Annual Report - Financial Statements
T. Rowe Price
Tax-Free
Short-Intermediate
Fund
February 28, 1999
Portfolio Highlights
SECTOR Diversification
Percent of Percent of
Net Assets Net Assets
8/31/98 2/28/99
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Prerefunded Bonds 29% 25%
General Obligation - Local 12 12
Nuclear Revenue 7 9
Hospital Revenue 6 7
Air and Sea Transportation 7 7
Lease Revenue 7 6
General Obligation - State 5 6
Electric Revenue 4 6
Educational Revenue 4 5
Dedicated Tax Revenue 6 4
Industrial and Pollution Control Revenue 4 4
Solid Waste Revenue 4 3
Water and Sewer Revenue 2 3
All Other 3 2
Other Assets Less Liabilities -- 1
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Total 100% 100%
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights For a share outstanding throughout each period
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year
Ended
2/28/99 2/28/98 2/28/97 2/29/96 2/28/95
NET ASSET VALUE
Beginning of period $ 5.37 $ 5.35 $ 5.37 $ 5.25 $ 5.32
Investment activities
Net investment income 0.22 0.22 0.23 0.23 0.22
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss) 0.04 0.05 (0.02) 0.12 (0.07)
Total from
investment activities 0.26 0.27 0.21 0.35 0.15
Distributions
Net investment income (0.22) (0.22) (0.23) (0.23) (0.22)
Net realized gain (0.02) (0.03) -- -- --
Total distributions (0.24) (0.25) (0.23) (0.23) (0.22)
NET ASSET VALUE
End of period $ 5.39 $ 5.37 $ 5.35 $ 5.37 $ 5.25
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Total return 4.90% 5.28% 4.02% 6.87% 2.91%
Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets 0.53% 0.54% 0.56% 0.57% 0.59%
Ratio of net investment
income to average
net assets 4.06% 4.23% 4.30% 4.39% 4.19%
Portfolio turnover rate 39.9% 76.8% 84.3% 69.9% 93.1%
Net assets,
end of period
(in thousands) $459,319 $438,951 $443,631 $445,228 $454,084
* Total return reflects the rate that an investor would have earned on an
investment in the fund during each period, assuming reinvestment of all
distributions.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund
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February 28, 1999
Statement of Net Assets Par Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands
ALABAMA 0.9%
Alabama Docks Fac., 5.50%, 10/1/02 (MBIA Insured) $ 1,000 $ 1,060
Alabama Municipal Electric Auth.
5.75%, 9/1/01 (MBIA Insured) 3,000 3,150
Total Alabama (Cost $4,136) 4,210
ARIZONA 1.5%
Arizona Transportation Board
6.35%, 7/1/05 (Prerefunded 7/1/01!) 6,400 6,905
Total Arizona (Cost $6,581) 6,905
COLORADO 4.8%
Denver City and County Airport
6.00%, 11/15/03 (MBIA Insured) * 3,965 4,310
6.75%, 11/15/13 * 5,080 5,509
7.00%, 11/15/25 * 4,525 4,806
7.30%, 11/15/00 * 4,750 5,009
Univ. of Colorado Hosp. Auth.
6.25%, 11/15/12 (AMBAC Insured)
(Prerefunded 11/15/02!) 2,000 2,214
Total Colorado (Cost $21,504) 21,848
FLORIDA 3.3%
Jacksonville Electric Auth., St. Johns River,
(6.00%, 10/1/05 8,000 8,944
Reedy Creek Improvement Dist., Florida
Utilities 5.00%, 10/1/02 (AMBAC Insured) 6,000 6,281
Total Florida (Cost $14,982) 15,225
GEORGIA 4.0%
Atlanta Airport Fac , 5.50%, 1/1/01 (AMBAC Insured) 5,000 5,183
Municipal Electric Auth. of Georgia
5.00%, 1/1/02 (MBIA Insured) 10,000 10,345
Savannah Hosp. Auth.
St. Josephs/Candler Health System
5.00%, 7/1/02 (FGIC Insured) 2,950 3,067
Total Georgia (Cost $18,220) 18,595
HAWAII 0.9%
Hawaii, GO, 6.25%, 3/1/02 (FGIC Insured) $ 3,800 $ 4,073
Total Hawaii (Cost $3,947) 4,073
ILLINOIS 0.2%
Madison County Enviromental Improvement
Shell Oil, VRDN (Currently 3.30%)* 600 600
Southwestern Illinois Dev. Auth.
Solid Waste Disposal, Shell Oil,
Wood River VRDN (Currently 3.30%) * 400 400
Total Illinois (Cost $1,000) 1,000
INDIANA 5.4%
Indiana HFFA, Clarion Health Partners,
6.00%, 2/15/01 5,600 5,854
Indianapolis, Public Improvement
6.70%, 1/1/17 (Prerefunded 1/1/02!) 6,550 7,207
Indianapolis Airport Auth., Federal Express,
7.10%, 1/15/17 * 4,500 5,037
Indianapolis Gas Utility System,
Distribution System
5.00%, 8/15/02 (AMBAC Insured) 1,180 1,230
Purdue Univ.
6.75%, 7/1/11 (AMBAC Insured)
(Prerefunded 7/1/01!) 5,000 5,464
Total Indiana (Cost $24,307) 24,792
KENTUCKY 0.7%
Kenton County Airport Board,
Delta Airlines, 7.50%, 2/1/20 * 3,080 3,361
Total Kentucky (Cost $3,344) 3,361
LOUISIANA 3.1%
Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal Dist., PCR,
Conoco VRDN (Currently 3.40%) * 900 900
Louisiana, GO
5.00%, 4/15/03 3,770 3,942
6.00%, 8/1/00 (FGIC Insured) 7,250 7,517
Louisiana PFA, Student Loan, 6.10%, 9/1/00 1,180 1,216
Saint Charles Parish, PCR, Shell Oil
VRDN (Currently 3.30%) * $ 800 $ 800
Total Louisiana (Cost $14,149) 14,375
MARYLAND 3.7%
Maryland Energy Fin. Admin.
Wheelabrator
5.30%, 12/1/00 * 825 849
5.45%, 12/1/01 * 1,185 1,238
Maryland HHEFA
Francis Scott Key Medical Center
6.75%, 7/1/23 (FGIC Insured)
(Prerefunded 7/1/00!) 5,560 5,925
John Hopkins Univ.,
6.00%, 7/1/05 3,840 4,287
John Hopkins Univ., Peninsula Regional
Medical Center 4.60%, 7/1/02 955 979
Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Auth.
