[PHOTO OF DEXTER A.
DODGE, CHAIRMAN]
[FLAG LOGO]
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
The influence of the Federal Reserve Bank in setting short-term interest rates
is considerable. As we write this Semi-Annual Report to you, we are in the midst
of a period in which the Fed has become more active, having raised short-term
interest rates from 4.75% to 5.00% in late June. From the point of view of an
investor in the Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund, the answer to the
question of whether the Fed will continue to act is of relevance to future
returns. Should short-term rates rise, money market fund investors will see
higher returns in the future.
Accordingly, a short discussion of the considerations that the Federal Reserve
has indicated will govern their decisions is in order. To begin, we can turn to
a simple statement of the so-called "output gap" way of looking at the economy.
Alan Greenspan, in a pair of speeches right before the Federal Reserve raised
rates provided a simple model. The economy can grow, without inflation, only as
fast as the combination of population growth and productivity. That is, if the
population is growing at 1% and productivity is growing at 2%, then the economy
can grow at 3% without the Federal Reserve having to worry about inflation in
the future. Growth above this "speed limit" has the potential to make inflation
accelerate and would require the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates enough
to slow the economy down to the 3% rate.
Whether they need to raise rates depends importantly on two things. First,
should the economy slow to 3% on its own, the Federal Reserve does not need to
act. Those who believe this will happen cite the following which will cause the
economy to slow on its own.
a. Real personal disposable income, which predicts consumer spending very
well, is going to grow more slowly than it has in the past. This change
is due to sharply rising energy prices, which take more of a bite out of
income, leaving less to spend.
b. Recent increases in interest rates will slow down the housing market
substantially, producing an effect which drags down overall growth.
c. Recent increases in interest rates will tend to reduce the "wealth
effect" component of consumer spending. That is, consumers will do much
less refinancing of their homes and therefore much less spending with
cash that is gained from the higher value of their homes.
d. The stock market is overvalued, and will correct by 10% which will also
reduce the "wealth effect" part of spending.
e. Some of the growth in the first quarter was due to warm weather which
simply moved construction from the second and third quarters into the
first.
All of these items will be important to watch to see if the Federal Reserve does
need to act.
The second major thing upon which future Federal Reserve action will depend goes
back to the formula for the "speed limit." Suppose, either because of a large
amount of capital spending, or because things have really changed fundamentally
with the advent of the Internet and ever-cheaper computing power,
<PAGE>
that productivity grows at 3.5% instead of 2%? According to our formula, that
would mean that the economy can grow at 4.5% (1% population growth plus 3.5%
productivity growth) which would mean that inflation will not increase even if
we continue growing at 4.5%. This too bears further watching, both from the
point of view of what productivity does (many believe it is currently growing at
close to 3.5%) and also from the point of view of whether the Board members of
the Federal Reserve believe that this rate of growth is short-lived or
sustainable.
Whatever the result of the Federal Reserve's deliberation, the disciplines we
employ in the Freedom California Tax Exempt Money Fund do not change. We
continue to invest to achieve the highest short-term rates available while
remaining a portfolio of very high quality and security.
A review of the Fund by the portfolio manager follows. We thank you again for
the opportunity to be of service.
Sincerely,
/s/ Dexter A. Dodge
- --------------------
Dexter A. Dodge
Chairman
[PHOTO OF PAUL MARANDETT
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT
MONEY FUND]
Financial Review
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA
TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
Following the tone set last year, interest rates in the short term or money
market sector have remained at historically low levels. The annualized monthly
total return on the California Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund stood at 2.25% in
January and climbed to only 2.46% for the month of June. That yield averaged
2.31% for the first six months of the year, just 1 basis point off the industry
average. Certainly there was some yield volatility caused by seasonal cash
flows, April tax payments and heavy note issuance at the beginning of the year
but these occurrences were much more muted than in prior years. Money fund
assets overall have grown steadily during the year and assets of the California
Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund have increased approximately 18% from one year
ago.
