedule of investments, of Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust as of December
31, 1995, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, and
changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended,
and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then
ended. These financial statements and the financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and the financial highlights based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned at December
31, 1995 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made
by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Merrill Lynch Ready
Assets Trust as of December 31, 1995, the results of its operations, the changes
in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the respective stated
periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
January 31, 1996
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<PAGE> 48
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
Face Interest Maturity Value
Issue Amount Rate* Date (Note 1a)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Bank Notes--1.5%
Banc One, $ 56,000 5.42% 9/18/96 $ 55,969
Columbus
Banc One, 26,000 5.45 8/28/96 25,993
Milwaukee
Society National 25,000 5.52 3/20/96 25,001
Bank of
Cleveland, Ohio
Total Bank Notes
(Cost--$106,963) 106,963
Certificates of Deposit--European--5.9%
ABN-Amro Bank 50,000 5.80 1/10/96 49,999
75,000 5.73 4/23/96 75,036
Bayerische 50,000 5.81 1/18/96 49,999
Hypotheken-und
Wechsel-Bank
Chemical Bank, NY 75,000 5.81 4/04/96 75,042
Deutsche Bank AG 50,000 5.79 1/12/96 49,999
50,000 5.80 2/01/96 50,000
Dresdner Bank 70,000 5.76 2/29/96 69,982
Total Certificates of Deposit--European
(Cost--$419,992) 420,057
Certificates of Deposit--Yankee--1.0%
Svenska 21,000 5.84 1/23/96 21,000
Handelsbanken
Swiss Bank Corp., NY 50,000 5.77 1/30/96 49,994
Total Certificates of Deposit--Yankee
(Cost--$71,000) 70,994
Commercial Paper--Discount--45.2%
ABN-Amro 20,000 5.62 1/24/96 19,916
North America 100,000 5.61 4/25/96 98,204
Finance PLC
Abbey National N.A. 150,000 5.60 3/06/96 148,442
Corp. 50,000 5.44 5/30/96 48,857
Allomon 5,037 5.82 1/26/96 5,014
Funding Corp.
Alpine 41,000 5.75 2/05/96 40,753
Securitization Corp.
American Express 75,000 5.62 3/01/96 74,278
Credit Corp. 25,000 5.60 4/12/96 24,600
50,000 5.60 4/26/96 49,094
15,726 5.50 5/23/96 15,383
100,000 5.42 5/31/96 97,699
Associates Corp. 50,000 5.45 6/13/96 48,759
of North America
Bear Stearns 45,000 5.65 2/29/96 44,566
Companies, 50,000 5.60 3/22/96 49,358
Inc. (The)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued) (in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
Face Interest Maturity Value
Issue Amount Rate* Date (Note 1a)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial Paper--Discount (continued)
Bellsouth $ 40,000 5.85% 1/19/96 $ 39,863
Telecommunications
Corp.
Beta Finance Inc. 19,000 5.67 2/08/96 18,877
21,000 5.66 2/27/96 20,801
25,000 5.57 4/23/96 24,559
25,000 5.61 4/23/96 24,559
11,000 5.59 4/29/96 10,796
CSW Credit, Inc. 53,500 5.70 2/09/96 53,144
CXC Inc. 25,000 5.65 2/07/96 24,842
Canadian Wheat 50,000 5.59 4/29/96 49,071
Board 50,000 5.59 4/30/96 49,064
Daimler-Benz North 20,000 5.70 1/22/96 19,923
America Corp. 50,000 5.50 3/29/96 49,305
du Pont (E.I.) de 50,000 5.57 4/29/96 49,071
Nemours & Co.
Eureka Securitization 27,100 5.82 1/31/96 26,955
Inc. 30,000 5.60 3/08/96 29,679
Ford Motor Credit Co. 50,000 5.60 1/29/96 49,751
General Electric 50,000 5.67 2/09/96 49,667
Capital Corp. 25,000 5.53 3/08/96 24,733
General Motors 150,000 5.76 2/02/96 149,169
Acceptance Corp. 20,800 5.76 2/05/96 20,675
50,000 5.75 2/12/96 49,644
100,000 5.75 2/14/96 99,253
Goldman Sachs 60,000 5.55 2/28/96 59,431
Group, L.P. 100,000 5.53 3/22/96 98,717
Hanson Finance 15,000 5.70 2/02/96 14,917
(UK) PLC 53,700 5.67 2/09/96 53,343
17,000 5.70 2/09/96 16,887
Internationale 15,000 5.56 2/26/96 14,860
Nederlanden (US) 50,000 5.60 2/28/96 49,526
Funding Corp.
KFW International 15,000 5.70 1/18/96 14,952
Finance, Inc. 13,000 5.70 1/22/96 12,950
Knight-Ridder, Inc. 30,000 5.59 5/01/96 29,444
Korea Development 50,000 5.72 1/25/96 49,783
Bank
McKenna Triangle 50,000 5.71 1/22/96 49,807
National Corp. 25,000 5.65 2/08/96 24,838
25,000 5.65 2/09/96 24,834
35,000 5.65 2/14/96 34,739
Morgan Stanley 20,000 5.66 2/08/96 19,870
Group, Inc.
National Fleet 50,000 5.77 1/18/96 49,840
Funding Corp. 30,000 5.77 1/19/96 29,899
New Center 75,000 5.71 2/02/96 74,584
Asset Trust
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE> 49
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued) (in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
Face Interest Maturity Value
Issue Amount Rate* Date (Note 1a)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial Paper--Discount (concluded)
New South Wales $ 25,000 5.54 % 3/14/96 $ 24,710
Treasury Corp.