Southwest Resource Recovery Fac.
7.00%, 1/1/01 (MBIA Insured) 1,000 1,061
7.05%, 1/1/02 (MBIA Insured) 2,430 2,643
Total Maryland (Cost $16,632) 16,982
MASSACHUSETTS 1.4%
Massachusetts, GO, 7.625%, 6/1/08
(Prerefunded 6/1/01!) 4,000 4,436
Massachusetts HEFA, 6.875%,
4/1/22 (Prerefunded 4/1/02!) 2,000 2,223
Total Massachusetts (Cost $6,424) 6,659
MICHIGAN 2.9%
Detroit Sewage Disposal, 5.00%,
7/1/02 (FGIC Insured) 7,400 7,686
Michigan Hosp. Fin. Auth.
Mercy Health
5.25%, 8/15/01 715 742
5.25%, 8/15/02 555 581
6.00%, 8/15/01 2,450 2,585
6.00%, 8/15/02 1,595 1,706
Total Michigan (Cost $12,955) 13,300
MISSISSIPPI 3.6%
Adams County, Jefferson Davis Memorial Hosp.
8.00%, 10/1/16
(Prerefunded 10/1/01!) $ 3,805 $ 4,290
Harrison County, PCR, E. I. du Pont de
Nemours and Company VRDN
(Currently 3.20%) 1,000 1,000
Mississippi Business Fin.,
Solid Waste Disposal
VRDN (Currently 3.25%) * 900 900
Mississippi Higher Ed. Assistance Corp.
Student Loan
6.00%, 7/1/00 5,000 5,111
6.10%, 1/1/01 5,000 5,153
Total Mississippi (Cost $16,259) 16,454
MISSOURI 1.8%
Sikeston Electric
6.25%, 6/1/22 (MBIA Insured)
(Prerefunded 6/1/02!) 4,825 5,298
St. Louis, Lambert Int'l. Airport
6.00%, 7/1/02 (FGIC Insured) * 2,770 2,961
Total Missouri (Cost $8,082) 8,259
NEBRASKA 1.1%
Univ. of Nebraska Fac., Deferred Maintenance,
5.00%, 7/15/02 4,810 5,012
Total Nebraska (Cost $4,937) 5,012
NEVADA 1.5%
Clark County School Dist., GO, 6.00%,
6/15/02 (FGIC Insured) 6,570 7,035
Total Nevada (Cost $6,791) 7,035
NEW JERSEY 1.8%
New Jersey Transportation Auth., Trust Fund,
5.00%, 6/15/04 8,000 8,433
Total New Jersey (Cost $8,417) 8,433
NEW MEXICO 0.7%
Albuquerque, 5.00%, 7/1/04 $ 3,050 $ 3,217
Total New Mexico (Cost $3,233) 3,217
NEW YORK 19.3%
Dormitory Auth. of the State of New York
City Univ.
5.50%, 7/1/03 2,860 3,028
9.25%, 7/1/00 5,180 5,560
Interfaith Medical Center, 5.00%, 2/15/03 2,210 2,286
Mental Health Services Fac., 6.00%, 8/15/03 10,905 11,785
State Univ. Ed. Fac., 5.75%, 5/15/24
(Prerefunded 5/15/04!) 8,500 9,286
Wyckoff Heights Hosp., 5.50%, 2/15/03 4,095 4,310
Long Island Power Auth., 5.00%, 4/1/02 10,000 10,315
Metropolitan Transportation Auth.,
Commuter Fac.
5.00%, 7/1/04 (AMBAC Insured) 5,375 5,668
Nassau County, GO, 6.30%, 11/1/02 (FGIC Insured) 3,295 3,594
New York City, GO
5.25%, 8/1/00 5,055 5,191
5.25%, 8/1/03 12,040 12,685
6.75%, 8/1/04 4,300 4,860
7.00%, 8/1/04 4,000 4,570
New York City Municipal Water Fin.
Auth., Water and Sewer
6.50%, 6/15/20
(Prerefunded 6/15/02!) 5,000 5,489
Total New York (Cost $86,345) 88,627
NORTH DAKOTA 2.0%
Burleigh County Health Care
Medcenter One
5.00%, 5/1/00 (MBIA Insured) 2,060 2,099
5.00%, 5/1/01 (MBIA Insured) 2,160 2,224
5.00%, 5/1/02 (MBIA Insured) 2,270 2,351
5.00%, 5/1/03 (MBIA Insured) 2,380 2,480
Total North Dakota (Cost $9,031) 9,154
OHIO 1.7%
Cuyahoga County
Univ. Hosp.
6.00%, 1/15/01 (MBIA Insured) $ 2,120 $ 2,212
6.00%, 1/15/02 (MBIA Insured) 2,340 2,478
Ohio Building Auth., Adult Correctional Fac.
5.75%, 4/1/01 (AMBAC Insured) 2,920 3,056
Total Ohio (Cost $7,561) 7,746
PENNSYLVANIA 6.1%
Pennsylvania, GO, 5 125%, 9/15/03 (AMBAC Insured) 5,000 5,283
Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperative Auth.
Philadelphia Funding Program
6.00%, 6/15/02 (FGIC Insured) 5,000 5,357
Philadelphia, Water and Sewer
7.50%, 8/1/10 (Prerefunded 8/1/01!) 10,000 11,125
Pittsburgh, Water and Sewer
6.50%, 9/1/14 (FGIC Insured)
(Prerefunded 9/1/01!) 5,575 6,088
Total Pennsylvania (Cost $26,934) 27,853
SOUTH CAROLINA 5.1%
South Carolina Public Service Auth.
Santee Cooper
6.25%, 1/1/01 (AMBAC Insured) 2,000 2,099
6.50%, 7/1/24 (AMBAC Insured)
(Prerefunded 7/1/02!) 12,000 13,301
7.10%, 7/1/21 (Prerefunded 7/1/01!) 7,125 7,847
Total South Carolina (Cost $22,303) 23,247
TEXAS 8.8%
Austin Utilities, 5 75%, 11/15/03 (FSA Insured) 5,000 5,422
Fort Worth, GO, 6.00%, 3/1/01 5,000 5,247
Fort Worth Water & Sewer,
Refunding & Improvement
5.00%, 2/15/06 4,000 4,219
Harris County, GO, Capital Appreciation
Zero Coupon, 10/1/02 (MBIA Insured) $ 12,370 $ 10,792
Harris County Health Fac. Dev., Methodist Hosp.