As usual, the fundamentals of supply and demand were the principal factors
effecting the tax exempt money market with demand slightly out-pacing supply.
Normally issuers would take advantage of these low nominal rates and increase
the supply side of the equation but that hasn't happened this year. A
combination of two things has dampened the new issue market; one is the fact
that the long term market also has historically low interest
<PAGE>
rates which issuers would prefer to lock into for more permanent financing. The
other is the specter of "Y2K"; those issuers that can are delaying financing
until after year end in hopes that whatever Y2K problems that may occur will be
rectified. With continued economic strength, along with the bullish behavior of
the equity markets, the heightened level of investor wealth should continue to
enhance the supply side of the tax exempt markets thus maintaining the current
interest rate structure.
The average maturity for California tax exempt funds has been close to 45 days
for over a year now (the maximum allowed is 90 days). This historically short
average maturity is a direct result of the short term markets' flat yield curve,
a heretofore unusual condition that has also persisted for more than a year. We
have maintained an annual average maturity of 31 days for the California Freedom
Tax Exempt Money Fund, shorter than the industry average, and expect to continue
that strategy until we see a shift in the structure of the short term yield
curve. Though the Federal Reserve Board's June 30th boost of the federal funds
rate went largely unnoticed in the tax exempt money market sector, the Fund's
present strategy enables it to easily take advantage of rising interest rates
should the Fed continue to raise short term interest rates.
Sincerely,
/s/ Paul Marandett
- -------------------
Paul Marandett
Portfolio Manager
THIS PORTION OF THE PAGE
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF JUNE 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
- ------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES -- 96.9%
$ 2,890,000 Alameda County Multi-Family Mortgage
Bonds (FNMA) 3.00% 7-07-99............ $ 2,890,000
1,750,000 Cabrillo Community College District
(FSA) 5.00% 8-01-99................... 1,752,463
2,000,000 California HFA (MBIA/FNB Chicago) 3.00%
7-07-99............................... 2,000,000
200,000 California HFA (MBIA/ Rabobank) 3.00%
7-07-99............................... 200,000
200,000 California HFA (Morgan Guaranty LOC)
3.30% 7-07-99......................... 200,000
2,100,000 California PCFA (Bank of Nova Scotia
LOC) 3.10% 7-07-99.................... 2,100,000
4,000,000 California School Facilities Financing
Corp. (KBC LOC) 3.50% 7-01-99......... 4,000,000
2,000,000 Carlsbad Multi-Family Mortgage Bonds
(Bank of America LOC) 3.35% 7-07-99... 2,000,000
2,250,000 Duarte Redevelopment Agency (Bank of
America LOC) 3.65% 7-01-99............ 2,250,000
4,700,000 Fremont MFHA (Kredietbank LOC) 3.65%
7-01-99............................... 4,700,000
Irvine Assessment District
Improvement Bonds
2,000,000 (Bayerische Vereinsbank LOC) 2.90%
7-01-99............................... 2,000,000
3,100,000 (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce LOC)
2.90% 7-01-99......................... 3,100,000
2,000,000 (KBC LOC) 2.90% 7-01-99................. 2,000,000
1,300,000 (National Westminster LOC) 2.90%
7-01-99............................... 1,300,000
Irvine Ranch Water District
Revenue Bonds
400,000 (Commerzbank LOC) 2.90% 7-01-99......... 400,000
1,000,000 (Landesbank-Hessen LOC) 2.90% 7-01-99... 1,000,000
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
- ------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------
$ 3,000,000 Kern County Board of Education 4.00%
6-30-00............................... $ 3,019,380
7,400,000 Kern County Public Facilities Project
(United Bank of Switzerland LOC) 3.00%
7-07-99............................... 7,400,000
2,000,000 Los Angeles Capital Asset Leasing Corp.