Nomura Holding 20,000 5.80 2/01/96 19,890
America, Inc. 30,000 5.80 2/02/96 29,831
Oesterreichische 100,000 5.58 3/27/96 98,640
Kontrollbank AG
Ontario Hydro 66,000 5.61 4/09/96 64,975
Queensland Treasury 25,000 5.65 3/11/96 24,721
Corp.
Sheffield 69,000 5.72 2/01/96 68,628
Receivables Corp. 25,754 5.67 2/16/96 25,553
Southwestern 25,000 5.50 3/21/96 24,683
Bell Capital Corp.
Svenska 78,134 5.70 1/17/96 77,896
Handelsbanken, Inc.
Sweden, Kingdom of 11,000 5.62 1/16/96 10,968
50,000 5.65 1/16/96 49,855
25,000 5.62 2/15/96 24,809
45,500 5.66 2/15/96 45,153
50,000 5.61 3/01/96 49,519
50,000 5.66 3/25/96 49,335
22,605 5.61 4/04/96 22,272
19,000 5.50 5/01/96 18,648
Vattenfall 31,000 5.64 3/20/96 30,612
Treasury Inc.
WCP Funding Inc. 20,000 5.65 2/29/96 19,807
Total Commercial Paper--Discount
(Cost--$3,201,672) 3,202,050
Corporate Notes--7.0%
Abbey National 60,000 7.05 3/01/96 60,128
Treasury
Services PLC
Bear Stearns 17,500 5.875 1/15/96 17,497
Companies, Inc. 25,000 6.0843 2/05/96 25,008
(The)
CIT Group 50,000 5.80 9/20/96 49,963
Holdings, Inc. 50,000 5.80 12/23/96 49,953
(The)++
First Bank 20,000 5.8775 11/20/96 19,995
Systems, Inc.
Ford Motor Credit Co. 21,835 5.15 3/15/96 21,809
20,000 5.00 3/25/96 19,970
PHH Corp.++ 50,000 5.8233 12/13/96 49,981
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued) (in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
Face Interest Maturity Value
Issue Amount Rate* Date (Note 1a)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Corporate Notes (concluded)
SMM Trust $ 57,000 5.77++ % 6/14/96 $ 57,000
Certificate (1995-K)++
SMM Trust 100,000 5.9375++ 1/08/97 100,000
Certificate (1995-Q)++
Toyota Motor 24,000 5.8473 9/13/96 23,988
Credit Corp.++
Total Corporate Notes
(Cost--$495,141) 495,292
Master Notes--3.1%
Goldman Sachs 150,000 5.85 2/14/96 150,000
Group L.P. 26,000 5.82 8/09/96 26,000
Smith Barney, Inc. 41,000 5.83 3/07/96 41,000
Total Master Notes
(Cost--$217,000) 217,000
US Government, Agency & Instrumentality
Obligations--Discount--9.7%
Federal Farm 18,000 5.14 6/04/96 17,596
Credit Bank 9,500 5.14 6/07/96 9,283
14,000 5.14 6/11/96 13,672
Federal Home 17,330 5.97 1/16/96 17,282
Loan Bank 25,000 7.13 2/09/96 25,027
11,270 5.23 5/02/96 11,066
10,120 5.20 5/21/96 9,909
17,220 5.14 6/18/96 16,800
12,000 5.41 7/12/96 11,667
55,000 5.42 1/02/97 55,069
Federal Home Loan 25,000 5.53 2/27/96 24,771
Mortgage Corporation 25,200 5.25 2/14/97 25,127
15,000 6.08++ 5/13/98 15,000
Federal National 17,400 5.46 1/05/96 17,381
Mortgage Association 21,145 5.51 2/20/96 20,972
25,000 5.55 2/29/96 24,765
50,000 5.14 6/24/96 48,737
10,000 5.13 9/05/96 9,646
14,265 5.11 9/18/96 13,734
40,000 5.14 9/18/96 38,510
13,340 5.12 10/24/96 12,778
75,000 5.11 10/30/96 71,774
36,000 6.18 11/04/96 35,928
International Bank 25,000 5.52 3/12/96 24,725
for Reconstruction 24,840 5.52 3/13/96 24,563
and Development
US Treasury Bills 60,000 6.02 4/04/96 59,200
31,000 5.54 7/25/96 30,105
Total US Government, Agency & Instrumentality
Obligations--Discount (Cost--$684,329) 685,087
</TABLE>
23
<PAGE> 50
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded) (in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
Face Interest Maturity Value
Issue Amount Rate* Date (Note 1a)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
US Government, Agency & Instrumentality
Obligations--Non-Discount--23.4%
Federal Home $ 73,000 6.21++ % 6/17/96 $ 73,000
Loan Bank 29,000 6.21++ 6/21/96 29,000
30,000 5.983++ 12/01/97 30,009
27,000 6.017++ 12/01/97 27,013
60,000 6.20++ 10/11/00 60,000
Federal Home Loan 16,000 5.83++ 5/06/96 16,000
Mortgage Corporation
Federal National 8,000 6.12++ 1/26/96 8,000
Mortgage 25,000 5.15++ 2/07/96 25,000
Association 95,000 6.08++ 5/13/96 95,000
70,000 6.08++ 5/24/96 70,000
40,000 5.81++ 7/08/96 39,982
50,000 5.37++ 8/08/96 49,982
110,000 5.4675++ 10/11/96 110,000
60,000 5.72++ 10/15/96 59,972
100,000 5.27++ 2/21/97 100,000
70,000 6.20++ 5/19/97 70,000
65,000 6.25++ 5/14/98 65,000
Student Loan 43,500 5.40++ 3/20/96 43,499
Marketing 10,000 5.27++ 4/16/96 10,003
Association 5,000 5.68++ 5/14/96 5,000
25,650 5.20++ 7/19/96 25,653
125,000 5.4675++ 9/20/96 125,000
69,000 5.97++ 10/04/96 68,979
23,000 5.425++ 11/27/96 23,036
60,000 5.41++ 1/14/97 60,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded) (in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
Face Interest Maturity Value
Issue Amount Rate* Date (Note 1a)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
US Government, Agency & Instrumentality
Obligations--Non-Discount (concluded)
US Treasury $ 4,000 9.375% 4/15/96 $ 4,047
Notes 50,000 7.375 5/15/96 50,406
50,000 6.125 7/31/96 50,250
50,000 6.875 3/31/97 50,984
30,000 5.625 6/30/97 30,178
30,000 5.625 10/31/97 30,216
50,000 5.375 11/30/97 50,141
100,000 5.25 12/31/97 100,109
Total US Government, Agency & Instrumentality
Obligations--Non-Discount (Cost--$1,654,573) 1,655,459
Face
Amount Issue
Repurchase Agreements**--5.0%
$150,000 Fuji Securities, Inc., purchased on
12/29/1995 to yield 5.97%
to 1/02/1996 150,000
204,258 Lehman Brothers, Inc., purchased on
12/29/1995 to yield 5.95% to
1/02/1996 204,258
Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost--$354,258) 354,258
Total Investments (Cost--$7,204,928)--101.8% 7,207,160
