<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
OCTOBER 21, 1994
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
MERRILL LYNCH MULTI-STATE MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011--PHONE NO. (609) 282-2800
-------------------
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund
seeking to provide shareholders with as high a level of income exempt from
Federal, New York State and New York City income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management. The Fund invests primarily in a diversified
portfolio of long-term, investment grade obligations the interest on which, in
the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is exempt from Federal, New York
State and New York City income taxes ("New York Municipal Bonds"). Dividends
paid by the Fund are exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City
income taxes to the extent they are derived from interest payments on New York
Municipal Bonds. The Fund may invest in certain tax-exempt securities classified
as "private activity bonds" that may subject certain investors in the Fund to an
alternative minimum tax. At times, the Fund may seek to hedge its portfolio
through the use of futures transactions and options. There can be no assurance
that the investment objective of the Fund will be realized.
-------------------
Pursuant to the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System, the Fund offers
four classes of shares each with a different combination of sales charges,
ongoing fees and other features. The Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System
permits an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that the investor
believes is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of time
the investor expects to hold the shares and other relevant circumstances. See
"Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System" on page 4.
Shares may be purchased directly from Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc.
(the "Distributor"), P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 [(609)
282-2800], or from securities dealers which have entered into selected dealer
agreements with the Distributor, including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"). The minimum initial purchase is $1,000 and the
minimum subsequent purchase is $50. Merrill Lynch may charge its customers a
processing fee (presently $4.85) for confirming purchases and repurchases.
Purchases and redemptions directly through the Fund's transfer agent are not
subject to the processing fee. See "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption of
Shares."
-------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
-------------------
This Prospectus is a concise statement of information about the Fund that is
relevant to making an investment in the Fund. This Prospectus should be retained
for future reference. A statement containing additional information about the
Fund, dated October 21, 1994 (the "Statement of Additional Information"), has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is available, without
charge, by calling or by writing Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series
Trust (the "Trust") at the above telephone number or address. The Statement of
Additional Information is hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
The Fund is a separate series of the Trust, an open-end management investment
company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
-------------------
FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT--MANAGER
MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.--DISTRIBUTOR
<PAGE>
FEE TABLE
A general comparison of the sales arrangements and other nonrecurring and
recurring expenses applicable to shares of the Fund follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A(A) CLASS B(B) CLASS C(C) CLASS D(C)
---------- ----------------------------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES:
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)........ 4.00%(d) None None 4.00%(d)
Sales Charge Imposed on Dividend
Reinvestments.............................. None None None None
Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of
original purchase price or redemption
proceeds, whichever is lower).............. None(e) 4.0% during the first year, 1% for one None(e)
decreasing 1.0% annually year
thereafter to 0.0% after the
fourth year
Exchange Fee................................. None None None None
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE
OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)(F):
Management Fees(g)........................... 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55%
12b-1 Fees(h):
Account Maintenance Fees................... None 0.25% 0.25% 0.10%
Distribution Fees.......................... None 0.25% 0.35% None
(CLASS B SHARES CONVERT TO
CLASS D SHARES AUTOMATICALLY
AFTER APPROXIMATELY TEN
YEARS, CEASE BEING SUBJECT TO
DISTRIBUTION FEES AND ARE
SUBJECT TO LOWER ACCOUNT
MAINTENANCE FEES)
Other Expenses:
Custodial Fees............................... .01% .01% .01% .01%
Shareholder Servicing Costs(i)............... .04% .04% .04% .04%
Miscellaneous................................ .04% .04% .04% .04%
--- --- --- ---
Total Other Expenses..................... .09% .09% .09% .09%
--- --- --- ---
Total Fund Operating Expenses.................. .64% 1.14% 1.24% .74%
--- --- --- ---
--- --- --- ---
<FN>
- ------------
(a) Class A shares are sold to a limited group of investors including existing
Class A shareholders and investment programs. See "Purchase of Shares --
Initial Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class A and Class D Shares" -- page
22.
(b) Class B shares convert to Class D shares automatically approximately 10
years after initial purchase. See "Purchase of Shares -- Deferred Sales
Charge Alternatives -- Class B and Class C Shares" -- page 23.
(c) Prior to the date of this Prospectus, the Trust has not offered its Class C
and Class D shares to the public.
(d) Reduced for purchases of $25,000 and over. Class A or Class D purchases of
$1,000,000 or more may not be subject to an initial sales charge. See
"Purchase of Shares -- Initial Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class A and
Class D Shares" -- page 22.
(e) Class A and Class D shares are not subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC"), except that purchases of $1,000,000 or more which may not
be subject to an initial sales charge may instead be subject to a CDSC if
redeemed within the first year of purchase.
(f) Information for Class A and Class B shares is stated for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1993. Information under "Other Expenses" for Class C
and Class D shares is estimated for the fiscal year ending September 30,
1995.
(g) See "Management of the Trust -- Management and Advisory Arrangements" --
page 18.
(h) See "Purchase of Shares -- Distribution Plans" -- page 26.
(i) See "Management of the Trust -- Transfer Agency Services" -- page 19.
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
EXAMPLE:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE EXPENSES PAID
FOR THE PERIOD OF:
--------------------------------
3 10
1 YEAR YEARS 5 YEARS YEARS
------ ------ ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
investment including the maximum $40 initial sales charge
(Class A and Class D shares only) and assuming (1) the
Total Fund Operating Expenses for each class set forth
above; (2) a 5% annual return throughout the periods and
(3) redemption at the end of the period:
Class A................................................. $ 46 $ 60 $ 74 $ 117
Class B................................................. $ 52 $ 56 $ 63 $ 139
Class C................................................. $ 23 $ 39 $ 68 $ 150
Class D................................................. $ 47 $ 63 $ 80 $ 128
An investor would pay the following expenses on the same
$1,000 investment assuming no redemption at the end of the
period:
Class A................................................. $ 46 $ 60 $ 74 $ 117
Class B................................................. $ 12 $ 36 $ 63 $ 139
Class C................................................. $ 13 $ 39 $ 68 $ 150
Class D................................................. $ 47 $ 63 $ 80 $ 128
</TABLE>
The foregoing Fee Table is intended to assist investors in understanding the
costs and expenses that a shareholder in the Fund will bear directly or
indirectly. The Example set forth above assumes reinvestment of all dividends
and distributions and utilizes a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") regulations. THE EXAMPLE
SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR ANNUAL
RATE OF RETURN, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES OR ANNUAL RATE OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR LESS
THAN THOSE ASSUMED FOR PURPOSES OF THE EXAMPLE. Class B and Class C shareholders
who hold their shares for an extended period of time may pay more in Rule 12b-1
distribution fees than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales
charge permitted under the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). Merrill Lynch may charge its customers a
processing fee (presently $4.85) for confirming purchases and repurchases.
Purchases and redemptions directly through the Fund's transfer agent are not
subject to the processing fee. See "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption of
Shares."
3
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH SELECT PRICING-SM- SYSTEM
The Fund offers four classes of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select
Pricing-SM- System. The shares of each class may be purchased at a price equal
to the next determined net asset value per share subject to the sales charges
and ongoing fee arrangements described below. Shares of Class A and Class D are
sold to investors choosing the initial sales charge alternatives, and shares of
Class B and Class C are sold to investors choosing the deferred sales charge
alternatives. The Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System is used by more than
50 mutual funds advised by Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM") or its
affiliate, Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM" or the "Manager"). Funds advised
by MLAM or FAM are referred to herein as "MLAM-advised mutual funds."
Each Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D share of the Fund represents an
identical interest in the investment portfolio of the Fund and has the same
rights, except that Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear the expenses of the
ongoing account maintenance fees and Class B and Class C shares bear the
expenses of the ongoing distribution fees and the additional incremental
transfer agency costs resulting from the deferred sales charge arrangements. The
deferred sales charges and account maintenance fees that are imposed on Class B
and Class C shares, as well as the account maintenance fees that are imposed on
the Class D shares, will be imposed directly against those classes and not
against all assets of the Fund and, accordingly, such charges will not affect
the net asset value of any other class or have any impact on investors choosing
another sales charge option. Dividends paid by the Fund for each class of shares
will be calculated in the same manner at the same time and will differ only to
the extent that account maintenance and distribution fees and any incremental
transfer agency costs relating to a particular class are borne exclusively by
that class. Each class has different exchange privileges. See "Shareholder
Services -- Exchange Privilege."
Investors should understand that the purpose and function of the initial
sales charges with respect to the Class A and Class D shares are the same as
those of the deferred sales charges with respect to the Class B and Class C
shares in that the sales charges applicable to each class provide for the
financing of the distribution of the shares of the Fund. The
distribution-related revenues paid with respect to a class will not be used to
finance the distribution expenditures of another class. Sales personnel may
receive different compensation for selling different classes of shares.
The following table sets forth a summary of the distribution arrangements
for each class of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System,
followed by a more detailed description of each class and a discussion of the
factors that investors should consider in determining the method of purchasing
shares
4
<PAGE>
under the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System that the investor believes is
most beneficial under his particular circumstances. More detailed information as
to each class of shares is set forth under "Purchase of Shares".
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCOUNT
MAINTENANCE DISTRIBUTION
CLASS SALES CHARGE(1) FEE FEE CONVERSION FEATURE
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
A Maximum 4.00% initial sales charge(2)(3) No No No
B CDSC for a period of 4 years, at a rate 0.25% 0.25% B shares convert to D shares
of 4.0% during the first year, automatically after
decreasing 1.0% annually to 0.0% approximately ten years(4)
C 1.0% CDSC for one year 0.25% 0.35% No
D Maximum 4.00% initial sales charge(3) 0.10% No No
<FN>
- ---------
(1) Initial sales charges are imposed at the time of purchase as a percentage
of the offering price. Contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") are
imposed if the redemption occurs within the applicable CDSC time period.
The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the
proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed.
(2) Offered only to eligible investors. See "Purchase of Shares -- Initial
Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class A and Class D Shares -- Eligible Class A
Investors".
(3) Reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more. Class A and Class D share
purchases of $1,000,000 or more may not be subject to an initial sales
charge but instead may be subject to a CDSC if redeemed within one year.
See "Class A" and "Class D" below.
(4) The conversion period for dividend reinvestment shares is modified. Also,
Class B shares of certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds into which
exchanges may be made have an eight year conversion period. If Class B
shares of the Fund are exchanged for Class B shares of another MLAM-advised
mutual fund, the conversion period applicable to the Class B shares
acquired in the exchange will apply, and the holding period for the shares
exchanged will be tacked onto the holding period for the shares acquired.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CLASS A: Class A shares incur an initial sales charge when they are purchased and bear no
ongoing distribution or account maintenance fees. Class A shares are offered to a
limited group of investors and also will be issued upon reinvestment of dividends
on outstanding Class A shares. Investors that currently own Class A shares in a
shareholder account are entitled to purchase additional Class A shares in that
account. In addition, Class A shares will be offered to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
and its subsidiaries (the term "subsidiaries", when used herein with respect to
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., includes MLAM, the Manager and certain other entities
directly or indirectly wholly-owned and controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.)
and their directors and employees and to members of the Boards of MLAM-advised
mutual funds. The maximum initial sales charge is 4.00%, which is reduced for
purchases of $25,000 and over. Purchases of $1,000,000 or more may not be subject
to an initial sales charge but if the initial sales charge is waived such
purchases may be subject to a CDSC if the shares are redeemed within one year
after
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
purchase. Sales charges also are reduced under a right of accumulation which takes
into account the investor's holdings of all classes of all MLAM-advised mutual
funds. See "Purchase of Shares -- Initial Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class A and
Class D Shares".
CLASS B: Class B shares do not incur a sales charge when they are purchased, but they are
subject to an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.25%, an ongoing distribution
fee of 0.25% and a CDSC if they are redeemed within four years of purchase.
Approximately ten years after issuance, Class B shares will convert automatically
into Class D shares of the Fund, which are subject to a lower account maintenance
fee of 0.10% and no distribution fee; Class B shares of certain other MLAM-advised
mutual funds into which exchanges may be made convert into Class D shares
automatically after approximately eight years. If Class B shares of the Fund are
exchanged for Class B shares of another MLAM-advised mutual fund, the conversion
period applicable to the Class B shares acquired in the exchange will apply, as
will the Class D account maintenance fee of the acquired fund upon the conversion,
and the holding period for the shares exchanged will be tacked onto the holding
period for the shares acquired. Automatic conversion of Class B shares into Class
D shares will occur at least once a month on the basis of the relative net asset
values of the shares of the two classes on the conversion date, without the
imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. Conversion of Class B shares to
Class D shares will not be deemed a purchase or sale of the shares for Federal
income tax purposes. Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends on Class B
shares also will convert automatically to Class D shares. The conversion period
for dividend reinvestment shares is modified as described under "Purchase of
Shares -- Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class B and Class C Shares --
Conversion of Class B Shares to Class D Shares".
CLASS C: Class C shares do not incur a sales charge when they are purchased, but they are
subject to an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.25% of average net assets and
an ongoing distribution fee of 0.35%. Class C shares are also subject to a CDSC if
they are redeemed within one year of purchase. Although Class C shares are subject
to a 1.0% CDSC for only one year (as compared to four years for Class B), Class C
shares have no conversion feature and, accordingly, an investor that purchases
Class C shares will be subject to distribution fees that will be imposed on Class
C shares for an indefinite period subject to annual approval by the Fund's Board
of Directors and regulatory limitations.
CLASS D: Class D shares incur an initial sales charge when they are purchased and are
subject to an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.10% of average net assets.
Class D shares are not subject to an ongoing distribution fee or any CDSC when
they are redeemed. Purchases of $1,000,000 or more may not be subject to an
initial sales charge, but if the initial sales charge is waived such purchases
will be subject to a CDSC of 1.0% if the shares are redeemed within one year after
purchase. The schedule of initial sales charges and reductions for Class D shares
is the same as the schedule for Class A shares. Class D shares also will be issued
upon conversion of Class B shares as described above under "Class B". See
"Purchase of Shares -- Initial Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class A and Class D
Shares".
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
The following is a discussion of the factors that investors should consider
in determining the method of purchasing shares under the Merrill Lynch Select
Pricing-SM- System that the investor believes is most beneficial under his
particular circumstances.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES. Investors who prefer an initial sales
charge alternative may elect to purchase Class D shares or, if an eligible
investor, Class A shares. Investors choosing the initial sales charge
alternative who are eligible to purchase Class A shares should purchase Class A
shares rather than Class D shares because of the account maintenance fee imposed
on Class D shares. Investors qualifying for significantly reduced initial sales
charges may find the initial sales charge alternative particularly attractive
because similar sales charge reductions are not available with respect to the
deferred sales charges imposed in connection with purchases of Class B or Class
C shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced initial sales charges who expect
to maintain their investment for an extended period of time also may elect to
purchase Class A or Class D shares, because over time the accumulated ongoing
account maintenance and distribution fees on Class B or Class C shares may
exceed the initial sales charge and, in the case of Class D shares, the account
maintenance fee. Although some investors that previously purchased Class A
shares may no longer be eligible to purchase Class A shares of other
MLAM-advised mutual funds, those previously purchased Class A shares, together
with Class B, Class C and Class D share holdings, will count toward a right of
accumulation which may qualify the investor for reduced initial sales charges on
new initial sales charge purchases. In addition, the ongoing Class B and Class C
account maintenance and distribution fees will cause Class B and Class C shares
to have higher expense ratios, pay lower dividends and have lower total returns
than the initial sales charge shares. The ongoing Class D account maintenance
fees will cause Class D shares to have a higher expense ratio, pay lower
dividends and have a lower total return than Class A shares.
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES. Because no initial sales charges are
deducted at the time of purchase, Class B and Class C shares provide the benefit
of putting all of the investor's dollars to work from the time the investment is
made. The deferred sales charge alternatives may be particularly appealing to
investors who do not qualify for a reduction in initial sales charges. Both
Class B and Class C shares are subject to ongoing account maintenance fees and
distribution fees; however, the ongoing account maintenance and distribution
fees potentially may be offset to the extent any return is realized on the
additional funds initially invested in Class B or Class C shares. In addition,
Class B shares will be converted into Class D shares of the Fund after a
conversion period of approximately ten years, and thereafter investors will be
subject to lower ongoing fees.
Certain investors may elect to purchase Class B shares if they determine it
to be most advantageous to have all their funds invested initially and intend to
hold their shares for an extended period of time. Investors in Class B shares
should take into account whether they intend to redeem their shares within the
CDSC period and, if not, whether they intend to remain invested until the end of
the conversion period and thereby take advantage of the reduction in ongoing
fees resulting from the conversion into Class D shares. Other investors,
however, may elect to purchase Class C shares if they determine that it is
advantageous to have all their assets invested initially and they are uncertain
as to the length of time they intend to hold their assets in MLAM-advised mutual
funds. Although Class C shareholders are subject to a shorter CDSC period at a
lower rate, they are subject to higher distribution fees and forgo the Class B
conversion feature, making their investment subject to account maintenance and
distribution fees for an indefinite period of time. In addition, while both
Class B and Class C distribution fees are subject to the limitations on
asset-based sales charges imposed by the NASD, the Class B distribution fees are
further limited under a voluntary waiver of asset-based sales charges. See
"Purchase of Shares -- Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges".
7
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial information in the table below (except for the six month period
ended March 31, 1994) has been audited in conjunction with the annual audits of
the financial statements of the Fund by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors. The financial information for the six months ended March 31, 1994 has
not been audited. Audited financial statements for the year ended September 30,
1993 and the independent auditors' report thereon along with unaudited financial
statements for the six months ended March 31, 1994, are included in the
Statement of Additional Information. The following per share data
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE SIX
MONTHS
ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
MARCH 31, -------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989+
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
ASSET VALUE:
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
period....................... $ 12.46 $ 11.77 $ 11.22 $ 10.56 $10.81 $10.85
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
Investment income -- net...... .33 .70 .72 .74 .73 .68
Realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments --
net.......................... (1.00) 80 .55 .66 (.25) (.04)
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
Total from investment
operations................... (.67) 1.50 1.27 1.40 .48 .64
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
Less dividends and
distributions:
Investment income -- net...... (.33) (.70) (.72) (.74) (.73) (.68)
Realized gain on investments
-- net....................... (.33) (.11) -- -- -- --
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
Total dividends and
distributions................ (.66) (.81) (.72) (.74) (.73) (.68)
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
Net asset value, end of
period....................... $ 11.13 $ 12.46 $ 11.77 $ 11.22 $10.56 $10.81
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN**
Based on net asset value per
share........................ (5.71)%# 13.25% 11.77% 13.60% 4.42% 6.28%#
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses, excluding
distribution fees............ .63%* .64% .65% .66% .67% .66%*
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
Expenses...................... .63%* .64% .65% .66% .67% .66%*
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
Investment income -- net...... 5.40%* 5.80% 6.28% 6.72% 6.79% 6.82%*
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in
thousands)................... $32,237 $31,976 $18,973 $13,727 $8,905 $3,796
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
Portfolio turnover............ 64.59% 38.31% 35.90% 49.78% 53.82% 74.51%
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
----------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------
<FN>
- ---------
+ Class A shares commenced operations on October 25, 1988.
++ Class B shares commenced operations on November 1, 1985.
* Annualized.
** Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads.
# Aggregate total investment return.
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
and ratios have been derived from information provided in the Fund's audited and
unaudited financial statements. Financial information is not presented for Class
C or Class D shares since no shares of those classes are publicly issued as of
the date of this Prospectus. Further information about the performance of the
Fund is contained in the Fund's most recent annual report to shareholders which
may be obtained, without charge, by calling or by writing the Fund at the
telephone number or address on the front cover of this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE SIX
MONTHS
ENDED MARCH FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986++
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
ASSET VALUE:
PER SHARE OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of
period....................... $ 12.46 $ 11.77 $ 11.23 $ 10.57 $ 10.81 $ 10.66 $ 10.04 $ 11.05 $ 10.00
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Investment income -- net...... .30 .64 .67 .67 .68 .69 .70 .70 .67
Realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments --
net.......................... (1.00) .80 .54 .66 (.24) .15 .62 (.94) 1.05
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total from investment
operations................... (.70) 1.44 1.21 1.33 .44 .84 1.32 (.24) 1.72
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less dividends and
distributions:
Investment income -- net...... (.30) (.64) (.67) (.67) (.68) (.69) (.70) (.70) (.67)
Realized gain on investments
-- net....................... (.33) (.11) -- -- -- -- -- (.07) --
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total dividends and
distributions................ (.63) (.75) (.67) (.67) (.68) (.69) (.70) (.77) (.67)
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of
period....................... $ 11.13 $ 12.46 $ 11.77 $ 11.23 $ 10.57 $ 10.81 $ 10.66 $ 10.04 $ 11.05
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN**
Based on net asset value per
share........................ (5.95)%# 12.68% 11.12% 13.03% 4.00% 8.16% 13.35% (2.50)% 17.65%#
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses, excluding
distribution fees............ .63%* .64% .66% .67% .68% .66% .66% .64% .60%*
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Expenses...................... 1.13%* 1.14% 1.16% 1.17% 1.18% 1.16% 1.17% 1.14% 1.10%*
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Investment income -- net...... 4.89%* 5.32% 5.79% 6.23% 6.28% 6.38% 6.62% 6.38% 6.71%*
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in
thousands)................... $683,468 $733,981 $616,590 $568,958 $566,095 $635,227 $641,623 $665,547 $487,422
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Portfolio turnover............ 64.59% 38.31% 35.90% 49.78% 53.82% 74.51% 99.61% 72.35% 172.39%
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
----------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
- ---------
+ Class A shares commenced operations on October 25, 1988.
++ Class B shares commenced operations on November 1, 1985.
* Annualized.
** Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads.
# Aggregate total investment return.
</TABLE>
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with as high
a level of income exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City income
taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to
achieve its objective by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of long-
term obligations issued by or on behalf of New York State, its political
subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities and obligations of other qualifying
issuers, such as issuers located in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
Obligations exempt from Federal income taxes are referred to herein as
"Municipal Bonds" and obligations exempt from Federal, New York State and New
York City income taxes are referred to as "New York Municipal Bonds." Unless
otherwise indicated, references to Municipal Bonds shall be deemed to include
New York Municipal Bonds. The Fund at all times, except during temporary
defensive periods, will maintain at least 65% of its total assets invested in
New York Municipal Bonds. The investment objective of the Fund as set forth in
the first sentence of this paragraph is a fundamental policy and may not be
changed without shareholder approval. At times, the Fund will seek to hedge its
portfolio through the use of futures transactions to reduce volatility in the
net asset value of Fund shares.
Municipal Bonds may include several types of bonds. The risks and special
considerations involved in investment in Municipal Bonds, vary with the types of
instruments being acquired. Investments in Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Securities,
as defined herein, may present similar risks, depending on the particular
product. Certain instruments in which the Fund may invest may be characterized
as derivative instruments. See "Description of Municipal Bonds" and "Financial
Futures Transactions and Options". The Fund may also invest in variable rate
demand obligations and participations therein, described below, and short-term
tax-exempt municipal obligations such as tax anticipation notes. The interest on
Municipal Bonds may bear a fixed rate or be payable at a variable or floating
rate. The Municipal Bonds purchased by the Fund will be what are commonly
referred to as "investment grade" securities, which are obligations rated at the
time of purchase within the four highest quality ratings as determined by either
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") (currently Aaa, Aa, A and Baa),
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("Standard & Poor's") (currently AAA, AA, A and
BBB) or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch") (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB).
If Municipal Bonds are unrated, such securities will possess creditworthiness
comparable, in the opinion of the manager of the Fund, Fund Asset Management,
L.P. (the "Manager"), to obligations in which the Fund may invest. Municipal
Bonds rated in the fourth highest rating category, while considered "investment
grade", have certain speculative characteristics and are more likely to be
downgraded to non-investment grade than obligations rated in one of the top
three rating categories. See Appendix II -- "Ratings of Municipal Bonds" -- in
the Statement of Additional Information for more information regarding ratings
of debt securities. An issue of rated Municipal Bonds may cease to be rated or
its rating may be reduced below "investment grade" subsequent to its purchase by
the Fund. If an obligation is downgraded below investment grade, the Manager
will consider factors such as price, credit risk, market conditions, financial
condition of the issuer and interest rates to determine whether to continue to
hold the obligation in the Fund's portfolio.
Certain Municipal Bonds may be entitled to the benefits of letters of credit
or similar credit enhancements issued by financial institutions. In such
instances, the Trustees and the Manager will take into account in assessing the
quality of such bonds not only the creditworthiness of the issuer of such bonds
but also the creditworthiness of the financial institution.
The Fund may also invest in variable rate demand obligations ("VRDOs") and
VRDOs in the form of participation interests ("Participating VRDOs") in variable
rate tax-exempt obligations held by a financial institution. The VRDOs in which
the Fund will invest are tax-exempt obligations which contain a floating or
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variable interest rate adjustment formula and an unconditional right of demand
on the part of the holder thereof to receive payment of the unpaid principal
balance plus accrued interest on a short notice period not to exceed seven days.
Participating VRDOs provide the Fund with a specified undivided interest (up to
100%) of the underlying obligation and the right to demand payment of the unpaid
principal balance plus accrued interest on the Participating VRDOs from the
financial institution on a specified number of days' notice, not to exceed seven
days. There is, however, the possibility that because of default or insolvency,
the demand feature of VRDOs or Participating VRDOs may not be honored. The Fund
has been advised by its counsel that the Fund should be entitled to treat the
income received on Participating VRDOs as interest from tax-exempt obligations.
VRDOs that contain an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of
the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on a notice period exceeding
seven days may be deemed illiquid securities. A VRDO with a demand notice period
exceeding seven days will therefore be subject to the Fund's restriction on
illiquid investments unless, in the judgment of the Trustees, such VRDO is
liquid. The Trustees may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Manager the daily
function of determining and monitoring liquidity of such VRDOs. The Trustees,
however, will retain sufficient oversight and be ultimately responsible for such
determinations.
The Fund ordinarily does not intend to realize investment income not exempt
from Federal, New York State or New York City income taxes. However, to the
extent that suitable New York Municipal Bonds are not available for investment
by the Fund, the Fund may purchase Municipal Bonds issued by other states, their
agencies and instrumentalities, the interest income on which is exempt, in the
opinion of bond counsel, from Federal, but not New York State and New York City
taxation.
Under normal circumstances, except when acceptable securities are
unavailable as determined by the Manager, the Fund will invest at least 65% of
its total assets in New York Municipal Bonds. For temporary periods or to
provide liquidity, the Fund has the authority to invest as much as 35% of its
total assets in tax-exempt or taxable money market obligations with a maturity
of one year or less (such short-term obligations being referred to herein as
"Temporary Investments"), except that taxable Temporary Investments shall not
exceed 20% of the Fund's net assets. The Temporary Investments, VRDOs and
Participating VRDOs in which the Fund may invest will be in the following rating
categories at the time of purchase: MIG-1/VMIG-1 through MIG-4/VMIG-4 for notes
and VRDOs and Prime-1 through Prime-3 for commercial paper (as determined by
Moody's), SP-1 or SP-2 for notes and A-1 through A-3 for VRDOs and commercial
paper (as determined by Standard & Poor's), or F-1 through F-3 for notes, VRDOs
and commercial paper (as determined by Fitch) or, if unrated, of comparable
quality in the opinion of the Manager. The Fund at all times will have at least
80% of its net assets invested in securities the interest on which is exempt
from Federal taxation. However, interest received on certain otherwise
tax-exempt securities which are classified as "private activity bonds" (in
general, bonds that benefit non-governmental entities) may be subject to Federal
alternative minimum tax. The percentage of the Fund's total assets invested in
"private activity bonds" will vary during the year. See "Distributions and
Taxes". In addition, the Fund reserves the right to invest temporarily a greater
portion of its assets in Temporary Investments for defensive purposes, when, in
the judgment of the Manager, market conditions warrant. The investment objective
of the Fund and the policies set forth in this paragraph are fundamental
policies of the Fund which may not be changed without a
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vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund's hedging
strategies, which are described in more detail under "Financial Futures
Transactions and Options", are not fundamental policies and may be modified by
the Trustees of the Trust without the approval of the Fund's shareholders.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS
Investment in shares of the Fund offers several benefits. The Fund offers
investors the opportunity to receive income exempt from Federal, New York State
and New York City income taxes and to own shares in a professionally managed
portfolio consisting primarily of long-term New York Municipal Bonds. The Fund
also provides liquidity because of its redemption features and relieves the
investor of the burdensome administrative details involved in managing a
portfolio of tax-exempt securities. The benefits of investing in the Fund are at
least partially offset by the expenses involved in operating an investment
company. Such expenses primarily consist of the management fee and operational
costs and, in the case of certain classes of shares, the account maintenance and
distribution costs.
DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL BONDS
Municipal Bonds include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various
public purposes, including construction and equipping of a wide range of public
facilities (including water, sewer, gas, electricity, solid waste, health care,
transportation, education and housing facilities), refunding of outstanding
obligations and obtaining funds for general operating expenses and loans to
other public institutions and facilities. In addition, certain types of bonds
are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately
operated facilities, including certain facilities for the local furnishing of
electric energy or gas, sewage facilities, solid waste disposal facilities and
other specialized facilities. For purposes of this Prospectus, such obligations
are Municipal Bonds if the interest paid thereon is exempt from Federal income
tax, and, in the case of New York Municipal Bonds, exempt from New York personal
income tax, even though such bonds may be "private activity bonds" as discussed
below.
The two principal classifications of Municipal Bonds are "general
obligation" and "revenue" bonds which include industrial development bonds
("IDBs") and, for bonds issued after August 15, 1986, private activity bonds.
General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its faith, credit
and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxing power of
any governmental entity may be limited, however, by provisions of state
constitutions or laws, and an entity's creditworthiness will depend on many
factors, including potential erosion of its tax base due to population declines,
natural disasters, declines in the state's industrial base or inability to
attract new industries, economic limits on the ability to tax without eroding
the tax base, state legislative proposals or voter initiatives to limit ad
valorem real property taxes, and the extent to which the entity relies on
Federal or state aid, access to capital markets or other factors beyond the
state or entity's control. Accordingly, the capacity of the issuer of a general
obligation bond as to the timely payment of interest and the repayment of
principal when due is affected by the issuer's maintenance of its tax base.
Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular
facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a
special excise tax or other specific revenue source such as from the user of the
facility being financed; accordingly the timely payment of interest and the
repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the revenue or special
obligation bond is a function of the economic viability of such facility or such
revenue source. The Fund may also invest in "moral obligation" bonds, which are
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normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If an issuer of moral
obligation bonds is unable to meet its obligations, the repayment of such bonds
becomes a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or
municipality in question.
The Fund may purchase IDBs and private activity bonds. IDBs and private
activity bonds are tax-exempt securities issued by states, municipalities or
public authorities and are issued to provide funds, usually through a loan or
lease arrangement, to a private entity for the purpose of financing construction
or improvement of a facility to be used by the entity. Such bonds are secured
primarily by revenues derived from loan repayments or lease payments due from
the entity which may or may not be guaranteed by a parent company or otherwise
secured. In view of this, an investor should be aware that repayment of such
bonds depends on the revenues of a private entity and be aware of the risks that
such an investment may entail. Continued ability of an entity to generate
sufficient revenues for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds will
be affected by many factors including the size of the entity, capital structure,
demand for its products or services, competition, general economic conditions,
government regulation and the entity's dependence on revenues for the operation
of the particular facility being financed.
The Fund may invest in Municipal Bonds the return on which is based on a
particular index of value or interest rates. For example, the Fund may invest in
Municipal Bonds that pay interest based on an index of Municipal Bond interest
rates or based on the value of gold or some other commodity. The principal
amount payable upon maturity of certain Municipal Bonds also may be based on the
value of the index. To the extent the Fund invests in these types of Municipal
Bonds, the Fund's return on such Municipal Bonds will be subject to the risk
with respect to the value of the particular index. Also, the Fund may invest in
so-called "inverse floating obligations" or "residual interest bonds" on which
the interest rates typically decline as market rates increase and increase as
market rates decline. To the extent the Fund invests in these types of Municipal
Bonds, the Fund's return on such Municipal Bonds will be subject to risk with
respect to the value of the particular index. Such securities have the effect of
providing a degree of investment leverage, since they may increase or decrease
in value in response to changes, as an illustration, in market interest rates at
a rate which is a multiple (typically two) of the rate at which fixed-rate long
term tax exempt securities increase or decrease in response to such changes. As
a result, the market values of such securities will generally be more volatile
than the market values of fixed-rate tax exempt securities. To seek to limit the
volatility of these securities, the Fund may purchase inverse floating
obligations with shorter-term maturities or which contain limitations on the
extent to which the interest rate may vary. The Manager believes that indexed
and inverse floating obligations represent a flexible portfolio management
instrument for the Fund which allows the Manager to vary the degree of
investment leverage relatively efficiently under different market conditions.
Certain investments in such obligations may be illiquid. The Fund may not invest
in such illiquid obligations if such investments, together with other illiquid
investments, would exceed 10% of the Fund's net assets.
Also included within the general category of Municipal Bonds are
participation certificates issued by government authorities or entities to
finance the acquisition or construction of equipment, land and/or facilities.
The certificates represent participations in a lease, an installment purchase
contract or a conditional sales contract (hereinafter collectively called "lease
obligations") relating to such equipment, land or facilities. Although lease
obligations do not constitute general obligations of the issuer for which the
issuer's unlimited taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is frequently
backed by the issuer's covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments
due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain
"non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the issuer has no obligation to
make lease or
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installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for
such purpose on a yearly basis. Although "non-appropriation" lease obligations
are secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of
foreclosure might prove difficult. These securities represent a relatively new
type of financing that has not yet developed the depth of marketability
associated with more conventional securities. Certain investments in lease
obligations may be illiquid. The Fund may not invest in illiquid lease
obligations if such investments, together with all other illiquid investments
would exceed 10% of the Fund's net assets. The Fund may, however, invest without
regard to such limitation in lease obligations which the Manager, pursuant to
guidelines which have been adopted by the Board of Trustees and subject to the
supervision of the Board, determines to be liquid. The Manager will deem lease
obligations to be liquid if they are publicly offered and have received an
investment grade rating of Baa or better by Moody's, or BBB or better by
Standard & Poor's or Fitch. Unrated lease obligations, or those rated below
investment grade, will be considered liquid if the obligations come to the
market through an underwritten public offering and at least two dealers are
willing to give competitive bids. In reference to the latter, the Manager must,
among other things, also review the creditworthiness of the state or political
subdivisions obligated to make payment under the lease obligation and make
certain specified determinations based on such factors as the existence of a
rating or credit enhancement (such as insurance), the frequency of trades or
quotes for the obligation and the willingness of dealers to make a market in the
obligation.
Federal tax legislation has limited the types and volume of bonds the
interest on which qualifies for a Federal income tax exemption. As a result,
this legislation and legislation which may be enacted in the future may affect
the availability of Municipal Bonds for investment by the Fund.
CALL RIGHTS
The Fund may purchase a Municipal Bond issuer's right to call all or a
portion of such Municipal Bond for mandatory tender for purchase (a "Call
Right"). A holder of a Call Right may exercise such right to require a mandatory
tender for the purchase of related Municipal Bonds, subject to certain
conditions. A Call Right that is not exercised prior to the maturity of the
related Municipal Bond will expire without value. The economic effect of holding
both the Call Right and the related Municipal Bond is identical to holding a
Municipal Bond as a non-callable security. Certain investments in such
obligations may be illiquid. The Fund may not invest in such illiquid
obligations if such investments, together with other illiquid investments, would
exceed 10% of the Fund's net assets.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase or sell Municipal Bonds on a delayed delivery basis or
a when-issued basis at fixed purchase terms. These transactions arise when
securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking
place in the future. The purchase will be recorded on the date the Fund enters
into the commitment and the value of the obligation will thereafter be reflected
in the calculation of the Fund's net asset value. The value of the obligation on
the delivery date may be more or less than its purchase price. A separate
account of the Fund will be established with its custodian consisting of cash,
cash equivalents or high grade, liquid Municipal Bonds having a market value at
all times at least equal to the amount of the forward commitment.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BONDS
The Fund ordinarily will invest at least 65% of its assets in New York
Municipal Bonds, and therefore it is more susceptible to factors adversely
affecting issuers of New York Municipal Bonds than is a municipal
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bond mutual fund that is not concentrated in issuers of New York Municipal Bonds
to this degree. In recent years, New York State, New York City and other New
York public bodies have encountered financial difficulties and New York City is
currently encountering financial difficulties which could have an adverse effect
with respect to the performance of the Fund. Currently, Moody's, Standard &
Poor's and Fitch rate New York City's general obligation bonds Baa1, A- and A-,
respectively, and Moody's and Standard & Poor's rate New York State's general
obligation bonds A and A-, respectively. There is no assurance that a particular
rating will continue for any given period of time or that any such rating will
not be revised downward or withdrawn entirely if, in the judgment of the agency
originally establishing the rating, circumstances so warrant. The Manager does
not believe that the current economic conditions in New York will have a
significant adverse effect on the Fund's ability to invest in high quality New
York Municipal Bonds. See Appendix I to the Statement of Additional Information.
FINANCIAL FUTURES TRANSACTIONS AND OPTIONS
The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell certain exchange traded
financial futures contracts ("financial futures contracts") solely for the
purpose of hedging its investments in Municipal Bonds against declines in value
and to hedge against increases in the cost of securities it intends to purchase.
However, any transactions involving financial futures or options (including puts
and calls associated therewith) will be in accordance with the Fund's investment
policies and limitations. A financial futures contract obligates the seller of a
contract to deliver and the purchaser of a contract to take delivery of the type
of financial instrument covered by the contract, or in the case of index-based
futures contracts to make and accept a cash settlement, at a specific future
time for a specified price. A sale of financial futures contracts may provide a
hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio securities because such
depreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of
the position in the financial futures contracts. A purchase of financial futures
contracts may provide a hedge against an increase in the cost of securities
intended to be purchased because such appreciation may be offset, in whole or in
part, by an increase in the value of the position in the futures contracts.
Distributions, if any, of net long-term capital gains from certain transactions
in futures or options are taxable at long-term capital gains rates for Federal
income tax purposes, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has owned
Fund shares. See "Distributions and Taxes -- Taxes".
The Fund deals in financial futures contracts traded on the Chicago Board of
Trade based on The Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, a price-weighted measure of
the market value of 40 large, recently issued tax-exempt bonds. There can be no
assurance, however, that a liquid secondary market will exist to terminate any
particular financial futures contract at any specific time. If it is not
possible to close a financial futures position entered into by the Fund, the
Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation
margin in the event of adverse price movements. In such a situation, if the Fund
has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily
variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
The inability to close financial futures positions also could have an adverse
impact on the Fund's ability to hedge effectively. There is also the risk of
loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with
whom the Fund has an open position in a financial futures contract.
The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts on U.S.
Government securities and write and purchase put and call options on such
futures contracts as a hedge against adverse changes in interest rates as
described more fully in the Statement of Additional Information. With respect to
U.S. Government
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securities, currently there are financial futures contracts based on long-term
U.S. Treasury bonds, Treasury notes, Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA") Certificates and three-month U.S. Treasury bills.
Subject to policies adopted by the Trustees, the Fund also may engage in
other financial futures contracts transactions and options thereon, such as
financial futures contracts or options on other municipal bond indexes which may
become available, if the Manager of the Fund and the Trustees of the Trust
should determine that there is normally a sufficient correlation between the
prices of such futures contracts and the Municipal Bonds in which the Fund
invests to make such hedging appropriate.
Utilization of futures transactions and options thereon involves the risk of
imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts and
movements in the price of the security which is the subject of the hedge. If the
price of the futures contract moves more or less than the price of the security
that is the subject of the hedge, the Fund will experience a gain or loss which
will not be completely offset by movements in the price of such security. There
is a risk of imperfect correlation where the securities underlying futures
contracts have different maturities, ratings or geographic mixes than the
security being hedged. In addition, the correlation may be affected by additions
to or deletions from the index which serves as a basis for a financial futures
contract. Finally, in the case of futures contracts on U.S. Government
securities and options on such futures contracts, the anticipated correlation of
price movements between the U.S. Government securities underlying the futures or
options and Municipal Bonds may be adversely affected by economic, political,
legislative or other developments which have a disparate impact on the
respective markets for such securities.
Under regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), the
futures trading activities described herein will not result in the Fund being
deemed to be a "commodity pool", as defined under such regulations, provided
that the Fund adheres to certain restrictions. In particular, the Fund may
purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon (i) only for bona fide
hedging purposes, and (ii) for non-hedging purposes, if the aggregate initial
margins and premiums required to establish positions in such contracts and
options does not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio
assets after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any
such contracts and options. (However, as stated above, the Fund intends to
engage in options and futures transactions only for hedging purposes.) Margin
deposits may consist of cash or securities acceptable to the broker and the
relevant contract market.
When the Fund purchases a futures contract, or writes a put option or
purchases a call option thereon, it will maintain an amount of cash, cash
equivalents (e.g., high grade commercial paper and daily tender adjustable
notes) or short-term high-grade fixed-income securities in a segregated account
with the Fund's custodian, so that the amount so segregated plus the amount of
initial and variation margin held in the account of its broker equals the market
value of the futures contracts, thereby ensuring that the use of such futures
contract is unleveraged. It is not anticipated that transactions in futures
contracts will have the effect of increasing portfolio turnover.
Although certain risks are involved in options and futures transactions, the
Manager believes that, because the Fund will engage in futures transactions only
for hedging purposes, the futures portfolio strategies of the Fund will not
subject the Fund to certain risks frequently associated with speculation in
futures transactions. The Fund must meet certain Federal income tax requirements
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") in order to
qualify for the special tax treatment afforded
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regulated investment companies, including a requirement that less than 30% of
its gross income be derived from the sale or other disposition of securities
held for less than three months. Additionally, the Fund is required to meet
certain diversification requirements under the Code.
The liquidity of a secondary market in a futures contract may be adversely
affected by "daily price fluctuation limits" established by commodity exchanges
which limit the amount of fluctuation in a futures contract price during a
single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the contract, no
trades may be entered into at a price beyond the limit, thus preventing the
liquidation of open futures positions. Prices have in the past moved beyond the
daily limit on a number of consecutive trading days.
The successful use of transactions in futures also depends on the ability of
the Manager to forecast correctly the direction and extent of interest rate
movements within a given time frame. To the extent these rates remain stable
during the period in which a futures contract is held by the Fund or moves in a
direction opposite to that anticipated, the Fund may realize a loss on the
hedging transaction which is not fully or partially offset by an increase in the
value of portfolio securities. As a result, the Fund's total return for such
period may be less than if it had not engaged in the hedging transaction.
Furthermore, the Fund will only engage in hedging transactions from time to time
and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging transactions when movements in
interest rates occur.
Reference is made to the Statement of Additional Information for further
information on financial futures contracts and certain options thereon.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
As Temporary Investments, the Fund may invest in securities pursuant to
repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into only with a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer or an affiliate
thereof in U.S. Government securities. Under such agreements, the seller agrees,
upon entering into the contract, to repurchase the security from the Fund at a
mutually agreed upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the
term of the agreement. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from
market fluctuations during such period. The Fund may not invest more than 10% of
its net assets in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days if such
investments together with the Fund's other illiquid investments, exceed 10% of
the Fund's net assets. In the event of default by the seller under a repurchase
agreement, the Fund may suffer time delays and incur costs or possible losses in
connection with the disposition of the underlying securities.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
CURRENT INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The Trust has adopted a number of
restrictions and policies relating to the investment of the assets of the Fund
and its activities, which are fundamental policies of the Fund and may not be
changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities, as defined in the 1940 Act. Among the more
significant restrictions, the Fund may not borrow amounts in excess of 20% of
its total assets taken at market value (including the amount borrowed), and then
only from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes;
and the Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings are outstanding.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund, at a meeting held on August 4, 1994,
approved certain changes to the fundamental and non-fundamental investment
restrictions of the Fund. These changes were proposed in connection with the
creation of a set of standard fundamental and non-fundamental investment
restrictions
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that would be adopted, subject to shareholder approval, by all of the non-money
market mutual funds advised by MLAM or FAM. The proposed uniform investment
restrictions are designed to provide each of these funds, including the Fund,
with as much investment flexibility as possible under the Investment Company Act
and applicable state securities regulations, help promote operational
efficiencies and facilitate monitoring of compliance. The investment objectives
and policies of the Fund will be unaffected by the adoption of the proposed
investment restrictions.
The full text of the proposed investment restrictions is set forth under
"Investment Objective and Policies -- Proposed Uniform Investment Restrictions"
in the Statement of Additional Information. Shareholders of the Fund are
currently considering whether to approve the proposed revised investment
restrictions. If such shareholder approval is obtained, the Fund's current
investment restrictions will be replaced by the proposed restrictions, and the
Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information will be supplemented
to reflect such change.
Investors are referred to the Statement of Additional Information for a
complete description of such restrictions and policies.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
TRUSTEES
The Trustees of the Trust consist of six individuals, five of whom are not
"interested persons" of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act. The Trustees are
responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Trust and the
Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors or trustees of
investment companies by the 1940 Act.
The Trustees are:
ARTHUR ZEIKEL* -- President and Chief Investment Officer of FAM and MLAM;
President and Director of Princeton Services, Inc.; Executive Vice President of
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co."), and of Merrill Lynch, since 1990;
Director of the Distributor.
KENNETH S. AXELSON -- Former Executive Vice President and Director, J.C.
Penney Company, Inc.
HERBERT I. LONDON -- John M. Olin Professor of Humanities, New York
University.
ROBERT R. MARTIN -- Chairman, WTC Industries, Inc. and former Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Kinnard Investments, Inc.
JOSEPH L. MAY -- Attorney in private practice.
ANDRE F. PEROLD -- Professor, Harvard Business School.
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* Interested person, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Trust.
MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY ARRANGEMENTS
FAM, which is an affiliate of MLAM and is owned and controlled by ML & Co.,
a financial services holding company, acts as the Manager for the Fund and
provides the Fund with management services. The Manager or MLAM acts as the
investment adviser to more than 100 other registered investment companies.
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MLAM also provides investment advisory services to individual and institutional
accounts. As of November 30, 1993, the Manager and MLAM had a total of
approximately $159.4 billion in investment company and other portfolio assets
under management, including accounts of certain affiliates of the Manager. As of
August 31, 1994, the Manager and MLAM had a total of approximately $165.7
billion in investment company and other portolio assets under management,
including accounts of certain affiliates of the Manager.
Subject to the direction of the Trustees, the Manager is responsible for the
actual management of the Fund's portfolio and constantly reviews the Fund's
holdings in light of its own research analysis and that from other relevant
sources. The responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a
particular security rests with the Manager. The Manager performs certain of the
other administrative services and provides all the office space, facilities,
equipment and necessary personnel for management of the Trust and the Fund.
Vincent R. Giordano and Kenneth A. Jacob are the Portfolio Managers for the
Fund. Vincent R. Giordano has been a Portfolio Manager of the Manager and MLAM
since 1977 and a Senior Vice President of the Manager and MLAM since 1984.
Kenneth A. Jacob has been a Vice President of the Manager and MLAM since 1984.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement between the Manager and the Trust on
behalf of the Fund (the "Management Agreement"), the Manager is entitled to
receive compensation at the annual rate of 0.55% of the average daily net assets
of the Fund. Effective December 23, 1987, the Manager has voluntarily agreed to
waive the amount of compensation set forth in the Management Agreement and
instead has agreed to receive from the Fund a monthly fee based upon the average
daily net assets of the Fund at the following annual rates: 0.55% of the average
daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.525% of the average daily net
assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1.0 billion and 0.50% of the
average daily net assets exceeding $1.0 billion. For the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1993, the fee paid by the Fund to the Manager was $3,744,878
(based on average net assets of approximately $689.5 million).
The Management Agreement obligates the Trust and the Fund to pay certain
expenses incurred in the Fund's operations, including, among other things, the
management fee, legal and audit fees, unaffiliated Trustees' fees and expenses,
registration fees, custodian and transfer agency fees, accounting and pricing
costs, and certain of the costs of printing proxies, shareholder reports,
prospectuses and statements of additional information. Accounting services are
provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Fund reimburses the Manager for its
costs in connection with such services. For the fiscal year ended September 30,
1993, the Fund reimbursed the Manager $65,976 for accounting services. For the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, the annualized ratio of total expenses,
net of distribution fees, to average net assets was 0.64% for the Class A shares
and 0.64% for the Class B shares; no Class C or Class D shares had been issued
during that year.
TRANSFER AGENCY SERVICES
Financial Data Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), which is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of ML & Co., acts as the Trust's Transfer Agent pursuant
to a Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder Servicing
Agency Agreement (the "Transfer Agency Agreement"). Pursuant to the Transfer
Agency Agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for the issuance, transfer
and redemption of shares and the opening and maintenance of shareholder
accounts. Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Fund pays the Transfer
Agent a fee of $11.00 per Class A or Class D shareholder account and $14.00 per
Class B or
19
<PAGE>
Class C shareholder account and the Transfer Agent is entitled to reimbursement
from the Fund for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Transfer Agent under
the Transfer Agency Agreement. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, the
total fee paid by the Fund to the Transfer Agent pursuant to the Transfer Agency
Agreement was $277,001.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of
both MLAM and Merrill Lynch, acts as the Distributor of the shares of the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are offered continuously for sale by the Distributor and
other eligible securities dealers (including Merrill Lynch). Shares of the Fund
may be purchased from securities dealers or by mailing a purchase order directly
to the Transfer Agent. The minimum initial purchase is $1,000, and the minimum
subsequent purchase is $50.
The Fund is offering its shares in four classes at a public offering price
equal to the next determined net asset value per share plus sales charges
imposed either at the time of purchase or on a deferred basis depending upon the
class of shares selected by the investor under the Merrill Lynch Select
Pricing-SM- System, as described below. The applicable offering price for
purchase orders is based upon the net asset value of the Fund next determined
after receipt of the purchase order by the Distributor. As to purchase orders
received by securities dealers prior to 4:15 P.M., New York time, which includes
orders received after the determination of net asset value on the previous day,
the applicable offering price will be based on the net asset value determined as
of 4:15 P.M. on the day the order is placed with the Distributor, provided the
order is received by the Distributor prior to 4:30 P.M., New York time, on that
day. If the purchase orders are not received by the Distributor prior to 4:30
P.M., New York time, such orders shall be deemed received on the next business
day. Any order may be rejected by the Distributor or the Fund. The Fund or the
Distributor may suspend the continuous offering of the Fund's shares to the
general public at any time in response to conditions in the securities markets
or otherwise and may thereafter resume such offering from time to time. Neither
the Distributor nor the dealers are permitted to withhold placing orders to
benefit themselves by a price change. Merrill Lynch may charge its customers a
processing fee (presently $4.85) to confirm a sale of shares to such customers.
Purchases directly through the Fund's Transfer Agent are not subject to the
processing fee.
The Fund issues four classes of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select
Pricing-SM- System, which permits each investor to choose the method of
purchasing shares that the investor believes is most beneficial given the amount
of the purchase, the length of time the investor expects to hold the shares and
other relevant circumstances. Shares of Class A and Class D are sold to
investors choosing the initial sales charge alternatives and shares of Class B
and Class C are sold to investors choosing the deferred sales charge
alternatives. Investors should determine whether under their particular
circumstances it is more advantageous to incur an initial sales charge or to
have the entire initial purchase price invested in the Fund with the investment
thereafter being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and ongoing
distribution fees. A discussion of the factors that investors should consider in
determining the method of purchasing shares under the Merrill Lynch Select
Pricing-SM- System is set forth under "Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System"
on page 4.
Each Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D share of the Fund represents
identical interests in the investment portfolio of the Fund and has the same
rights, except that Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear the expenses of the
ongoing account maintenance fees, and Class B and Class C shares bear the
expenses of the ongoing distribution fees and the additional incremental
transfer agency costs resulting from
20
<PAGE>
the deferred sales charge arrangements. The deferred sales charges and account
maintenance fees that are imposed on Class B and Class C shares, as well as the
account maintenance fees that are imposed on Class D shares, will be imposed
directly against those classes and not against all assets of the Fund and,
accordingly, such charges will not affect the net asset value of any other class
or have any impact on investors choosing another sales charge option. Dividends
paid by the Fund for each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner
at the same time and will differ only to the extent that account maintenance and
distribution fees and any incremental transfer agency costs relating to a
particular class are borne exclusively by that class. Class B, Class C and Class
D shares each have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1
distribution plan adopted with respect to such class pursuant to which account
maintenance and/or distribution fees are paid. See "Distribution Plans" below.
Each class has different exchange privileges. See "Shareholder Services --
Exchange Privilege".
Investors should understand that the purpose and function of the initial
sales charges with respect to Class A and Class D shares are the same as those
of the deferred sales charges with respect to Class B and Class C shares in that
the sales charges applicable to each class provide for the financing of the
distribution of the shares of the Fund. The distribution-related revenues paid
with respect to a class will not be used to finance the distribution
expenditures of another class. Sales personnel may receive different
compensation for selling different classes of shares. Investors are advised that
only Class A and Class D shares may be available for purchase through securities
dealers, other than Merrill Lynch, which are eligible to sell shares.
The following table sets forth a summary of the distribution arrangements
for each class of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCOUNT
MAINTENANCE DISTRIBUTION
CLASS SALES CHARGE(1) FEE FEE CONVERSION FEATURE
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
A Maximum 4.0% initial sales No No No
charge(2)(3)
B CDSC for a period of 4 years, at a rate 0.25% 0.25% B shares convert to D shares
of 4.0% during the first year, automatically after
decreasing 1.0% annually to 0.0% approximately ten years(4)
C 1.0% CDSC for one year 0.25% 0.35% No
D Maximum 4.0% initial sales 0.10% No No
charge(3)
<FN>
- ------------
(1) Initial sales charges are imposed at the time of purchase as a percentage
of the offering price. CDSCs may be imposed if the redemption occurs within
the applicable CDSC time period. The charge will be assessed on an amount
equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares
being redeemed.
(2) Offered only to eligible investors. See "Initial Sales Charge Alternatives
-- Class A and Class D Shares -- Eligible Class A Investors".
</TABLE>
(FOOTNOTES CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
21
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(3) Reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more. Class A and Class D share
purchases of $1,000,000 or more may not be subject to an initial sales
charge but instead may be subject to a 1.0% CDSC if redeemed within one
year.
(4) The conversion period for dividend reinvestment shares is modified. Also,
Class B shares of certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds into which
exchanges may be made have an eight year conversion period. If Class B
shares of the Fund are exchanged for Class B shares of another MLAM-advised
mutual fund, the conversion period applicable to the Class B shares
acquired in the exchange will apply, and the holding period for the shares
exchanged will be tacked onto the holding period for the shares acquired.
