EATON VANCE MUTUAL FUNDS TRUST
N-30D, 1998-08-13
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<PAGE>
 
[LOGO OF EATON VANCE MUTUAL FUNDS APPEARS HERE]

            
                                          [PHOTO OF EDUCATION SIGN APPEARS HERE]


Semiannual Report June 30, 1998


[PHOTO OF HIGHWAY APPEARS HERE]  

                                  EATON VANCE

                                   TAX FREE

                                   RESERVES




                                  Eaton Vance
                     Global Management-Global Distribution



[PHOTO OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE APPEARS HERE]
<PAGE>

Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves as of June 30, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT UPDATE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PHOTO OF M. DOZIER GARDNER, PRESIDENT APPEARS HERE]

Investment Environment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   The Economy

 .  In the first half of 1998, the U.S. economy continued to benefit from a
   confluence of favorable trends, including robust growth, historically low
   unemployment, and tame inflation.
                           
 .  Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the primary measure of economic growth,
   increased by a stronger-than-expected 5.4% in the first quarter, while the
   unemployment rate declined from 4.7% in December, 1997, to 4.5% in June,
   1998. On the inflation front, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose only 1.6%
   in the 12 months ended June, 1998.

 .  Investors continue to evaluate the potential effect of the Asian economic
   crisis on the U.S. economy. Thus far in 1998, the effects of the crisis -
   which include a reduction in U.S. exports of manufactured goods and lower
   prices for Asian imports - have contributed to a lower inflation rate and
   expectations of continued low inflation. Not surprisingly, interest rates
   moved lower.

   The Market

 .  Short-term tax-free yields were little changed during the six-month period,
   reflecting a stable Fed Funds rate and manageable supply pressures within the
   short-term municipal market. The Fed Funds rate is the rate for inter-bank
   overnight loans and serves as a key short-term interest rate barometer.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mutual fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other
obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject
to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   The Past Six Months

 .  During the six months ended June 30, 1998, shareholders of Eaton Vance Tax
   Free Reserves received $0.015 in income dividends, all free from federal
   income tax./1/

 .  Based on the last monthly dividend paid and the Fund's $1.00 share price, its
   distribution rate was 3.09% on June 30, 1998./2/ The Fund's SEC 7-day yield
   on that date was 3.13%./3/

 .  To equal that distribution rate, a shareholder in the 36% federal income tax
   bracket would need a yield of 4.83% from a taxable investment./4/

   About Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves

 .  Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves invests only in dollar-denominated, high-
   quality securities which present minimal credit risk./4/

 .  To attain its investment objective, the Fund seeks to invest in short-term
   obligations which are rated in the two highest short-term ratings categories
   and which provide income exempt from regular federal income tax.

 .  Tax rates continue to burden investors who seek to maximize their after-tax
   investment dollars. A money market mutual fund that invests in high-quality
   investments, free of federal taxation, can be a sensible way to earn income
   while preserving capital and maintaining liquidity.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/1/ A portion of the Fund's income may be subject to federal alternative minimum
    tax. 
/2/ The Fund's distribution rate represents actual distributions paid to
    shareholders and is calculated by dividing the last distribution per share
    (annualized) by the net asset value.
/3/ The Fund's SEC yield is calculated by dividing the net investment income per
    share for the 7-day period by the net asset value at the end of the period
    and annualizing the result.
/4/ An investment in the Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S.
    Government, and there can be no assurance that the Funds will be able to
    maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share. The Fund has no sales
    charge. 

    Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and
    yield will vary.