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets--(1.8%) (127,805)
----------
Net Assets--100.0% $7,079,355
==========
<FN>
*Commercial Paper and certain US Government, Agency &
Instrumentality Obligations are traded on a discount basis; the
interest rates shown are the discount rates paid at the time of
purchase by the Trust. Other securities bear interest at the rates
shown, payable at fixed dates or upon maturity. Interest rates on
variable rate securities are adjusted periodically based upon
appropriate indexes; the interest rates shown are the rates in
effect at December 31, 1995.
**Repurchase Agreements are fully collateralized by US Government
Obligations.
++Variable Rate Notes.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
24
<PAGE> 51
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<TABLE>
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1995
<S> <S> <C> <C>
Assets: Investments, at value (identified cost--$7,204,928,407*) (Note 1a) $ 7,207,160,284
Receivables:
Interest $ 29,557,498
Beneficial interest sold 3,957,111 33,514,609
---------------
Prepaid registration fees and other assets (Note 1d) 170,476
---------------
Total assets 7,240,845,369
---------------
Liabilities: Payables:
Securities purchased 100,017,547
Beneficial interest redeemed 55,697,776
Distributor (Note 2) 2,127,632
Investment adviser (Note 2) 2,061,272 159,904,227
---------------
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,586,437
---------------
Total liabilities 161,490,664
---------------
Net Assets: Net assets $ 7,079,354,705
===============
Net Assets Shares of beneficial interest, $.10 par value, unlimited number of
Consist of: shares authorized $ 707,712,283
Paid-in capital in excess of par 6,369,410,545
Unrealized appreciation on investments--net 2,231,877
---------------
Net Assets--Equivalent to $1.00 per share based on 7,077,122,828
shares of beneficial interest outstanding $ 7,079,354,705
===============
<FN>
*Cost for Federal income tax purposes. As of December 31, 1995, net
unrealized appreciation for Federal income tax purposes amounted to
$2,231,877, of which $2,406,926 related to appreciated securities
and $175,049 related to depreciated securities.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
25
<PAGE> 52
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
<TABLE>
Statement of Operations
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1995
<S> <S> <C> <C>
Investment Income Interest and amortization of premium discount earned $ 415,847,197
(Note 1c):
Expenses: Investment advisory fees (Note 2) $ 24,584,276
Transfer agent fees (Note 2) 11,927,793
Distribution fees (Note 2) 7,712,779
Accounting services (Note 2) 426,505
Registration fees (Note 1d) 294,585
Printing and shareholder reports 290,632
Custodian fees 217,580
Trustees' fees and expenses 135,687
Professional fees 104,346
Other 40,571
---------------
Total expenses 45,734,754
---------------
Investment income--net 370,112,443
---------------
Realized & Realized gain on investments--net 995,794
Unrealized Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
Gain on investments--net 9,723,823
Investments ---------------
- --Net Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $ 380,832,060
(Note 1c): ===============
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE> 53
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
<TABLE>
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended December 31,
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: 1995 1994
<S> <S> <C> <C>
Operations: Investment income--net $ 370,112,443 $ 239,470,922
Realized gain on investments--net 995,794 287,014
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments--net 9,723,823 (7,986,580)
--------------- ---------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 380,832,060 231,771,356
--------------- ---------------
Dividends & Investment income--net (370,112,443) (239,470,922)
Distributions to Realized gain on investments--net (995,794) (287,014)
Shareholders --------------- ---------------
(Note 1e): Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends and
distributions to shareholders (371,108,237) (239,757,936)
--------------- ---------------
Beneficial Interest Net proceeds from sale of shares 14,615,042,905 12,651,358,878
Transactions Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in
(Note 3): reinvestment of dividends and distributions (Note 1e) 369,564,239 238,784,788
--------------- ---------------
14,984,607,144 12,890,143,666
Cost of shares redeemed (14,155,972,930) (13,164,347,398)
--------------- ---------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from beneficial
interest transactions 828,634,214 (274,203,732)
--------------- ---------------
Net Assets: Total increase (decrease) in net assets 838,358,037 (282,190,312)
Beginning of year 6,240,996,668 6,523,186,980
--------------- ---------------
End of year $ 7,079,354,705 $ 6,240,996,668
=============== ===============
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
27
<PAGE> 54
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (concluded)
<TABLE>
Financial Highlights
<CAPTION>
The following per share data and ratios have been derived
from information provided in the financial statements.