(West Deutsche Landesbank/Bayerische
Landesbank/Morgan Guaranty LOC) 2.90%
9-07-99............................... 2,000,000
2,580,000 Los Angeles County IDA (Morgan Guaranty
LOC) 3.00% 7-07-99.................... 2,580,000
3,400,000 Los Angeles County TRANS 4.00%
6-30-00............................... 3,422,304
Los Angeles DWAP (Toronto
Dominion/Bank of Nova Scotia LOC)
4,000,000 2.85% 7-12-99........................... 4,000,000
1,000,000 3.00% 7-30-99........................... 1,000,000
1,000,000 Los Angeles Wastewater System (United
Bank of Switzerland/ Morgan Guaranty
LOC) 2.90% 9-08-99.................... 1,000,000
1,500,000 MWD of Southern California
(AMBAC/ABN-Amro) 3.35% 7-01-99........ 1,500,000
5,700,000 Oakland Joint Powers Financing Authority
(FSA/ Commerzbank) 3.40% 7-01-99...... 5,700,000
2,200,000 Orange County Health Systems
Certificates of Participation (Swiss
Bank LOC) 3.00% 7-07-99............... 2,200,000
2,000,000 Orange County Housing Authority (FNMA)
3.50% 7-01-99......................... 2,000,000
See Notes to Financial Statements.
4
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 -- (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
- ------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED)
$ 2,100,000 Orange County Sanitation District
(National Westminster LOC) 2.90%
7-01-99............................... $ 2,100,000
3,000,000 Orange County Water District (United
Bank of Switzerland LOC) 3.05%
8-18-99............................... 3,000,000
1,200,000 Pasadena Certificates of Participation
(Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
LOC) 3.00% 7-07-99.................... 1,200,000
3,900,000 Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation
Authority (AMBAC/Bank of Nova Scotia)
3.10% 7-07-99......................... 3,900,000
1,665,000 Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation
Authority (United Bank of Switzerland/
Landesbank Hessen LOC) 3.00%
7-01-99............................... 1,665,000
1,000,000 Sacramento County MFHA Revenue Bonds
(Bank of America LOC) 3.40% 7-01-99... 1,000,000
2,195,000 Sacramento County MFHA Revenue Bonds
(FNMA) 3.00% 7-07-99.................. 2,195,000
1,500,000 San Bernardino County TRANS 4.50%
9-30-99............................... 1,504,851
6,200,000 San Bernardino County Certificates of
Participation (Canadian Imperial Bank
of Commerce LOC) 3.30% 7-07-99........ 6,200,000
2,000,000 San Diego County C.P. (Helaba LOC) 2.95%
7-21-99............................... 2,000,000
3,150,000 Santa Clara Electric Revenue Bonds
(National Westminster LOC) 3.10%
7-07-99............................... 3,150,000
$ 1,025,000 San Francisco Airport (Societe Generale
LOC) 3.25% 7-15-99.................... $ 1,025,000
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION VALUE
- ------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------
2,000,000 San Francisco BART (Bayerische
Landesbank LOC) 4.10% 7-07-99......... 2,000,000
5,000,000 San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
(Credit Suisse LOC) 3.00% 7-07-99..... 5,000,000
5,000,000 South Coast RANS (MBIA) 4.00% 6-30-00... 5,031,800
4,000,000 Southeast Resource Recovery Facilities
Authority (Bayerische Hypo/State
Street LOC) 3.10% 7-07-99............. 4,000,000
2,900,000 Southern California MWD
(AMBAC/Barclay's) 3.20% 7-07-99....... 2,900,000
3,285,000 Vallejo Multi-Family Mortgage Bonds
(FNMA) 3.00% 7-07-99.................. 3,285,000
2,000,000 West Basin Municipal Water District
(Bayerische Hypo LOC) 3.20% 7-07-99... 2,000,000
---------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS -- 96.9%.............................. 120,870,798(a)
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net -- 3.1%................. 3,842,707
---------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS -- 100.0%.............................. $ 124,713,505
===============
Legend:
BART -- Bay Area Rapid Transit
C.P. -- Commercial Paper
DWAP -- Department of Water & Power
HFA -- Housing Finance Authority
IDA -- Industrial Development Authority
LOC -- Letter of Credit
MFHA -- Multifamily Housing Authority
MWD -- Metropolitan Water District
PCFA -- Pollution Control Finance Authority
RANS -- Revenue Anticipation Notes
TRANS -- Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
USD -- Unified School District
See Notes to Financial Statements.