VRDN (Currently 3.25%) 1,900 1,900
San Antonio Electric & Gas
5.00%, 2/1/05 4,000 4,213
5.75%, 2/1/11 (Prerefunded 2/1/02!) 4,365 4,660
Texas Univ., 6.25%, 7/1/13 (Prerefunded 7/1/02!) 2,000 2,164
Tyler Health Fac. Dev.
Mother Frances Hosp.
5.25%, 7/1/01 700 716
5.25%, 7/1/02 1,200 1,233
Total Texas (Cost $39,767) 40,566
VIRGINIA 4.3%
Alexandria IDA, Ogden Martin,
VRDN (Currently 3.20%) * 800 800
Arlington County IDA, Alexandria/Arlington
Waste to Energy
5.00%, 1/1/02 (FSA Insured) 3,000 3,099
Bedford County IDA, Georgia-Pacific,
4.60%, 8/1/04 2,200 2,225
Charles County Ind. Dev., Waste Management,
4.875%, 2/1/09* 4,000 3,975
Hampton Roads Medical College, 6.30%, 11/15/02 1,000 1,078
Metropolitan Washington D.C. Airports Auth.
6.00%, 10/1/00 (MBIA Insured) * 1,500 1,561
Virginia, GO, 5.00%, 6/1/04 2,500 2,649
Virginia Public School Auth., School Fin.,
5.50%, 8/1/02 4,150 4,399
Total Virginia (Cost $19,481) 19,786
WASHINGTON 4.1%
Chelan County Public Utility Dist.,
7.55%, 7/1/62 * 6,515 7,123
Washington HFA, Sisters of Providence
VRDN (Currently 3.20%) 1,000 1,000
Washington Public Power
Supply System
VRDN (Currently 2.85%) (MBIA Insured) 1,000 1,000
Nuclear Project
5.50%, 7/1/02 5,000 5,263
Washington Public Power Supply System
Nuclear Project
6.30%, 7/1/01 (FSA Insured) $ 2,000 $ 2,123
7.25%, 7/1/00 2,000 2,100
Total Washington (Cost $18,160) 18,609
WISCONSIN 3.7%
Wisconsin, GO
6.00%, 5/1/03 4,000 4,342
6.30%, 5/1/11 (Prerefunded 5/1/02!) 8,000 8,635
Wisconsin Transportation
5.00%, 7/1/02 1,630 1,696
5.40%, 7/1/04 2,000 2,092
Total Wisconsin (Cost $16,415) 16,765
WYOMING 0.7%
Kemmerer County, PCR, Exxon,
VRDN (Currently 3.15%) 1,500 1,500
Lincoln County, PCR, Exxon,
VRDN (Currently 3.15%) * 1,500 1,500
Total Wyoming (Cost $3,000) 3,000
Total Investments in Securities
99.1% of Net Assets (Cost $444,897) $ 455,088
Other Assets Less Liabilities 4,231
NET ASSETS $ 459,319
----------
Net Assets Consist of:
Accumulated net investment income - net of distributions $ 18
Accumulated net realized gain/loss - net of distributions 270
Net unrealized gain (loss) 10,191
Paid-in-capital applicable to 85,281,313 shares
of $0.01 par value capital stock outstanding;
1,000,000,000 shares authorized 448,840
NET ASSETS $ 459,319
----------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE $ 5.39
----------
* Interest subject to alternative minimum tax
! Used in determining portfolio maturity
AMBAC AMBAC Indemnity Corp.
FGIC Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
FSA Financial Security Assurance Corp.
GO General Obligation
HEFA Health & Educational Facility Authority
HFA Health Facility Authority
HFFA Health Facility Financing Authority
HHEFA Health & Higher Educational Facility Authority IDA Industrial
Development Authority
MBIA Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corp.
PCR Pollution Control Revenue
PFA Public Facility Authority
VRDN Variable Rate Demand Note
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short Intermediate Fund
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Statement of Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands
Year
Ended
2/28/99
Investment Income
Interest income $ 20,626
Expenses
Investment management 1,895
Shareholder servicing 260
Custody and accounting 142
Registration 34
Prospectus and shareholder reports 29
Legal and audit 14
Directors 6
Miscellaneous 5
Total expenses 2,385
Net investment income 18,241
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Net realized gain (loss)
Securities 2,214
Futures (41)
Net realized gain (loss) 2,173
Change in net unrealized gain or loss on securities 962
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 3,135
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS $ 21,376
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund
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Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands
Year
Ended
2/28/99 2/28/98
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Operations
Net investment income $ 18,241 $ 18,461
Net realized gain (loss) 2,173 1,105
Change in net unrealized gain or loss 962 2,661
Increase (decrease) in net assets
from operations 21,376 22,227
Distributions to shareholders
Net investment income (18,241) (18,461)
Net realized gain (1,702) (2,474)
Decrease in net assets from distributions (19,943) (20,935)
Capital share transactions*
Shares sold 108,583 101,122
Distributions reinvested 15,472 16,613
Shares redeemed (105,120) (123,707)
Increase (decrease) in net assets
from capital share transactions 18,935 (5,972)
Net Assets
Increase (decrease) during period 20,368 (4,680)
Beginning of period 438,951 443,631
End of period $ 459,319 $ 438,951
-----------------------
*Share information
Shares sold 20,210 18,953
Distributions reinvested 2,877 3,115
Shares redeemed (19,568) (23,189)
Increase (decrease) in shares outstanding 3,519 (1,121)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund
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February 28, 1999
Notes to Financial Statements
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund, Inc. (the fund) is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified,
open-end management investment company and commenced operations on December
23, 1983.
The accompanying financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles for the investment company
industry; these principles may require the use of estimates by fund
management.
Valuation Debt securities are generally traded in the over-the-counter
market. Investments in securities are stated at fair value as furnished by
dealers who make markets in such securities or by an independent pricing
service, which considers yield or price of bonds of comparable quality,
coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make
markets in such securities.
Assets and liabilities for which the above valuation procedures are
inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value are stated at fair
value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the
officers of the fund, as authorized by the Board of Directors.
Premiums and Discounts Premiums and original issue discounts on municipal
securities are amortized for both financial reporting and tax purposes.
Market discounts are recognized upon disposition of the security as gain or
loss for financial reporting purposes and as ordinary income for tax
purposes.
Other Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Investment
transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses
are reported on the identified cost basis. Distributions to shareholders
are recorded by the fund on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gain
distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax
regulations and may differ from those determined in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. Credits earned on daily,
uninvested cash balances at the custodian are used to reduce the fund's
custody charges.