</TABLE>
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES--CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES
INVESTORS CHOOSING THE INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO
PURCHASE CLASS A SHARES SHOULD PURCHASE CLASS A SHARES RATHER THAN CLASS D
SHARES BECAUSE THERE IS AN ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE FEE IMPOSED ON CLASS D SHARES.
The public offering price of Class A and Class D shares for purchasers
choosing the initial sales charge alternative is the next determined net asset
value plus varying sales charges (i.e., sales load), as set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES CHARGE SALES CHARGE DISCOUNT TO SELECTED
AS PERCENTAGE AS PERCENTAGE* DEALERS AS
OF OFFERING OF THE NET PERCENTAGE OF THE
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED OFFERING PRICE
- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------- --------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $25,000........................................... 4.00% 4.17% 3.75%
$25,000 but less than $50,000............................... 3.75 3.90 3.50
$50,000 but less than $100,000.............................. 3.25 3.36 3.00
$100,000 but less than $250,000............................. 2.50 2.56 2.25
$250,000 but less than $1,000,000........................... 1.50 1.52 1.25
$1,000,000 and over**....................................... 0.00 0.00 0.00
<FN>
- ---------
* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
** Class A and Class D purchases of $1,000,000 or more made on or after October
21, 1994 will be subject to a CDSC of 1.0% if the shares are redeemed within
one year after purchase. Class A purchases made prior to October 21, 1994 may
be subject to a CDSC if the shares are redeemed within one year of purchase
at the following annual rates: 0.75% on purchases of $1,000,000 to
$2,500,000; 0.40% on purchases of $2,500,001 to $3,500,000; 0.25% on
purchases of $3,500,001 to $5,000,000; and 0.20% on purchases of more than
$5,000,000 in lieu of paying an initial sales charge. The charge will be
assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of the redemption
or the cost of the shares being redeemed.
</TABLE>
The Distributor may reallow discounts to selected dealers and retain the
balance over such discounts. At times the Distributor may reallow the entire
sales charge to such dealers. Since securities dealers selling Class A and Class
D shares of the Fund will receive a concession equal to most of the sales
charge, they may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, the Fund sold
1,289,097 Class A shares for aggregate net proceeds of $15,472,813. The gross
sales charges for the sale of Class A shares of the Fund for that year were
$152,014, of which $15,617 and $136,397 were received by the Distributor and
Merrill Lynch, respectively. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, the
Fund incurred no CDSCs for Class A redemptions.
ELIGIBLE CLASS A INVESTORS. Class A shares are offered to a limited group
of investors and also will be issued upon reinvestment of dividends on
outstanding Class A shares. Investors that currently own Class A shares in a
shareholder account are entitled to purchase additional Class A shares in that
account. Class A shares are available at net asset value to corporate warranty
insurance reserve fund programs provided that the program has $3 million or more
initially invested in MLAM-advised mutual funds. Also eligible to
22
<PAGE>
purchase Class A shares at net asset value are participants in certain
investment programs including TMA-SM- Managed Trusts to which Merrill Lynch
Trust Company provides discretionary trustee services and certain purchases made
in connection with the Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund Adviser program. In addition,
Class A shares will be offered at net asset value to ML&Co. and its subsidiaries
and their directors and employees and to members of the Boards of MLAM advised
investment companies, including the Fund. Certain persons who acquire shares of
MLAM-advised closed-end funds who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale
of their closed-end fund shares of common stock in shares of the Fund also may
purchase Class A shares of the Fund if certain conditions set forth in the
Statement of Additional Information are met. For example, Class A shares of the
Fund and certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds are offered at net asset value
to shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. who wish to
reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of certain of their shares of common stock
of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. in shares of such funds.
REDUCED INITIAL SALES CHARGES. No initial sales charges are imposed upon
Class A and Class D shares issued as a result of the automatic reinvestment of
dividends or capital gains distributions. Class A and Class D sales charges also
may be reduced under a Right of Accumulation and a Letter of Intention.
Class A shares are offered at net asset value to certain eligible Class A
investors as set forth above under "Eligible Class A Investors".
Class D shares are offered at net asset value without sales charges to an
investor who has a business relationship with a Merrill Lynch financial
consultant, if certain conditions set forth in the Statement of Additional
Information are met. Class D shares may be offered at net asset value in
connection with the acquisition of assets of other investment companies.
Additional information concerning these reduced initial sales charges is set
forth in the Statement of Additional Information.
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES--CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
INVESTORS CHOOSING THE DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES SHOULD CONSIDER
CLASS B SHARES IF THEY INTEND TO HOLD THEIR SHARES FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF
TIME AND CLASS C SHARES IF THEY ARE UNCERTAIN AS TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THEY
INTEND TO HOLD THEIR ASSETS IN MLAM-ADVISED MUTUAL FUNDS.
The public offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors
choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives is the next determined net asset
value per share without the imposition of a sales charge at the time of
purchase. As discussed below, Class B shares are subject to a four year CDSC,
while Class C shares are subject only to a one year 1.0% CDSC. On the other
hand, approximately ten years after Class B shares are issued, such Class B
shares, together with shares issued upon dividend reinvestment with respect to
those shares, are automatically converted into Class D shares of the Fund and
thereafter will be subject to lower continuing fees. See "Conversion of Class B
Shares to Class D Shares" below. Both Class B and Class C shares are subject to
an account maintenance fee of 0.25% of net assets and Class B and Class C shares
are subject to distribution fees of 0.25% and 0.35%, respectively, of net assets
as discussed below under "Distribution Plans". The proceeds from the account
maintenance fees are used to compensate Merrill Lynch for providing continuing
account maintenance activities.
23
<PAGE>
Class B and Class C shares are sold without an initial sales charge so that
the Fund will receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment.
Merrill Lynch compensates its financial consultants for selling Class B and
Class C shares at the time of purchase from its own funds. See "Distribution
Plans" below.
Proceeds from the CDSC and the distribution fee are paid to the Distributor
and are used in whole or in part by the Distributor to defray the expenses of
dealers (including Merrill Lynch) related to providing distribution-related
services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C
shares, such as the payment of compensation to financial consultants for selling
Class B and Class C shares, from the dealer's own funds. The combination of the
CDSC and the ongoing distribution fee facilitates the ability of the Fund to
sell the Class B and Class C shares without a sales charge being deducted at the
time of purchase. Approximately ten years after issuance, Class B shares will
convert automatically into Class D shares of the Fund, which are subject to a
lower account maintenance fee and no distribution fee; Class B shares of certain
other MLAM-advised mutual funds into which exchanges may be made convert into
Class D shares automatically after approximately eight years. If Class B shares
of the Fund are exchanged for Class B shares of another MLAM-advised mutual
fund, the conversion period applicable to the Class B shares acquired in the
exchange will apply, and the holding period for the shares exchanged will be
tacked onto the holding period for the shares acquired.
Imposition of the CDSC and the distribution fee on Class B and Class C
shares is limited by the NASD asset-based sales charge rule. See "Limitations on
the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges" below. The proceeds from the ongoing
account maintenance fee are used to compensate Merrill Lynch for providing
continuing account maintenance activities. Class B shareholders of the Fund
exercising the exchange privilege described under "Shareholder Services --
Exchange Privilege" will continue to be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if
such schedule is higher than the CDSC schedule relating to the Class B shares
acquired as a result of the exchange.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES. Class B shares which are
redeemed within four years of purchase may be subject to a CDSC at the rates set
forth below charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. The
charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market
value or the cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no CDSC will be
imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In
addition, no CDSC will be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of
dividends or capital gains distributions.
The following table sets forth the Class B CDSC:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CDSC AS A
PERCENTAGE OF
DOLLAR AMOUNT
SUBJECT TO
YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE CHANGE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
<S> <C>
0-1....................................................................... 4.0%
1-2....................................................................... 3.0%
2-3....................................................................... 2.0%
3-4....................................................................... 1.0%
4 and thereafter.......................................................... None
</TABLE>
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, the Distributor received CDSCs
of $622,557 with respect to redemptions of Class B shares, all of which were
paid to Merrill Lynch.
24
<PAGE>
In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation
will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest applicable rate
being charged. Therefore, it will be assumed that the redemption is first of
shares held for over four years or shares acquired pursuant to reinvestment of
dividends or distributions and then of shares held longest during the four-year
period. The charge will not be applied to dollar amounts representing an
increase in the net asset value since the time of purchase. A transfer of shares
from a shareholder's account to another account will be assumed to be made in
the same order as a redemption.
To provide an example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per
share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the third year after purchase, the net asset
value per share is $12 and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10
additional shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the investor makes
his first redemption of 50 shares (proceeds of $600), 10 shares will not be
subject to charge because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the
remaining 40 shares, the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per
share and not to the increase in net asset value of $2 per share. Therefore,
$400 of the $600 redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 2.0% (the
applicable rate in the third year after purchase).
The Class B CDSC is waived on redemptions of shares following the death or
disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) of a
shareholder. Additional information concerning the waiver of the Class B CDSC is
set forth in the Statement of Additional Information.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS C SHARES. Class C shares which are
redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a 1.0% CDSC charged as a
percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. The charge will be assessed on
an equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares
being redeemed. Accordingly, no Class C CDSC will be imposed on increases in net
asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no Class C CDSC will
be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions.
In determining whether a Class C CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the
calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest possible
rate being charged. Therefore, it will be assumed that the redemption is first
of shares held for over one year or shares acquired pursuant to reinvestment of
dividends or distributions and then of shares held longest during the one-year
period. The charge will not be applicable to dollar amounts representing an
increase in the net asset value since the time of purchase. At transfer of
shares from a shareholder's account to another account will be assumed to be
made in the same order as a redemption.
CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES TO CLASS D SHARES. After approximately ten
years (the "Conversion Period"), Class B shares will be converted automatically
into Class D shares of the Fund. Class D shares are subject to an ongoing
account maintenance fee of 0.10% of net assets but are not subject to the
distribution fee that is borne by Class B shares. Automatic conversion of Class
B shares into Class D shares will occur at least once each month (on the
"Conversion Date") on the basis of the relative net asset values of the shares
of the two classes on the Conversion Date, without the imposition of any sales
load, fee or other charge. Conversion of Class B shares to Class D shares will
not be deemed a purchaser or sale of the shares for Federal income tax purposes.
In addition, shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends on Class B
shares also will convert automatically to Class D shares. The Conversion Date
for dividend reinvestment shares will be calculated taking into account the
length of time the shares underlying such dividend reinvestment shares were
25
<PAGE>
outstanding. If at a Conversion Date the conversion of Class B shares to Class D
shares of the Fund in a single account will result in less than $50 worth of
Class B shares being left in the account, all of the Class B shares of the Fund
held in the account on the Conversion Date will be converted to Class D shares
of the Fund.
Share certificates for Class B shares of the Fund to be converted must be
delivered to the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to the Conversion Date
applicable to those shares. In the event such certificates are not received by
the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to the Conversion Date, the related
Class B shares will convert to Class D shares on the next scheduled Conversion
Date after such Certificates are delivered.
In general, Class B shares of equity MLAM-advised mutual funds will convert
approximately eight years after initial purchase, and Class B shares of taxable
and tax-exempt fixed income MLAM-advised mutual funds will convert approximately
ten years after initial purchase. If, during the Conversion Period, a
shareholder exchanges Class B shares with an eight-year Conversion Period for
Class B shares with a ten-year Conversion Period, or vice versa, the Conversion
Period applicable to the Class B shares acquired in the exchange will apply, and
the holding period for the shares exchanged will be tacked onto the holding
period for the shares acquired.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The Fund has adopted separate distribution plans for Class B, Class C and
Class D shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (each a
"Distribution Plan") with respect to the account maintenance and/or distribution
fees paid by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to such classes. The Class
B and Class C Distribution Plans provide for the payment of account maintenance
fees and distribution fees, and the Class D Distribution Plan provides for the
payment of account maintenance fees.
The Distribution Plans for Class B, Class C and Class D shares each provide
that the Fund pays the Distributor an account maintenance fee relating to the
shares of the relevant class, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual
rates of 0.25%, 0.25% and 0.10%, respectively, of the average daily net assets
of the Fund attributable to shares of the relevant class in order to compensate
the Distributor and Merrill Lynch (pursuant to a sub-agreement) in connection
with account maintenance activities.
The Distribution Plans for Class B and Class C shares each provide that the
Fund also pays the Distributor a distribution fee relating to the shares of the
relevant class, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.25% and
0.35%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to
the shares of the relevant class in order to compensate the Distributor and
Merrill Lynch (pursuant to a sub-agreement) for providing shareholder and
distribution services, and bearing certain distribution-related expenses of the
Fund, including payments to financial consultants for selling Class B and Class
C shares of the Fund. The Distribution Plans relating to Class B and Class C
shares are designed to permit an investor to purchase Class B and Class C shares
through dealers without the assessment of an initial sales charge and at the
same time permit the dealer to compensate its financial consultants in
connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C shares. In this regard, the
purpose and function of the ongoing distribution fees and the CDSC are the same
as those of the initial sales charge with respect to the Class A and Class D
shares of the Fund in that the deferred sales charges provide for the financing
of the distribution of the Fund's Class B and Class C shares.
26
<PAGE>
For the year ended September 30, 1993, the Fund paid the Distributor account
maintenance fees of $1,660,220 and distribution fees of $1,660,220 under the
Class B Distribution Plan. The Fund did not begin to offer shares of Class C or
Class D publicly until the date of this Prospectus. Accordingly, no payments
have been made pursuant to the Class C or Class D Distribution Plans prior to
the date of this Prospectus.
The payments under the Distribution Plans are based on a percentage of
average daily net assets attributable to the shares regardless of the amount of
expenses incurred and, accordingly, distribution-related revenues from the
Distribution Plans may be more or less than distribution-related expenses.
Information with respect to the distribution-related revenues and expenses is
presented to the Trustees for their consideration in connection with their
deliberations as to the continuance of the Class B and Class C Distribution
Plans. This information is presented annually as of December 31 of each year on
a "fully allocated accrual" basis and quarterly on a "direct expense and
revenue/cash" basis. On the fully allocated accrual basis, revenues consist of
the account maintenance fees, distribution fees, the CDSC and certain other
related revenues, and expenses consist of financial consultant compensation,
branch office and regional operation center selling and transaction processing
expenses, advertising, sales promotion and marketing expenses, corporate
overhead and interest expense. On the direct expense and revenue/cash basis,
revenues consist of the account maintenance fees, distribution fees and CDSCs
and the expenses consist of financial consultant compensation. As of December
31, 1993, the last date for which fully allocated accrual data is available, the
fully allocated accrual expenses incurred by the Distributor and Merrill Lynch
exceeded fully allocated accrual revenues for such period by approximately
$9,283,000 (1.3% of Class B net assets at that date). As of December 31, 1993,
direct cash revenues for the period since the commencement of operations
exceeded direct cash expenses by $13,264,947 (1.8% of Class B net assets at that
date). As of July 31, 1994, direct cash revenues for the period since the
commencement of operations exceeded direct cash expenses by $14,828,002 (2.2% of
Class B net assets at that date).
The Fund has no obligation with respect to distribution and/or account
maintenance-related expenses incurred by the Distributor and Merrill Lynch in
connection with Class B, Class C and Class D shares, and there is no assurance
that the Trustees of the Trust will approve the continuance of the Distribution
Plans from year to year. However, the Distributor intends to seek annual
continuation of the Distribution Plans. In their review of the Distribution
Plans, the Trustees will be asked to take into consideration expenses incurred
in connection with the account maintenance and/or distribution of each class of
shares separately. The initial sales charges, the account maintenance fee, the
distribution fee and/or the CDSCs received with respect to one class will not be
used to subsidize the sale of shares of another class. Payments of the
distribution fee on Class B shares will terminate upon conversion of those Class
B shares into Class D shares as set forth under "Deferred Sales Charge
Alternatives -- Conversion of Class B Shares to Class D Shares".
LIMITATIONS ON THE PAYMENT OF DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
The maximum sales charge rule in the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD
imposes a limitation on certain asset-based sales charges such as the Fund's
distribution fee and the CDSC borne by the Class B and Class C shares but not
the account maintenance fee. The maximum sales charge rule is applied separately
to each class. As applicable to the Fund, the maximum sales charge rule limits
the aggregate of distribution fee payments and CDSCs payable by the Fund to (1)
6.25% of eligible gross sales of Class B shares and Class C shares computed
separately (defined to exclude shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestments
and exchanges) plus (2) interest on the unpaid balance for the respective class,
computed separately, at the prime rate plus 1% (the unpaid balance being the
maximum amount payable minus amounts received from the
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payment of the distribution fee and the CDSC). In connection with the Class B
shares, the Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive interest charges on the
unpaid balance in excess of 0.50% of eligible gross sales. Consequently, the
maximum amount payable to the Distributor (referred to as the "voluntary
maximum") in connection with the Class B shares is 6.75% of eligible gross
sales. The Distributor retains the right to stop waiving the interest charges at
any time. To the extent payments would exceed the voluntary maximum, the Fund
will not make further payments of the distribution fee with respect to Class B
shares and any CDSCs will be paid to the Fund rather than to the Distributor;
however, the Fund will continue to make payments of the account maintenance fee.
In certain circumstances the amount payable pursuant to the voluntary maximum
may exceed the amount payable under the NASD formula. In such circumstances
payments in excess of the amount payable under the NASD formula will not be
made.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The Trust is required to redeem for cash all shares of the Fund upon receipt
of a written request in proper form. The redemption price is the net asset value
per share next determined after the initial receipt of proper notice of
redemption. Except for any CDSC which may be applicable, there will be no charge
for redemption if the redemption request is sent directly to the Transfer Agent.
Shareholders liquidating their holdings will receive upon redemption all
dividends reinvested through the date of redemption. The value of shares at the
time of redemption may be more or less than the shareholder's cost, depending on
the market value of the securities held by the Fund at such time.
REDEMPTION
A shareholder wishing to redeem shares may do so without charge by tendering
the shares directly to the Transfer Agent, Financial Data Services, Inc.,
Transfer Agency Mutual Funds Operations, P.O. Box 45289, Jacksonville, Florida
32232-5289. Redemption requests delivered other than by mail should be delivered
to Financial Data Services, Inc., Transfer Agency Mutual Fund Operations, 4800
Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484. Proper notice of
redemption in the case of shares deposited with the Transfer Agent may be
accomplished by a written letter requesting redemption. Proper notice of
redemption in the case of shares for which certificates have been issued may be
accomplished by a written letter as noted above accompanied by certificates for
the shares to be redeemed. Redemption requests should not be sent to the Fund.
The notice in either event requires the signature(s) of all persons in whose
name(s) the shares are registered, signed exactly as such name(s) appear(s) on
the Transfer Agent's register. The signature(s) on the redemption request must
be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as such is defined in Rule
17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the existence and
validity of which may be verified by the Transfer Agent through the use of
industry publications. Notarized signatures are not sufficient. In certain
instances, the Transfer Agent may require additional documents such as, but not
limited to, trust instruments, death certificates, appointments as executor or
administrator, or certificates of corporate authority. For shareholders
redeeming directly with the Transfer Agent, payments will be mailed within seven
days of receipt of a proper notice of redemption.
At various times the Trust may be requested to redeem Fund shares for which
it has not yet received good payment (e.g., cash, Federal funds or certified
check drawn on a United States bank). The Trust may delay or cause to be delayed
the mailing of a redemption check until such time as it has assured itself that
good payment has been collected for the purchase of such Fund shares, which will
not exceed 10 days.
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REPURCHASE
The Trust also will repurchase Fund shares through a shareholder's listed
securities dealer. The Trust normally will accept orders to repurchase Fund
shares by wire or telephone from dealers for their customers at the net asset
value next computed after receipt of the order by the dealer, provided that the
request for repurchase is received by the dealer prior to the regular close of
business on the New York Stock Exchange on the day received, and such request is
received by the Fund from such dealer not later than 4:30 P.M., New York time,
on the same day. Dealers have the responsibility of submitting such repurchase
requests to the Trust not later than 4:30 P.M., New York time, in order to
obtain that day's closing price.
The foregoing repurchase arrangements are for the convenience of
shareholders and do not involve a charge by the Trust (other than any applicable
CDSC). Securities firms which do not have selected dealer agreements with the
Distributor, however, may impose a transaction charge on the shareholder for
transmitting the notice of repurchase to the Trust. Merrill Lynch may charge its
customers a processing fee (presently $4.85) to confirm a repurchase of shares
to such customers. Redemptions directly through the Fund's Transfer Agent are
not subject to the processing fee. The Trust reserves the right to reject any
order for repurchase, which right of rejection might adversely affect
shareholders seeking redemption through the repurchase procedure. However, a
shareholder whose order for repurchase is rejected by the Trust may redeem Fund
shares as set forth above.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE -- CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES
Shareholders who have redeemed their Class A or Class D shares have a
one-time privilege to reinstate their accounts by purchasing Class A or Class D
shares, as the case may be, of the Fund at net asset value without a sales
charge up to the dollar amount redeemed. The reinstatement privilege may be
exercised by sending a notice of exercise along with a check for the amount to
be reinstated to the Transfer Agent within 30 days after the date the request
for redemption was accepted by the Transfer Agent or the Distributor. The
reinstatement will be made at the net asset value per share next determined
after the notice of reinstatement is received and cannot exceed the amount of
the redemption proceeds. The reinstatement privilege is a one-time privilege and
may be exercised by the Class A or Class D shareholder only the first time such
shareholder makes a redemption.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Trust offers a number of shareholder services and investment plans
designed to facilitate investment in shares of the Fund. Full details as to each
of such services, copies of the various plans described below and instructions
as to how to participate in the various services or plans, or to change options
with respect thereto, can be obtained from the Trust by calling the telephone
number on the cover page hereof or from the Distributor or Merrill Lynch.
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT
Each shareholder whose account (an "Investment Account") is maintained at
the Transfer Agent has an Investment Account and will receive statements, at
least quarterly, from the Transfer Agent. These statements will serve as
transaction confirmations for automatic investment purchases and the
reinvestment of ordinary income dividends and long-term capital gain
distributions. The statements will also show any other activity in the account
since the preceding statement. Shareholders will receive separate transaction
confirmations for each purchase or sale transaction other than automatic
investment purchases and the reinvestments of ordinary income dividends and
long-term capital gain distributions. Shareholders may make additions to their
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Investment Accounts at any time by mailing a check directly to the Transfer
Agent. Shareholders may also maintain their accounts through Merrill Lynch. Upon
the transfer of shares out of a Merrill Lynch brokerage account, an Investment
Account in the transferring shareholder's name may be opened at the Transfer
Agent. Shareholders considering transferring their Class A or Class D shares
from Merrill Lynch to another brokerage firm or financial institution should be
aware that, if the firm to which the Class A or Class D shares are to be
transferred will not take delivery of shares of the Fund, a shareholder either
must redeem the Class A or Class D shares (paying any applicable CDSC) so that
the cash proceeds can be transferred to the account at the new firm or such
shareholder must continue to maintain an Investment Account at the Transfer
Agent for those Class A or Class D shares. Shareholders interested in
transferring their Class B or Class C shares from Merrill Lynch and who do not
wish to have an Investment Account maintained for such shares at the Transfer
Agent may request their new brokerage firm to maintain such shares in an account
registered in the name of the brokerage firm for the benefit of the shareholder
at the Transfer Agent.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shareholders of each class of shares of the Fund have an exchange privilege
with certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds. There is currently no limitation
on the number of times a shareholder may exercise the exchange privilege. The
exchange privilege may be modified or terminated in accordance with the rules of
the Commission.
Under the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System, Class A shareholders may
exchange Class A shares of the Fund for Class A shares of a second MLAM-advised
mutual fund if the shareholder holds any Class A shares of the second fund in
his account in which the exchange is made at the time of the exchange or is
otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares of the second fund. If the Class A
shareholder wants to exchange Class A shares for shares of a second MLAM-advised
mutual fund, and the shareholder does not hold Class A shares of the second fund
in his account at the time of the exchange and is not other wise eligible to
acquire Class A shares of the second fund, the shareholder will receive Class D
shares of the second fund as a result of the exchange. Class D shares also may
be exchanged for Class A shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund at any time
as long as, at the time of the exchange, the shareholder holds Class A shares of
the second fund in the account in which the exchange is made or is otherwise
eligible to purchase Class A shares of the second fund.
Exchanges of Class A and Class D shares are made on the basis of the
relative net asset values per Class A or Class D share, respectively, plus an
amount equal to the difference, if any, between the sales charge previously paid
on the Class A or Class D shares being exchanged and the sales charge payable at
the time of the exchange on the shares being acquired.
Class B, Class C and Class D shares will be exchangeable with shares of the
same class of other MLAM-advised mutual funds.
Shares of the Fund which are subject to a CDSC will be exchangeable on the
basis of relative net asset value per share without the payment of any CDSC that
might otherwise be due upon redemption of the shares of the Fund. For purposes
of computing the CDSC that may be payable upon a disposition of the shares
acquired in the exchange, the holding period for the previously owned shares of
the Fund is "tacked" to the holding period of the newly acquired shares of the
other Fund.
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares also will be exchangeable for
shares of certain MLAM-advised money market funds specifically designated as
available for exchange by holders of Class A, Class B,
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Class C or Class D shares. The period of time that Class A, Class B, Class C or
Class D shares are held in a money market fund, however, will not count toward
satisfaction of the holding period requirement for reduction of any CDSC imposed
on such shares, if any, and, with respect to Class B shares, toward satisfaction
of the Conversion Period.
Class B shareholders of the Fund exercising the exchange privilege will
continue to be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher
than the CDSC schedule relating to the new Class B shares. In addition, Class B
shares of the Fund acquired through use of the exchange privilege will be
subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher than the CDSC
schedule relating to the Class B shares of the MLAM-advised mutual fund from
which the exchange has been made.
Exercise of the exchange privilege is treated as a sale for Federal income
tax purposes. For further information, see "Shareholder Services -- Exchange
Privilege" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund's exchange privilege is modified with respect to purchases of Class
A and Class D shares under the Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund Adviser ("MFA")
program. First, the initial allocation of assets is made under the MFA program.
Then, any subsequent exchange under the MFA program of Class A or Class D shares
of a MLAM-advised mutual fund for Class A or Class D shares of the Fund will be
made solely on the basis of the relative net asset values of the shares being
exchanged. Therefore, there will not be a charge for any difference between the
sales charge previously paid on the shares of the other MLAM-advised mutual fund
and the sales charge payable on the shares of the Fund being acquired in the
exchange under the MFA program.
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
All dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested automatically
in full and fractional shares of the Fund, without a sales charge, at the net
asset value per share at the close of business on the monthly payment date for
such dividends and distributions. A shareholder may at any time, by written
notification or by telephone (1-800-MER-FUND) to the Transfer Agent, elect to
have subsequent dividends or both dividends and capital gains distributions paid
in cash, rather than reinvested, in which event payment will be mailed on or
about the payment date. Cash payments can also be directly deposited to the
shareholder's bank account. No CDSC will be imposed upon redemption of shares
issued as a result of the automatic reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS
A Class A or Class D shareholder may elect to receive systematic withdrawal
payments from his Investment Account through automatic payment by check or
through automatic payment by direct deposit to his bank account on either a
monthly or quarterly basis. A Class A or Class D shareholder whose shares are
held within a CMA-R- or CBA-R- Account may elect to have shares redeemed on a
monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis through the Systematic
Redemption Program, subject to certain conditions.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS
Regular additions of both Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares may
be made to an investor's Investment Account by pre-arranged charges of $50 or
more to his regular bank account. The Fund's Automatic Investment Program is not
available to shareholders whose shares are held in a brokerage account with
Merrill Lynch. Alternatively, investors who maintain CMA-R- accounts may arrange
to have periodic investments made in the Fund in their CMA-R- accounts or in
certain related accounts in amounts of $100 or more through the CMA-R- Automated
Investment Program.