                                       2


<PAGE>
 
Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves  as of June 30, 1998

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)

Tax-Exempt Investments -- 103.3%


Ratings (Unaudited)       Principal  
- -----------------------   Amount
Moody's/S&P   Moody's/S&P (000's
Short-Term    Long-Term   omitted) Security                   Value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commercial Paper -- 10.4%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
P-1/A-1+      Aa1/AAA      $2,000 Burlington, KS PCR,
                                  3.60%, 7/20/98             $ 2,000,000
P-1/A-1+      Aa2/AA        1,000 Jacksonville, FL
                                  Electric Authority,          
                                  3.70%, 8/27/98               1,000,000 
NR/A-1+       NR/AA+        1,500 Rochester, MN Health
                                  Care Facilities, 
                                  (Mayo Clinic),                     
                                  3.75%, 8/26/98               1,500,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             $ 4,500,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

General Obligation Notes/Bonds -- 17.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR/NR         Aa2/AA       $2,650 Illinois State,     
                                  3.90%, 12/1/98             $ 2,652,666 
NR/NR         Aaa/AAA       1,500 Iowa State School
                                  District, Cash
                                  Anticipation Program,
                                  (Iowa School Corp.),      
                                  (FSA), 4.50%, 6/25/99        1,512,069
NR/SP1+       NR/NR         1,000 Michigan Municipal Bond
                                  Authority, 4.50%, 7/2/98     1,000,017
NR/NR         Aaa/AAA       1,000 Minnesota State
                                  Infrastructure,       
                                  6.80%, 8/1/98                1,002,474
NR/NR         Aa1/AA+       1,500 Washington State,
                                  4.20%, 8/1/98                1,500,772
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             $ 7,667,998
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prerefunded -- 9.4%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR/NR         Aaa/AA+      $1,000 Boulder, CO,        
                                  7.40%, 10/1/98             $ 1,009,503 
NR/NR         Aaa/AAA       1,000 Dallas, TX, 8.25%, 5/1/99    1,036,012
NR/NR         Aaa/AA        1,750 Metropolitan Atlanta
                                  Rapid Transit Authority,
                                  GA, Sales Tax Revenue,       
                                  8.00%, 7/1/12                1,785,000 
NR/NR         Aaa/A+          255 Wisconsin HEFA, (Wheaton
                                  Franciscan Services,
                                  Inc.), 8.20%, 8/15/98          261,482
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             $ 4,091,997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenue Notes/Bonds -- 2.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR/SP1        NR/NR        $1,000 Oshkosh, WI  School
                                  District, 4.15%, 8/24/98   $ 1,000,429
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             $ 1,000,429
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Variable Rate Demand Obligations -- 63.6%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
VMIG1/A-1+    Aa2/AA       $2,000 Adams County, CO IDR,
                                  (LOC: Barclays Bank),
                                  3.60%, 12/1/15             $ 2,000,000
P-1/A-1       A2/A          2,100 California PCR, (Wadham
                                  Energy), (LOC: Banque
                                  Paribas), 4.20%, 11/1/17     2,100,000
VMIG1/A-1+    Aaa/AAA       1,500 Colorado Student
                                  Authority, (LOC: Student
                                  Loan Marketing Assc.),       
                                  3.50%, 9/1/24                1,500,000
VMIG1/A-1+    Aa3/AA-       3,000 Delaware EDA, IDR,
                                  (Delaware Clean Power),
                                  (LOC: Canadian Imperial
                                  Bank), 3.60%, 8/1/29         3,000,000 
VMIG1/A-1+    Aa3/AA        1,500 Delaware Valley, PA
                                  Regional Finance
                                  Authority (LOC: Credit       
                                  Suisse), 3.40%, 12/1/20      1,500,000
VMIG1/A-1+    Aaa/AAA       1,500 Eddy County, NM PCR,
                                  (IMC Fertilizer, Inc.),
                                  (LOC: Rabobank               
                                  Nederland), 3.40%, 2/1/03    1,500,000
VMIG1/A-1+    Aa3/AA-       1,200 Florida HFA, (Monterey
                                  Meadows Apt.), (LOC:
                                  Citibank, N.A.),      
                                  3.50%, 12/1/07               1,200,000
VMIG1/A-1+    Aa2/AA-       2,000 Fort Wayne, IN Hospital
                                  Authority, (Parkview
                                  Memorial Hospital),
                                  (LOC: Bank of America),      
                                  3.40%, 1/1/16                2,000,000
VMIG1/A-1+    Aa2/AA+         800 Fulton County, GA IDR,
                                  (American National Red
                                  Cross), (LOC: Wachovia
                                  Bank GA, N.A.),         
                                  3.55%, 8/1/05                  800,000
VMIG1/A-1+    Aa3/AA-         845 Fulton County, GA
                                  Residential Care
                                  (Caterbury Court), (LOC:
                                  Suntrust Bank),                
                                  3.60%, 10/1/99                 845,000 
P-1/A-1+      Aa2/AA        1,000 Galveston, TX IDR,
                                  (Mitchell Interests),
                                  (LOC: Bank One),      
                                  3.70%, 9/1/13                1,000,000
NR/A-1+       NR/AA-          965 Illinois DFA, (Cinnamon
                                  Lake Towers), (LOC: The
                                  First National Bank of
                                  Chicago), 3.65%, 4/1/37        965,000
                                  