Note 2 - Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities, other than short-term
securities, aggregated $181,987,000 and $178,762,000, respectively, for the
year ended February 28, 1999.
Note 3 - Federal Income Taxes
No provision for federal income taxes is required since the fund intends to
continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of
its income.
In order for the fund's capital accounts and distributions to shareholders
to reflect the tax character of certain transactions, the following
reclassifications were made during the year ended February 28, 1999. The
results of operations and net assets were not affected by the
increases/(decreases) to these accounts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undistributed net investment income $1,000
Undistributed net realized gain (2,000)
Paid-in-capital 1,000
At February 28, 1999, the cost of investments for federal income tax
purposes was substantially the same as for financial reporting and totaled
$444,897,000. Net unrealized gain aggregated $10,191,000 at period-end, of
which $10,253,000 related to appreciated investments and $62,000 to
depreciated investments.
Note 4 - Related Party Transactions
The investment management agreement between the fund and T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc. (the manager) provides for an annual investment management
fee, of which $149,000 was payable at February 28, 1999. The fee is
computed daily and paid monthly, and consists of an individual fund fee
equal to 0.10% of average daily net assets and a group fee. The group fee
is based on the combined assets of certain mutual funds sponsored by the
manager or Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc. (the group). The group
fee rate ranges from 0.48% for the first $1 billion of assets to 0.30% for
assets in excess of $80 billion. At February 28, 1999, and for the year
then ended, the effective annual group fee rate was 0.32%. The fund pays a
pro-rata share of the group fee based on the ratio of its net assets to
those of the group.
In addition, the fund has entered into agreements with the manager and a
wholly owned subsidiary of the manager, pursuant to which the fund receives
certain other services. The manager computes the daily share price and
maintains the financial records of the fund. T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.,
is the fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent and provides
shareholder and administrative services to the fund. The fund incurred
expenses pursuant to these related party agreements totaling approximately
$301,000 for the year ended February 28, 1999, of which $27,000 was payable
at period-end.
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report of Independent Accountants
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund, Inc.
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets and the related
statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial
highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund, Inc. (the Fund) at
February 28, 1999, and the results of its operations, the changes in its
net assets and the financial highlights for each of the fiscal periods
presented, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to
as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management;
our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements
based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements
in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits, which included confirmation of securities at February 28, 1999,
by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for the
opinion expressed above.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
March 17, 1999
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax Information (Unaudited) for the Tax Year Ended 2/28/99
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are providing this information as required by the Internal Revenue Code. The
amounts shown may differ from those elsewhere in this report because of
differences between tax and financial reporting requirements.
The fund's distributions to shareholders included:
o $507,000 from short-term capital gains,
o $1,195,000 from long-term capital gains, subject to the 20% rate gains
category,
o $18,206,000 which qualified as exempt-interest dividends.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Shareholder Services
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Services And Information
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INVESTMENT INFORMATION
Combined Statement Overview of all your accounts with T. Rowe Price.
Shareholder Reports Fund managers' reviews of their strategies and
results.
T. Rowe Price Report Quarterly investment newsletter discussing markets
and financial strategies.
Performance Update Quarterly review of all T. Rowe Price fund results.
Insights Educational reports on investment strategies and financial
markets.
Investment Guides Asset Mix Worksheet, College Planning Kit,
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For yield, price, last transaction,
current balance, or to conduct
transactions, 24 hours, 7 days
a week, call Tele*Access (registered trademark):
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T. Rowe Price Associates
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
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and to others who have received
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T. Rowe Price Tax-Free
Short-Intermediate Fund.
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T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., Distributor. F56-050 2/28/99
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HERE BY ACCESSING THE FOLLOWING:
Annual Report
Tax-Free
Funds
February 28, 1999
T. Rowe Price
Report Highlights
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Tax-Free Funds
o Municipal bonds were relatively unscathed by the turmoil in other fixed
income markets and were less volatile than Treasuries.
o The Tax-Exempt Money, Tax-Free Short-Intermediate, Tax-Free Intermediate
Bond, Tax-Free Income, and Tax-Free High Yield Funds outpaced their
respective Lipper benchmarks for both the 6- and 12-month periods.
o The funds' good performances were due primarily to management decisions and
low fund expenses.
o All funds benefited from their longer relative maturities and durations
when interest rates fell, and also from careful credit selection.
o We expect continued low inflation and slowing economic growth to benefit
municipal securities, which still carry attractive yields relative to other
fixed income investments.
Fellow Shareholders
The fixed income markets and your funds generated good returns for the 6- and
12-month periods ended February 28, 1999. The Tax-Exempt Money, Tax-Free
Short-Intermediate, Tax-Free Intermediate Bond, Tax-Free Income, and Tax-Free
High Yield Funds surpassed their respective benchmarks in both periods, a
reflection of our management decisions and below-average expenses.
Municipal bonds moved through the past year relatively unscathed by the turmoil
that hit other fixed income markets. The municipal market was far less volatile
than the Treasury market, which benefited from a massive flight to quality that
drove 30-year yields to a record low of 4.72% in October from 5.92% last
February. Municipal yields also fell, but the decline was more muted as
long-term rates dropped to 4.64% in October from 5.08% last February. As a
result, municipal yields approached parity with Treasury yields especially in
longer maturities, an unusual event in a year when major tax reform was not
under discussion.
MARKET ENVIRONMENT
Municipal Bond and Note Yields
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30-Year AAA 5-Year AAA 1-Year Moody's
General General Investment
Obligation Obligation Grade 1Note
2/28/98 5.08 4.05 3.60
5.13 4.10 3.65
5.20 4.30 3.85
5/98 5.05 4.10 3.75
5.05 4.10 3.60
5.10 4.10 3.70
8/98 4.93 3.85 3.50
4.82 3.70 3.30
4.92 3.70 2.95
11/98 4.89 3.75 3.05
4.94 3.75 3.05
4.87 3.65 2.95
2/99 4.99 3.78 3.00
Source: T. Rowe Price Associates
Major economic developments here and overseas during the fiscal year affected
the fixed income markets. In the first half, many economists expected the global
turmoil to have a negative impact on the U.S. economy, causing interest rates to
fall. Russia's debt default last summer created havoc in many markets, leading
to a global liquidity crisis that contributed to the flight to U.S. Treasuries.