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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Subject to the policies established by the Trustees or the Trust, the
Manager is primarily responsible for the execution of the Fund's portfolio
transactions. Municipal Bonds and other securities in which the Fund invests are
traded primarily in the over-the-counter market. Where possible, the Trust deals
directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in
those circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere.
It is the policy of the Trust to obtain the best results in conducting portfolio
transactions for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including
the applicable dealer spread or commission), the size, type and difficulty of
the transaction involved, the firm's general execution and operations
facilities, and the firm's risk in positioning the securities involved and the
provision of supplemental investment research by the firm. While reasonable
competitive spreads or commissions are sought, the Fund will not necessarily be
paying the lowest spread or commission available.
The sale of shares of the Fund may be taken into consideration as a factor
in the selection of brokers or dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the
Fund. The portfolio securities of the Fund generally are traded on a principal
basis and normally do not involve either brokerage commissions or transfer
taxes. The cost of portfolio securities transactions of the Fund primarily
consists of dealer or underwriter spreads. Under the 1940 Act, persons
affiliated with the Trust, including Merrill Lynch, are prohibited from dealing
with the Trust as a principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless such
trading is permitted by an exemptive order issued by the Commission. The Trust
has obtained an exemptive order permitting it to engage in certain principal
transactions with Merrill Lynch involving high quality short-term Municipal
Bonds subject to certain conditions. During the year ended September 30, 1992,
the Trust engaged in no such transactions. During the year ended September 30,
1993, the Trust engaged in nine such transactions for an aggregate of
$22,184,764. In addition, the Trust may not purchase securities, including
Municipal Bonds, for the Fund during the existence of any underwriting syndicate
of which Merrill Lynch is a member except pursuant to procedures approved by the
Trustees of the Trust which comply with rules adopted by the Commission. An
affiliated person of the Trust may serve as its broker in over-the-counter
transactions conducted by the Fund on an agency basis only. For the fiscal years
ended September 30, 1991, 1992 and 1993, the Fund paid no brokerage commissions.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DISTRIBUTIONS
The net investment income of the Fund is declared as dividends daily
following the normal close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (currently
4:00 P.M.) prior to the determination of the net asset value on that day. The
net investment income of the Fund for dividend purposes consists of interest
earned on portfolio securities, less expenses, in each case computed since the
most recent determination of net asset value. Expenses of the Fund, including
the management fees and the account maintenance and distribution fees, are
accrued daily. Dividends of net investment income are declared daily and
reinvested monthly in the form of additional full and fractional shares of the
Fund at net asset value as of the close of business on the "payment date" unless
the shareholder elects to receive such dividends in cash. Shares will accrue
dividends as long as they are issued and outstanding. Shares are issued and
outstanding from the settlement date of a purchase order to the day prior to the
settlement date of a redemption order.
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All net realized long-or short-term capital gains, if any, are declared and
distributed to the Fund's shareholders at least annually. Capital gains
distributions will be reinvested automatically in shares of the Fund unless the
shareholder elects to receive such distributions in cash.
The per share dividends and distributions on each class of shares will be
reduced as a result of any account maintenance, distribution and transfer agency
fees applicable to that class.
See "Shareholder Services" for information as to how to elect either
dividend reinvestment or cash payments. Portions of dividends and distributions
which are taxable to shareholders as described below are subject to income tax
whether they are reinvested in shares of the Fund or received in cash.
TAXES
The Trust intends to continue to qualify the Fund for the special tax
treatment afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If it so qualifies, in any
taxable year in which it distributes at least 90% of its taxable net income and
90% of its tax-exempt net income (see below), the Fund (but not its
shareholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax to the extent that it
distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains. The Trust
intends to cause the Fund to distribute substantially all of such income.
To the extent that the dividends distributed to Class A, Class B, Class C
and Class D shareholders (together, the "shareholders") are derived from
interest income exempt from Federal income tax under Code section 103(a) and are
properly designated as "exempt-interest dividends" by the Trust, they will be
excludable from a shareholder's gross income for Federal income tax purposes.
Exempt-interest dividends are included, however, in determining the portion, if
any, of a person's social security and railroad retirement benefits subject to
Federal income taxes. The portion of such exempt-interest dividends paid from
interest received by the Fund from New York Municipal Bonds also will be exempt
from New York State and New York City personal income taxes. Shareholders
subject to income taxation by states other than New York should realize a lower
after-tax rate of return than New York shareholders since the dividends
distributed by the Fund generally will not be exempt, to any significant degree,
from income taxation by such other states. The Trust will inform shareholders
annually as to the portion of the Fund's distributions which constitutes
exempt-interest dividends and the portion which is exempt from New York State
and New York City personal income taxes. Interest on indebtedness incurred or
continued to purchase or carry Fund shares is not deductible for Federal income
tax purposes or for New York personal income tax purposes to the extent
attributable to exempt-interest dividends. Exempt-interest dividends paid to a
corporate shareholder will be subject to New York State corporation franchise
tax and New York City general corporation tax. Persons who may be "substantial
users" (or "related persons" of substantial users) of facilities financed by
industrial development bonds or private activity bonds held by the Fund should
consult their tax advisors before purchasing Fund shares.
To the extent that the Fund's distributions are derived from interest on its
taxable investments or from an excess of net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital losses ("ordinary income dividends"), such distributions are
considered ordinary income for Federal and New York State and New York City
income tax purposes. Such distributions are not eligible for the dividends
received deduction for corporations. Distributions, if any, of net long-term
capital gains from the sale of securities or from certain transactions in
futures or options ("capital gain dividends") are taxable as long-term capital
gains for Federal income tax purposes, regardless of the length of time the
shareholder has owned Fund shares and, for New York State and New York City
income tax purposes, are treated as capital gains which are taxed at ordinary
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income tax rates. Under the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, all or a portion
of the Fund's gain from the sale or redemption of tax-exempt obligations
purchased at a market discount will be treated as ordinary income rather than
capital gain. This rule may increase the amount of ordinary income dividends
received by shareholders. Distributions in excess of the Fund's earnings and
profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and, after
such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to
such holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). Any loss upon the
sale or exchange of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as
long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by
the shareholder. In addition, such loss will be disallowed to the extent of any
exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder. If the Fund pays a
dividend in January which was declared in the previous October, November or
December to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months,
then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund
and received by its shareholders on December 31 of the year in which such
dividend was declared.
The Code subjects interest received on certain otherwise tax-exempt
securities to an alternative minimum tax. The alternative minimum tax applies to
interest received on "private activity bonds" issued after August 7, 1986.
Private activity bonds are bonds which, although tax-exempt, are used for
purposes other than those generally performed by governmental units and which
benefit non-governmental entities (e.g., bonds used for industrial development
or housing purposes). Income received on such bonds is classified as an item of
"tax preference", which could subject investors in such bonds, including
shareholders of the Fund, to an alternative minimum tax. The Fund will purchase
such "private activity bonds" and the Trust will report to shareholders within
60 days after the Fund's taxable year-end the portion of the Fund's dividends
declared during the year which constitutes an item of tax preference for
alternative minimum tax purposes. The Code further provides that corporations
are subject to an alternative minimum tax based, in part, on certain differences
between taxable income as adjusted for other tax preferences and the
corporation's "adjusted current earnings" (which more closely reflect a
corporation's economic income). Because an exempt-interest dividend paid by the
Fund will be included in adjusted current earnings, a corporate shareholder may
be required to pay alternative minimum tax on exempt-interest dividends paid by
the Fund.
The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 has added new marginal tax brackets
of 36% and 39.6% for individuals and has created a graduated structure of 26%
and 28% for the alternative minimum tax applicable to individual taxpayers.
These rate increases may affect an individual investor's after-tax return from
an investment in the Fund as compared with such investor's return from taxable
investments.
No gain or loss will be recognized by Class B shareholders on the conversion
of their Class B shares into Class D shares. A shareholder's basis in the Class
D shares acquired will be the same as such shareholder's basis in the Class B
shares converted, and the holding period of the acquired Class D shares will
include the holding period for the converted Class B shares.
If a shareholder exercises an exchange privilege within 90 days of acquiring
the shares, then the loss the shareholder can recognize on the exchange will be
reduced (or the gain increased) to the extent the sales charge paid to the Fund
reduces any sales charge such shareholder would have owed upon purchase of the
new shares in the absence of the exchange privilege. Instead, such sales charge
will be treated as an amount paid for the new shares.
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A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be
disallowed if other Fund shares are acquired (whether through the automatic
reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In
such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss.
Under certain provisions of the Code, some shareholders may be subject to a
31% withholding tax on certain ordinary income dividends and on capital gain
dividends and redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Generally,
shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no certified
taxpayer identification number is on file with the Trust or who, to the Trust's
knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an
investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and
that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding.
The Code provides that every person required to file a tax return must
include on such return the amount of exempt-interest dividends received from all
sources (including the Fund) during the taxable year.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable
provisions of the Code, Treasury regulations and New York tax laws presently in
effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent
Code sections, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and New York tax
laws. The Code and the Treasury regulations, as well as the New York tax laws,
are subject to change by legislative or administrative action either
prospectively or retroactively.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the
availability of any exemptions from state or local taxes (other than those
imposed by New York) and with specific questions as to Federal, foreign, state
or local taxes.
PERFORMANCE DATA
From time to time the Fund may include its average annual total return,
yield and tax equivalent yield for various specified time periods in
advertisements or information furnished to present or prospective shareholders.
Average annual total return, yield and tax equivalent yield are computed
separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares in accordance with
formulas specified by the Commission.
Average annual total return quotations for the specified periods will be
computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return (based on net
investment income and any realized and unrealized capital gains or losses on
portfolio investments over such periods) that would equate the initial amount
invested to the redeemable value of such investment at the end of each period.
Average annual total return will be computed assuming all dividends and
distributions are reinvested and taking into account all applicable recurring
and nonrecurring expenses, including the maximum sales charge in the case of
Class A shares and any CDSC that would be applicable to a complete redemption of
the investment at the end of the specified period such as in the case of Class B
and Class C shares and the maximum sales charge in the case of Class A and Class
D shares. Dividends paid by the Fund with respect to Class A and Class B shares,
to the extent any dividends are paid, will be calculated in the same manner at
the same time on the same day and will be in the same amount, except that
account maintenance fees and distribution charges and any incremental transfer
agency costs relating to each class of shares will be borne exclusively by that
class. The Fund will include performance data for all classes of shares of the
Fund in any advertisement or information including performance data of the Fund.
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The Fund also may quote total return and aggregate total return performance
data for various specified time periods. Such data will be calculated
substantially as described above, except that (1) the rates of return calculated
will not be average annual rates, but rather, actual annual, annualized or
aggregate rates of return and (2) the maximum applicable sales charges will not
be included with respect to annual or annualized rates of return calculations.
Aside from the impact on the performance data calculations of including or
excluding the maximum applicable sales charges, actual annual or annualized
total return data generally will be lower than average annual total return data
since the average annual rates of return reflect compounding; aggregate total
return data generally will be higher than average annual total return data since
the aggregate rates of return reflect compounding over a longer period of time.
In advertisements distributed to investors whose purchases are subject to waiver
of the CDSC in the case of Class B shares or reduced sales loads in the case of
Class A and Class D shares, the performance data may take into account the
reduced, and not the maximum, sales charge or may not take into account the CDSC
and therefore may reflect greater total return since, due to the reduced sales
charges or waiver of the CDSC, a lower amount of expenses is deducted. See
"Purchase of Shares". The Fund's total return may be expressed either as a
percentage or as a dollar amount in order to illustrate such total return on a
hypothetical $1,000 investment in the Fund at the beginning of each specified
period.
Yield quotations will be computed based on a 30-day period by dividing (a)
the net income based on the yield of each security earned during the period by
(b) the average daily number of shares outstanding during the period that were
entitled to receive dividends multiplied by the maximum offering price per share
on the last day of the period. Tax equivalent yield quotations will be computed
by dividing (a) the part of the Fund's yield that is tax-exempt by (b) one minus
a stated tax rate and (c) adding the result to that part, if any, of the Fund's
yield that is not tax-exempt. The yield for the 30-day period ending March 31,
1994, was 5.59% for Class A shares and 5.30% for Class B shares and the
tax-equivalent yield for the same period (based on a Federal income tax rate of
28%) was 7.76% for Class A shares and 7.36% for Class B shares.
Total return, yield and tax-equivalent yield figures are based on the Fund's
historical performance and are not intended to indicate future performance. The
Fund's total return, yield and tax-equivalent yield will vary depending on
market conditions, the securities comprising the Fund's portfolio, the Fund's
operating expenses and the amount of realized and unrealized net capital gains
or losses during the period. The value of an investment in the Fund will
fluctuate and an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less
than their original cost.
On occasion, the Fund may compare its performance to performance data
published by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar Publications, Inc.
("Morningstar"), and CDA Investment Technology, Inc., or to data contained in
publications such as MONEY MAGAZINE, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, BUSINESS WEEK,
FORBES MAGAZINE and FORTUNE MAGAZINE. From time to time, the Fund may include
the Fund's Morningstar risk-adjusted performance ratings in advertisements or
supplemental sales literature. As with other performance data, performance
comparisons should not be considered representative of the Fund's relative
performance for any future period.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of the shares of all classes of the Fund is determined
by the Manager once daily as of 4:15 P.M., New York City time, on each day
during which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
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The net asset value per share is computed by dividing the sum of the value of
the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets minus all
liabilities by the total number of shares outstanding at such time, rounded to
the nearest cent. Expenses, including the fees payable to the Manager and the
Distributor, are accrued daily.
The per share net asset value of the Class A shares generally will be higher
than the per share net asset value of shares of the other classes, reflecting
the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance, distribution and higher
transfer agency fees applicable with respect to Class B and Class C shares and
the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance fees applicable with
respect to Class D shares; moreover, the per share net asset value of Class D
shares generally will be higher than the per share net asset value of Class B
and Class C shares, reflecting the daily expense accruals of the distribution
and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to Class B and Class C
shares. It is expected, however, that the per share net asset value of the
classes will tend to converge immediately after the payment of dividends or
distributions which will differ by approximately the amount of the expense
accrual differentials between the classes.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an unincorporated business trust organized on August 2, 1985
under the laws of Massachusetts. On October 1, 1987, the Trust changed its name
from "Merrill Lynch Multi-State Tax-Exempt Series Trust" to "Merrill Lynch
Multi-State Municipal Bond Series Trust" and on December 22, 1987 the Trust
changed its name to "Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust". The
Trust is an open-end management investment company comprised of separate series
("Series"), each of which is a separate portfolio offering shares to selected
groups of purchasers. Each of the Series is to be managed independently in order
to provide to shareholders who are residents of the state to which such Series
relates as high a level of income exempt from Federal, state and local income
taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. The Trustees are
authorized to create an unlimited number of Series and, with respect to each
Series, to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial
interest of $.10 par value of different classes. Shareholder approval is not
required for the authorization of additional Series or classes of a Series of
the Trust. At the date of this Prospectus, the shares of the Fund are divided
into Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares. Class A, Class B, Class C and
Class D shares represent interests in the same assets of the Fund and are
identical in all respects except that Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear
certain expenses related to the account maintenance associated with such shares,
and Class B and Class C shares bear certain expenses related to the distribution
of such shares. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters
relating to account maintenance and distribution expenditures as applicable. See
"Purchase of Shares". The Trust has received an order from the Commission
permitting the issuance and sale of two classes of shares, and the issuance and
sale of any additional classes by any Series will require an additional order
from the Commission. There is no assurance that such an additional order will be
granted.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and to
fractional votes for fractional shares held in the election of Trustees (to the
extent hereinafter provided) and on other matters submitted to the vote of
shareholders. There normally will be no meeting of shareholders for the purpose
of electing Trustees unless and until such time as less than a majority of the
Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders, at which time the
Trustees then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for the election of
Trustees. Shareholders may, in accordance with the terms of the Declaration of
Trust, cause a meeting of shareholders to be held for the purpose of voting on
the removal of Trustees. Also, the Trust will be required to call a special
meeting of shareholders of a Series in accordance with the requirements of the
1940 Act to seek approval of new
37
<PAGE>
management and advisory arrangements, of a material increase in distribution
fees or of a change in the fundamental policies, objectives or restrictions of a
Series. Except as set forth above, the Trustees shall continue to hold office
and appoint successor Trustees. Each issued and outstanding share is entitled to
participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the respective
Series and in net assets of such Series upon liquidation or dissolution
remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities except that, as noted
above, the Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear certain additional expenses.
The obligations and liabilities of a particular Series are restricted to the
assets of that Series and do not extend to the assets of the Trust generally.
The shares of each Series, when issued, will be fully-paid and non-assessable by
the Trust.
SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
Only one copy of each shareholder report and certain shareholder
communications will be mailed to each identified shareholder regardless of the
number of accounts such shareholder has. If a shareholder wishes to receive
copies of each report and communication for each of the shareholder's related
accounts the shareholder should notify in writing:
Financial Data Services, Inc.
Attn: TAMFO
P.O. Box 45289
Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289
The written notification should include the shareholder's name, address, tax
identification number and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
and/or mutual fund account numbers. If you have any questions regarding this
please call your Merrill Lynch financial consultant or Financial Data Services,
Inc. at 800-637-3863.
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES
Shareholder inquiries may be addressed to the Fund at the address or
telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.
-------------------
The Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, dated August 2, 1985, a
copy of which together with all amendments thereto (the "Declaration"), is on
file in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
provides that the name "Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust" refers
to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as
individuals or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or
agent of the Trust shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be
had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim of
the Trust, but the "Trust Property" only shall be liable.
38
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND - AUTHORIZATION FORM (PART 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SHARE PURCHASE APPLICATION
I, being of legal age, wish to purchase: (choose one)
/ / Class A shares / / Class B shares / / Class C shares / / Class D shares
of Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund and establish an Investment
Account as described in the Prospectus. In the event that I am not eligible to
purchase Class A shares, I understand that Class D shares will be purchased.
Basis for establishing an Investment Account:
A. I enclose a check for $ . payable to Financial Data Services, Inc.,
as an initial investment (minimum $1,000). I understand that this purchase
will be executed at the applicable offering price next to be determined
after this Application is received by you.
B. I already own shares of the following Merrill Lynch mutual funds
that would qualify for the right of accumulation as outlined in the
Statement of Additional Information: (Please list all funds. Use a separate
sheet of paper if necessary.)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1. ......................................................... 4. .........................................................
2. ......................................................... 5. .........................................................
3. ......................................................... 6. .........................................................
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Name ...................................................................................................................
First Name Initial Last Name
Name of Co-Owner (if any) ..............................................................................................
First Name Initial Last Name
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Address ....................................................
........................................................... Name and Address of Employer ...............................
(Zip Code)
Occupation ................................................. ............................................................
........................................................... ............................................................
Signature of Owner Signature of Co-Owner (if any)
(in the case of co-owner, a joint tenancy with right of survivorship will be presumed unless otherwise specified.)
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ORDINARY INCOME DIVIDENDS LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS
Select / / Reinvest Select / / Reinvest
One: / / Cash One: / / Cash
</TABLE>
If no election is made, dividends and capital gains will be automatically
reinvested at net asset value without a sales charge.
IF CASH, SPECIFY HOW YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS PAID TO YOU: / / Check
or / / Direct Deposit to bank account
IF DIRECT DEPOSIT TO BANK ACCOUNT IS SELECTED, PLEASE COMPLETE BELOW:
I hereby authorize payment of dividend and capital gain distributions by direct
deposit to my bank account and, if necessary, debit entries and adjustments for
any credit entries made to my account in accordance with the terms I have
selected on the Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund Authorization Form.
SPECIFY TYPE OF ACCOUNT (CHECK ONE) / / checking / / savings
Name on your account ...........................................................
Bank Name ......................................................................
Bank Number ........................ Account Number ........................
Bank address ...................................................................
I AGREE THAT THIS AUTHORIZATION WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL I PROVIDE WRITTEN
NOTIFICATION TO FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC. AMENDING OR TERMINATING THIS
SERVICE.
Signature of Depositor .........................................................
Signature of Depositor ........................ Date .......................
(if joint account, both must sign)
NOTE: IF DIRECT DEPOSIT TO BANK ACCOUNT IS SELECTED, YOUR BLANK, UNSIGNED CHECK
MARKED "VOID" OR A DEPOSIT SLIP FROM YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT SHOULD ACCOMPANY THIS
APPLICATION.
39
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND - AUTHORIZATION FORM (PART 1) -
(CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
------------------------------------------------------------
Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number
Under penalty of perjury, I certify (1) that the number set forth above is
my correct Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number and (2) that
I am not subject to backup withholding (as discussed in the Prospectus under
"Distributions and Taxes -- Taxes") either because I have not been notified that
I am subject thereto as a result of a failure to report all interest or
dividends, or the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has notified me that I am no
longer subject thereto.
INSTRUCTION: YOU MUST STRIKE OUT THE LANGUAGE IN (2) ABOVE IF YOU HAVE BEEN
NOTIFIED THAT YOU ARE SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING DUE TO UNDERREPORTING AND IF
YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE IRS THAT BACKUP WITHHOLDING HAS BEEN
TERMINATED. THE UNDERSIGNED AUTHORIZES THE FURNISHING OF THIS CERTIFICATION TO
OTHER MERRILL LYNCH SPONSORED MUTUAL FUNDS.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
........................................................... ............................................................
Signature of Owner Signature of Co-Owner (if any)
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. LETTER OF INTENTION -- CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES ONLY (See terms and
conditions in the Statement of Additional Information)
Dear Sir/Madam:
..................................... , 19 ....................................
Date of initial purchase
Although I am not obligated to do so, I intend to purchase shares of Merrill
Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund or any other investment company with an
initial sales charge or deferred sales charge for which Merrill Lynch Funds
Distributor, Inc. acts as distributor over the next 13-month period which will
equal or exceed:
/ / $25,000 / / $50,000 / / $100,000 / / $250,000 / / $1,000,000
Each purchase will be made at the then reduced offering price applicable to
the amount checked above, as described in the Merrill Lynch New York Municipal
Bond Fund Prospectus.
I agree to the terms and conditions of the Letter of Intention. I hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc., my
attorney, with full power of substitution, to surrender for redemption any or
all shares of Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund held as security.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
By.......................................................... ............................................................
Signature of Owner Signature of Co-Owner
(if registered in joint names, both must sign)
</TABLE>
In making purchases under this letter, the following are the related
accounts on which reduced offering prices are to apply:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(1) Name.................................................... (2) Name....................................................
Account Number.............................................. Account Number..............................................
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. FOR DEALER ONLY
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Branch Office, Address, Stamp We hereby authorize Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. to
act as our agent in connection with transactions under this
authorization form and agree to notify the Distributor of
any purchases made under a Letter of Intention or Systematic
Withdrawal Plan. We guarantee the shareholder's signature.
This form, when completed, should be mailed to: ............................................................
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund Dealer Name and Address
c/o Financial Data Services, Inc. By: .......................................................
Transfer Agency Mutual Fund Operations Authorized Signature of Dealer
P.O. Box 45289 ------------ ----------------
Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289 ------------ ----------------
............................................................
Branch Code F/C No. F/C Last Name
------------ --------------------
------------ --------------------
Dealer's Customer Account No.
</TABLE>
40
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND - AUTHORIZATION FORM (PART 2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: THIS FORM IS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THE SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL OR AUTOMATIC
INVESTMENT PLANS ONLY.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. ACCOUNT REGISTRATION
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Name of Owner .............................................. ----------------------------------------
Name of Co-Owner (if any) .................................. Social Security Number
Address .................................................... or Taxpayer Identification Number
........................................................... Account Number .............................................
(if existing account)
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN--CLASS A AND D SHARES ONLY (SEE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Minimum Requirements: $10,000 for monthly disbursements, $5,000 for
quarterly, of / / Class A or / / Class D shares in Merrill Lynch New York
Municipal Bond Fund at cost or current offering price. Withdrawals to be made
either (check one) / / Monthly on the 24th day of each month,
or / / Quarterly on the 24th day of March, June, September and December. If the
24th falls on a weekend or holiday, the next succeeding business day will be
utilized. Begin systematic withdrawal on ________________(month)________________
or as soon as possible thereafter.
SPECIFY HOW YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR WITHDRAWAL PAID TO YOU (CHECK ONE):
/ / $____________ or / / ____________% of the current value of / / Class A or
/ / Class D shares in the account.
SPECIFY WITHDRAWAL METHOD: / / check or / / direct deposit to bank account
(check one and complete part (a) or (b) below):
DRAW CHECKS PAYABLE (CHECK ONE)
(a) I hereby authorize payment by check
/ / as indicated in Item 1.
/ / to the order of .........................................................
Mail to (check one)
/ / the address indicated in Item 1.
/ / Name (please print) .....................................................
Address ........................................................................
........................................
Signature of Owner .......................... Date .........................
Signature of Co-Owner (if any) .................................................
(B) I HEREBY AUTHORIZE PAYMENT BY DIRECT DEPOSIT TO MY BANK ACCOUNT AND, IF
NECESSARY, DEBIT ENTRIES AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR ANY CREDIT ENTRIES MADE TO MY
ACCOUNT. I AGREE THAT THIS AUTHORIZATION WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL I PROVIDE
WRITTEN NOTIFICATION TO FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC. AMENDING OR TERMINATING
THIS SERVICE.
Specify type of account (check one) / / checking / / savings
Name on your account ...........................................................
Bank Name ......................................................................
Bank Number ......................... Account Number .........................
Bank Address ...................................................................
........................................
Signature of Depositor ......................... Date ........................
Signature of Depositor .........................................................
(if joint account, both must sign)
NOTE: IF DIRECT DEPOSIT IS ELECTED, YOUR BLANK, UNSIGNED CHECK MARKED "VOID" OR
A DEPOSIT SLIP FROM YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT SHOULD ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION.
41
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND - AUTHORIZATION FORM (PART 2) -
(CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. APPLICATION FOR AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
I hereby request that Financial Data Services, Inc. draw an automated
clearing house ("ACH") debit on my checking account as described below each
month to purchase: (choose one)
/ / Class A shares / / Class B shares / / Class C shares / / Class D shares
of Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund subject to the terms set forth
below. In the event that I am not eligible to purchase Class A shares, I
understand that Class D shares will be purchased.
FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
You are hereby authorized to draw an ACH debit each month on my bank account for
investment in Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund as indicated below:
Amount of each ACH debit $ .................................................
Account number ............................................................
Please date and invest ACH debits on the 20th of each month
beginning .................................. or as soon thereafter as possible.
(Month)
I agree that you are drawing these ACH debits voluntarily at my request and
that you shall not be liable for any loss arising from any delay in preparing or
failure to prepare any such debit. If I change banks or desire to terminate or
suspend this program, I agree to notify you promptly in writing. I hereby
authorize you to take any action to correct erroneous ACH debits of my bank
account or purchases of fund shares including liquidating shares of the Fund and
crediting my bank account. I further agree that if a check or debit is not
honored upon presentation, Financial Data Services, Inc. is authorized to
discontinue immediately the Automatic Investment Plan and to liquidate
sufficient shares held in my account to offset the purchase made with the
dishonored debit.
................................... ..................................
Date Signature of Depositor
........................................