P-1/A-1+      Aaa/AAA       2,600 Kansas City, MO IDA
                                  (Willow Creek IV
                                  Apartments), Fannie Mae,     
                                  3.55%, 9/1/25                2,600,000
VMIG1/NR      Aa3/NR        2,000 Lee County, FL IDA
                                  Health Care Facilities,
                                  (Cypress Cove
                                  HealthPark), (LOC:      
                                  Kredietbank, N.V.),
                                  3.50%, 10/1/04               2,000,000


                       See notes to financial statements

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves  as of June 30, 1998

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) CONT'D


Ratings (Unaudited)       Principal
- ----------------------    Amount
Moody's/S&P   Moody's/S&P (000's
Short-Term    Long-Term   omitted) Security                   Value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Variable Rate Demand Obligations (continued)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
VMIG1/A-1+    Aa3/AA-      $1,260 Metropolitan Government
                                  Nashville and Davidson
                                  County, TN IDR, (Dixie
                                  Graphics, Inc.), (LOC:
                                  Suntrust Bank, Nashville, 
                                  N.A.), 3.60%, 5/1/09       $ 1,260,000
VMIG1/A-1+    Aaa/AAA         200 Montgomery County, PA
                                  HEHA, (Holy Redeemer
                                  Hospital), (AMBAC),        
                                  3.40%, 9/1/18                  200,000
MIG1/A-1+     NR/AA-        2,170 Putnam County, FL PCR,
                                  (Seminole Electric),
                                  3.65%, 3/15/14               2,170,000
VMIG1/A-1+    Aa1/AA+       1,000 South Carolina EDA,
                                  (Baptist Healthcare),
                                  (LOC: Credit Local De        
                                  France), 3.45%, 8/1/17       1,000,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             $27,640,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Tax-Exempt Investments -- 103.3%
    (identified cost $44,900,424)                            $44,900,424(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Assets, Less Liabilities -- (3.3)%                     $(1,423,179)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Net Assets -- 100%                                           $43,477,245
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

At June 30, 1998, the concentration of the Fund's investments in
    various states, determined as a percentage of total investments, is
    as follows:
       Colorado                                             10.0%
       Florida                                              14.2%
       Others (less than 10% individually)                  75.8%

(1) Cost for Federal income tax purposes is the same.


                       See notes to financial statements

                                       4

<PAGE>

Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves as of June 30, 1998

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

As of June 30, 1998

Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments, at value                                              $ 44,900,424
Cash                                                                        279
Receivable for Fund shares sold                                         457,997
Interest receivable                                                     359,872
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                                       $ 45,718,572
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Liabilities
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payable for Fund shares redeemed                                   $  1,033,831
Distributions payable                                                    60,006
Demand note payable                                                   1,141,000
Payable to affiliate for Trustees' fees                                   2,439
Other accrued expenses                                                    4,051
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                                  $  2,241,327
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets for 43,495,253 shares of beneficial interest            
     outstanding                                                    $ 43,477,245
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sources of Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paid-in capital                                                    $ 43,495,253
Accumulated net realized loss (computed on the basis of                 (18,008)
     identified cost)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                              $ 43,477,245
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Net Asset Value, Offering and
Redemption Price Per Share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
($43,477,245 / 43,495,253 shares of
     beneficial interest outstanding)                              $       1.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 1998