For the Year Ended December 31,
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value: 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
<S> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Net asset value, beginning of year $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
Operating ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Performance: Investment income--net .0538 .0366 .0272 .0332 .0556
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments--net .0016 (.0012) .0003 .0009 .0029
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total from investment operations .0554 .0354 .0275 .0341 .0585
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Less dividends and distributions:
Investment income--net (.0538) (.0366) (.0272) (.0332) (.0556)
Realized gain on investments--net (.0001) (.0000)++ (.0005) (.0007) (.0029)*
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total dividends and distributions (.0539) (.0366) (.0277) (.0339) (.0585)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net asset value, end of year $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total investment return 5.54% 3.74% 2.81% 3.44% 6.02%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Ratios to Expenses, excluding distribution
Average fees .55% .53% .53% .52% .50%
Net Assets: ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Expenses .67% .65% .65% .64% .62%
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Investment income and realized gain
(loss) on investments--net 5.40% 3.67% 2.78% 3.48% 5.87%*
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Supplemental Net assets, end of year
Data: (in thousands) $7,079,355 $6,240,997 $6,523,187 $7,465,869 $9,077,226
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
<FN>
++Amount is less than $.0001 per share.
*Includes unrealized gain (loss).
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
28
<PAGE> 55
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Significant Accounting Policies:
Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust (the "Trust") is registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end
management investment company. The following is a summary of
significant accounting policies followed by the Trust.
(a) Valuation of investments--Investments maturing more than sixty
days after the valuation date are valued at the most recent bid
price or yield equivalent as obtained from dealers that make markets
in such securities. When such securities are valued with sixty days
or less to maturity, the difference between the valuation existing
on the sixty-first day before maturity and maturity value is
amortized on a straight-line basis to maturity. Investments maturing
within sixty days from their date of acquisition are valued at
amortized cost, which approximates market value. For purposes of
valuation, the maturity of a variable rate security is deemed to be
the next coupon date on which the interest rate is to be adjusted.
Assets for which market quotations are not readily available are
valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the
direction of the Board of Trustees.
(b) Income taxes--It is the Trust's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated
investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to
its shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is
required.
(c) Security transactions and investment income--Security
transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are entered
into (the trade dates). Interest income (including amortization of
discount) is recognized on the accrual basis. Realized gains and
losses on security transactions are determined on the identified
cost basis.
(d) Prepaid registration fees--Prepaid registration fees are charged
to expense as the related shares are issued.
(e) Dividends and distributions to shareholders--The Trust declares
dividends daily and reinvests daily such dividends (net of non-
resident alien tax and back-up withholding tax) in additional shares
of beneficial interest at net asset value. Dividends are declared
from net investment income and distributions from net realized gain
or loss on investments.
2. Investment Advisory Agreement and
Transactions with Affiliates:
The Trust has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM"). The general partner
of MLAM is Princeton Services, Inc. ("PSI"), an indirect wholly-
owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co."), which is
the limited partner. The Trust has also entered into a Distribution
Agreement and a Distribution Plan with Merrill Lynch Funds
Distributor, Inc. ("MLFD" or "Distributor"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.
MLAM provides the Trust with investment management, research,
statistical, and advisory services, and pays certain other expenses
of the Trust. For such services, the Trust pays a monthly fee based
upon the average daily value of the Trust's net assets at the
following annual rates:
Portion of average daily value of net assets: Rate
Not exceeding $500 million 0.500%
In excess of $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion 0.400
In excess of $1 billion but not exceeding $5 billion 0.350
In excess of $5 billion but not exceeding $10 billion 0.325
In excess of $10 billion but not exceeding $15 billion 0.300
In excess of $15 billion but not exceeding $20 billion 0.275
In excess of $20 billion 0.250
The most restrictive annual expense limitation requires that MLAM
reimburse the Trust to the extent the Trust's expenses (excluding
interest, taxes, distribution fees, brokerage fees and commissions,
and extraordinary items) exceed 2.5% of the Trust's first $30
million of average daily net assets, 2.0% of the next $70 million of
average daily net assets, and 1.5% of the average daily net assets
in excess thereof. The obligation of MLAM to reimburse the Trust
under this limitation is not limited to the amount of the management
fee.
29
<PAGE> 56
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)
The Trust has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan and Agreement in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
pursuant to which Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Inc.
("MLPF&S"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML & Co., receives a fee
each month from the Trust at the annual rate of 0.125% of average
daily net assets of the accounts of Trust shareholders who maintain
their Trust accounts through MLPF&S. This fee is to compensate
MLPF&S financial consultants and other directly involved branch
office personnel for providing direct personal services to
shareholders. The fee is not compensation for administrative
services.
Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. ("MLFDS"), a wholly-
owned subsidiary of ML & Co., is the Trust's transfer agent.
Accounting services are provided to the Trust by MLAM at cost.
Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or
directors of MLAM, MLFDS, PSI, MLFD, MLPF&S, and/or ML & Co.
3. Shares of Beneficial Interest:
The number of shares purchased and redeemed during the years ended
December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994, corresponds to the amounts
included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets for net proceeds
from sale of shares and cost of shares redeemed, respectively, since
shares are recorded at $1.00 per share.
30
<PAGE> 57
APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER, BANK MONEY INSTRUMENTS
AND CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
COMMERCIAL PAPER AND BANK MONEY INSTRUMENTS
Commercial paper with the greatest capacity for timely payment is rated A
by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P"). Issues within this category are
further redefined with designations 1, 2 and 3 to indicate the relative degree
of safety; A-1, the highest of the three, indicates the degree of safety is
either overwhelming or very strong; A-2 indicates that capacity for timely
repayment is strong.