Signature of Depositor
(If joint account, both must sign)
AUTHORIZATION TO HONOR ACH DEBITS
DRAWN BY FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
To ........................................................................ Bank
(Investor's Bank)
Bank Address ...................................................................
City ................... State ................... Zip Code ..................
As a convenience to me, I hereby request and authorize you to pay and charge to
my account ACH debits drawn on my account by and payable to Financial Data
Services, Inc. I agree that your rights in respect to each such debit shall be
the same as if it were a check drawn on you and signed personally by me. This
authority is to remain in effect until revoked personally by me in writing.
Until you receive such notice, you shall be fully protected in honoring any such
debit. I further agree that if any such debit be dishonored, whether with or
without cause and whether intentionally or inadvertently, you shall be under no
liability.
................................... ..................................
Date Signature of Depositor
................................... ..................................
Bank Account Number Signature of Depositor
(If joint account, both must sign)
NOTE: IF AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN IS ELECTED, YOUR BLANK, UNSIGNED CHECK MARKED
"VOID" SHOULD ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION.
42
<PAGE>
MANAGER
Fund Asset Management
Administrative Offices:
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9011
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011
DISTRIBUTOR
Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc.
Administrative Offices:
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9011
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and
Trust Company
P.O. Box 351
Boston, Massachusetts 02101
TRANSFER AGENT
Financial Data Services, Inc.
Administrative Offices:
Transfer Agency Mutual Fund Operations
4800 Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 45289
Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
117 Campus Drive
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
COUNSEL
Brown & Wood
One World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048-0557
<PAGE>
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE TRUST, THE MANAGER OR THE DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE
MADE.
---------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
Fee Table...................................... 2
Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System........ 4
Financial Highlights........................... 8
Investment Objective and Policies.............. 10
Potential Benefits........................... 12
Description of Municipal Bonds............... 12
Call Rights.................................. 14
When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery
Transactions............................... 14
Special Considerations Relating to New York
Municipal Bonds............................ 14
Financial Futures Transactions and Options... 15
Repurchase Agreements........................ 17
Investment Restrictions...................... 17
Management of the Trust........................ 18
Trustees..................................... 18
Management and Advisory Arrangements......... 18
Transfer Agency Services..................... 19
Purchase of Shares............................. 20
Initial Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class A
and Class D Shares......................... 22
Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class B
and Class C Shares......................... 23
Distribution Plans........................... 26
Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales
Charges.................................... 27
Redemption of Shares........................... 28
Redemption................................... 28
Repurchase................................... 29
Reinstatement Privilege -- Class A and Class
D Shares................................... 29
Shareholder Services........................... 29
Investment Account........................... 29
Exchange Privilege........................... 30
Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends and
Capital Gains Distributions................ 31
Systematic Withdrawal Plans.................. 31
Automatic Investment Plans................... 31
Portfolio Transactions......................... 32
Distributions and Taxes........................ 32
Distributions................................ 32
Taxes........................................ 33
Performance Data............................... 35
Additional Information......................... 36
Determination of Net Asset Value............. 36
Organization of the Trust.................... 37
Shareholder Reports.......................... 38
Shareholder Inquiries........................ 38
Authorization Form............................. 39
Code # 10342-1094
</TABLE>
[LOGO]
Merrill Lynch
New York
Municipal Bond
Fund
Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust
PROSPECTUS
October 21, 1994
Distributor:
Merrill Lynch Funds
Distributor, Inc.
This prospectus should be
retained for future reference.
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
MERRILL LYNCH MULTI-STATE MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST
P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011 - PHONE NO. (609) 282-2800
-------------------
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund (the "Fund") is a series of
Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust (the "Trust"), an open-end
management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The
investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with as high a level
of income exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City income taxes as
is consistent with prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its
objective, while providing investors with the opportunity to invest primarily in
a diversified portfolio of long-term obligations issued by or on behalf of New
York State, its political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. There
can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be realized.
Pursuant to the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System, the Fund offers
four classes of shares, each with a different combination of sales charges,
ongoing fees and other features. The Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System
permits an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that the investor
believes is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of time
the investor expects to hold the shares and other relevant circumstances.
-------------------
This Statement of Additional Information of the Fund is not a prospectus and
should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Fund, dated October 21,
1994 (the "Prospectus"), which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and can be obtained, without charge, by calling or by writing the
Fund at the above telephone number or address. This Statement of Additional
Information has been incorporated by reference into the Prospectus.
-------------------
FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT--MANAGER
MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.--DISTRIBUTOR
--------------
The date of this Statement of Additional Information is October 21, 1994.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with as high
a level of income exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City income
taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to
achieve its objective by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of long-
term obligations issued by or on behalf of New York State, its political
subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities and obligations of other qualifying
issuers, such as issuers located in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam,
which pay interest exempt, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, from
Federal, New York State and New York City income taxes. Obligations exempt from
Federal income taxes are referred to herein as "Municipal Bonds" and obligations
exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City income taxes are referred
to as "New York Municipal Bonds". Unless otherwise indicated references to
Municipal Bonds shall be deemed to include New York Municipal Bonds. The Fund
anticipates that at all times, except during temporary defensive periods, it
will maintain at least 65% of the Fund's total assets invested in New York
Municipal Bonds. At times, the Fund will seek to hedge its portfolio through the
use of futures transactions to reduce volatility in the net asset value of Fund
shares. Reference is made to "Investment Objective and Policies" in the
Prospectus for a discussion of the investment objective and policies of the
Fund.
Municipal Bonds may include general obligation bonds of the State and its
political subdivisions, revenue bonds of utility systems, highways, bridges,
port and airport facilities, colleges, hospitals, housing facilities, etc., and
industrial development bonds or private activity bonds. The interest on such
obligations may bear a fixed rate or be payable at a variable or floating rate.
The Municipal Bonds purchased by the Fund will be primarily what are commonly
referred to as "investment grade" securities, which are obligations rated at the
time of purchase within the four highest quality ratings as determined by either
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") (currently Aaa, Aa, A and Baa),
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("Standard & Poor's") (currently AAA, AA, A and
BBB) or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch") (currently AAA, AA, A and BBB).
If unrated, such securities will possess creditworthiness comparable, in the
opinion of the Manager of the Fund, Fund Asset Management, L.P. (the "Manager"),
to other obligations in which the Fund may invest.
The Fund ordinarily does not intend to realize investment income not exempt
from Federal, New York State or New York City income taxes. However, to the
extent that suitable New York Municipal Bonds are not available for investment
by the Fund, the Fund may purchase Municipal Bonds issued by other states, their
agencies and instrumentalities, the interest income on which is exempt, in the
opinion of bond counsel, from Federal, but not New York State and New York City,
taxation.
Except when acceptable securities are unavailable as determined by the
Manager, the Fund will invest at least 65% of its total assets in New York
Municipal Bonds. For temporary periods or to provide liquidity, the Fund has the
authority to invest as much as 35% of its total assets in tax-exempt or taxable
money market obligations with a maturity of one year or less (such short-term
obligations being referred to herein as "Temporary Investments"), except that
taxable Temporary Investments shall not exceed 20% of the Fund's net assets.
Accordingly, the Fund at all times will have at least 80% of its net assets
invested in securities exempt from Federal income taxation. However, interest
received on certain otherwise tax-exempt securities which are classified as
"private activity bonds" (in general, bonds that benefit non-governmental
entities) may be subject to an alternative minimum tax. The Fund may purchase
such private activity bonds. See "Distributions and Taxes". In addition, the
Fund reserves the right to invest temporarily a greater portion of
2
<PAGE>
its assets in Temporary Investments for defensive purposes, when, in the
judgment of the Manager, market conditions warrant. The investment objective of
the Fund and the policies set forth in this paragraph are fundamental policies
of the Fund which may not be changed without a vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund's hedging strategies are not
fundamental policies and may be modified by the Trustees of the Trust without
the approval of the Fund's shareholders.
Municipal Bonds may at times be purchased or sold on a delayed delivery
basis or a when-issued basis. These transactions arise when securities are
purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the
future, often a month or more after the purchase. The payment obligation and the
interest rate are each fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment.
The Fund will make only commitments to purchase such securities with the
intention of actually acquiring the securities, but the Fund may sell these
securities prior to the settlement date if it is deemed advisable. Purchasing
Municipal Bonds on a when-issued basis involves the risk that the yields
available in the market when the delivery takes place may actually be higher
than those obtained in the transaction itself; if yields so increase, the value
of the when-issued obligation generally will decrease. The Fund will maintain a
separate account at its custodian bank consisting of cash, cash equivalents or
high-grade, liquid Municipal Bonds or Temporary Investments (valued on a daily
basis) equal at all times to the amount of the when-issued commitment.
The Fund may invest in Municipal Bonds the return on which is based on a
particular index of value or interest rates. For example, the Fund may invest in
Municipal Bonds that pay interest based on an index of Municipal Bond interest
rates or based on the value of gold or some other commodity. The principal
amount payable upon maturity of certain Municipal Bonds also may be based on the
value of an index. Also, the Fund may invest in so-called "inverse floating
obligations" or "residual interest bonds" on which the interest rates typically
decline as market rates increase and increase as market rates decline. For
example, to the extent the Fund invests in these types of Municipal Bonds, the
Fund's return on such Municipal Bonds will be subject to risk with respect to
the value of the particular index. To the extent the Fund invests in these types
of Municipal Bonds, the Fund's return on such Municipal Bonds will be subject to
risk with respect to the value of the particular index. Such securities have the
effect of providing a degree of investment leverage, since they may increase or
decrease in value in response to changes, as an illustration, in market interest
rates at a rate which is a multiple (typically two) of the rate at which
fixed-rate long-term tax-exempt securities increase or decrease in response to
such changes. As a result, the market values of such securities will generally
be more volatile than the market values of fixed-rate tax exempt securities. To
seek to limit the volatility of these securities, the Fund may purchase inverse
floating obligations with shorter term maturities or which contain limitations
on the extent to which the interest rate may vary. The Manager believes that
indexed and inverse floating obligations represent a flexible portfolio
management instrument for the Fund which allows the Manager to vary the degree
of investment leverage relatively efficiently under different market conditions.
Certain investments in such obligations may be illiquid. The Fund may not invest
in such illiquid obligations if such investments, together with other illiquid
investments, would exceed 10% of the Fund's net assets.
The Fund may purchase a Municipal Bond issuer's right to call all or a
portion of such Municipal Bond for mandatory tender for purchase (a "Call
Right"). A holder of a Call Right may exercise such right to require a mandatory
tender for the purchase of related Municipal Bonds, subject to certain
conditions. A Call Right that is not exercised prior to maturity of the related
Municipal Bond will expire without value. The economic effect to holding both
the Call Right and the related Municipal Bond is identical to holding a
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Municipal Bond as a non-callable security. Certain investments in such
obligations may be illiquid. The Fund may not invest in such illiquid
obligations if such investments, together with other illiquid investments, would
exceed 10% of the Fund's net assets.
DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL BONDS AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
Set forth below is a detailed description of the Municipal Bonds and
Temporary Investments in which the Fund may invest. Information with respect to
ratings assigned to tax-exempt obligations which the Fund may purchase is set
forth in an Appendix to this Statement of Additional Information.
DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL BONDS
Municipal Bonds include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various
public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public
facilities, refunding of outstanding obligations and obtaining funds for general
operating expenses and loans to other public institutions and facilities. In
addition, certain types of bonds are issued by or on behalf of public
authorities to finance various privately owned or operated facilities, including
certain facilities for the local furnishing of electric energy or gas, sewage
facilities, solid waste disposal facilities and other specialized facilities.
Such obligations are included within the term New York Municipal Bonds if the
interest paid thereon is, in the opinion of bond counsel, excluded from gross
income for Federal income tax purposes and exempt from New York State and City
personal income taxes. Other types of industrial development bonds or private
activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment
or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may
constitute Municipal Bonds, although the current Federal tax laws place
substantial limitations on the size of such issues.
The two principal classifications of Municipal Bonds are "general
obligation" bonds, and "revenue" bonds which include industrial development
bonds and, for bonds issued after August 15, 1986, private activity bonds.
General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of faith, credit and
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are
payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities, or in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other
specific revenue source such as payments from the user of the facility being
financed. Industrial development bonds or private activity bonds are in most
cases revenue bonds and generally do not constitute the pledge of the credit or
taxing power of the issuer of such bonds. Generally, the payment of the
principal of and interest on such revenue bonds depends solely on the ability of
the user of the facilities financed by the bonds to meet its financial
obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as
security for such payment, unless a line of credit, bond insurance or other
security is furnished.
The Fund also may invest in "moral obligation" bonds, which are normally
issued by special purpose public authorities. If an issuer of moral obligation
bonds is unable to meet its obligations, the repayment of such bonds becomes a
moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality in
question.
Also included within the general category of Municipal Bonds are
participation certificates issued by government authorities or entities to
finance the acquisition or construction of equipment, land and/or facilities.
The certificates represent participations in a lease, an installment purchase
contract or a conditional sales contract (hereinafter collectively called "lease
obligations") relating to such equipment, land or facilities. Although lease
obligations do not constitute general obligations of the issuer for which the
issuer's unlimited taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is frequently
backed by the issuer's covenant to budget
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for, appropriate and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However,
certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that
the issuer has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in
future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis.
Although "non-appropriation" lease obligations are secured by the leased
property, disposition of the property in the event of foreclosure might prove
difficult. These securities represent a relatively new type of financing that
has not yet developed the depth of marketability associated with more
conventional securities. Certain investments in lease obligations may be
illiquid. The Fund may not invest in illiquid lease obligations if such
investments, together with all other illiquid investments, would exceed 10% of
the Fund's net assets. The Fund may, however, invest without regard to such
limitation in lease obligations which the Manager, pursuant to guidelines which
have been adopted by the Board of Trustees and subject to the supervision of the
Board, determines to be liquid. The Manager will deem lease obligations to be
liquid if they are publicly offered and have received an investment grade rating
of Baa or better by Moody's, or BBB or better by Standard & Poor's or Fitch.
Unrated lease obligations, or those rated below investment grade, will be
considered liquid if the obligations come to the market through an underwritten
public offering and at least two dealers are willing to give competitive bids.
In reference to the latter, the Manager must, among other things, also review
the creditworthiness of the municipality obligated to make payment under the
lease obligation and make certain specified determinations based on such factors
as the existence of a rating or credit enhancement such as insurance, the
frequency of trades or quotes for the obligation and the willingness of dealers
to make a market in the obligation.
Yields on Municipal Bonds are dependent on a variety of factors, including
the general condition of the money market and of the municipal bond market, the
size of a particular offering, the financial condition of the issuer, the
general conditions of the Municipal Bond market, the maturity of the obligation,
and the rating of the issue. The ability of the Fund to achieve its investment
objective is also dependent on the continuing ability of the issuers of the
bonds in which the Fund invests to meet their obligations for the payment of
interest and principal when due. There are variations in the risks involved in
holding Municipal Bonds, both within a particular classification and between
classifications, depending on numerous factors. Furthermore, the rights of
owners of Municipal Bonds and the obligations of the issuer of such Municipal
Bonds may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws and
court decisions affecting the rights of creditors generally.
DESCRIPTION OF TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The Fund may invest in short-term tax-free and taxable securities subject to
the limitations set forth under "Investment Objective and Policies". The
tax-exempt money market securities may include municipal notes, municipal
commercial paper, municipal bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one
year, variable rate demand notes and participations therein. Municipal notes
include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes and grant anticipation
notes. Anticipation notes are sold as interim financing in anticipation of tax
collection, bond sales, government grants or revenue receipts. Municipal
commercial paper refers to short-term unsecured promissory notes generally
issued to finance short-term credit needs. The taxable money market securities
in which the Fund may invest as Temporary Investments consist of U.S. Government
securities, U.S. Government agency securities, domestic bank or savings
institution certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, short-term
corporate debt securities such as commercial paper and repurchase agreements.
These Temporary Investments must have a stated maturity not in excess of one
year from the date of purchase.
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Variable rate demand obligations ("VRDOs") are tax-exempt obligations which
contain a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and an
unconditional right of demand on the part of the holder thereof to receive
payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short
notice period not to exceed seven days. There is, however, the possibility that
because of default or insolvency the demand feature of VRDOs and Participating
VRDOs, described below, may not be honored. The interest rates are adjustable at
intervals (ranging from daily to up to one year) to some prevailing market rate
for similar investments, such adjustment formula being calculated to maintain
the market value of the VRDO at approximately the par value of the VRDOs on the
adjustment date. The adjustments typically are based upon the prime rate of a
bank or some other appropriate interest rate adjustment index. The Fund may
invest in all types of tax-exempt instruments currently outstanding or to be
issued in the future which satisfy the short-term maturity and quality standards
of the Fund.
The Fund also may invest in VRDOs in the form of participation interests
("Participating VRDOs") in variable rate tax-exempt obligations held by a
financial institution, typically a commercial bank. Participating VRDOs provide
the Fund with a specified undivided interest (up to 100%) of the underlying
obligation and the right to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus
accrued interest on the Participating VRDOs from the financial institution upon
a specified number of days notice, not to exceed seven days. In addition, the
Participating VRDO is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guaranty of
the financial institution. The Fund would have an undivided interest in the
underlying obligation and thus participate on the same basis as the financial
institution in such obligation except that the financial institution typically
retains fees out of the interest paid on the obligation for servicing the
obligation, providing the letter of credit and issuing the repurchase
commitment. The Fund has been advised by its counsel that the Fund should be
entitled to treat the income received on Participating VRDOs as interest from
tax-exempt obligations.
VRDOs that contain an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of
the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on a notice period exceeding
seven days may be deemed to be illiquid securities. A VRDO with a demand notice
period exceeding seven days will therefore be subject to the Fund's restriction
on illiquid investments unless, in the judgment of the Trustees, such VRDO is
liquid. The Trustees may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Manager the daily
function of determining and monitoring liquidity of such VRDOs. The Trustees,
however, will retain sufficient oversight and will be ultimately responsible for
such determinations.
The Trust has established the following standards with respect to money
market securities and VRDOs in which the Fund invests. Commercial paper
investments at the time of purchase must be rated A-1 through A-3 by Standard &
Poor's, Prime-1 through Prime-3 by Moody's, F-1 through F-3 by Fitch or, if not
rated, issued by companies having an outstanding debt issue rated at least A by
Standard & Poor's, Fitch or Moody's. Investments in corporate bonds and
debentures (which must have maturities at the date of purchase of one year or
less) must be rated at the time of purchase at least A by Standard & Poor's,
Fitch or Moody's. Notes and VRDOs at the time of purchase must be rated SP-1/A-1
through SP-2/A-3 by Standard & Poor's, MIG-1/VMIG-1 through MIG-4/VMIG-4 by
Moody's or F-1 through F-3 by Fitch. Temporary Investments, if not rated, must
be of comparable quality to securities rated in the above rating categories in
the opinion of the Manager. The Fund may not invest in any security issued by a
commercial bank or a savings institution unless the bank or institution is
organized and operating in the United States, has total
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assets of at least one billion dollars and is a member of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), except that up to 10% of total assets may be
invested in certificates of deposit of smaller institutions if such certificates
are fully insured by the FDIC.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may invest in securities pursuant to repurchase agreements.
Repurchase agreements may be entered into only with a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System or primary dealer or an affiliate thereof, in U.S. Government
securities. Under such agreements, the bank or primary dealer or an affiliate
thereof agrees, upon entering into the contract, to repurchase the security at a
mutually agreed upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the
term of the agreement. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from
market fluctuations during such period. In the case of repurchase agreements,
the prices at which the trades are conducted do not reflect accrued interest on
the underlying obligations. Such agreements usually cover short periods, such as
under one week. Repurchase agreements may be construed to be collateralized
loans by the purchaser to the seller secured by the securities transferred to
the purchaser. In the case of a repurchase agreement, the Fund will require the
seller to provide additional collateral if the market value of the securities
falls below the repurchase price at any time during the term of the repurchase
agreement. In the event of default by the seller under a repurchase agreement
construed to be a collateralized loan, the underlying securities are not owned
by the Fund but only constitute collateral for the seller's obligation to pay
the repurchase price. Therefore, the Fund may suffer time delays and incur costs
or possible losses in connection with the disposition of the collateral. In the
event of a default under such a repurchase agreement, instead of the contractual
fixed rate of return, the rate of return to the Fund shall be dependent upon
intervening fluctuations of the market value of such security and the accrued
interest on the security. In such event, the Fund would have rights against the
seller for breach of contract with respect to any losses arising from market
fluctuations following the failure of the seller to perform. The Fund may not
invest more than 10% of its net assets in repurchase agreements maturing in more
than seven days if such investments, together with all other illiquid
investments, would exceed 10% of the Fund's net assets.
In general, for federal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are
treated as collateralized loans secured by the securities "sold". Therefore,
amounts earned under such agreements will not be considered tax-exempt interest.
FINANCIAL FUTURES TRANSACTIONS AND OPTIONS
Reference is made to the discussion concerning futures transactions under
"Investment Objective and Policies" in the Prospectus. Set forth below is
additional information concerning these transactions.
As described in the Prospectus, the Fund may purchase and sell exchange
traded financial futures contracts ("financial futures contracts") to hedge its
portfolio of Municipal Bonds against declines in the value of such securities
and to hedge against increases in the cost of securities the Fund intends to
purchase. However, any transactions involving financial futures or options (or
puts and calls associated therewith) will be in accordance with the Fund's
investment policies and limitations. See "Investment Objective and Policies --
Investment Restrictions" in the Prospectus. To hedge its portfolio, the Fund may
take an investment position in a futures contract which will move in the
opposite direction from the portfolio position being hedged. While the Fund's
use of hedging strategies is intended to moderate capital changes in
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portfolio holdings and thereby reduce the volatility of the net asset value of
Fund shares, the Fund anticipates that its net asset value will fluctuate. Set
forth below is information concerning futures transactions.
DESCRIPTION OF FUTURES CONTRACTS. A futures contract is an agreement between
two parties to buy and sell a security or, in the case of an index-based futures
contract, to make and accept a cash settlement for a set price on a future date.
A majority of transactions in futures contracts, however, do not result in the
actual delivery of the underlying instrument or cash settlement, but are settled
through liquidation, I.E., by entering into an offsetting transaction. Futures
contracts have been designed by boards of trade which have been designated
"contracts markets" by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC").
The purchase or sale of a futures contract differs from the purchase or sale
of a security in that no price or premium is paid or received. Instead, an
amount of cash or securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract
market, which varies, but is generally about 5% of the contract amount, must be
deposited with the broker. This amount is known as "initial margin" and
represents a "good faith" deposit assuring the performance of both the purchaser
and seller under the futures contract. Subsequent payments to and from the
broker, called "variation margin", are required to be made on a daily basis as
the price of the futures contract fluctuates making the long and short positions
in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as "mark to the
market". At any time prior to the settlement date of the futures contract, the
position may be closed out by taking an opposite position which will operate to
terminate the position in the futures contract. A final determination of
variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid to or
released by the broker and the purchaser realizes a loss or gain. In addition, a
nominal commission is paid on each completed sale transaction.
The Fund deals in financial futures contracts based on a long-term municipal
bond index developed by the Chicago Board of Trade ("CBT") and The Bond Buyer
(the "Municipal Bond Index"). The Municipal Bond Index is comprised of 40
tax-exempt municipal revenue and general obligation bonds. Each bond included in
the Municipal Bond Index must be rated A or higher by Moody's or Standard &
Poor's and must have a remaining maturity of 19 years or more. Twice a month new
issues satisfying the eligibility requirements are added to, and an equal number
of old issues are deleted from, the Municipal Bond Index. The value of the
Municipal Bond Index is computed daily according to a formula based on the price
of each bond in the Municipal Bond Index, as evaluated by six dealer-to-dealer
brokers.
The Municipal Bond Index futures contract is traded only on the CBT. Like
other contract markets, the CBT assures performance under futures contracts
through a clearing corporation, a nonprofit organization managed by the exchange
membership which is also responsible for handling daily accounting of deposits
or withdrawals of margin.
As described in the Prospectus, the Fund may purchase and sell financial
futures contracts on U.S. Government securities as a hedge against adverse
changes in interest rates as described below. With respect to U.S. Government
securities, currently there are financial futures contracts based on long-term
U.S. Treasury bonds, Treasury notes, Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA") Certificates and three-month U.S. Treasury bills. The Fund may purchase
and write call and put options on futures contracts on U.S. Government
securities in connection with its hedging strategies.
Subject to policies adopted by the Trustees, the Fund also may engage in
other futures contracts transactions such as futures contracts on other
municipal bond indexes which may become available if the
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Manager and the Trustees of the Trust should determine that there is normally a
sufficient correlation between the prices of such futures contracts and the
Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests to make such hedging appropriate.
FUTURES STRATEGIES. The Fund may sell a financial futures contract (I.E.,
assume a short position) in anticipation of a decline in the value of its
investments in Municipal Bonds resulting from an increase in interest rates or
otherwise. The risk of decline could be reduced without employing futures as a
hedge by selling such Municipal Bonds and either reinvesting the proceeds in
securities with shorter maturities or by holding assets in cash. This strategy,
however, entails increased transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads and
typically would reduce the average yield of the Fund's portfolio securities as a
result of the shortening of maturities. The sale of futures contracts provides
an alternative means of hedging against declines in the value of its investments
in Municipal Bonds. As such values decline, the value of the Fund's positions in
the futures contracts will tend to increase, thus offsetting all or a portion of
the depreciation in the market value of the Fund's Municipal Bond investments
which are being hedged. While the Fund will incur commission expenses in selling
and closing out futures positions, commissions on futures transactions are lower
than transaction costs incurred in the purchase and sale of Municipal Bonds. In
addition, the ability of the Fund to trade in the standardized contracts
available in the futures markets may offer a more effective defensive position
than a program to reduce the average maturity of the portfolio securities due to
the unique and varied credit and technical characteristics of the municipal debt
instruments available to the Fund. Employing futures as a hedge also may permit
the Fund to assume a defensive posture without reducing the yield on its
investments beyond any amounts required to engage in futures trading.
When the Fund intends to purchase Municipal Bonds, the Fund may purchase
futures contracts as a hedge against any increase in the cost of such Municipal
Bonds, resulting from an increase in interest rates or otherwise, that may occur
before such purchases can be effected. Subject to the degree of correlation
between the Municipal Bonds and the futures contracts, subsequent increases in
the cost of Municipal Bonds should be reflected in the value of the futures held
by the Fund. As such purchases are made, an equivalent amount of futures
contracts will be closed out. Due to changing market conditions and interest
rate forecasts, however, a futures position may be terminated without a
corresponding purchase of portfolio securities.
CALL OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Fund may also purchase and sell
exchange traded call and put options on financial futures contracts on U.S.
Government securities. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is
analogous to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending
on the pricing of the option compared to either the futures contract upon which
it is based, or upon the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may
not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt
securities. Like the purchase of a futures contract, the Fund will purchase a
call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance when the
Fund is not fully invested.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial
hedge against declining prices of the securities which are deliverable upon
exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration is below
the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium
which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the
Fund's portfolio holdings.
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PUT OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The purchase of options on a futures
contract is analogous to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio
securities. The Fund will purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge
the Fund's portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial
hedge against increasing prices of the securities which are deliverable upon
exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration is higher
than the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option
premium which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of
Municipal Bonds which the Fund intends to purchase.
The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit initial
and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those applicable to
futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option will be
included in initial margin. The writing of an option on a futures contract
involves risks similar to those relating to futures contracts.