Investment Income
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest                                                              $1,035,679
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investment income                                               $1,035,679
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Expenses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment adviser fee                                                $  147,526
Trustees fees and expenses                                                 2,667
Custodian fee                                                             20,542
Legal and accounting services                                             12,421
Registration fees                                                          7,960
Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees                                7,044
Interest                                                                   6,482
Printing and postage                                                       1,253
Miscellaneous                                                              4,794
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                                        $  210,689
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deduct --
     Reduction of custodian fee                                       $   20,542
     Preliminary reduction of investment adviser fee                      51,691
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expense reductions                                              $   72,233
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net expenses                                                          $  138,456
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net investment income                                                 $  897,223
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        See notes to financial statements

                                       5
<PAGE>

Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves as of June 30, 1998

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT'D

Statements of Changes in Net Assets


                                           Six Months Ended
Increase (Decrease)                        June 30, 1998       Year Ended
in Net Assets                              (Unaudited)         December 31, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From operations --
     Net investment income                  $     897,223         $   2,004,308
     Net realized loss                               --                  (1,479)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
     from operations                        $     897,223         $   2,002,829
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions to shareholders --
     From net investment income             $    (897,223)        $  (2,004,308)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions to shareholders         $    (897,223)        $  (2,004,308)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transactions in shares of beneficial
     interest at Net Asset Value of
     $1.00 per share --
     Proceeds from sale of shares           $ 100,062,475         $ 181,218,594
     Net asset value of shares
         issued to shareholders in
         payment of                               506,266             1,177,904
         distributions declared
     Cost of shares redeemed                  (91,051,364)         (171,789,887)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets from
     Fund share transactions                $   9,517,377         $  10,606,611
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net increase in net assets                  $   9,517,377         $  10,605,132
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At beginning of period                      $  33,959,868         $  23,354,736
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At end of period                            $  43,477,245         $  33,959,868
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       See notes to financial statements

                                       6
<PAGE>

Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves as of June 30, 1998

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONT'D

Financial Highlights

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Six Months Ended              Year Ended December 31,
                                                            June 30, 1998   --------------------------------------------------------
                                                            (Unaudited)        1997        1996       1995       1994         1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>     
Net asset value--  Beginning of period                      $  1.0000       $ 1.0000    $  1.0000   $ 1.0000    $1.0000    $ 1.0000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Income (loss) from operations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income                                       $  0.0152       $ 0.0312    $  0.0303   $ 0.0347    $0.0235    $ 0.0184
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income from operations                                $  0.0152       $ 0.0312    $  0.0303   $ 0.0347    $0.0235    $ 0.0184
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Less distributions
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From net investment income                                  $ (0.0152)      $(0.0312)   $ (0.0303)  $(0.0347) $ (0.0235)   $(0.0184)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions                                         $ (0.0152)      $(0.0312)   $ (0.0303)  $(0.0347) $ (0.0235)   $(0.0184)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net asset value-- End of period                             $  1.0000       $ 1.0000    $  1.0000   $ 1.0000    $1.0000    $ 1.0000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return /(1)/                                               1.53%          3.16%        3.08%      3.53%      2.36%       1.86%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ratios/Supplemental Data+
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)                   $  43,477       $ 33,960    $  23,355   $ 23,912    $29,021    $ 60,247
Ratios (As a percentage of average daily net assets):                       
     Net operating expenses /(2)/                                0.52%+         0.52%        0.33%      0.34%      0.47%       0.62%
     Net operating expenses after custodian fee                             
      reduction /(2)/                                            0.45%+         0.46%        0.27%       --          --         --
     Interest expense                                            0.02%+         0.01%        0.02%      0.05%      0.07%       0.03%
     Net investment income                                       3.07%+         3.12%        3.04%      3.47%      2.27%       1.82%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