In response, the Federal Reserve cut short-term rates three times last fall to
cushion the domestic economy from weakness abroad and restore investor
confidence. In December, yields began to move up following signs of
stronger-than-expected U.S. growth and a growing sense that the global liquidity
crisis had abated. Robust GDP growth of 6.1% in the fourth quarter added fuel to
the fire, and by the end of February 30-year Treasury yields were nearly 100
basis points (one percentage point) higher than in October. Municipal yields
also rose but, once again, they were far less volatile.
Lower-quality municipal bonds also escaped major damage. In response to the
liquidity crisis, the taxable markets-including corporate, mortgage, and
emerging market bonds-came under severe pressure in the third quarter, and
differences in yield between high- and low-quality bonds (yield spreads) widened
abruptly. Lower-quality, high-yield municipals experienced only a modest
widening in yield spreads, mainly because of limited supply in this area of the
market and less sensitivity to global events. While high-yield returns suffered
modestly, this followed several years of above-average returns.
Overall, municipal yields did not change significantly from February 1998 to
February 1999 except for one-year rates, as can be seen in the chart on page 1.
In the money market area, solid cash flow and the lowest level of new issuance
in nine years led to lower yields. A steeper yield curve resulted as money
market and short-term bonds reacted to the Federal Reserve's rate cuts and to
strong demand, while long-term rates were more affected by heavy bond sales.
During the past six months, intermediate-term bonds turned in the best
performance. For the calendar year, new bond issuance reached $284 billion, up
29% from 1997, a level surpassed only in 1993.
High Ratings for Risk-Adjusted Returns
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The four bond funds received a high Morningstar Rating(trademark) for their
risk-adjusted performance, which reflects the degree of volatility experienced
in earning a particular return. (Money funds are not rated.) As of February 28,
1999, the Tax-Free High Yield Fund had five stars overall, and the Tax- Free
Short-Intermediate Fund, Tax-Free Intermediate Bond Fund, and Tax-Free Income
Fund all received four stars. The top 10% of the funds in each investment
category receive five stars, the next 22.5% receive four stars, and the next 35%
receive three stars. The funds were rated among 1,576, 1,109, and 369 municipal
fixed income funds for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods ended February 28, 1999,
respectively. Of course, past trends may not continue.
Morningstar proprietary ratings reflect historical risk-adjusted performance as
of 2/28/99 and may change monthly. Ratings are calculated from the funds' 3-,
5-, and 10-year average annual returns in excess of 90-day Treasury bill returns
with appropriate fee adjustments and a risk factor that reflects fund
performance below 90-day Treasury bill returns. The Tax-Free High Yield Fund
received 5 stars for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods; Tax-Free Income 4 stars
for the 3- and 5- year periods and 3 stars for the 10-year period; Tax-Free
Intermediate Bond 3 and 4 stars for the 3- and 5-year periods; and Tax-Free
Short-Intermediate 4, 5, and 4 stars for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods,
respectively.
As mentioned, each fund was in the lowest expense quartile (25%) of its Lipper
category as of February 28. For a discussion of the new Tax-Exempt Money Fund
PLUS Class shares, see the shaded box on page 4.
TAX-EXEMPT MONEY FUND AND PLUS SHARES
Performance Comparison
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Since Inception*
Periods Ended 2/28/99 6 Months 12 Months (PLUS Shares)
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Tax-Exempt Money Fund 1.38% 2.97% -
Tax-Exempt Money Fund
PLUS Class - - 0.74%
Lipper Tax-Exempt Money
Market Funds Average 1.31 2.81 0.82
*11/1/98
The Tax-Exempt Money Fund posted good results relative to its peer group average
for both the 6- and 12-month periods ended February 28. Since its inception on
November 1, 1998, the Tax-Exempt Money Fund PLUS shares returned 0.74%, behind
the return of the Lipper average due to the higher expenses that accompany their
additional services.
Three consecutive easings in the fall by the Federal Reserve, amounting to a
total of 75 basis points, set the tone for the short-term tax-exempt market. At
the end of the fiscal year, the one-year yield was 60 basis points lower than it
was a year earlier, with most of the move occurring in the last six months.
Tax-Exempt Money Fund PLUS Class
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Starting November 1, 1998, we created a new class of shares called The Tax-
Exempt Money - PLUS Class. The share class is offered as part of our new Asset
Manager Account, which incorporates a number of additional services, such as
unlimited checkwriting and a debit card. Both the Tax-Exempt Money Fund and
Tax-Exempt Money - PLUS are based on the same portfolio, and as such will be
reported on together in future annual and semiannual reports. However,
performance will differ because the classes of shares have different expense
ratios. Tax-Exempt Money - PLUS will have no impact on the expenses, share
price, or yield of the original Tax-Exempt Money Fund.
Note: To request a prospectus for any T. Rowe Price fund, please call 1-800-
638-5660. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Money market funds benefited from the volatility in other markets. As investors
shifted assets to safer havens, total money fund assets ballooned to a record
$1.4 trillion, an increase of 26% during the fiscal year. However, tax-exempt
money funds expanded at half the rate of the total industry-a result of reduced
demand due to lower tax-exempt money yields versus comparable taxable yields.
The improved financial condition of many municipalities, along with low
long-term rates, drastically reduced the short-term borrowing needs of issuers.
Annual municipal note issuance dipped to its lowest level since 1989. Reduced
supply and steady demand kept rates low versus taxable alternatives, which meant
that the tax-exempt money market appealed mostly to investors in high tax
brackets.
Throughout the fiscal year, we maintained a fairly long weighted average
maturity-53 days at the end of February, which was 11 days longer than our peer
group average. We continue to believe that the imbalance between supply and
demand in our specific market, combined with a stable monetary policy and
possible further easing by the Fed if economic growth slows later in the year,
supports our more aggressive stance.
TAX-FREE SHORT-INTERMEDIATE FUND
Performance Comparison
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Periods Ended 2/28/99 6 Months 12 Months
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Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund 2.39% 4.90%
Lipper Short-Intermediate
Municipal Debt Funds Average 2.08 4.43
Your fund posted solid results that surpassed the Lipper Short-Intermediate
Municipal Debt Funds Average for both the 6- and 12-month periods ended February
28, 1999. Maintaining a slightly longer duration and a low expense ratio
enhanced returns. (Duration is a measure of a bond fund's sensitivity to
interest rates. For example, a fund with a duration of three years would fall or
rise about 3% in price in response to a one-percentage-point rise or fall in
interest rates.)