-------------------
The Trust has received an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") exempting it from the provisions of Section 17(f) and Section
18(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), in
connection with its strategy of investing in futures contracts. Section 17(f)
relates to the custody of securities and other assets of an investment company
and may be deemed to prohibit certain arrangements between the Fund and
commodities brokers with respect to initial and variation margin. Section 18(f)
of the 1940 Act prohibits an open-end investment company such as the Trust from
issuing a "senior security" other than a borrowing from a bank. The staff of the
Commission has in the past indicated that a futures contract may be a "senior
security" under the 1940 Act.
RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. Regulations of the CFTC
applicable to the Fund require that all of the Fund's futures transactions
constitute bona fide hedging transactions and that the Fund purchase and sell
futures contracts and options thereon (i) for bona fide hedging purposes, and
(ii) for non-hedging purposes, if the aggregate initial margin and premiums
required to establish positions in such contracts and options does not exceed 5%
of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio assets after taking into
account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts and
options. (However, the Fund intends to engage in options and futures
transactions only for hedging purposes.) Margin deposits may consist of cash or
securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market.
When the Fund purchases futures contracts or a call option with respect
thereto or writes a put option on a futures contract, an amount of cash, cash
equivalents or short-term high-grade fixed income securities will be deposited
in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian so that the amount so
segregated, plus the amount of initial and variation margin held in the account
of its broker, equals the market value of the futures contract, thereby ensuring
that the use of such futures is unleveraged.
RISK FACTORS IN FUTURES TRANSACTIONS AND OPTIONS. Investment in futures
contracts involves the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the
price of the futures contract and the price of the security being hedged. The
hedge will not be fully effective when there is imperfect correlation between
the movements in the prices of two financial instruments. For example, if the
price of the futures contract moves more than the price of the hedged security,
the Fund will experience either a loss or gain on the futures contract which is
not completely offset by movements in the price of the hedged securities. To
compensate for imperfect correlations, the Fund may purchase or sell futures
contracts in a greater dollar amount than
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the hedged securities if the volatility of the hedged securities is historically
greater than the volatility of the futures contracts. Conversely, the Fund may
purchase or sell fewer futures contracts if the volatility of the price of the
hedged securities is historically less than that of the futures contracts.
The particular municipal bonds comprising the index underlying the Municipal
Bond Index financial futures contract may vary from the bonds held by the Fund.
As a result, the Fund's ability to hedge effectively all or a portion of the
value of its Municipal Bonds through the use of such financial futures contracts
will depend in part on the degree to which price movements in the index
underlying the financial futures contract correlate with the price movements of
the Municipal Bonds held by the Fund. The correlation may be affected by
disparities in the average maturity, ratings, geographical mix or structure of
the Fund's investments as compared to those comprising the Municipal Bond Index,
and general economic or political factors. In addition, the correlation between
movements in the value of the Municipal Bond Index may be subject to change over
time as additions to and deletions from the Municipal Bond Index alter its
structure. The correlation between futures contracts on U.S. Government
securities and the Municipal Bonds held by the Fund may be adversely affected by
similar factors and the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the
prices of such futures contracts and the prices of Municipal Bonds held by the
Fund may be greater.
The Fund expects to liquidate a majority of the futures contracts it enters
into through offsetting transactions on the applicable contract market. There
can be no assurance, however, that a liquid secondary market will exist for any
particular futures contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible
to close out a futures position. In the event of adverse price movements, the
Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation
margin. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may be
required to sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin
requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to
close out futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the Fund's
ability to hedge effectively its investments in Municipal Bonds. The Fund will
enter into a futures position only if, in the judgment of the Manager, there
appears to be an actively traded secondary market for such futures contracts.
The successful use of transactions in futures and related options also
depends on the ability of the Manager to forecast correctly the direction and
extent of interest rate movements within a given time frame. To the extent
interest rates remain stable during the period in which a futures contract or
option is held by the Fund or such rates move in a direction opposite to that
anticipated, the Fund may realize a loss on the hedging transaction which is not
fully or partially offset by an increase in the value of portfolio securities.
As a result, the Fund's total return for such period may be less than if it had
not engaged in the hedging transaction.
Because of low initial margin deposits made upon the opening of a futures
position, futures transactions involve substantial leverage. As a result,
relatively small movements in the price of the futures contracts can result in
substantial unrealized gains or losses. Because the Fund will engage in the
purchase and sale of futures contracts solely for hedging purposes, however, any
losses incurred in connection therewith should, if the hedging strategy is
successful, be offset in whole or in part by increases in the value of
securities held by the Fund or decreases in the price of securities the Fund
intends to acquire.
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The amount of risk the Fund assumes when it purchases an option on a futures
contract is the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. In
addition to the correlation risks discussed above, the purchase of an option on
a futures contract also entails the risk that changes in the value of the
underlying futures contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the
option purchased.
Municipal Bond Index futures contracts recently have been approved for
trading and therefore have little trading history. It is possible that trading
in such futures contracts will be less liquid than trading in other futures
contracts. The trading of futures contracts also is subject to certain market
risks, such as inadequate trading activity, which could at times make it
difficult or impossible to liquidate existing positions.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
CURRENT INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. In addition to the investment restrictions
set forth in the Prospectus, the Trust has adopted a number of restrictions and
policies relating to the investment of its assets and its activities which are
fundamental policies and may not be changed without the approval of the holders
of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities (which for this
purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund's shares
present at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Fund are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares).
The Fund may not: (1) purchase any securities other than securities referred to
under "Investment Objective and Policies" herein and in the Prospectus and under
"Description of Municipal Bonds and Temporary Investments" herein; (2) invest
more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each
investment) in the securities of any one issuer, except that such restriction
shall not apply to securities backed by the United States Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities [For purposes of this restriction, the Trust will
regard each state and each political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of
such state and each multi-state agency of which such state is a member and each
public authority which issues securities on behalf of a private entity as a
separate issuer, except that if the security is backed only by the assets and
revenues of a non-government entity, then the entity with the ultimate
responsibility for the payment of interest and principal may be regarded as the
sole issuer]; (3) invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market value
at the time of each investment) in industrial revenue bonds where the entity
supplying the revenues from which the issue is to be paid, including
predecessors, has a record of less than three years of continuous operation; (4)
make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management; (5)
purchase securities of other investment companies, except in connection with a
merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization; (6) purchase or sell real
estate (provided that such restriction shall not apply to securities secured by
real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real
estate or interests therein), commodities or commodity contracts (except that
the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts), interests in oil,
gas or other mineral exploration or development programs; (7) purchase any
securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for
clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment
by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures
contracts is not considered the purchase of a security on margin); (8) make
short sales of securities or maintain a short position or invest in put, call,
straddle or spread options (this restriction does not apply to options on
financial futures contracts); (9) make loans to other persons, provided that the
Fund may purchase a portion of an issue of tax-exempt securities (the
acquisition of a portion of an issue of tax-exempt securities or bonds,
debentures or other debt securities which are not publicly distributed is
considered to be the making of a
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loan under the 1940 Act); (10) borrow amounts in excess of 20% of its total
assets taken at value (including the amount borrowed), and then only from banks
as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes [Usually only
"leveraged" investment companies may borrow in excess of 5% of their assets;
however, the Fund will not borrow to increase income but only to meet redemption
requests which might otherwise require untimely dispositions of portfolio
securities. The Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings are
outstanding. Interest paid on such borrowings will reduce net income.]; (11)
mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer as security for
indebtedness any securities owned or held by the Fund except as may be necessary
in connection with borrowings mentioned in (10) above, and then such mortgaging,
pledging or hypothecating may not exceed 10% of its net assets, taken at market
value, or except as may be necessary in connection with transactions in
financial futures contracts; (12) invest in securities with legal or contractual
restrictions on resale or for which no readily available market exists,
including repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, if, regarding
all such securities, more than 10% of its net assets (taken at market value),
would be invested in such securities; and (13) act as an underwriter of
securities, except to the extent that the Fund may technically be deemed an
underwriter when engaged in the activities described in (9) above or insofar as
the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, in selling portfolio securities.
In addition, to comply with tax requirements for qualification as a
"regulated investment company", the Fund's investments will be limited in a
manner such that, at the close of each quarter of each fiscal year, (a) no more
than 25% of the Fund's total assets are invested in the securities of a single
issuer, and (b) with regard to at least 50% of the Fund's total assets, no more
than 5% of its total assets are invested in the securities of a single issuer.
[For purposes of this restriction, the Fund will regard each state and each
political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of such state and each
multi-state agency of which such state is a member and each public authority
which issues securities on behalf of a private entity as a separate issuer,
except that if the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of a
non-government entity then the entity with the ultimate responsibility for the
payment of interest and principal may be regarded as the sole issuer.] These
tax-related limitations may be changed by the Trustees of the Trust to the
extent necessary to comply with changes to the Federal tax requirements.
PROPOSED UNIFORM INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. As discussed in the Prospectus
under "Investment Objectives and Policies -- Investment Restrictions", the Board
of Directors of the Fund has approved the replacement of the Fund's existing
investment restrictions with the fundamental and non-fundamental investment
restrictions set forth below. These uniform investment restrictions have been
proposed for adoption by all of the non-money market mutual funds advised by the
Manager or its affiliate, Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM"). The
investment objective and policies of the Fund will be unaffected by the adoption
of the proposed investment restrictions.
Shareholders of the Fund are currently considering whether to approve the
proposed revised investment restrictions. If such shareholder approval is
obtained, the Fund's current investment restrictions will be replaced by the
proposed restrictions, and the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information will be supplemented to reflect such change.
Under the proposed fundamental investment restrictions, the Fund may not:
1. Make any investment inconsistent with the Fund's classification as a
diversified company under the Investment Company Act.
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<PAGE>
2. Invest more than 25% of its assets, taken at market value, in the
securities of issuers in any particular industry (excluding the U.S.
Government and its agencies and instrumentalities).
3. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or
management.
4. Purchase or sell real estate, except that, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, the Fund may invest in securities directly or indirectly
secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which
invest in real estate or interests therein.
5. Make loans to other persons, except that the acquisition of bonds,
debentures or other corporate debt securities and investment in government
obligations, commercial paper, pass-through instruments, certificates of
deposit, bankers acceptances, repurchase agreements or any similar
instruments shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan, and except
further that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided that the
lending of portfolio securities may be made only in accordance with
applicable law and the guidelines set forth in the Fund's Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from time to
time.
6. Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate
applicable law.
7. Borrow money, except that (i) the Fund may borrow from banks (as
defined in the Investment Company Act) in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total
assets (including the amount borrowed), (ii) the Fund may borrow up to an
additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (iii) the Fund may
obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of
purchases and sales of portfolio securities and (iv) the fund may purchase
securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Fund may
not pledge its assets other than to secure such borrowings or, to the extent
permitted by the Fund's investment policies as set forth in its Prospectus
and Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from time to
time, in connection with hedging transactions, short sales, when-issued and
forward commitment transactions and similar investment strategies.
8. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund
technically may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), in selling portfolio securities.
9. Purchase or sell commodities or contracts on commodities, except to
the extent that the Fund may do so in accordance with applicable law and the
Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as they may be
amended from time to time, and without registering as a commodity pool
operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Under the proposed non-fundamental investment restrictions, the Fund may
not:
a. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the
extent such purchases are permitted by applicable law.
b. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except
to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Fund currently does not
intend to engage in short sales, except short sales "against the box".
c. Invest in securities which cannot be readily resold because of legal
or contractual restrictions or which cannot otherwise be marketed, redeemed
or put to the issuer or a third party, if at the time of
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<PAGE>
acquisition more than 15% of its total assets would be invested in such
securities. This restriction shall not apply to securities which mature
within seven days or securities which the Board of Directors of the Fund has
otherwise determined to be liquid pursuant to applicable law.
Notwithstanding the 15% limitation herein, to the extent the laws of any
state in which the Fund's shares are registered or qualified for sale
require a lower limitation, the Fund will observe such limitation. As of the
date hereof, therefore, the Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total
assets in securities which are subject to this investment restriction (c).
d. Invest in warrants if, at the time of acquisition, its investments
in warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market value, would exceed 5% of
the Fund's net assets; included within such limitation, but not to exceed 2%
of the Fund's net assets, are warrants which are not listed on the New York
Stock Exchange or American Stock Exchange or a major foreign exchange. For
purposes of this restriction, warrants acquired by the Fund in units or
attached to securities may be deemed to be without value.
e. Invest in securities of companies having a record, together with
predecessors, of less than three years of continuous operation, if more than
5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in such securities. This
restriction shall not apply to mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed
securities or obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
f. Purchase or retain the securities of any issuer, if those individual
officers and directors of the Fund, the officers and general partner of the
Investment Adviser, the directors of such general partner or the officers
and directors of any subsidiary thereof each owning beneficially more than
one-half of one percent of the securities of such issuer own in the
aggregate more than 5% of the securities of such issuer.
g. Invest in real estate limited partnership interests or interests in
oil, gas or other mineral leases, or exploration or development programs,
except that the Fund may invest in securities issued by companies that
engage in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development activities.
h. Write, purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads or
combinations thereof, except to the extent permitted in the Fund's
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended
from time to time.
i. Notwithstanding fundamental investment restriction (7) above, borrow
amounts in excess of 20% of its total assets taken at market value
(including the amount borrowed), and then only from banks as a temporary
measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes.
Because of the affiliation of Merrill Lynch with the Fund, the Fund is
prohibited from engaging in certain transactions involving Merrill Lynch except
pursuant to a permissive order or otherwise in compliance with the provisions of
the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Included
among such restricted transactions are purchases from or sales to Merrill Lynch
of securities in transactions in which it acts as principal and purchases of
securities from underwriting syndicates of which Merrill Lynch is a member.
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<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal
occupations for at least the last five years are set forth below. Unless
otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and executive officer is P.O. Box
9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011.
ARTHUR ZEIKEL -- PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE(1)(2) -- President and Chief
Investment Officer of the Manager (which term as used herein includes the
Manager's corporate predecessor) since 1977; President of (which term as used
herein includes MLAM's corporate predecessor) since 1977 and Chief Investment
Officer thereof since 1976; President and Director of Princeton Services, Inc.
("Princeton Services") since 1993; Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch &
Co., Inc. ("ML&Co.") since 1990; Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch since
1990 and a Senior Vice President thereof from 1985 to 1990; Director of Merrill
Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. ("MLFD" or the "Distributor").
KENNETH A. AXELSON -- TRUSTEE(2) -- 75 Jameson Point Road, Rockland, Maine
04841. Executive Vice President and Director, J.C. Penney Company, Inc. until
1982; Director, UNUM Corporation, Protection Mutual Insurance Company, Zurn
Industries, Inc., and, formerly of Central Maine Power Company (until 1992), Key
Trust Company of Maine (until 1992); and Grumman Corporation (until 1994);
Trustee, The Chicago Dock and Canal Trust.
HERBERT I. LONDON -- TRUSTEE(2) -- New York University -- Gallatin Division,
113-115 University Place, New York, New York 10003. John M. Olin Professor of
Humanities, New York University since 1993 and Professor thereof since 1980;
Dean, Gallatin Division of New York University from 1978 to 1993 and Director
from 1975 to 1976; Distinguished Fellow, Herman Kahn Chair, Hudson Institute
from 1984 to 1985; Trustee, Hudson Institute since 1980; Director, Damon
Corporation since 1991; Overseer, Center for Naval Analyses.
ROBERT R. MARTIN -- TRUSTEE(2) -- 513 Grand Hill, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102.
Chairman, UTC Industries, Inc. since 1994; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Kinnard Investments, Inc. from 1990 to 1993; Executive Vice President, Dain
Bosworth from 1974 to 1989; Director, Carnegie Capital Management from 1977 to
1985 and Chairman thereof in 1979; Director, Securities Industry Association
from 1981 to 1982 and Public Securities Association from 1979 to 1980; Trustee,
Northland College since 1992.
JOSEPH L. MAY -- TRUSTEE(2) -- 424 Church Street, Suite 2000, Nashville,
Tennessee 37219. Attorney in private practice since 1984; President, May and
Athens Hosiery Mills Division, Wayne-Gossard Corporation from 1954 to 1983; Vice
President, Wayne-Gossard Corporation from 1972 to 1983; Chairman, The May
Corporation (personal holding company) from 1972 to 1983; Director, Signal
Apparel Co. from 1972 to 1989.
ANDRE F. PEROLD -- TRUSTEE(2) -- Morgan Hall, Soldiers Field, Boston,
Massachusetts 02136. Professor, Harvard Business School and Associate Professor
from 1983 to 1989; Trustee, The Common Fund, since 1989; Director, Quantec
Limited since 1991 and Teknekron Software Systems since 1994.
TERRY K. GLENN -- EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT(1)(2) -- Executive Vice President
of the Manager and MLAM since 1983; Executive Vice President and Director of
Princeton Services since 1993; President of MLFD since 1986 and Director thereof
since 1991.
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<PAGE>
VINCENT R. GIORDANO -- VICE PRESIDENT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER(1)(2) --
Portfolio Manager of the Manager and MLAM since 1977 and Senior Vice President
of the Manager and MLAM since 1984; Vice President of MLAM from 1980 to 1984;
Senior Vice President of Princeton Services since 1993.
KENNETH A. JACOB -- VICE PRESIDENT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER(1)(2) -- Vice
President of the Manager and MLAM since 1984.
DONALD C. BURKE -- VICE PRESIDENT(1)(2) -- Vice President and Director of
Taxation of MLAM since 1990; Employee of Deloitte & Touche LLP from 1982 to
1990.
GERALD M. RICHARD -- TREASURER(1)(2) -- Senior Vice President and Treasurer
of the Manager and MLAM since 1984; Senior Vice President and Treasurer of
Princeton Services since 1993; Treasurer of MLFD since 1984 and Vice President
since 1981.
JERRY WEISS -- SECRETARY(1)(2) -- Vice President of MLAM since 1990;
Attorney in private practice from 1982 to 1990.
- ---------
(1) Interested person, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Trust.
(2) Such Trustee or officer is a director or officer of certain other investment
companies for which the Manager or MLAM acts as investment adviser or
manager.
At September 30, 1994, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group (12
persons) owned an aggregate of less than 1/4 of 1% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and owned an aggregate of less than 1%
of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
The Trust pays each Trustee not affiliated with the Manager a fee of $10,000
per year plus $1,000 per meeting attended, together with such Trustee's actual
out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. The Trust also
compensates members of its audit committee, which consists of all the non-
affiliated Trustees a fee of $2,000 per year plus $500 per meeting attended. For
the year ended September 30, 1993, fees and expenses paid to the non-affiliated
Trustees aggregated $32,527.
MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY ARRANGEMENTS
Reference is made to "Management of the Trust -- Management and Advisory
Arrangements" in the Prospectus for certain information concerning the
management and advisory arrangements of the Trust.
Securities may be held by, or be appropriate investments for, the Fund as
well as other funds or investment advisory clients of the Manager or MLAM.
Because of different objectives or other factors, a particular security may be
bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling the same
security. If purchases or sales of securities for the Fund or other funds for
which they act as manager or for their advisory clients arise for consideration
at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar
as feasible, for the respective funds and clients in a manner deemed equitable
to all. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of the
Manager or MLAM during the same period may increase the demand for securities
being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse
effect on price.
The Trust has entered into a Management Agreement on behalf of the Fund (the
"Management Agreement") with the Manager pursuant to which the Manager receives
for its services to the Fund monthly compensation at the annual rate of 0.55% of
the average daily net assets of the Fund. As discussed in the
17
<PAGE>
Prospectus, effective December 23, 1987, the Manager has voluntarily agreed to
waive the amount of compensation set forth in the Management Agreement and
instead has agreed to receive from the Fund a monthly fee based upon the average
daily net assets of the Fund at the following annual rates: 0.55% of the average
daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.525% of the average daily net
assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1.0 billion and 0.50% of the
average daily net assets exceeding $1.0 billion. For the years ended September
30, 1991, 1992 and 1993, the total advisory fees paid by the Fund to the Manager
aggregated $3,097,708, $3,270,467 and $3,744,878, respectively.
California imposes limitations on the expenses of the Fund. At the date of
this Statement of Additional Information, these annual expense limitations
require that the Manager reimburse the Fund in an amount necessary to prevent
the aggregate ordinary operating expenses (excluding taxes, brokerage fees and
commissions, distribution fees and extraordinary charges such as litigation
costs) from exceeding in any fiscal year 2.5% of the Fund's first $30,000,000 of
average daily net assets, 2.0% of the next $70,000,000 of average daily net
assets and 1.5% of the remaining average daily net assets. The Manager's
obligation to reimburse the Fund is limited to the amount of the management fee.
Expenses not covered by this limitation are interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions and other items such as extraordinary legal expenses. No fee payment
will be made to the Manager during any fiscal year which will cause such
expenses to exceed expense limitations at the time of such payment. No fee
reimbursements were made during the years ended September 30, 1991, 1992 and
1993 pursuant to these operating expense limitations.
The Management Agreement obligates the Manager to provide investment
advisory services and to pay all compensation of and furnish office space for
officers and employees of the Trust connected with investment and economic
research, trading and investment management of the Trust, as well as the fees of
all Trustees of the Trust who are affiliated persons of Merrill Lynch & Co.,
Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. The Fund pays all other expenses incurred in
its operation and a portion of the Trust's general administrative expenses
allocated on the basis of the asset size of the respective series of the Trust
("Series"). Expenses that will be borne directly by the Series include
redemption expenses, expenses of portfolio transactions, expenses of registering
the shares under federal and state securities laws, pricing costs (including the
daily calculation of net asset value), expenses of printing shareholder reports,
prospectuses and statements of additional information (except to the extent paid
by the Distributor as described below), fees for legal and auditing services,
Commission fees, interest, certain taxes, and other expenses attributable to a
particular Series. Expenses which will be allocated on the basis of asset size
of the respective Series include fees and expenses of unaffiliated Trustees,
state franchise taxes, costs of printing proxies and other expenses relating to
shareholder meetings, and other expenses properly payable by the Trust. The
organizational expenses of the Trust were paid by the Trust, and if additional
Series are added to the Trust, the organizational expenses will be allocated
among the Series in a manner deemed equitable by the Trustees. Accounting
services are provided to the Trust by the Manager and the Trust reimburses the
Manager for its costs in connection with such services. For the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1993, the Trust paid the Manager $65,976 for such services.
Depending upon the nature of a lawsuit, litigation costs may be assessed to the
specific Series to which the lawsuit relates or allocated on the basis of the
asset size of the respective Series. The Trustees have determined that this is
an appropriate method of allocation of expenses. Certain expenses in connection
with the account maintenance and distribution of Class B shares will be financed
by the Trust pursuant to the Distribution Plan in compliance with Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act. See "Purchase of Shares -- Distribution Plan".
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<PAGE>
The Manager is a limited partnership, the partners of which are Merrill
Lynch & Co., Inc., Fund Asset Management, Inc. and Princeton Services, Inc.
DURATION AND TERMINATION. Unless earlier terminated as described herein, the
Management Agreement will remain in effect from year to year if approved
annually (a) by the Trustees of the Trust or by a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Fund and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to
such contract or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such
party. Such contracts are not assignable and may be terminated without penalty
on 60 days' written notice at the option of either party thereto or by vote of
the shareholders of the Fund.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
Reference is made to "Purchase of Shares" in the Prospectus for certain
information as to the purchase of Fund shares.
The Fund Issues four classes of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select
Pricing-SM- System: shares of Class A and Class D are sold to investors choosing
the initial sales charge alternatives, and shares of Class B and Class C are
sold to investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives. Each Class A,
Class B, Class C and Class D share of the Fund represents identical interests in
the investment portfolio of the Fund and has the same rights, except that Class
B, Class C and Class D shares bear the expenses of the ongoing account
maintenance fees, and Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the
ongoing distribution fees and the additional incremental transfer agency costs
resulting from the deferred sales charge arrangements. Class B, Class C and
Class D shares each have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1
distribution plan adopted with respect to such class pursuant to which account
maintenance and/or distribution fees are paid. Each class has different exchange
privileges. See "Shareholder Services -- Exchange Privilege".
The Merrill Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System is used by more than 50 mutual
funds advised by MLAM or its affiliate, the Manager. Funds advised by MLAM or
the Manager are referred to herein as "MLAM-advised mutual funds".
The Fund has entered into four separate distribution agreements with the
Distributor in connection with the continuous offering of each class of shares
of the Fund (the "Distribution Agreements"). The Distribution Agreements
obligate the Distributor to pay certain expenses in connection with the offering
of each class of shares of the Fund. After the prospectuses, statements of
additional information and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and
mailed to shareholders, the Distributor pays for the printing and distribution
of copies thereof used in connection with the offering to dealers and investors.
The Distributor also pays for other supplementary sales literature and
advertising costs. The Distribution Agreements are subject to the same renewal
requirements and termination provisions as the Management Agreement described
above.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES--CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES
The gross sales charges for the sale of Class A shares for the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1991 were $75,510, of which the Distributor received $6,991
and Merrill Lynch received $68,519. The gross sales charges for the sale of
Class A shares for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1992 were $67,674, of
which the
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<PAGE>
Distributor received $5,267 and Merrill Lynch received $62,407. The gross sales
charges for the sale of Class A shares for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1993 were $152,014, of which the Distributor received $15,617 and Merrill Lynch
received $136,397.
The term "purchase", as used in the Prospectus and this Statement of
Additional Information in connection with an investment in Class A and Class D
shares of the Fund, refers to a single purchase by an individual, or to
concurrent purchases, which in the aggregate are at least equal to the
prescribed amounts, by an individual, his spouse and their children under the
age of 21 years purchasing shares for his or their own account and to single
purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust
estate or single fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is
involved. The term "purchase" also includes purchases by any "company", as that
term is defined in the 1940 Act, but does not include purchases by any such
company which has not been in existence for at least six months or which has no
purpose other than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares of other
registered investment companies at a discount; provided, however, that it shall
not include purchases by any group of individuals whose sole organizational
nexus is that the participants therein are credit cardholders of a company,
policyholders of an insurance company, customers of either a bank or
broker-dealer or clients of an investment adviser.
CLOSED-END INVESTMENT OPTION. Class A shares of the Fund and other
MLAM-advised mutual funds ("Eligible Class A shares") are offered at net asset
value to shareholders of certain closed-end funds advised by the Manager or MLAM
who purchased such closed-end fund shares prior to October 21, 1994 and wish to
reinvest the net proceeds of a sale of their closed-end fund shares of common
stock in Eligible Class A shares, if the conditions set forth below are
satisfied. Alternatively, closed-end fund shareholders who purchased such shares
on or after October 21, 1994 and wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale
of their closed-end fund shares are offered Class A Shares (if eligible to buy
Class A Shares) or Class D shares of the Fund and other MLAM-advised mutual
funds ("Eligible Class D Shares"), if the following conditions are met. First,
the sale of closed-end fund shares must be made through Merrill Lynch, and the
net proceeds therefrom must be immediately reinvested in Eligible Class A or
Class D shares. Second the closed-end fund shares must either have been acquired
in the initial public offering or be shares representing dividends from shares
of common stock acquired in such offering. Third, the closed-end fund shares
must have been continuously maintained in a Merrill Lynch securities account.
Fourth, there must be a minimum purchase of $250 to be eligible for the
investment option. Class A shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value to
shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. ("Senior Floating
Rate Fund") who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of certain of
their shares of common stock of Senior Floating Rate Fund in shares of the Fund.