Moody's Investors Service Inc. ("Moody's") employs the designations of
Prime-1, Prime-2 and Prime-3 to indicate the relative capacity of the rated
issuers to repay punctually. Prime-1 issues have a superior capacity for
repayment. Prime-2 issues have a strong capacity for repayment, but to a lesser
degree than Prime-1.
Commercial paper rated A.1+ by IBCA Limited or its affiliate IBCA Inc.
(together, "IBCA") are obligations supported by the highest capacity for timely
repayment. Commercial paper rated A.1 has a very strong capacity for timely
repayment. Commercial paper rated A.2 has a strong capacity for timely
repayment, although such capacity may be susceptible to adverse changes in
business, economic or financial conditions.
Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch") employs the rating F-1+ to indicate
issues regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
The rating F-1 reflects an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in
degree than issues rated F-1+, while the rating F-2 indicates a satisfactory
degree of assurance for timely payment, although the margin of safety is not as
great as indicated by the F-1+ and F-1 categories.
Duff & Phelps, Inc. ("Duff & Phelps") employs the designation of Duff 1
with respect to top grade commercial paper and bank money instruments. Duff 1+
indicates the highest certainty of timely payment: short-term liquidity is
clearly outstanding, and safety is just below risk-free U.S. Treasury short-term
obligations. Duff 1- indicates high certainty of timely payment. Duff 2
indicates good certainty of timely payment: liquidity factors and company
fundamentals are sound.
Thompson BankWatch, Inc. ("TBW") employs the designations TBW-1, TBW-2,
TBW-3 and TBW-4 as ratings for commercial paper, other senior short-term
obligations and deposit obligations of the entities to which the rating has been
assigned. TBW-1 is the highest category and indicates a very high degree of
likelihood that principal and interest will be paid on a timely basis. TBW-2 is
the second highest category and indicates that while the degree of safety
regarding timely repayment of principal and interest is strong, the relative
degree of safety is not as high as for issues rated TBW-1.
CORPORATE BONDS
Bonds rated AAA have the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
Bonds rated AA have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal
and differ from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.
Bonds rated Aaa by Moody's are judged to be of the best quality. Interest
payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and
principal is secure. Bonds rated Aa are judged to be of high
31
<PAGE> 58
quality by all standards. They are rated lower then the best bonds because
margins of protection may not be as large or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities. Moody's
applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classification
from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates
that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the
modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the
issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
Bonds rated AAA by IBCA are obligations for which there is the lowest
expectation of investment risk. Capacity for timely repayment of principal and
interest is substantial such that adverse changes in business, economic or
financial conditions are unlikely to increase investment risk significantly.
Bonds rated AA are obligations for which there is a very low expectation of
investment risk. Capacity for timely repayment of principal and interest is
substantial. Adverse changes in business, economic or financial conditions may
increase investment risk, albeit not very significantly.
Bonds rated AAA by Fitch are considered to be investment grade and of the
highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay
interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably
foreseeable events. Bonds rated AA are considered to be investment grade and of
very high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay
principal is very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA.
Bonds rated AAA by Duff & Phelps are deemed to be of the highest credit
quality: the risk factors are negligible, being only slightly more than for
risk-free U.S. Treasury debt. AA indicates high credit quality: protection
factors are strong, and risk is modest but may vary slightly from time to time
because of economic conditions.
Bonds rated AAA by TBW are accorded the highest rating category which
indicates that the ability to repay principal and interest on a timely basis is
very high. AA is the second highest rating category and indicates a superior
ability to repay principal and interest on a timely basis with limited
incremental risk versus issues rated in the highest rating category.
32
<PAGE> 59
[This page is intentionally left blank.]
<PAGE> 60
[This page is intentionally left blank.]
<PAGE> 61
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
Investment Objectives and Policies... 2
Management of the Trust.............. 5
Trustees and Officers.............. 5
Compensation of Trustees........... 6
Management and Advisory
Arrangements.................... 6
Purchase of Shares................... 8
Distribution Plan.................. 9
Redemption of Shares................. 10
Portfolio Transactions............... 10
Determination of Net Asset Value..... 12
Yield Information.................... 13
Shareholder Services................. 13
Investment Account................. 13
Automatic Investment Plan.......... 14
Accrued Monthly Payout Plan........ 14
Systematic Withdrawal Plans........ 14
Retirement Plans................... 15
Exchange Privilege................. 15
Taxes................................ 16
General Information.................. 18
Description of Shares.............. 18
Custodian.......................... 19
Transfer Agent..................... 19
Independent Auditors............... 19
Legal Counsel...................... 19
Reports to Shareholders............ 19
Additional Information............. 20
Independent Auditors' Report......... 21
Financial Statements................. 22
Appendix............................. 31
Code #10240-0496
</TABLE>
(LOGO)
MERRILL LYNCH
READY ASSETS TRUST
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
April 26, 1996
Distributor:
Merrill Lynch
Funds Distributor, Inc.
<PAGE> 62
APPENDIX FOR GRAPHIC AND IMAGE MATERIAL
Pursuant to Rule 304 of Regulation S-T, the following table presents
fair and accurate narrative descriptions of graphic and image material omitted
from this EDGAR Submission File due to ASCII-incompatibility and
cross-references this material to the location of each occurrence in the text.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESCRIPTION OF OMITTED LOCATION OF GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC OR IMAGE OR IMAGE IN TEXT
- ---------------------- -------------------
<S> <C>
Compass plate, circular Back cover of Prospectus and
graph paper and Merrill Lynch back cover of Statement of
logo including stylized market Additional Information
bull.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 63
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Contained in Part A:
Financial Highlights for each of the years in the ten-year period
ended December 31, 1995.