Our duration strategy reflected several factors: the absence of any inflationary
pressures, the global demand for U.S. Treasuries resulting from problems
overseas, and the exceptional value offered in the municipal market due to
imbalances in supply and demand. Our long position was rewarded in the fall when
the Federal Reserve cut short-term interest rates. As economic growth in the
fourth quarter exceeded expectations and global turmoil subsided, Treasury
yields began to rise. Maturities within five years, which had been yielding less
than the federal funds rate, rose above the fed funds rate and resulted in a
positively sloped yield curve. This shift reflected the change in investor focus
from the global crisis to an accommodative Fed and a potential pickup in
inflation.
Nevertheless, we maintained our relatively long duration even as Treasury yields
were rising from their October lows. Municipal yields had not fallen as far and
looked exceptionally attractive. In addition, we anticipated increasing demand
for municipals and a drop in supply over the holiday season; supply has remained
below expectations during the first two months of 1999.
Recently, relative yields have moved closer to historic averages as municipals
outperformed Treasuries. While we had a fairly long duration at the end of the
period, we have since been reducing it. However, we expect to take advantage of
any increase in yields to extend it again, since we anticipate continued low
inflation and interest rates in the months ahead.
TAX-FREE INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND
Performance Comparison
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Periods Ended 2/28/99 6 Months 12 Months
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Tax-Free Intermediate Bond Fund 2.26% 5.37%
Lipper Intermediate
Municipal Debt Funds Average 2.15 5.05
Your fund posted good returns and outperformed the Lipper Intermediate Municipal
Debt Funds Average for both the 6- and 12-month periods. Our duration strategy
over the past six months was similar to that of the Tax-Free Short-Intermediate
Fund (see report on that fund for an explanation). As short-term rates fell more
than long-term rates, short bonds appreciated while longer bonds actually
depreciated, but the changes were modest. Five-year general obligation (GO)
yields were down seven basis points while 30-year GO yields rose six, which
meant that a fund's return was largely determined by its position along the
yield curve. In our case, we favored five-year bonds because we thought 10-year
maturities were overvalued, and the steepening yield curve was beneficial to
five-year maturities. Since the yield curve has recently begun to steepen even
further, we anticipate buying bonds with longer maturities and have begun to
favor 10-year bonds.
At the annual shareholders meeting in October, we received approval to remove
the insurance requirement for the fund and changed the fund's name to reflect
the new policy. We will continue to hold 95% of assets rated AAA or AA by at
least one national rating organization (Standard & Poor's, Moody's, or a similar
service), and up to 5% may be rated A at the time of purchase. We believe this
will allow for more prudent diversification among a variety of high-quality
issuers.
Our current strategy is to reduce exposure to insured bonds over time in a
manner that neither reduces income nor results in significant realized capital
gains. We sold three insured credits-hospital, solid-waste facility, and
start-up toll road securities-primarily because they allowed us to reach our
duration goals and we considered them overvalued compared with other bonds.
TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
Performance Comparison
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Periods Ended 2/28/99 6 Months 12 Months
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Tax-Free Income Fund 1.91% 5.48%
Lipper General Municipal
Debt Funds Average 1.76 4.88
The fund had several goals for the past year: managing exposure to interest
rates with steady, gradual shifts in duration; preserving tax-free income as
lower rates and maturing older, higher-yielding bonds eroded the fund's yield;
and seeking good diversification among issuers and bond insurers in the
portfolio. The strategy along with low expenses paid off, and performance
surpassed the Lipper average for both periods shown in the table.
The fund's duration (defined in the Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund section),
which was extended last June to a more aggressive range, was reduced to neutral
in January. Recent concerns about continued economic strength and a shift in the
Federal Reserve's position, from a bias toward easing to a neutral stance, drove
our strategy. We were also aware that, historically, the first quarter has often
not been strong for municipal bonds as supply starts to grow and demand weakens
in anticipation of tax-payment season.
The fund's credit quality remains high at an overall level of AA-. A year ago we
regretted not having more exposure to lower-quality bonds, which had performed
well in a strong economy. However, this sector did not do as well in the past
year, and we saw a modest widening of yield spreads between lower- and
higher-rated bonds. As this trend continues, we are looking for opportunities to
add some lower-rated securities to the portfolio.
During the past six months, we reduced our exposure to hospital bonds and
increased our holdings of general obligation bonds. The hospital industry is
suffering from cost recovery pressures, while tax-supported debt is benefiting
from the strong economy. As always, we are seeking good diversification among
solid credits. While the insurance industry continues to penetrate the municipal
bond market (more than 50% of new issues were insured in 1998), we are also
focused on diversifying exposure among the bond insurers.
TAX-FREE HIGH YIELD FUND
Performance Comparison
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Periods Ended 2/28/99 6 Months 12 Months
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Tax-Free High Yield Fund 1.57% 4.80%
Lipper High Yield Municipal
Debt Funds Average 1.46 4.51
The municipal high-yield market trailed the higher-quality market from the
summer of 1998 through the end of February. Total returns were still positive,
however, unlike those of our counterparts in the corporate bond market.
Performance for the year was bolstered by our strategy of steadily increasing
duration (see the report for the Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund for an
explanation of duration) to benefit from the drop in interest rates, and the
fund surpassed the average performance of its Lipper peer group in both periods.
Quality Diversification
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Tax-Free High Yield Fund
AAA AA A BBB BB and below
6 25 21 26 22
Based on net assets as of 2/28/99.
Moderate returns in this sector of the municipal market have presented an
opportunity for investors. Compared with our peers, we have been underweighted
in below-investment-grade bonds and can now add selectively to our favorite
issuers at a time when yield spreads are wider than they have been during the
past two to three years. Currently, these holdings represent about 22% of total
assets, and the percentage should rise gradually. We are focusing specifically
on the long-term care, education, and corporate-backed sectors for new purchases
that should benefit from a strong domestic economy.
We are closely watching developments in the hospital sector as it comes under
pressure from increased competition and general overcapacity. Our percentage of
hospital holdings is among the lowest in the fund's history, and we will look to
increase it as opportunities unfold. Our overall strategy is designed to
increase the tax-free yield of the fund in a prudent manner.
Taxable vs. Tax-Exempt Yields
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As of 2/28/99
Treasury Yield Treasury Yield Tax-Exempt
After Paying After Paying AAA General
Income Taxes Income Taxes Obligation
of 31% of 36% Yield
1 Yr 3.34 3.10 2.95
5 Yr 3.59 3.33 3.78
10 Yr 3.64 3.38 4.20
30 Yr 3.85 3.57 4.99
Source: T. Rowe Price Associates
OUTLOOK
Despite the economy's strong momentum from the fourth quarter of 1998 through
the early part of this year, we expect a decline in growth toward a more modest
and sustainable level later this year. We also believe the forces sustaining low
inflation are still in place. The Federal Reserve appears to have adopted a
neutral monetary bias in the belief that the economy contains an equal measure
of upside and downside risks.