5
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
INVESTMENTS AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 -- (CONTINUED)
(UNAUDITED)
Insurance Abbreviations:
AMBAC -- American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation
FNMA -- Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA -- Finanial Security Assurance Inc.
MBIA -- Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Maturity dates for many bonds and notes represent the next scheduled date at
which the interest rate may be adjusted or a demand or put feature may be
exercised.
- ------------
(a) Cost for tax purposes is the same.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
6
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
JUNE 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
Investments, at amortized cost................. $120,870,798
Cash........................................... 14,328,517
Receivable for Fund shares sold................ 874,987
Interest receivable............................ 378,477
Prepaid expenses............................... 839
------------
TOTAL ASSETS................................... 136,453,618
------------
LIABILITIES
Payable for investments purchased.............. 11,473,484
Payable for Fund shares redeemed............... 71,385
Dividends payable.............................. 134,536
Accrued expenses:
Investment adviser's fee.................... 45,121
Transfer agent and shareholder servicing fee 5,288
Other....................................... 10,299
------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES.............................. 11,740,113
------------
NET ASSETS........................................ $124,713,505
============
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Capital paid in................................ $124,711,297
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)........... 2,208
------------
$124,713,505
============
SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING
(UNLIMITED SHARES AUTHORIZED).................... 124,711,297
------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE......................... $ 1.00
============
See Notes to Financial Statements.
7
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999
(UNAUDITED)
INTEREST INCOME................................... $1,808,440
----------
EXPENSES
Investment adviser's fee....................... 315,157
Transfer agent & shareholder services.......... 21,720
Custodian...................................... 15,330
Compensation of Trustees....................... 5,430
Audit.......................................... 10,860
Legal.......................................... 10,860
Printing, postage and stationery............... 13,360
Membership dues................................ 1,560
Registration expense........................... 3,525
Insurance expense.............................. 1,689
Other.......................................... 905
----------
TOTAL EXPENSES BEFORE WAIVER................... 400,396
LESS: FEES WAIVED BY ADVISER................... (37,819)
----------
TOTAL EXPENSES................................. 362,577
----------
LESS: EXPENSE REDUCTIONS....................... (13,520)
----------
NET EXPENSES...................................... 349,057
----------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME............................. 1,459,383
----------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
OPERATIONS..................................... $1,459,383
==========
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Six Months
Ended Year Ended
June 30, 1999* December 31, 1998
--------------- -----------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income................ $ 1,808,440 $ 3,099,166
--------------- -----------------
Net increase in net assets resulting
from operations..................... 1,808,440 3,099,166
--------------- -----------------
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS............... (1,808,440) (3,099,166)
--------------- -----------------
-- --
--------------- -----------------
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
(At Net Asset Value of $1 per share)
Proceeds from sale of shares......... 212,056,918 368,784,375
Net asset value of shares issued to
shareholders in reinvestment of
dividends........................... 1,310,938 3,038,193
Cost of shares redeemed.............. (212,459,535) (362,745,933)
--------------- -----------------
Net increase/(decrease) from
capital share transactions....... 908,321 9,076,635
--------------- -----------------
Net increase/(decrease) in net
assets.............................. 908,321 9,076,635
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period.................. 123,805,184 114,728,549
--------------- -----------------
End of period........................ $ 124,713,505 $ 123,805,184
=============== =================
- ---------
*Unaudited
See Notes to Financial Statements.