In order to exercise this investment option, Senior Floating Rate Fund
shareholders must sell their Senior Floating Rate Fund shares to the Senior
Floating Rate Fund in connection with a tender offer conducted by the Senior
Floating Rate Fund and reinvest the proceeds immediately in the Fund. This
investment option is available only with respect to the proceeds of Senior
Floating Rate Fund shares as to which no Early Withdrawal Charge (as defined in
the Senior Floating Rate Fund prospectus) is applicable. Purchase orders from
Senior Floating Rate Fund shareholders wishing to exercise this investment
option will be accepted only on the day that the related Senior Floating Rate
Fund tender offer terminates and will be effected at the net asset value of the
Fund at such day.
REDUCED INITIAL SALES CHARGES
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION. Reduced sales charges are applicable through a right
of accumulation under which eligible investors are permitted to purchase shares
of the Fund subject to an initial sales charge at the
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offering price applicable to the total of (a) the public offering price of the
shares then being purchased plus (b) an amount equal to the then current net
asset value or cost, whichever is higher, of the purchaser's combined holdings
of all classes of shares of the Fund and of any other investment company with an
initial sales charge or a deferred sales charge for which the Distributor acts
as the distributor. For any such right of accumulation to be made available, the
Distributor must be provided at the time of purchase, by the purchaser or the
purchaser's securities dealer, with sufficient information to permit
confirmation of qualification. Acceptance of the purchase order is subject to
such confirmation. The right of accumulation may be amended or terminated at any
time. Shares held in the name of a nominee or custodian under pension,
profit-sharing or other employee benefit plans may not be combined with other
shares to qualify for the right of accumulation.
LETTER OF INTENTION. Reduced sales charges are applicable to purchases
aggregating $25,000 or more of the Class A or Class D shares of the Fund or any
other MLAM-advised mutual funds made within a 13-month period starting with the
first purchase pursuant to a Letter of Intention in the form provided in the
Prospectus. The Letter of Intention is available only to investors whose
accounts are maintained at the Fund's Transfer Agent. The Letter of Intention is
not available to employee benefit plans for which Merrill Lynch provides plan
participant record-keeping services. The Letter of Intention is not a binding
obligation to purchase any amount of Class A or Class D shares; however, its
execution will result in the purchaser paying a lower sales charge at the
appropriate quantity purchase level. A purchase not originally made pursuant to
a Letter of Intention may be included under a subsequent Letter of Intention
executed within 90 days of such purchase if the Distributor is informed in
writing of this intent within such 90-day period. The value of Class A and Class
D shares of the Fund and of other MLAM-advised mutual funds presently held, at
cost or maximum offering price (whichever is higher), on the date of the first
purchase under the Letter of Intention, may be included as a credit toward the
completion of such Letter, but the reduced sales charge applicable to the amount
covered by such Letter will be applied only to new purchases. If the total
amount of shares does not equal the amount stated in the Letter of Intention
(minimum of $25,000), the investor will be notified and must pay, within 20 days
of the expiration of such Letter, the difference between the sales charge on the
Class A or Class D shares purchased at the reduced rate and the sales charge
applicable to the shares actually purchased through the Letter. Class A or Class
D shares equal to at least five percent of the intended amount will be held in
escrow during the 13-month period (while remaining registered in the name of the
purchaser) for this purpose. The first purchase under the Letter of Intention
must be at least five percent of the dollar amount of such Letter. If a purchase
during the term of such Letter would otherwise be subject to a further reduced
sales charge based on the right of accumulation, the purchaser will be entitled
on that purchase and subsequent purchases to the reduced percentage sales
charge, but there will be no retroactive reduction of the sales charge on any
previous purchase. The value of any shares redeemed or otherwise disposed of by
the purchaser prior to termination or completion of the Letter of Intention will
be deducted from the total purchases made under such Letter. An exchange from
Merrill Lynch Government Fund, Merrill Lynch Institutional Fund, Merrill Lynch
Treasury Fund, Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust, Merrill Lynch Retirement
Reserves Money Fund, Merrill Lynch Institutional Tax-Exempt Fund, or Merrill
Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves into the Fund that creates a sales charge will
count toward completing a new or existing Letter of Intention from the Fund.
TMA-SM- MANAGED TRUSTS. Class A shares are offered to TMA-SM- Managed Trusts
to which Merrill Lynch Trust Company provides discretionary trustee services at
net asset value.
21
<PAGE>
PURCHASE PRIVILEGE OF CERTAIN PERSONS. Trustees of the Trust, members of the
Boards of other MLAM-advised investment companies, ML&Co. and its subsidiaries
(the term "subsidiaries", when used herein with respect to ML&Co., includes
MLAM, FAM and certain other entities directly or indirectly wholly-owned and
controlled by ML&Co.) and their directors and employees, and any trust, pension,
profit-sharing or other benefit plan for such persons, may purchase Class A
shares of the Fund at net asset value.
Class D shares of the Fund will be offered at net asset value, without sales
charge, to an investor who has a business relationship with a financial
consultant who joined Merrill Lynch from another investment firm within six
months prior to the date of purchase by such investor, if the following
conditions are satisfied. First, the investor must advise Merrill Lynch that it
will purchase Class D shares of the Fund with proceeds from a redemption of
shares of a mutual fund that was sponsored by the financial consultant's
previous firm and was subject to a sales charge either at the time of purchase
or on a deferred basis; and second, the investor must establish that such
redemption had been made within 60 days prior to the investment in the Fund, and
the proceeds from the redemption had been maintained in the interim in cash or a
money market fund.
Class D shares of the Fund are also offered at net asset value, without
sales charge, to an investor who has a business relationship with a Merrill
Lynch financial consultant and who has invested in a mutual fund sponsored by a
non-Merrill Lynch company for which Merrill Lynch has served as a selected
dealer and where Merrill Lynch has either received or given notice that such
arrangement will be terminated ("notice"), if the following conditions are
satisfied: First, the investor must purchase Class D shares of the Fund with
proceeds from a redemption of shares of such other mutual fund and such fund was
subject to a sales charge either at the time of purchase or on a deferred basis.
Second, such purchase of Class D shares must be made within 90 days after such
notice.
Class D shares of the Fund will be offered at net asset value, without a
sales charge, to an investor who has a business relationship with a Merrill
Lynch financial consultant and who has invested in a mutual fund for which
Merrill Lynch has not served as a selected dealer if the following conditions
are satisfied: First, the investor must advise Merrill Lynch that it will
purchase Class D shares of the Fund with proceeds from the redemption of such
shares of other mutual funds and that such shares have been outstanding for a
period of no less than six months. Second, such purchase of Class D shares must
be made within 60 days after the redemption and the proceeds from the redemption
must be maintained in the interim in cash or a money market fund.
CLOSED-END FUND OPTION. Class A shares of the Fund and certain other mutual
funds advised by the Manager or MLAM ("Eligible Class A shares") are offered at
net asset value to shareholders of certain closed-end funds advised by the
Manager or MLAM who purchases such closed-end fund shares prior to October 21,
1994 and wish to reinvest the net proceeds of a sale of their closed-end fund
shares of common stock in Eligible Class A shares, if the conditions set forth
below are satisfied. Alternatively, closed-end fund shareholders who purchased
such shares on or after October 21, 1994 and wish to reinvest the net proceeds
from a sale of their closed-end fund shares are offered Class D shares of the
Fund and other MLAM-advised mutual funds ("Eligible Class D Shares"), if the
following conditions are met. First, the sale of closed-end fund shares must be
made through Merrill Lynch, and the net proceeds therefrom must be immediately
reinvested in Eligible Class A or Class D shares. Second, the closed-end fund
shares must either have been acquired in the initial public offering or be
shares representing dividends from shares of common stock acquired in such
offering. Third, the closed-end fund shares must have been continuously
maintained in a
22
<PAGE>
Merrill Lynch securities account. Fourth, there must be a minimum purchase of
$250 to be eligible for the investment option. Class A shares of the Fund are
offered at net asset value to shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate
Fund (formerly known as Merrill Lynch Prime Fund, Inc.) ("Senior Floating Rate
Fund") who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of certain of their
shares of common stock of Senior Floating Rate Fund in shares of the Fund. In
order to exercise this investment option, Senior Floating Rate Fund shareholders
must sell their Senior Floating Rate Fund shares to the Senior Floating Rate
Fund in connection with a tender offer conducted by the Senior Floating Rate
Fund and reinvest the proceeds immediately in the Fund. This investment option
is available only with respect to the proceeds of Senior Floating Rate Fund
shares as to which no Early Withdrawal Charge (as defined in the Senior Floating
Rate Fund prospectus) is applicable. Purchase orders from Senior Floating Rate
Fund shareholders wishing to exercise this investment option will be accepted
only on the day that the related Senior Floating Rate Fund tender offer
terminates and will be effected at the net asset value of the Fund at such day.
ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The public offering price of
Class D shares may be reduced to the net asset value per Class D share in
connection with the acquisition of the assets of or merger or consolidation with
a personal holding company or a public or private investment company. The value
of the assets or company acquired in a tax-free transaction may be adjusted in
appropriate cases to reduce possible adverse tax consequences to the Fund which
might result from an acquisition of assets having net unrealized appreciation
which is disproportionately higher at the time of acquisition than the realized
or unrealized appreciation of the Fund. The issuance of Class D shares for
consideration other than cash is limited to bona fide reorganizations, statutory
mergers or other acquisitions of portfolio securities which (i) meet the
investment objectives and policies of the Fund; (ii) are acquired for investment
and not for resale (subject to the understanding that the disposition of the
Fund's portfolio securities shall at all times remain within its control); and
(iii) are liquid securities, the value of which is readily ascertainable, which
are not restricted as to transfer either by law or liquidity of market (except
that the Fund may acquire through such transactions restricted or illiquid
securities to the extent the Fund does not exceed the applicable limits on
acquisition of such securities set forth under "Investment Objective and
Policies" herein).
Reductions in or exemptions from the imposition of a sales load are due to
the nature of the investors and/or the reduced sales efforts that will be needed
in obtaining such investments.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
Reference is made to "Purchase of Shares -- Distribution Plans" in the
Prospectus for certain information with respect to the separate distribution
plans for Class B, Class C and Class D shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act (each a "Distribution Plan") with respect to the account
maintenance and/or distribution fees paid by the Fund to the Distributor with
respect to such classes.
Payments of the account maintenance fees and/or distribution fees are
subject to the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Among other things,
each Distribution Plan provides that the Distributor shall provide and the
Trustees shall review quarterly reports of the disbursement of the account
maintenance and/or distribution fees paid to the Distributor. In their
consideration of each Distribution Plan, the Trustees must consider all factors
they deem relevant, including information as to the benefits of the Distribution
Plan to the Fund and its Class B shareholders. Each Distribution Plan further
provides that, so long as the Distribution Plan remains in effect, the selection
and nomination of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as
defined in the 1940 Act (the "Independent Trustees"), shall be committed to the
discretion of the Independent Trustees then in office. In approving each
Distribution Plan in accordance
23
<PAGE>
with Rule 12b-1, the Independent Trustees concluded that there is reasonable
likelihood that each Distribution Plan will benefit the Fund and its related
class of shareholders. Each Distribution Plan can be terminated at any time,
without penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by the
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding related class of voting
securities of the Fund. A Distribution Plan cannot be amended to increase
materially the amount to be spent by the Fund without the approval of the
related class of shareholders, and all material amendments are required to be
approved by the vote of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent
Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution
Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. Rule 12b-1 further
requires that the Fund preserve copies of the Distribution Plan and any report
made pursuant to such plan for a period of not less than six years from the date
of the Distribution Plan or such report, the first two years in an easily
accessible place.
LIMITATIONS ON THE PAYMENT OF DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
The maximum sales charge rule in the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") imposes a limitation on certain
asset-based sales charges such as the distribution fee and the contingent
deferred sales charge ("CDSC") borne by the Class B and Class C shares but not
the account maintenance fee. The maximum sales charge rule is applied separately
to each class. As applicable to the Fund, the maximum sales charge rule limits
the aggregate of distribution fee payments and CDSCs payable by the Fund to (1)
6.25% of eligible gross sales of Class B shares and Class C shares, computed
separately (defined to exclude shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestments
and exchanges), plus (2) interest on the unpaid balance for the respective
class, computed separately, at the prime rate plus 1% (the unpaid balance being
the maximum amount payable minus amounts received from the payment of the
distribution fee and the CDSC). In connection with the Class B shares, the
Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive interest charges on the unpaid
balance in excess of 0.50% of eligible gross sales. Consequently, the maximum
amount payable to the Distributor (referred to as the "voluntary maximum") in
connection with the Class B shares is 6.75% of eligible gross sales. The
Distributor retains the right to stop waiving the interest charges at any time.
To the extent payments would exceed the voluntary maximum, the Fund will not
make further payments of the distribution fee with respect to Class B shares,
and any CDSCs will be paid to the Fund rather than to the Distributor; however,
the Fund will continue to make payments of the account maintenance fee. In
certain circumstances the amount payable pursuant to the voluntary maximum may
exceed the amount payable under the NASD formula. In such circumstances payment
in excess of the amount payable under the NASD formula will not be made.
24
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth comparative information as of March 31, 1994,
with respect to the Class B shares of the Fund indicating the maximum allowable
payments that can be made under the NASD maximum sales charge rule and the
Distributor's voluntary maximum for the period ended March 31, 1994.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATA CALCULATED AS OF MARCH 31, 1994
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
ANNUAL
DISTRIBUTION
ALLOWABLE ALLOWABLE AMOUNTS FEE AT
ELIGIBLE AGGREGATE INTEREST ON MAXIMUM PREVIOUSLY AGGREGATE CURRENT NET
GROSS SALES UNPAID AMOUNT PAID TO UNPAID ASSET
SALES(1) CHARGE BALANCE(2) PAYABLE DISTRIBUTOR(3) BALANCE LEVEL(4)
------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Under NASD Rule as Adopted......... $ 1,316,974 $ 82,311 $ 47,284 $ 129,595 $ 24,943 $ 104,652 $ 1,709
Under Distributor's Voluntary
Waiver............................ $ 1,316,974 $ 82,311 $ 6,585 $ 88,896 $ 24,943 $ 63,952 $ 1,709
<FN>
- ------------
(1) Purchase price of all eligible Class B shares sold since November 1, 1985
(commencement of operations) other than shares acquired through dividend
reinvestment and the exchange privilege.
(2) Interest is computed on a monthly basis based upon the prime rate, as
reported in The Wall Street Journal, plus 1.0%, as permitted under the NASD
Rule.
(3) Consists of CDSC payments, distribution fee payments and accruals. Of the
distribution fee payments made prior to July 6, 1993 under the Prior Plan
at the .50% rate, .25% of average daily net assets has been treated as a
distribution fee and .25% of average daily net assets has been deemed to
have been a service fee and not subject to the NASD maximum sales charge
rule.
(4) Provided to illustrate the extent to which the current level of
distribution fee payments (not including any CDSC payments) is amortizing
the unpaid balance. No assurance can be given that payments of the
distribution fee will reach either the voluntary maximum or the NASD
maximum.
</TABLE>
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Reference is made to "Redemption of Shares" in the Prospectus for certain
information as to the redemption and repurchase of Fund shares.
The right to redeem shares or to receive payment with respect to any such
redemption may be suspended only for any period during which trading on the New
York Stock Exchange is restricted as determined by the Commission or such
Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), for any
period during which an emergency exists as defined by the Commission as a result
of which disposal of portfolio securities or determination of the net asset
value of the Fund is not reasonably practicable, and for such other periods as
the Commission may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the
Fund.
DEFERRED SALES CHARGES--CLASS B SHARES
As discussed in the Prospectus under "Purchase of Shares -- Deferred Sales
Charge Alternatives -- Class B and Class C Shares", while Class B shares
redeemed within four years of purchase are subject to a CDSC under most
circumstances, the charge is waived on redemptions of Class B shares following
the death or disability of a Class B shareholder. Redemptions for which the
waiver applies are any partial or complete redemption following the death or
disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code")) of a Class B shareholder (including one who owns the Class B shares as
joint tenant with his or her spouse), provided the redemption is requested
within one year of the death or initial determination of disability. For the
years ended September 30, 1991, 1992 and 1993, the Distributor received CDSCs of
$731,994, $561,826 and $622,557, respectively, all of which was paid to Merrill
Lynch.
25
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Reference is made to "Investment Objective and Policies -- Other Investment
Policies and Practices" in the Prospectus.
Under the 1940 Act, persons affiliated with the Trust are prohibited from
dealing with the Fund as a principal in the purchase and sale of securities
unless such trading is permitted by an exemptive order issued by the Commission.
Since over-the-counter transactions are usually principal transactions,
affiliated persons of the Fund, including Merrill Lynch, may not serve as dealer
in connection with transactions with the Fund, absent an exemptive order from
the Commission. The Trust has obtained an exemptive order permitting it to
engage in certain principal transactions with Merrill Lynch involving high
quality short-term Municipal Bonds subject to certain conditions. During the
year ended September 30, 1991, the Fund engaged in 13 transactions pursuant to
such order aggregating approximately $29 million. During the year ended
September 30, 1992, the Fund engaged in no transactions pursuant to such order.
During the year ended September 30, 1993, the Fund engaged in 9 transactions
pursuant to such order aggregating approximately $22,182,764. An affiliated
person of the Fund may serve as its broker in over-the-counter transactions
conducted on an agency basis. Certain court decisions have raised questions as
to the extent to which investment companies should seek exemptions under the
1940 Act in order to seek to recapture underwriting and dealer spreads from
affiliated entities. The Trustees have considered all factors deemed relevant,
and have made a determination not to seek such recapture at this time. The
Trustees will reconsider this matter from time to time.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not purchase securities from any
underwriting syndicate of which Merrill Lynch is a member except pursuant to an
exemptive order or rules adopted by the Commission. Rule 10f-3 under the 1940
Act sets forth conditions under which the Fund may purchase municipal bonds in
such transactions. The rule sets forth requirements relating to, among other
things, the terms of an issue of municipal bonds purchased by the Fund, the
amount of municipal bonds which may be purchased in any one issue and the assets
of the Fund which may be invested in a particular issue.
The Fund does not expect to use any particular dealer in the execution of
transactions but, subject to obtaining the best net results, dealers who provide
supplemental investment research (such as information concerning tax-exempt
securities, economic data and market forecasts) to the Manager may receive
orders for transactions by the Fund. Information so received will be in addition
to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Manager under
its Management Agreement and the expense of the Manager will not necessarily be
reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information.
The Trust has no obligation to deal with any broker in the execution of
transactions for the Fund's portfolio securities. In addition, consistent with
the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. and policies established by the Trustees of the Trust, the Manager may
consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers or
dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund.
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1991, 1992, and 1993, the Fund paid
no brokerage commissions.
Generally, the Fund does not purchase securities for short-term trading
profits. However, the Fund may dispose of securities without regard to the time
they have been held when such action, for defensive or other
26
<PAGE>
reasons, appears advisable to its Manager. While it is not possible to predict
turnover rates with any certainty, at present it is anticipated that the Fund's
annual portfolio turnover rate, under normal circumstances after the Fund's
portfolio is invested in accordance with its investment objective, will be less
than 100%. (The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of
purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the particular fiscal year by the
monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund
during the particular fiscal year. For purposes of determining this rate, all
securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition are one year or less are
excluded.) The portfolio turnover for the fiscal years ended September 30, 1991,
1992 and 1993 were 49.78%, 35.90% and 38.31%, respectively.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, generally
prohibits members of the U.S. national securities exchanges from executing
exchange transactions for their affiliates and institutional accounts which they
manage unless the member (i) has obtained prior express authorization from the
account to effect such transactions, (ii) at least annually furnishes the
account with a statement setting forth the aggregate compensation received by
the member in effecting such transactions, and (iii) complies with any rules the
Commission has prescribed with respect to the requirements of clauses (i) and
(ii). To the extent Section 11(a) would apply to Merrill Lynch acting as a
broker for the Fund in any of its portfolio transactions executed on any such
securities exchange of which it is a member, appropriate consents have been
obtained from the Fund and annual statements as to aggregate compensation will
be provided to the Fund.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of the shares of all classes of the Fund is determined
by the Manager once daily, Monday through Friday, as of 4:15 P.M., New York
time, on each day during which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
The New York Stock Exchange is not open on New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas Day. Net asset value per share is computed by dividing the sum of the
value of the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets minus all
liabilities by the total number of shares outstanding at such time, rounded to
the nearest cent. Expenses, including the fees payable to the Manager and any
account maintenance and/ or distribution fees, are accrued daily. The net asset
value per share of the Class A and the net asset value per share of the Class B,
Class C and Class D shares are expected to be equivalent. Under certain
circumstances, however, the per share net asset value of the Class B, Class C
and Class D shares may be lower than the per share net asset value of the Class
A shares reflecting the daily expense accruals of the distribution and transfer
agency fees applicable with respect to the Class B and Class C shares and the
daily expense accruals of the account maintenance fees applicable with respect
to the Class D Shares; moreover the per share net asset value of the Class B and
Class C shares generally will be lower than the per share net asset value of its
Class D shares reflecting the daily expense accruals of the distribution fees
and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to the Class B and Class
C shares of the Fund. Even under those circumstances, the per share net asset
value of the four classes eventually will tend to converge immediately after the
payment of dividends, which will differ by approximately the amount of the
expense accrual differential between the classes.
The Municipal Bonds and other portfolio securities in which the Fund invests
are traded primarily in over-the-counter municipal bond and money markets and
are valued at the last available bid price in the over-the-counter market or on
the basis of yield equivalents as obtained from one or more dealers that make
27
<PAGE>
markets in the securities. One bond is the "yield equivalent" of another bond
when, taking into account market price, maturity, coupon rate, credit rating and
ultimate return of principal, both bonds will theoretically produce an
equivalent return to the bondholder. Financial futures contracts and options
thereon, which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their settlement prices as
of the close of such exchanges. Short-term investments with a remaining maturity
of 60 days or less are valued on an amortized cost basis, which approximates
market value. Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily
available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the
direction of the Trustees of the Trust, including valuations furnished by a
pricing service retained by the Trust, which may utilize a matrix system for
valuations. The procedures of the pricing service and its valuations are
reviewed by the officers of the Trust under the general supervision of the
Trustees.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Trust offers a number of shareholder services described below which are
designed to facilitate investment in shares of the Fund. Full details as to each
of such services and copies of the various plans described below can be obtained
from the Trust, the Distributor or Merrill Lynch.
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT
Each shareholder whose account is maintained at the Transfer Agent has an
Investment Account and will receive statements, at least quarterly, from the
Transfer Agent. These statements will serve as transaction confirmations for
automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of ordinary income dividends
and long-term capital gain distributions. The statements will also show any
other activity in the account since the preceding statement. Shareholders also
will receive separate confirmations for each purchase or sale transaction other
than reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Shareholders
considering transferring their Class A or Class D shares from Merrill Lynch to
another brokerage firm or financial institution should be aware that, if the
firm to which the Class A or Class D shares are to be transferred will not take
delivery of shares of the Fund, a shareholder either must redeem the Class A or
Class D (paying any applicable CDSC) shares so that the cash proceeds can be
transferred to the account at the new firm or such shareholder must continue to
maintain an Investment Account at the Transfer Agent for those Class A or Class
D shares. Shareholders interested in transferring their Class B or Class C
shares from Merrill Lynch and who do not wish to have an Investment Account
maintained for such shares at the Transfer Agent may request their new brokerage
firm to maintain such shares in an account registered in the name of the
brokerage firm for the benefit of the shareholder.
Share certificates are issued only for full shares and only upon the
specific request of a shareholder who has an Investment Account. Issuance of
certificates representing all or only part of the full shares in an Investment
Account may be requested by a shareholder directly from the Transfer Agent.
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS
A shareholder may make additions to an Investment Account at any time by
purchasing Class A shares (if he or she is an eligible Class A investor as
described in the Prospectus) or Class B, Class C or Class D shares at the
applicable public offering price either through the shareholder's securities
dealer, or by mail directly to the Transfer Agent, acting as agent for such
securities dealer. Voluntary accumulation also can be made through a service
known as the Automatic Investment Plan whereby the Fund is authorized through
pre-authorized checks or automated clearing house debits of $50 or more to
charge the regular bank account
28
<PAGE>
of the shareholder on a regular basis to provide systematic additions to the
Investment Account of such shareholder. Alternatively, investors who maintain
CMA-R- accounts may arrange to have periodic investments made in the Fund, in
their CMA-R- accounts or in certain related accounts in amounts of $100 or more
through the CMA-R- Automatic Investment Program.
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS
Unless specific instructions are given as to the method of payment of
dividends and capital gains distributions, dividends and distributions will be
reinvested automatically in additional shares of the Fund. Such reinvestment
will be at the net asset value of shares of the Fund as of the close of business
on the monthly payment date for such dividends and distributions. Shareholders
may elect in writing to receive either their income dividends or capital gains
distributions, or both, in cash, in which event payment will be mailed or direct
deposited on or about the payment date.
Shareholders may, at any time, notify the Transfer Agent in writing or by
telephone (1-800-MER-FUND) that they no longer wish to have their dividends
and/or capital gains distributions reinvested in shares of the Fund or vice
versa and, commencing ten days after the receipt by the Transfer Agent of such
notice, those instructions will be effected.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS--CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES
A Class A or Class D shareholder may elect to make systematic withdrawals
from an Investment Account on either a monthly or quarterly basis as provided
below. Quarterly withdrawals are available for shareholders who have acquired
Class A or Class D shares of the Fund having a value, based on cost or the
current offering price, of $5,000 or more, and monthly withdrawals are available
for shareholders with Class A or Class D shares with such a value of $10,000 or
more.
At the time of each withdrawal payment, sufficient Class A or Class D shares
are redeemed from those on deposit in the shareholder's account to provide the
withdrawal payment specified by the shareholder. The shareholder may specify
either a dollar amount or a percentage of the value of his Class A or Class D
shares. Redemptions will be made at net asset value as determined at the normal
close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 P.M., New York
City time) on the 24th day of each month or the 24th day of the last month of
each quarter, whichever is applicable. If the Exchange is not open for business
on such date, the Class A or Class D shares will be redeemed at the close of
business on the following business day. The check for the withdrawal payment
will be mailed, or the direct deposit for the withdrawal payment will be made,
on the next business day following redemption. When a shareholder is making
systematic withdrawals, dividends and distributions on all Class A or Class D
shares in the Investment Account are reinvested automatically in the Fund's
Class A or Class D shares, respectively. A shareholder's Systematic Withdrawal
Plan may be terminated at any time, without charge or penalty, by the
shareholder, the Fund, the Transfer Agent or the Distributor. Withdrawal
payments should not be considered as dividends, yield or income. Each withdrawal
is a taxable event. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed reinvested
dividends, the shareholder's original investment may be reduced correspondingly.
Purchases of additional Class A or Class D shares concurrent with withdrawals
are ordinarily disadvantageous to the shareholder because of sales charges and
tax liabilities. The Fund will not knowingly accept purchase orders for Class A
or Class D shares of the Fund from investors who maintain a Systematic
Withdrawal Plan unless such
29
<PAGE>
purchase is equal to at least one year's scheduled withdrawals or $1,200,
whichever is greater. Periodic investments may not be made into an Investment
Account in which the shareholder has elected to make systematic withdrawals.
A Class A or Class D shareholder whose shares are held within a CMA-R- or
CBA-R- Account may elect to have shares redeemed on a monthly, bimonthly,
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis through the Systematic Redemption Program.