So far this year, a decreasing supply of municipal issues combined with strong
demand has helped move tax-exempt yields into more normal relationships with
taxable yields. While Treasury yields across maturities have risen 50 to 60
basis points since the beginning of 1999, municipal yields were mostly
unchanged. The chart on the previous page shows the after-tax yield on Treasury
securities as of February 28, 1999, after paying federal income taxes at various
levels. Overall, municipal securities are still appealing relative to other
fixed income securities, and we are optimistic about their outlook for the rest
of the year.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary J. Miller
Director
Municipal Bond Department
March 19, 1999
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Change in Management
C. Stephen Wolfe stepped down as manager of the Tax-Free High Yield Fund on
March 1, 1999, to devote himself full-time to research on high-yield securities.
He remains a member of the fund's Investment Advisory Committee. William F.
Snider, associate portfolio manager of this fund, has been appointed chairman of
the Tax-Free High Yield Fund's Investment Advisory Committee. He and Patricia S.
Deford will be co-managers of the fund responsible for day-to-day management of
the portfolio. Mr. Snider joined T. Rowe Price in 1991 and also serves as
portfolio manager of the New York and New Jersey Tax-Free Bond Funds. Ms.
Deford, who joined T. Rowe Price in 1990, served as research director for the
firm's municipal department and is vice president of all tax-free funds. Other
members of the fund's Investment Advisory Committee include Konstantine B.
Mallas, Mary J. Miller, William T. Reynolds, and Arthur S. Varnado.
The preceding updates the Tax-Free Funds prospectus of July 1, 1998.
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Funds
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Portfolio Highlights
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KEY STATISTICS
8/31/98 2/28/99
Tax-Exempt Money Fund
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Price Per Share $ 1.00 $ 1.00
Dividends Per Share
For 6 months 0.016 0.014
For 12 months 0.032 0.029
Dividend Yield (7-Day Compound) * 2.98% 2.54%
Weighted Average Maturity (days) 59 53
Weighted Average Quality ** First Tier First Tier
Tax-Exempt Money Fund PLUS Class Shares
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Price Per Share $ -- $ 1.00
Dividends Per Share
For 6 months -- 0.007!
For 12 months -- --
Dividend Yield (7-Day Compound) * -- 2.07%
Weighted Average Maturity (days) -- 53
Weighted Average Quality ** -- First Tier
(continued on next page)
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Funds
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Portfolio Highlights
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KEY STATISTICS
x 8/31/98 2/28/99
Tax-Free Short-Intermediate Fund
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Price Per Share $ 5.39 $ 5.39
Dividends Per Share
For 6 months 0.11 0.11
For 12 months 0.22 0.22
Dividend Yield*
For 6 months 4.13% 4.07%
For 12 months 4.24 4.12
30-Day Standardized Yield 3.59 3.16
Weighted Average Maturity (years) 4.4 4.0
Weighted Average Effective Duration (years) 2.9 3.0
Weighted Average Quality *** AA AA
Tax-Free Intermediate Bond Fund
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Price Per Share $ 11.13 $ 11.13
Dividends Per Share
For 6 months 0.24 0.24
For 12 months 0.48 0.48
Dividend Yield *
For 6 months 4.39% 4.39%
For 12 months 4.49 4.42
30-Day Standardized Yield 3.78 3.36
Weighted Average Maturity (years) 8.8 8.5
Weighted Average Effective Duration (years) 5.6 5.4
Weighted Average Quality *** AA AA
(continued on next page)
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Funds
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Portfolio Highlights
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KEY STATISTICS
8/31/98 2/28/99
Tax-Free Income Fund
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Price Per Share $ 10.03 $ 9.94
Dividends Per Share
For 6 months 0.25 0.25
For 12 months 0.51 0.50
Dividend Yield *
For 6 months 5.15% 5.13%
For 12 months 5.31 5.19
30-Day Standardized Yield 4.35 4.11
Weighted Average Maturity (years) 17.1 16.1
Weighted Average Effective Duration (years) 7.6 7.3
Weighted Average Quality *** AA- AA-
Tax-Free High Yield Fund
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Price Per Share $ 12.72 $ 12.53
Dividends Per Share
For 6 months 0.34 0.33
For 12 months 0.68 0.66
Dividend Yield *
For 6 months 5.38% 5.34%
For 12 months 5.55 5.45
30-Day Standardized Yield 4.59 4.46
Weighted Average Maturity (years) 19.4 19.3
Weighted Average Effective Duration (years) 7.3 7.6
Weighted Average Quality *** A- A-
* Dividends earned and reinvested for the periods indicated are annualized
and divided by the average daily net asset values per share for the same
period.
** All securities purchased in the money fund are rated in the two highest
categories (tiers) as established by national rating agencies or, if
unrated, are deemed of comparable quality by T. Rowe Price.
*** Based on T. Rowe Price research.
! Dividends for the period 11/1/98 to 2/28/99.
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Funds
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Performance Comparison
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These charts show the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in each fund
over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-
year records). The result is compared with a broad-based average or index. The
index return does not reflect expenses, which have been deducted from the fund's
return.