9
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
(A SERIES OF FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES. Freedom Group of Tax Exempt Funds (the "Trust")
is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, as an open-end management company. The Agreement and
Declaration of Trust permits the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of
beneficial interest in separate series, with shares of each series representing
interests in a separate portfolio of assets and operating as a separate distinct
fund. The Trust consists of two series: the Freedom California Tax Exempt Money
Fund (the "Fund") and the Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund. The financial
statements of the Freedom Tax Exempt Money Fund are included in a separate
semi-annual report for that Fund.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by
the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
SECURITY VALUATION AND TRANSACTIONS. The Fund values its portfolio
securities utilizing the amortized cost valuation method. This method involves
valuing a portfolio security at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant
amortization to maturity of any discount or premium. Cost is determined and
gains and losses are based upon the specific identification method for both
financial statement and federal income tax purposes. Investment securities
transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold.
The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued basis. Payment and
delivery may take place more than a week after the date of the transaction. The
price that will be paid for the underlying securities is fixed at the time the
transaction is negotiated.
EXPENSES. The majority of the expenses of the Trust are directly
identifiable to an individual Fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable
as belonging to a specific fund are allocated in such a manner as deemed
equitable by the Trustees, taking into consideration, among other things, the
nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.
Trustees' fees of $6,000 per Trust, per year, plus $250 per meeting of the
Board of Trustees and $350 per meeting of any committee thereof, are paid by the
Trust to each Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust. No
remuneration is paid by the Trust to any Trustee or officer of the Trust who is
affiliated with Freedom Capital Management Corporation, the Trust's advisor.
The Trust has entered into an insurance agreement with ICI Mutual Insurance
Company, under which the Trust pays both an annual insurance premium and a
one-time reserve premium, and is committed to provide additional funds of up to
300% of its initial annual premium if and when called upon.
The Fund has an agreement with the custodian bank under which $13,520 of
custodian fees have been reduced by balance credits applied during the period
ended June 30, 1999. If the Fund had not entered into this agreement, the assets
not invested, on which these balance credits were earned, could have produced
taxable income.
10
<PAGE>
FREEDOM CALIFORNIA TAX EXEMPT MONEY FUND
(A SERIES OF FREEDOM GROUP OF TAX EXEMPT FUNDS)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
FEDERAL INCOME TAX. It is the Fund's policy to comply with the provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute all of its income to its shareholders. It is also the intention of
the Fund to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid imposition of
excise tax on undistributed amounts under the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore,
no federal income or excise tax provision is required.
INTEREST INCOME AND DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS. Interest income is accrued as
earned. Dividends to shareholders are declared daily from net investment income,
which consists of interest accrued or discount earned (including original issue
and market discount) less amortization of premium and the estimated expenses of
the Fund applicable to the dividend period.
OTHER. There are certain risks arising from geographic concentration in any
state. Certain revenue or tax related events in a state may impair the ability
of certain issuers of municipal securities to pay principal and interest on
their obligations. The Fund may focus its investments in certain industries. As
a result, the Fund may be subject to a greater risk than a fund that is more
fully diversified in various industries.
NOTE 2. INVESTMENT ADVISOR AND OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS. Freedom
Capital Management Corporation ("FCMC") is the parent of Freedom Distributors
Corporation as well as an affiliate of Sutro & Co., Inc. ("Sutro"), Tucker
Anthony Incorporated ("Tucker Anthony") and Freedom Services Corp. All are
wholly owned subsidiaries of Freedom Securities Corporation ("Freedom
Securities").
FCMC, the investment advisor of the Trust, furnishes the Fund with
administration and other services and office facilities in Boston. For these
services and facilities, the Fund pays a monthly fee, based upon the average
daily net asset value of the Fund, at the annual rate of one half of one percent
(.50%) on the first $500 million of average daily net assets and forty-five
hundredths of one percent (.45%) for average daily net assets in excess of that
amount. The Fund itself pays no salaries or compensation to any of its officers.