Contained in Part B:
Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 1995
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1995
Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 1995
Statements of Changes in Net Assets for each of the years in the
two-year period ended December 31, 1995.
Financial Highlights for each of the years in the five-year period
ended December 31, 1995.
(b) EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------ -----------
<S> <C> <C>
1(a) -- Declaration of Trust, dated May 14, 1987.(a)
(b) -- Amendment to Declaration of Trust, dated April 29, 1988.(a)
2 -- By-Laws of Registrant.(a)
3 -- None.
4 -- Copies of instruments defining the rights of shareholders, including the relevant
portions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Registrant.(b)
5(a) -- Management Agreement between the Registrant and Merrill Lynch Asset Management
L.P.(a)
(b) -- Supplement to Investment Advisory Agreement with Merrill Lynch Asset Management
L.P.(c)
6(a) -- Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor,
Inc.(a)
(b) -- Form of Selected Dealer Agreement.(a)
7 -- None.
8(a) -- Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York.(a)
(b) -- Amendment to the Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New
York.(a)
9(a) -- Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Merrill Lynch Financial Data
Services, Inc.(a)
(b) -- Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between Merrill Lynch Ready Assets
Trust, Merrill Lynch New Assets Trust and Merrill Lynch New Corporation, Inc.(a)
10 -- Opinion of Brown & Wood, counsel for the Registrant.
11 -- Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for the Registrant.
12 -- None.
13 -- None.
14(a) -- Prototype Individual Retirement Account Plan, Simplified Employee Pension Plan and
Corporate Individual Retirement Account Plan available from Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated.(d)
(b) -- Prototype Merrill Lynch Tax-Deferred Basic Retirement Plan available from Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.(e)
15 -- Amended and Restated Merrill Lynch Shareholder Servicing Plan and Agreement
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between Registrant and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated.(a)
16 -- Schedule for computation of each performance quotation provided in the
Registration Statement in response to Item 22.(a)
17 -- Financial Data Schedule.
18 -- None.
</TABLE>
C-1
<PAGE> 64
- ---------------
(a) Filed as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 on Form N-1A (the
"Registration Statement").
(b) Reference is made to Article II, Section 2.3 and Articles V, VI, VIII, IX, X
and XI of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust, filed as Exhibit 1 to the
Registration Statement and to Articles I, V and VII of the Registrant's
By-Laws, filed as Exhibit 2 to the Registration Statement.
(c) Previously filed as Exhibit 5(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the
Registration Statement.
(d) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on
Form N-1 of Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust (File No. 2-74584).
(e) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to
the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on
Form N-1A of Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust (File No. 2-74584).
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
The Registrant is not controlled by, or under common control with, any
person.
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
HOLDERS AT
TITLE OF CLASS MARCH 31, 1996
-------------- --------------
<S> <C>
Shares of beneficial interest, par value $.10 per share.............. 571,071
</TABLE>
---------------
Note: The number of holders shown above includes holders of record plus
beneficial owners, whose shares are held of record by Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
Reference is made to Article V of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust, as
amended, Article VI of Registrant's By-Laws, and Section 9 of the Distribution
Agreement, which have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement.
Insofar as the conditional advancing of indemnification monies for actions
based upon the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 'Investment
Company Act") may be concerned, such payments will be made only on the following
conditions: (i) the advances must be limited to amounts used, or to be used, for
the preparation or presentation of a defense to the action, including costs
connected with the preparation of a settlement; (ii) advances may be made only
upon receipt of a written promise by, or on behalf of, the recipient to repay
that amount of the advance which exceeds the amount which it is ultimately
determined he is entitled to receive from the Registrant by reason of
indemnification; and (iii)(a) such promise must be secured by a surety bond,
other suitable insurance or an equivalent form of security which assures that
any repayments may be obtained by the Registrant without delay or litigation,
which bond, insurance or other form of security must be provided by the
recipient of the advance, or (b) a majority of a quorum of the Registrant's
disinterested, non-party Trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, shall determine, based upon a review of readily available facts, that
the recipient of the advance ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification.
In Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement relating to the securities being
offered hereby, the Registrant agrees to indemnify the Distributor and each
person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), against certain types
of civil liabilities arising in connection with the Registration Statement or
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant
and the principal underwriter pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange
C-2
<PAGE> 65
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant and the principal underwriter in connection with the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
Trustee, officer or controlling person or the principal underwriter in
connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF MANAGER.
Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM" or the "Manager") acts as
investment adviser for the following open-end investment companies: Merrill
Lynch Adjustable Rate Securities Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Americas Income Fund,
Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Builder Program, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Growth
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Asset Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Fund,
Inc., Merrill Lynch Developing Capital Markets Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Dragon
Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch EuroFund, Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Fund For Tomorrow, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund,
Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Bond Fund for Investment and Retirement, Merrill
Lynch Global Convertible Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Global Holdings, Merrill
Lynch Global Resources Trust, Merrill Lynch Global SmallCap Fund, Inc., Merrill
Lynch Global Utility Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Growth Fund for Investment and
Retirement, Merrill Lynch Healthcare Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Institutional
Intermediate Fund, Merrill Lynch International Equity Fund, Merrill Lynch Latin
America Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Middle East/Africa Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Pacific Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Retirement Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Series Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch
Short-Term Global Income Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Strategic Dividend Fund,
Merrill Lynch Technology Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves,
Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Money Fund, Merrill Lynch Utility Income Fund, Inc.
and Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds, Inc.; and the following closed-end
investment companies: Convertible Holdings, Inc., Merrill Lynch High Income
Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., and Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM"), an affiliate of MLAM, acts as the
investment adviser for the following open-end investment companies: CBA Money
Fund, CMA Government Securities Fund, CMA Money Fund, CMA Multi-State Municipal
Series Trust, CMA Tax-Exempt Fund, CMA Treasury Fund, The Corporate Fund
Accumulation Program, Inc., Financial Institutions Series Trust, Merrill Lynch
Basic Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series Trust, Merrill
Lynch Corporate Bond Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Federal Securities Trust, Merrill
Lynch Funds for Institutions Series, Merrill Lynch Multi-State Limited Maturity
Municipal Series Trust, Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust,
Merrill Lynch Phoenix Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Puerto Rico Tax-Exempt Fund,
Inc., Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch World Income Fund,
Inc., and the Municipal Fund Accumulation Program, Inc.; and the following
closed-end investment companies: Apex Municipal Fund, Inc., Corporate High Yield
Fund, Inc., Corporate High Yield Fund II, Inc., Emerging Tigers Fund, Inc.,
Income Opportunities Fund 1999, Inc., Income Opportunities Fund 2000, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Municipal Strategy Fund, Inc., MuniAssets Fund, Inc., MuniEnhanced
Fund, Inc., MuniInsured Fund, Inc., MuniVest Fund, Inc., MuniVest Fund II, Inc.,
MuniVest California Insured Fund, Inc., MuniVest Florida Fund, MuniVest Michigan
Insured Fund, Inc., MuniVest New Jersey Fund, Inc., MuniVest New York Insured
Fund, Inc., MuniVest Pennsylvania Insured Fund, MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc.,
MuniYield California Fund, Inc., MuniYield California Insured Fund, Inc.,
MuniYield California Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Florida Fund, MuniYield
Florida Insured Fund, MuniYield Fund, Inc., MuniYield Insured Fund, Inc.,
MuniYield Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Michigan Fund, Inc., MuniYield
Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc., MuniYield New
Jersey Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New
York Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield New York Insured Fund III, Inc., MuniYield
Pennsylvania Fund, MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc., MuniYield Quality Fund II,
Inc., Senior High Income Portfolio, Inc.,
C-3
<PAGE> 66
Taurus MuniCalifornia Holdings, Inc., Taurus MuniNew York Holdings, Inc. and
Worldwide DollarVest Fund, Inc. The address of each of these investment
companies is P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 except that the
address of Merrill Lynch Institutional Intermediate Fund and Merrill Lynch Funds
for Institutions Series is One Financial Center, 15th Floor, Boston,
Massachusetts 02111-2646. The address of the Manager and FAM is also P.O. Box
9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011. The address of Merrill Lynch Funds
Distributor, Inc. ("MLFD") is P.O. Box 9081, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081.
The address of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill
Lynch") and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") is World Financial Center,
North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281. The address of Merrill
Lynch Financial Data Services, Inc. ("MLFDS") is 4800 Deer Lake Drive East,
Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484.
Set forth below is a list of each executive officer and partner of the
Manager indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a
substantial nature in which each such person or entity has been engaged since
January 1, 1994 for his or her or its own account or in the capacity of
director, officer, partner or trustee. In addition, Mr. Zeikel is President, Mr.
Glenn is Executive Vice President and Mr. Richard is Treasurer of all or
substantially all of the investment companies described in the preceding
paragraph and Messrs. Giordano, Harvey, Hewitt, Kirstein and Monagle are
directors or officers of one or more of such companies.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS,
PROFESSION, VOCATION
NAME POSITION WITH MANAGER OR EMPLOYMENT
---- --------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ML & Co. ................ Limited Partner Financial Services Holding Company
Princeton Services, Inc.
("Princeton Services"). General Partner General Partner of FAM
Arthur Zeikel............ President President of FAM; President and Director of
Princeton Services; Director of MLFD; Executive
Vice President of ML & Co.
Terry K. Glenn........... Executive Vice President Executive Vice President of FAM; Executive Vice
President and Director of Princeton Services;
President and Director of MLFD; Director of
MLFDS; President of Princeton Administrators,
L.P.
Vincent R. Giordano...... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice
President of Princeton Services
Elizabeth Griffin........ Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM
Norman R. Harvey......... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice
President of Princeton Services
Michael J. Hennewinkel... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM
N. John Hewitt........... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice
President of Princeton Services
Philip L. Kirstein....... Senior Vice President, Senior Vice President; General Counsel and
General Counsel and Secretary of FAM; Senior Vice President,
Secretary General Counsel, Director and Secretary of
Princeton Services; Director of MLFD
Ronald M. Kloss.......... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President and Controller of FAM;
and Controller Senior Vice President and Controller of
Princeton Services
Stephen M. M. Miller..... Senior Vice President Executive Vice President of Princeton
Administrators, L.P.
Joseph T. Monagle, Jr.... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice
President of Princeton Services
Richard L. Reller........ Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice
President of Princeton Services
</TABLE>
C-4
<PAGE> 67
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS,
PROFESSION, VOCATION
NAME POSITION WITH MANAGER OR EMPLOYMENT
---- --------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Gerald M. Richard........ Senior Vice President Senior Vice President and Treasurer of FAM;
and Treasurer Senior Vice President and Treasurer of
Princeton Services; Vice President and
Treasurer of MLFD
Ronald L. Welburn........ Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice
President of Princeton Services
Anthony Wiseman.......... Senior Vice President Senior Vice President of FAM; Senior Vice
President of Princeton Services
</TABLE>
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.