TAX-EXEMPT MONEY FUND
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As of 2/28/99
Lipper
Tax-Exempt
Money Market Tax-Exempt
Funds Average Money Fund
2/28/89 10,000 10,000
2/90 10,591 10,587
2/91 11,162 11,139
2/92 11,598 11,550
2/93 11,878 11,823
2/94 12,105 12,065
2/95 12,414 12,383
2/96 12,828 12,802
2/97 13,204 13,193
2/98 13,613 13,620
2/99 13,999 14,024
TAX-FREE SHORT-INTERMEDIATE FUND
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As of 2/28/99
Lipper Short- Tax-Free
Lehman Intermediate Short-
3-Year Go Municipal Debt Intermediate
Bond Index Funds Average Fund
2/28/89 10,000 10,000 10,000
2/90 10,806 10,750 10,736
2/91 11,710 11,572 11,494
2/92 12,665 12,459 12,291
2/93 13,764 13,548 13,214
2/94 14,243 14,043 13,675
2/95 14,616 14,360 14,073
2/96 15,793 15,376 15,040
2/97 16,520 16,010 15,645
2/98 17,403 16,839 16,470
2/99 18,322 17,626 17,277
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Funds
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Performance Comparison
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TAX-FREE INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND
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As of 2/28/99
Lipper
Lehman Intermediate
7-Year Municipal Tax-Free
Municipal Debt Funds Intermediate
Bond Index Average Bond Fund
11/30/92 10,000 10,000 10,000
2/93 10,542 10,537 10,681
2/94 11,008 11,034 11,267
2/95 11,277 11,250 11,566
2/96 12,434 12,276 12,672
2/97 13,050 12,824 13,204
2/98 14,043 13,778 14,168
2/99 14,880 14,500 14,929
TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
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As of 2/28/99
Lipper
Lehman General
Municipal Municipal Tax-Free
Bond Debt Funds Income
Index Average Fund
2/28/89 10,000 10,000 10,000
2/90 11,026 10,888 10,815
2/91 12,042 11,781 11,724
2/92 13,245 12,984 12,916
2/93 15,068 14,845 14,838
2/94 15,902 15,654 15,654
2/95 16,202 15,791 15,951
2/96 17,991 17,387 17,595
2/97 18,982 18,217 18,441
2/98 20,717 19,932 21,070
2/99 21,991 20,950 21,275
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Funds
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Performance Comparison
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TAX-FREE HIGH YIELD FUND
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As of 2/28/99
Lipper
Lehman High Yield
Revenue Municipal Tax-Free
Bond Debt Funds High Yield
Index Average Fund
2/28/89 10,000 10,000 10,000
2/90 11,076 10,865 10,954
2/91 12,095 11,479 11,823
2/92 13,397 12,669 13,072
2/93 15,345 14,205 14,895
2/94 16,306 15,145 16,010
2/95 16,557 15,372 16,212
2/96 18,434 16,977 17,935
2/97 19,522 17,935 19,051
2/98 21,424 19,799 21,036
2/99 22,707 20,704 22,046
Average Annual Compound Total Return
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This table shows how each fund would have performed each year if its actual (or
cumulative) returns for the periods shown had been earned at a constant rate.
Since Inception
Periods Ended 2/28/99 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years Inception Date
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Tax-Exempt Money 2.97% 3.05% 3.44% - 4/8/81
Tax-Exempt Money PLUS - - - 0.74% 11/1/98
Tax-Free
Short-Intermediate 4.90 4.79 5.62 - 12/23/83
Tax-Free
Intermediate Bond 5.37 5.79 - 6.63 11/30/92
Tax-Free Income 5.48 6.33 7.84 - 10/26/76
Tax-Free High Yield 4.80 6.61 8.23 - 3/1/85
Investment returns represent past performance and will vary. Shares of the bond
funds may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase.
Investments in the Money Fund and PLUS Class shares are not insured or
guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although they seek to
preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose
money by investing in the fund and PLUS Class shares.
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Funds
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Annual Meeting Results
The Tax-Free Intermediate Bond Fund held an annual meeting on October 15, 1998,
to elect directors of the fund, to amend the fund's investment objectives, and
to ratify the Board of Directors' selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
fund's independent accountants.
The results of voting were as follows (by number of shares):
For nominees to the Board of
Directors for the Tax-Free
Intermediate Bond Fund:
Calvin W. Burnett
In favor: 6,264,176.601
Withheld: 107,241.379
Anthony W. Deering
In favor: 6,282,061.082
Withheld: 89,356.898
F. Pierce Linaweaver
In favor: 6,269,403.700
Withheld: 102,014.280
William T. Reynolds
In favor: 6,282,440.529
Withheld: 88,977.451
James S. Riepe
In favor: 6,280,032.546
Withheld: 91,385.434
John G. Schreiber
In favor: 6,280,776.004
Withheld: 90,641.976
M. David Testa
In favor: 6,282,440.529
Withheld: 88,977.451
For PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
as independent accountants:
In favor: 6,209,652.143
Withheld: 63,094.092
Abstained: 98,671.745
Amendment for investment objec-
tives to remove the requirement
that total assets be invested
primarily in insured bonds:
In favor: 4,892,656.486
Against: 851,482.266
Abstained: 434,617.228
Broker Non-Votes: 192,662.000
T. Rowe Price Shareholder Services
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Investment Services And Information
KNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES
By Phone 1-800-225-5132 Available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to
10 p.m. ET and weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
In Person Available in T. Rowe Price Investor Centers.
ACCOUNT SERVICES
Checking Available on most fixed income funds ($500 minimum).
Automatic Investing From your bank account or paycheck.
Automatic Withdrawal Scheduled, automatic redemptions.
Distribution Options Reinvest all, some, or none of your distributions.
Automated 24-Hour Services Including Tele*Access(registered trademark) and
the T. Rowe Price Web site on the Internet. Address: www.troweprice.com
BROKERAGE SERVICES*
Individual Investments Stocks, bonds, options, precious metals, and other
securities at a savings over full-service commission rates.
INVESTMENT INFORMATION
Combined Statement Overview of all your accounts with T. Rowe Price.
Shareholder Reports Fund managers' reviews of their strategies and results.
T. Rowe Price Report Quarterly investment newsletter discussing markets and
financial strategies.
Performance Update Quarterly review of all T. Rowe Price fund results.
Insights Educational reports on investment strategies and financial
markets.
Investment Guides Asset Mix Worksheet, College Planning Kit, Diversifying
Overseas: A Guide to International Investing, Personal Strategy Planner,
Retirees Financial Guide, and Retirement Planning Kit.
* T. Rowe Price Brokerage is a division of T. Rowe Price Investment
Services, Inc., Member NASD/SIPC.
For yield, price, last transaction,
current balance, or to conduct
transactions, 24 hours, 7 days
a week, call Tele*Access(registered trademark):
1-800-638-2587 toll free
For assistance
with your existing
fund account, call:
Shareholder Service Center
1-800-225-5132 toll free
410-625-6500 Baltimore area
To open a brokerage account
or obtain information, call:
1-800-638-5660 toll free
Internet address:
www.troweprice.com
T. Rowe Price Associates
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
This report is authorized for
distribution only to shareholders
and to others who have received
a copy of the prospectus of the
T. Rowe Price Tax-Free Funds.
Investor Centers:
101 East Lombard St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
T. Rowe Price
Financial Center
10090 Red Run Blvd.
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Farragut Square
900 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
4200 West Cypress St.
10th Floor
Tampa, FL 33607
Invest With Confidence(registered trademark)
T. Rowe Price
T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., Distributor. C03-050 2/28/99