+    The operating expenses of the Fund may reflect a reduction of the
     Investment Adviser fee, an allocation of expenses to the Investment
     Adviser, or both. Had such actions not been taken, the ratios and net
     investment income per share would have been as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Ratios (As a percentage of average daily net assets):
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>  
     Operating expenses /(2)/                                0.70%+         0.67%       0.69%        0.73%        0.87%        0.82%
     Operating expenses after custodian                                                                                 
      fee reduction /(2)/                                    0.63%+         0.61%       0.63%         --  %         -- %        --
     Net investment income                                   2.89%+         2.96%       2.66%        3.02%        1.88%        1.65%
Net investment income per share                       $    0.0143    $    0.0296 $    0.0266  $    0.0303  $    0.0189  $    0.0167
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Leverage Analysis 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount of debt outstanding at end of period           $ 1,141,000    $        -- $       --   $ 1,266,000  $ 6,117,000  $ 2,428,000
Average daily balance of debt outstanding                                                                               
 during period                                            210,376        134,611     116,757      279,586      440,145      285,000
Average weekly balance of shares outstanding                                                                            
 during period                                         58,972,080     64,279,572  61,730,866   51,107,215   40,463,382   48,697,998
Average amount of debt per share during period        $     0.004    $     0.002 $     0.002  $     0.005  $     0.011  $     0.006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>  

+    Annualized.
/(1)/Total return is calculated assuming a purchase at the net asset value on
     the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of each
     period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed
     reinvested at the net asset value on the reinvestment date. Total return is
     not computed on an annualized basis.
/(2)/The expense ratios for the year ended December 31, 1996 and periods
     thereafter have been adjusted to reflect a change in reporting
     requirements. The new reporting guidelines require the Fund to increase its
     expense ratio by the effect of any expense offset arrangements with its
     service providers. The expense ratios for each of the prior periods have
     not been adjusted to reflect this change.

                       See notes to financial statements

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves as of June 30, 1998

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)


1 Significant Accounting Policies
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves (the Fund) is a series of Eaton Vance Mutual
  Funds Trust (the Trust). The Trust is an entity of the type known as a
  Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company
  Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The
  Fund seeks to earn as high a rate of income exempt from regular federal income
  tax while preserving capital and maintaining liquidity. The following is a
  summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund
  in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity
  with generally accepted accounting principles.

  A Investment Valuations -- The Trustees have determined that the best method
  currently available for valuing portfolio investments is amortized cost. The
  Fund's use of the amortized cost method to value its portfolio investments is
  subject to the Fund's compliance with certain conditions as specified under
  Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

  B Interest Income -- Interest income consists of interest accrued, adjusted
  for amortization of any discount or premium, accrued ratably to the date of
  maturity or call when required for federal income tax purposes.

  C Federal Taxes -- The Fund's policy is to comply with the provisions of the
  Internal Revenue Code (the Code) applicable to regulated investment companies
  and to distribute to shareholders each year all of its net investment income,
  including any net realized gain on investments. Accordingly, no provision for
  federal income or excise tax is necessary. At December 31, 1997, the Fund, for
  federal income tax purposes, had a capital loss carryover of $18,008, which
  will reduce the Fund's taxable income arising from future net realized gain on
  investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Code, and thus will reduce
  the amount of the distributions to shareholders which would otherwise be
  necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax. Such
  capital loss carryover will expire on December 31, 2002 ($16,529) and December
  31, 2005 ($1,479). Dividends paid by the Fund from net interest earned on
  tax-exempt municipal bonds are not includable by shareholders as gross income
  for federal income tax purposes because the Fund intends to meet certain
  requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies which
  will enable the Fund to pay exempt-interest dividends. The portion of such
  interest, if any, earned on private activity bonds issued after August 7,
  1986, may be considered a tax preference item for shareholders.

  D Other -- Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis.

  E Expense Reduction -- Investors Bank and Trust Company (IBT) serves as
  custodian of the Fund. Pursuant to the custodian agreement, IBT receives a fee
  reduced by credits which are determined based on the average daily cash
  balances the Fund maintains with IBT. All significant credit balances used to
  reduce the Fund's custodian fee are reported as a reduction of expenses in the
  Statement of Operations.