(a) MLFD acts as the principal underwriter for the Registrant and for each
of the open-end investment companies referred to in the first two paragraphs of
Item 28 except CBA Money Fund, CMA Government Securities Fund, CMA Money Fund,
CMA Multi-State Municipal Series Trust, CMA Tax-Exempt Fund, CMA Treasury Fund,
The Corporate Fund Accumulation Program, Inc., and The Municipal Fund
Accumulation Program, Inc., and also acts as principal underwriter for the
following closed-end funds: Merrill Lynch High Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
and Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc.
(b) Set forth below is information concerning each director and officer of
MLFD. The principal business address of each such person is P.O. Box 9081,
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081, except that the address of Messrs. Aldrich,
Brady, Breen, Crook, Fatseas, and Wasel is One Financial Center, 15th Floor,
Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2633.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(2) (3)
(1) POSITIONS AND OFFICES POSITIONS AND OFFICES
NAME WITH MLFD WITH REGISTRANT
---- --------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Terry K. Glenn............... President and Director Executive Vice President
Arthur Zeikel................ Director President and Trustee
Philip L. Kirstein........... Director None
William E. Aldrich........... Senior Vice President None
Robert W. Crook.............. Senior Vice President None
Kevin P. Boman............... Vice President None
Michael Brady................ Vice President None
William M. Breen............. Vice President None
Sharon Creveling............. Vice President and Assistant Treasurer None
Mark A. DeSario.............. Vice President None
James T. Fatseas............. Vice President None
Michelle T. Lau.............. Vice President None
Debra W. Landsman-Yaros...... Vice President None
Gerald M. Richard............ Vice President and Treasurer Treasurer
Salvatore Venezia............ Vice President None
William Wasel................ Vice President None
Robert Harris................ Secretary None
</TABLE>
(c) Not applicable.
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder will be
maintained at the offices of the Registrant, 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro,
New Jersey 08536, and the transfer agent, Merrill Lynch Financial Data Services,
Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484.
C-5
<PAGE> 68
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
Other than as set forth under the caption "Management of the
Trust -- Management and Advisory Arrangements" in the Prospectus constituting
Part A of the Registration Statement, and under the caption "Management of the
Trust -- Management and Advisory Arrangements" in the Statement of Additional
Information constituting Part B of the Registration Statement, the Registrant is
not a party to any management related service contract.
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Registrant undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus is
delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to
shareholders upon request and without charge.
C-6
<PAGE> 69
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, THE REGISTRANT CERTIFIES THAT IT MEETS ALL OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 485(B) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND HAS DULY
CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF
BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE TOWNSHIP OF PLAINSBORO,
AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, ON THE 25TH DAY OF APRIL, 1996.
MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST
(Registrant)
By: /s/ TERRY K. GLENN
-------------------------------
(Terry K. Glenn, Executive Vice
President)
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN
THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
ARTHUR ZEIKEL* President and Trustee
---------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
(Arthur Zeikel)
GERALD M. RICHARD* Treasurer (Principal
---------------------------------- Financial and Accounting
(Gerald M. Richard) Officer)
DONALD CECIL* Trustee
----------------------------------
(Donald Cecil)
M. COLYER CRUM* Trustee
----------------------------------
(M. Colyer Crum)
EDWARD H. MEYER* Trustee
----------------------------------
(Edward H. Meyer)
JACK B. SUNDERLAND* Trustee
----------------------------------
(Jack B. Sunderland)
J. THOMAS TOUCHTON* Trustee
----------------------------------
(J. Thomas Touchton)
* By: /s/ TERRY K. GLENN
---------------------------------- April 25, 1996
(Terry K. Glenn, Attorney-in-Fact)
</TABLE>
C-7
<PAGE> 70
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
- ------
<S> <C>
10 --Opinion of Brown & Wood, counsel for the Registrant.
11 --Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for the Registrant.
17 --Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
BROWN & WOOD
ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048-0557
TELEPHONE: (212) 839-5300
FACSIMILE: (212) 839-5599
April 26, 1996
Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration by
Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust")
of 5,707,930,910 shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.10 per share (the
"Shares"), under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to a registration statement
on Form N-1A (File No. 2-52711), as amended (the "Registration Statement").
As counsel for the Trust, we are familiar with the proceedings taken by
it in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale of the Shares. In
addition, we have examined and are familiar with the Declaration of Trust of the
Trust, the By-Laws of the Trust and such other documents as we have deemed
relevant to the matters referred to in this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, upon
issuance and sale in the manner referred to in the Registration Statement for
consideration not less than the par value thereof, will be legally issued, fully
paid and non-assessable, except that shareholders of the Trust may under certain
circumstances be held personally liable for the Trust's obligations.
In rendering this opinion, we have relied as to matters of
Massachusetts law upon an opinion of Bingham, Dana & Gould rendered to the
Trust.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information constituting parts thereof.
Very truly yours,
/s/ BROWN & WOOD
<PAGE> 1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST:
We consent to the use in Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to Registration
Statement No. 2-52711 of our report dated January 31, 1996 appearing in the
Statement of Additional Information, which is a part of such Registration
Statement, and to the reference to us under the caption "Financial Highlights"
appearing in the Prospectus, which also is a part of such Registration
Statement.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
April 26, 1996
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000065109
<NAME> MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 7204928407
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 7207160284
<RECEIVABLES> 33514609
<ASSETS-OTHER> 170476
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 7240845369
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 100017547
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 61473117
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 161490664
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 7077122828
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 7077122828
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 6248488614
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 2231877
<NET-ASSETS> 7079354705
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 415847197
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 45734754
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 370112443
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 995794
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 9723823
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 380832060
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 370112443
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 995794
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 14615042905
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 14155972930
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 369564239
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 838358037
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 24584276
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 45734754
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 6892866135
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII> .05
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> .05
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .67
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