FCMC may voluntarily waive part or all of its management fee for a period
under the terms of the advisory agreement. Such waivers were provided to the
Fund for the period ended June 30, 1999 and may be discontinued at any time.
Sutro, Tucker Anthony and Freedom Distributors Corporation act as
distributors of the Fund's shares and receive no compensation for such services.
As transfer agent, Freedom Services Corporation received $35,240 for the period
ended June 30, 1999.
NOTE 3. Purchases and sales (including maturities) of investments for the
period ended June 30, 1999 were as follows:
Purchases of investments....................... $ 187,170,362
Sales of investments........................... $ 188,833,000
11
<PAGE>
FREEDOM GROUP OF MONEY FUNDS
OUR FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The table of Financial Highlights below represents a summary history of our
operations. The table expresses the information in terms of a single share
outstanding throughout each period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSET DIVIDENDS
VALUE FROM NET ASSET NET ASSETS
BEGINNING NET NET VALUE END
OF INVESTMENT INVESTMENT END OF TOTAL OF PERIOD
PERIOD ENDED PERIOD INCOME(A) INCOME PERIOD RETURN** (THOUSANDS)
- ------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
June 30, 1999++............... $ 1.00 $ 0.0115 $ (0.0115) $ 1.00 1.16% $ 124,714
December 31, 1998............. 1.00 0.0260 (0.0260) 1.00 2.64% 123,805
December 31, 1997............. 1.00 0.0297 (0.0297) 1.00 3.02% 114,729
December 31, 1996............. 1.00 0.0286 (0.0286) 1.00 2.90% 115,337
December 31, 1995............. 1.00 0.0325 (0.0325) 1.00 3.29% 85,204
December 31, 1994............. 1.00 0.0228 (0.0228) 1.00 2.32% 72,659
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATIO OF NET
RATIO OF INVESTMENT
EXPENSES INCOME
TO AVERAGE TO AVERAGE
DAILY DAILY
PERIOD ENDED NET ASSETS(A) NET ASSETS
- ------------------------------ --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
June 30, 1999++............... 0.58%(b)+ 2.29%(c)+
December 31, 1998............. 0.55%(b) 2.58%(c)
December 31, 1997............. 0.55%(b) 2.94%(c)
December 31, 1996............. 0.46% 2.86%
December 31, 1995............. 0.47% 3.25%
December 31, 1994............. 0.46% 2.28%
</TABLE>
- ------------
+ Annualized.
++ Unaudited.
(a) Net of fees waived by the Adviser which amounted to $.0006, $.0007 $.0010,
$.0015, $.0018, and $.0020 per shares for the period ended June 30, 1999
and for the years ended December 31, 1998, December 31, 1997, December 31,
1996, December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994, respectively.
(b) Ratio of expenses to average daily net assets after expense credits was
0.55%, 0.53% and 0.52% for the period ended June 30, 1999 and for the years
ended December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively.
(c) Ratio of net investment income to average daily net assets after expense
credits was 2.32%, 2.60% and 2.97% for the period ended June 30, 1999 and
for the years ended December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively.
** Total return would have been lower had the Adviser not waived fees and had
the custodian not allowed credits.
12
<PAGE>
FREEDOM
CALIFORNIA
[LOGO]
TAX EXEMPT
MONEY FUND
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
JUNE 30, 1999
NO SALES OR REDEMPTION CHARGES
DISTRIBUTOR
Sutro & Co. Incorporated
201 California Street
San Francisco, California 94111
Telephone Toll Free
800-453-8206
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Freedom Capital Management Corporation
One Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108-3105
TRANSFER AND SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES AGENT
Freedom Services Corporation
One World Financial Center
200 Liberty Street
New York, New York 10281
Telephone Toll Free
800-453-8206
This report has been prepared for shareholders and may be distributed to others
only if preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Freedom
California Tax Exempt Money Funds.
FCTSA 0699