  F Use of Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity
  with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
  estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
  liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts
  of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
  from those estimates.

  G Interim Financial Information -- The interim financial statements relating
  to June 30, 1998 and for the six month period then ended have not been audited
  by independent certified public accountants, but in the opinion of the Fund's
  management reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
  adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements.

2 Distribution to Shareholders
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The net investment income of the Fund is determined daily, and substantially
  all of the net investment income so determined is declared as a dividend to
  shareholders of record at the time of declaration. Such dividends are paid
  monthly. Distributions are paid in the form of additional shares of the Fund,
  or, at the election of the shareholder, in cash.

                                       8
<PAGE>

Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves as of June 30, 1998

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) CONT'D

 
3 Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions
  with Affiliates
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The investment adviser fee is earned by Eaton Vance Management (EVM) as
  compensation for management, investment advisory, and other services rendered
  to the Fund and is computed at the monthly rate of 1/24 of 1% (0.50% annually)
  of the Fund's average monthly net assets. To enhance the net investment income
  of the Fund, EVM made a preliminary reduction of its fee in the amount of
  $51,691 for the six months ended June 30, 1998. Except as to Trustees of the
  Fund who are not members of EVM's organization, officers and Trustees receive
  remuneration for their services to the Fund out of such investment adviser
  fee. Certain of the officers and Trustees of the Trust are officers and
  directors/trustees of the above organizations.

4 Shares of Beneficial Interest
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of
  full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value).

5 Line of Credit
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The Fund participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and
  affiliates in a $100 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group
  of banks. Borrowings will be made by the Fund solely to facilitate the
  handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements.
  Interest is charged to each participating portfolio or fund based on its
  borrowings at an amount above the Eurodollar rate or federal funds rate. In
  addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.10% on the daily unused
  portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios
  and funds at the end of each quarter. The average daily loan balance for the
  six months ended June 30, 1998 was $210,376, and the average interest rate was
  6.21%.

6 Purchases and Sales of Investments
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The Fund invests primarily in state and municipal debt securities. The ability
  of the issuers of the debt securities held by the Fund to meet their
  obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific industry or
  municipality. Purchases and sales (including maturities) of investments
  aggregated $86,603,806 and $75,532,300, respectively.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves as of June 30, 1998

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Eaton Bance Tax Free Reserves

        Officers                         Independent Trustees    
                                                                 
        M. Dozier Gardner                Donald R. Dwight        
        President and Trustee            President, Dwight Partners, Inc.    
                                                                      
        James B. Hawkes                  Samuel L. Hayes, III         
        Vice President and Trustee       Jacob H. Schiff Professor of 
                                         Investment Banking, 
        William H. Ahern, Jr.            Harvard University Graduate School of
        Vice President and               Business Administration              
        Portfolio Manager                                                     
                                         Norton H. Reamer                     
        Thomas J. Fetter                 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
        Vice President                   United Asset Management Corporation  
                                                                              
        Robert B. MacIntosh              John L. Thorndike                    
        Vice President                   Formerly Director, Fiduciary Company 
                                         Incorporated
        Michael B. Terry                                                   
        Vice President                   Jack L. Treynor                   
                                         Investment Adviser and Consultant 
        James L. O'Connor        
        Treasurer                
                                 
        Alan R. Dynner           
        Secretary                
                                 
                               


                                       10
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Investment Adviser
Eaton Vance Management
24 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110


Principal Underwriter
Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
24 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 482-8260


Custodian
Investors Bank & Trust Company
200 Clarendon Street, 16th Floor
Boston, MA 02116


Transfer Agent
First Data Investor Services Group
Attention: Eaton Vance Funds
P.O. Box 5123
Westborough, MA 01581-5123






Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves
24 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus which 
contains more complete information on the Fund, including its sales charges and 
expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      TRSRC 8/98



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