The minimum fixed dollar amount redeemable is $25. The proceeds of systematic
redemptions will be posted to the shareholder's account five business days after
the date the shares are redeemed. Monthly systematic redemptions will be made at
net asset value on the first Monday of each month, bimonthly systematic
redemptions will be made at net asset value on the first Monday of every other
month, and quarterly, semiannual or annual redemptions are made at net asset
value on the first Monday of months selected at the shareholder's option. If the
first Monday of the month is a holiday, the redemption will be processed at net
asset value on the next business day. The Systematic Redemption Program is not
available if Company shares are being purchased within the account pursuant to
the Automatic Investment Program. For more information on the Systematic
Redemption Program, eligible shareholders should contact their Financial
Consultant.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Shareholders of each class of shares of the Fund have an exchange privilege
with certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds listed below. Under the Merrill
Lynch Select Pricing-SM- System, Class A shareholders may exchange Class A share
of the Fund for Class A shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund if the
shareholder holds any Class A shares of the second fund in his account in which
the exchange is made at the time of the exchange or is otherwise eligible to
purchase Class A shares of the second fund. If the Class A shareholder wants to
exchange Class A shares for shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund, and the
shareholder does not hold Class A shares of the second fund in his account at
the time of the exchange and is not otherwise eligible to acquire Class A shares
of the second fund, the shareholder will receive Class D shares of the second
fund as a result of the exchange. Class D shares also may be exchanged for Class
A shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund at any time as long as, at the
time of the exchange, the shareholder holds Class A shares of the second fund in
the account in which the exchange is made or is otherwise eligible to purchase
Class A shares of the second fund. Class B, Class C and Class D shares will be
exchangeable with shares of the same class of other MLAM-advised mutual funds.
For purposes of computing the CDSC that may be payable upon a disposition of the
shares acquired in the exchange, the holding period for the previously owned
shares of the Fund is "tacked" to the holding period of the newly acquired
shares of the other Fund as more fully described below. Class A, Class B, Class
C and Class D shares also will be exchangeable for shares of certain
MLAM-advised money market funds specifically designated below as available for
exchange by holders of Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D shares. Shares with
a net asset value of at least $100 are required to qualify for the exchange
privilege, and any shares utilized in an exchange must have been held by the
shareholder to 15 days. It is contemplated that the exchange privilege may be
applicable to other new mutual funds whose shares may be distributed by the
Distributor.
Exchanges of Class A or Class D shares outstanding ("outstanding Class A or
Class D shares") for Class A or Class D shares of other MLAM-advised mutual fund
("new Class A or Class D shares") are transacted on the basis of relative net
asset value per Class A or Class D share, respectively, plus an amount equal to
the difference, if any, between the sales charge previously paid on the
outstanding Class A or Class D shares and the sales charge payable at the time
of the exchange on the new Class A or Class D
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shares. With respect to outstanding Class A or Class D shares as to which
previous exchanges have taken place, the "sales charge previously paid" shall
include the aggregate of the sales charges paid with respect to such Class A or
Class D shares in the initial purchase and any subsequent exchange. Class A or
Class D shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment are sold on a no-load
basis in each of the funds offering Class A or Class D shares. For purposes of
the exchange privilege, Class A or Class D shares acquired through dividend
reinvestment shall be deemed to have been sold with a sales charge equal to the
sales charge previously paid on the Class A or Class D shares on which the
dividend was paid. Based on this formula, Class A and Class D shares generally
may be exchanged into the Class A or Class D shares of the other funds or into
shares of the Class A or Class D money market funds without a sales charge.
In addition, each of the funds with Class B and Class C shares outstanding
("outstanding Class B and Class C shares") offers to exchange its Class B or
Class C shares for Class B or Class C shares, respectively, of any of another
MLAM-advised mutual fund ("new Class B or Class C shares") on the basis of
relative net asset value per Class B or Class C share, without the payment of
any CDSC that might otherwise be due on redemption of the outstanding shares.
Class B shareholders of the Fund exercising the exchange privilege will continue
to be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher than the
CDSC schedule relating to the new Class B shares acquired through use of the
exchange privilege. In addition, Class B shares of the Fund acquired through use
of the exchange privilege will be subject to the Fund's schedule if such
schedule is higher than the CDSC schedule relating to the Class B or Class C
shares of the fund from which the exchange has been made. For purposes of
computing the sales load that may be payable on a disposition of the new Class B
or Class C shares, the holding period for the outstanding Class B or Class C
shares is "tacked" to the holding period of the new Class B or Class C shares.
For example, an investor may exchange Class B or Class C shares of the Fund for
those of Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund ("Special Value") after having held
the Fund's Class B shares for two and a half years. The 2% sales charge that
generally would apply to a redemption would not apply to the exchange. Three
years later the investor may decide to redeem the Class B shares of Special
Value and receive cash. There will be no CDSC due on this redemption, since by
"tacking" the two and a half year holding period of Fund Class B shares to the
three-year holding period for the Special Value Fund Class B shares, the
investor will be deemed to have held the new Class B shares for more than five
years.
Shareholders also may exchange shares of the Fund into shares of a money
market fund advised by the Manager or its affiliates, respectively, but the
period of time that Class B or Class C shares are held in a Class B money market
fund will not count towards satisfaction of the holding period requirement for
purposes of reducing the CDSC or, with respect to Class B shares, towards
satisfaction of the conversion period. However, shares of a money market fund
which were acquired as a result of an exchange for Class B or Class C shares of
a fund may, in turn, be exchanged back into Class B or Class C shares,
respectively, of any fund offering such shares, in which event the holding
period for Class B or Class C shares of the fund will be aggregated with
previous holding periods for purposes of reducing the CDSC. Thus, for example,
an investor may exchange Class B shares of the Fund for shares of Merrill Lynch
Institutional Fund, after having held the Fund Class B shares for two and a half
years and three years later decide to redeem the shares of Merrill Lynch
Institutional Fund for cash. At the time of this redemption, the 2% CDSC that
would have been due had the Class B shares of the Fund been redeemed for cash
rather than exchanged for shares of
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Merrill Lynch Institutional Fund will be payable. If, instead of such redemption
the shareholder exchanged such shares for Class B shares of a fund which the
shareholder continues to hold for an additional two and a half years, any
subsequent redemption will not incur a contingent deferred sales load.
Set forth below is a description of the investment objectives of the other
funds into which exchanges can be made:
FUNDS ISSUING CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS D SHARES:
<TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH ADJUSTABLE RATE SECURITIES
FUND, INC.................................. High current income consistent with a policy
of limiting the degree of fluctuation in net
asset value of fund shares resulting from
movements in interest rates through
investment primarily in a portfolio of
adjustable rate securities.
MERRILL LYNCH AMERICAS INCOME FUND, INC...... A high level of current income, consistent
with prudent investment risk, by investing
primarily in debt securities denominated in
a currency of a country located in the
Western Hemisphere (i.e., North and South
America and the surrounding waters).
MERRILL LYNCH ARIZONA LIMITED MATURITY
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND........................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a
series fund, whose objective is to provide
as high a level of income exempt from
Federal and Arizona income taxes as is
consistent with prudent investment
management through investment in a
portfolio primarily of intermediate-term
investment grade Arizona Municipal Bonds.
MERRILL LYNCH ARIZONA MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund,
whose objective is to provide as high a
level of income exempt from Federal and
Arizona income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management.
</TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund,
whose objective is to provide as high a
level income exempt from Federal and
Arkansas income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH ASSET GROWTH FUND, INC......... High total investment return, consistent with
prudent risk, from investment in United
States and foreign equity, debt and money
market securities the combination of which
will be varied both with respect to types
of securities and markets in response to
changing market and economic trends.
MERRILL LYNCH ASSET INCOME FUND, INC......... A high level of current income through
investment primarily in United States fixed
income securities.
MERRILL LYNCH BALANCED FUND FOR INVESTMENT
AND RETIREMENT............................. As high a level of total investment return as
is consistent with a relatively low level of
risk through investment in common stock and
other types of securities, including fixed
income securities and convertible
securities.
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE FUND, INC.......... Capital appreciation and, secondarily, income
through investments in securities,
primarily equities, that are undervalued
and therefore represent basic investment
value.
MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA INSURED MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch California
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and California
income taxes as is consistent with prudent
investment management through investment in
a portfolio primarily of insured California
Municipal Bonds.
</TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA LIMITED MATURITY
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND........................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a
series fund, whose objective is to provide
as high a level of income exempt from
Federal and California income taxes as is
consistent with prudent investment
management through investment in a
portfolio primarily of intermediate-term
investment grade California Municipal
Bonds.
MERRILL LYNCH CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch California
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and California
income taxes as is consistent with prudent
investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL FUND, INC.............. The highest total investment return
consistent with prudent risk through a fully
managed investment policy utilizing equity,
debt and convertible securities.
MERRILL LYNCH COLORADO MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and Colorado
income taxes as is consistent with prudent
investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH CONNECTICUT MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Municipal Series Trust, a series
fund, whose objective is to provide as high
a level of income exempt from Federal and
Connecticut income taxes as is consistent
with prudent investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC....... Current income from three separate
diversified portfolios of fixed income
securities.
MERRILL LYNCH DEVELOPING CAPITAL MARKETS
FUND, INC.................................. Long-term appreciation through investment in
securities, principally equities, of
issuers in countries having smaller capital
markets.
</TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH DRAGON FUND, INC............... Capital appreciation primarily through
investment in equity and debt securities of
issuers domiciled in developing countries
located in Asia and the Pacific Basin.
MERRILL LYNCH EUROFUND....................... Capital appreciation primarily through
investment in equity securities of
corporations domiciled in Europe.
MERRILL LYNCH FEDERAL SECURITIES TRUST....... High current return through investments in
U.S. Government and Government agency
securities, including GNMA mortgage-backed
certificates and other mortgage-backed
Government securities.
MERRILL LYNCH FLORIDA LIMITED MATURITY
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND........................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a
series fund, whose objective is to provide
as high a level of income exempt from
Federal income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management while serving
to offer shareholders the opportunity to
own securities exempt from Florida
intangible personal property taxes through
investment in a portfolio primarily of
intermediate-term investment grade Florida
Municipal Bonds.
MERRILL LYNCH FLORIDA MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund,
whose objective is to provide as high a
level of income exempt from Federal income
taxes as is consistent with prudent
investment management while seeking to
offer shareholders the opportunity to own
securities exempt from Florida intangible
personal property taxes.
MERRILL LYNCH FUND FOR TOMORROW, INC......... Long-term growth through investment in a
portfolio of good quality securities,
primarily common stock, potentially
positioned to benefit from demographic and
cultural changes as they affect consumer
markets.
</TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH FUNDAMENTAL GROWTH FUND,
INC........................................ Long-term growth through investment in a
diversified portfolio of equity securities
placing particular emphasis on companies
that have exhibited an above-average growth
rate in earnings.
MERRILL LYNCH GLOBAL ALLOCATION FUND, INC.... High total investment return, consistent with
prudent risk, through a fully managed
investment policy utilizing United States
and foreign equity, debt and money market
securities, the combination of which will
be varied from time to time both with
respect to the types of securities and
markets in response to changing market and
economic trends.
MERRILL LYNCH GLOBAL BOND FUND FOR INVESTMENT
AND RETIREMENT............................. High total investment return from investment
in government and corporate bonds denominated
in various currencies and multi-national
currency units.
MERRILL LYNCH GLOBAL CONVERTIBLE FUND,
INC........................................ High total return from investment primarily
in an internationally diversified portfolio
of convertible debt securities, convertible
preferred stock and "synthetic" convertible
securities consisting of a combination of
debt securities or preferred stock and
warrants or options.
MERRILL LYNCH GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.
(residents of Arizona must meet investor
suitability standards)..................... The highest total investment return
consistent with prudent risk through
worldwide investment in an internationally
diversified portfolio of securities.
MERRILL LYNCH GLOBAL RESOURCES TRUST......... Long-term growth and protection of capital
from investment in securities of domestic and
foreign companies that possess substantial
natural resource assets.
MERRILL LYNCH GLOBAL SMALLCAP FUND, INC...... Long-term growth of capital by investing
primarily in equity securities of companies
with relatively small market
capitalizations located in various foreign
countries and in the United States.
</TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH GLOBAL UTILITY FUND, INC....... Capital appreciation and current income
through investment of at least 65% of its
total assets in equity and debt securities
issued by domestic and foreign companies
which are primarily engaged in the
ownership or operation of facilities used
to generate, transmit or distribute
electricity, telecommunications, gas or
water.
MERRILL LYNCH GROWTH FUND FOR INVESTMENT AND
RETIREMENT................................. Growth of capital and, secondarily, income
from investment in a diversified portfolio of
equity securities placing principal
emphasis on those securities which
management of the fund believes to be
undervalued.
MERRILL LYNCH HEALTHCARE FUND, INC.
(residents of Wisconsin must meet investor
suitability standards)..................... Capital appreciation through worldwide
investment in equity securities of
companies that derive or are expected to
derive a substantial portion of their sale
from products and services in healthcare.
MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND...... Capital appreciation and, secondarily, income
by investing in a diversified portfolio of
equity securities of issuers located in
countries other than the United States.
MERRILL LYNCH LATIN AMERICA FUND, INC........ Capital appreciation by investing primarily
in Latin American equity and debt securities.
MERRILL LYNCH MARYLAND MUNICIPAL BOND FUND... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund,
whose objective is to provide as high a
level of income exempt from Federal and
Maryland income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH MASSACHUSETTS LIMITED MATURITY
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND........................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a
series fund, whose objective is to provide
as high a level of income exempt from
Federal and Massachusetts income taxes as
is consistent with prudent investment
management through investment in a
portfolio primarily of intermediate-term
investment grade Massachusetts Municipal
Bonds.
</TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL BOND
FUND....................................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide investors with as
high a level of income exempt from Federal
and Massachusetts income taxes as is
consistent with prudent investment
management.
MERRILL LYNCH MICHIGAN
LIMITED MATURITY MUNICIPAL BOND FUND....... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a
series fund, whose objective is to provide
as high a level of income exempt from
Federal and Michigan income taxes as is
consistent with prudent investment
management through investment in a
portfolio primarily of intermediate-term
investment grade Michigan Municipal Bonds.
MERRILL LYNCH MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and Michigan
income taxes as is consistent with prudent
investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and Minnesota
personal income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC....... Tax-exempt income from three separate
diversified portfolios of municipal bonds.
MERRILL LYNCH MUNICIPAL INTERMEDIATE TERM
FUND....................................... Currently the only portfolio of Merrill Lynch
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund,
whose objective is to provide as high a
level as possible of income exempt from
Federal income taxes by investing in
investment grade obligations with a dollar
weighted average maturity of five to twelve
years.
</TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH NEW JERSEY LIMITED MATURITY
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND........................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a
series fund, whose objective is to provide
as high a level of income exempt from
Federal and New Jersey income taxes as is
consistent with prudent investment
management through a portfolio primarily of
intermediate-term investment grade New
Jersey Municipal Bonds.
MERRILL LYNCH NEW JERSEY MUNICIPAL BOND
FUND....................................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and New Jersey
income taxes as is consistent with prudent
investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH NEW MEXICO MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND.................................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and New Mexico
income taxes as is consistent with prudent
investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK LIMITED MATURITY
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND........................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a
series fund, whose objective is to provide
as high a level of income exempt from
Federal, New York State and New York City
income taxes as is consistent with prudent
investment management through investment in
a portfolio primarily of intermediate-term
grade New York Municipal Bonds.
MERRILL LYNCH NORTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL BOND
FUND....................................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and North
Carolina income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management.
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH OHIO MUNICIPAL BOND
FUND....................................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide investors with as
high a level of income exempt from Federal
and Ohio income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH OREGON MUNICIPAL BOND FUND..... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and Oregon
income tax as is consistent with prudent
investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH PACIFIC FUND, INC.............. Capital appreciation by investing in equity
securities of corporations domiciled in Far
Eastern and Western Pacific countries,
including Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and
Singapore.
MERRILL LYNCH PENNSYLVANIA LIMITED
MATURITY MUNICIPAL BOND FUND............... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a
series fund, whose objective is to provide
as high a level of income exempt from
Federal and Pennsylvania income taxes as is
consistent with prudent investment
management through investment in a
portfolio of intermediate-term investment
grade Pennsylvania Municipal Bonds.
MERRILL LYNCH PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPAL BOND
FUND....................................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal and Pennsylvania
personal income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management.
MERRILL LYNCH PHOENIX FUND, INC.............. Long-term growth of capital by investing in
equity and fixed income securities, including
tax-exempt securities, of issuers in weak
financial condition or experiencing poor
operating results believed to be
undervalued relative to the current or
prospective condition of such issuer.
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH SHORT-TERM GLOBAL INCOME FUND,
INC........................................ As high a level of current income as is
consistent with prudent investment management
from a global portfolio of high quality
debt securities denominated in various
currencies and multinational currency units
and having remaining maturities not
exceeding three years.
MERRILL LYNCH SPECIAL VALUE FUND, INC........ Long-term growth of capital from investments
in securities, primarily common stocks, or
relatively small companies believed to have
special investment value and emerging
growth companies regardless of size.
MERRILL LYNCH STRATEGIC DIVIDEND FUND........ Long-term total return from investment in
dividend paying common stocks which yield
more than Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
Stock Price Index.
MERRILL LYNCH TECHNOLOGY FUND, INC........... Capital appreciation through worldwide
investment in equity securities of companies
that derive or are expected to derive a
substantial portion of their sales from
products and services in technology.
MERRILL LYNCH TEXAS MUNICIPAL BOND FUND...... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide as high a level of
income exempt from Federal income taxes as
is consistent with prudent investment
management by investing primarily in a
portfolio of long-term, investment grade
obligations issued by the State of Texas,
its political subdivisions, agencies and
instrumentalities.
MERRILL LYNCH UTILITY INCOME FUND, INC....... High current income through investment in
equity and debt securities issued by
companies which are primarily engaged in
the ownership or operation of facilities
used to generate, transmit or distribute
electricity, telecommunications, gas or
water.
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD INCOME FUND, INC......... High current income by investing in a global
portfolio of fixed income securities
denominated in various currencies,
including multinational currencies.
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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CLASS A SHARE MONEY MARKET FUNDS:
MERRILL LYNCH READY ASSETS TRUST............. Preservation of capital, liquidity and the
highest possible current income consistent
with the foregoing objectives from the
short-term money market securities in which
the Fund invests.
MERRILL LYNCH RETIREMENT RESERVES MONEY FUND
(available only if the exchange occurs
within certain retirement plans)........... Currently the only portfolio of Merrill Lynch
Retirement Series Trust, a series fund,
whose objectives are current income,
preservation of capital and liquidity
available from investing in a diversified
portfolio of short-term money market
securities.
MERRILL LYNCH U.S.A. GOVERNMENT
RESERVES................................... Preservation of capital, current income and
liquidity available from investing in direct
obligations of the U.S. Government and
repurchase agreements relating to such
securities.
MERRILL LYNCH U.S. TREASURY MONEY FUND....... Preservation of capital, liquidity and
current income through investment exclusively
in a diversified portfolio of short-term
marketable securities which are direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury.
CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS D SHARE MONEY
MARKET FUNDS:
MERRILL LYNCH GOVERNMENT FUND................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Funds for
Institutions Series, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide current income
consistent with liquidity and security of
principal from investment in securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies and instrumen-
talities and in repurchase agreements
secured by such obligations.
MERRILL LYNCH INSTITUTIONAL FUND............. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Funds for
Institutions Series, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide maximum current
income consistent with liquidity and the
maintenance of a high-quality portfolio of
money market securities.
MERRILL LYNCH INSTITUTIONAL TAX-EXEMPT
FUND....................................... Current income exempt from Federal income
taxes, preservation of capital and
liquidity available from investing in a
diversified portfolio of short-term,
high-quality municipal bonds.
</TABLE>
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MERRILL LYNCH TREASURY FUND.................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Funds for
Institutions Series, a series fund, whose
objective is to provide current income
consistent with liquidity and security of
principal from investment in direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury and up to
10% of its total assets in repurchase
agreements secured by such obligations.
</TABLE>
Before effecting an exchange, shareholders should obtain a currently
effective prospectus of the fund into which the exchange is to be made.
To exercise the exchange privilege, shareholders should contact their
Merrill Lynch financial consultant, who will advise the Fund of the exchange.
Shareholders of the Fund, and shareholders of the other funds described above
with shares for which certificates have not been issued, may exercise the
exchange privilege by wire through their securities dealers. The Fund reserves
the right to require a properly completed Exchange Application. This exchange
privilege may be modified or terminated in accordance with the rules of the
Commission. The Fund reserves the right to limit the number of times an investor
may exercise the exchange privilege. Certain funds may suspend the continuous
offering of their shares to the general public at any time and may thereafter
resume such offering from time to time. The exchange privilege is available only
to U.S. shareholders in states where the exchange legally may be made.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The Trust intends to continue to qualify the Fund for the special tax
treatment afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If it so qualifies, in any
taxable year in which it distributes at least 90% of its taxable net income and
90% of its tax-exempt net income (see below), the Fund (but not its
shareholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax to the extent that it
distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains. The Trust
intends to cause the Fund to distribute substantially all of such income.
As discussed in the Fund's Prospectus, the Trust has established other
series in addition to the Fund (together with the Fund, the "Series"). Each
Series of the Trust is treated as a separate corporation for Federal income tax
purposes. Each Series, therefore, is considered to be a separate entity in
determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described in the Prospectus.
Losses in one Series do not offset gains in another Series, and the requirements
(other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying for RIC status
will be determined at the Series level rather than at the Trust level.
The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent
the RIC does not distribute, during each calendar year, 98% of its ordinary
income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains,
determined, in general, on an October 31 year end, plus certain undistributed
amounts from previous years. The required distributions, however, are based only
on the taxable income of a RIC. The excise tax, therefore, generally will not
apply to the tax-exempt income of a RIC, such as the Fund, that pays
exempt-interest dividends.
The Trust intends to qualify the Fund to pay "exempt-interest dividends" as
defined in Section 852(b)(5) of the Code. Under such section if, at the close of
each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund's
total assets consists of obligations exempt from Federal income tax ("tax-exempt
43
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obligations") under Section 103(a) of the Code (relating generally to
obligations of a state or local governmental unit), the Fund shall be qualified
to pay exempt-interest dividends to its Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D
shareholders (together, the "shareholders"). Exempt-interest dividends are
dividends or any part thereof paid by the Fund which are attributable to
interest on tax-exempt obligations and designated by the Trust as
exempt-interest dividends in a written notice mailed to the Fund's shareholders
within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year. For this purpose, the
Fund will allocate interest from tax-exempt obligations (as well as ordinary
income, capital gains and tax preference items discussed below) among the Class
A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders according to a method (which it
believes is consistent with the Commission's exemptive order permitting the
issuance and sale of multiple classes of shares) that is based upon the gross
income that is allocable to the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D
shareholders during the taxable year, or such other method as the Internal
Revenue Service may prescribe. To the extent that the dividends distributed to
the Fund's shareholder's are derived from interest income exempt from Federal
income tax under Code Section 103(a) and are properly designated as
exempt-interest dividends, they will be excludable from a shareholder's gross
income for Federal income tax purposes. Exempt-interest dividends are included,
however, in determining the portion, if any, of a person's social security and
railroad retirement benefits subject to Federal income taxes. Interest on
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of a RIC paying
exempt-interest dividends, such as the Fund, will not be deductible by the
investor for Federal income tax purposes or for New York State and New York City
personal income tax purposes to the extent attributable to exempt-interest
dividends. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect
to whether exempt-interest dividends retain the exclusion under Code Section
103(a) if a shareholder would be treated as a "substantial user" or "related
person" under Code Section 147(a) with respect to property financed with the
proceeds of an issue of "industrial development bonds" or "private activity
bonds," if any, held by the Fund.
The portion of the Fund's exempt-interest dividends paid from interest
received by the Fund from New York Municipal Bonds also will be exempt from New
York State and New York City personal income taxes. Shareholders subject to
income taxation by states other than New York will realize a lower after-tax
rate of return than New York shareholders since the dividends distributed by the
Fund generally will not be exempt, to any significant degree, from income
taxation by such other states. The Trust will inform shareholders annually
regarding the portion of the Fund's distributions which constitutes
exempt-interest dividends and which portion is exempt from New York State and
New York City personal income taxes. The Trust will allocate exempt-interest
dividends among Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders for New York
State and New York City income tax purposes based on a method similar to that
described above for Federal income tax purposes.
Distributions from investment income and capital gains, including
exempt-interest dividends, will be subject to New York State corporation
franchise tax, New York City general corporation tax and may also be subject to
state taxes in states other than New York and to local taxes in cities other
than those in New York State. Accordingly, investors in the Fund including, in
particular, corporate investors which may be subject to either New York State
corporation franchise tax or New York City general corporation tax, should
consult their tax advisors with respect to the application of such taxes to an
investment in the Fund, to the receipt of Fund dividends and as to their New
York tax situation in general.
To the extent the Fund's distributions are derived from interest on its
taxable investments or from an excess of net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital losses ("ordinary income dividends"), such
44
<PAGE>
distributions are considered ordinary income for Federal and New York State and
New York City income tax purposes. Such distributions are not eligible for the
dividends received deduction for corporations. Distributions, if any, of net
long-term capital gains from the sale of securities or from certain transactions
in futures or options ("capital gain dividends") are taxable as long-term
capital gains for Federal income tax purposes, regardless of the length of time
the shareholder has owned Fund shares. Under the Revenue Reconciliation Act of
1993, all or a portion of the Fund's gain from the sale or redemption of
tax-exempt obligations purchased at a market discount will be treated as
ordinary income rather than capital gain. This rule may increase the amount of
ordinary income dividends received by shareholders. Distributions in excess of
the Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a
holder's shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will
constitute capital gains to such holder (assuming the shares are held as a
capital asset). Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares held for six
months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any
capital gain dividends received by the shareholder. If the Fund pays a dividend
in January which was declared in the previous October, November or December to
shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such
dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received
by its shareholders on December 31 of the year in which such dividend was
declared.
The Code subjects interest received on certain otherwise tax-exempt
securities to an alternative minimum tax. The alternative minimum tax applies to
interest received on "private activity bonds" issued after August 7, 1986.
Private activity bonds are bonds which, although tax-exempt, are used for
purposes other than those generally performed by governmental units and which
benefit non-governmental entities (E.G., bonds used for industrial development
or housing purposes). Income received on such bonds is classified as an item of
"tax preference," which could subject investors in such bonds, including
shareholders of the Fund, to an alternative minimum tax. The Fund will purchase
such "private activity bonds," and the Trust will report to shareholders within
60 days after the Fund's taxable year-end the portion of the Fund's dividends
declared during the year which constitute an item of tax preference for
alternative minimum tax purposes. The Code further provides that corporations
are subject to an alternative minimum tax based, in part, on certain differences
between taxable income as adjusted for other tax preferences and the
corporation's "adjusted current earnings" (which more closely reflect a
corporation's economic income). Because an exempt-interest dividend paid by the
Fund will be included in adjusted current earnings, a corporate shareholder may
be required to pay alternative minimum tax on exempt-interest dividends paid by
the Fund.
No gain or loss will be recognized by Class B shareholders on the conversion
of their Class B shares into Class D shares. A shareholder's basis in the Class
D shares acquired will be the same as such shareholder's basis in the Class B
shares converted, and the holding period of the acquired Class D shares will
include the holding period for the converted Class B shares.
The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 has added new marginal tax brackets
of 36% and 39.6% for individuals and has created a graduated structure of 26%
and 28% for the alternative minimum tax applicable to individual taxpayers.
These rate increases may affect an individual investor's after-tax return from
an investment in the Fund as compared with such investor's return from taxable
investments.
If a shareholder exercises an exchange privilege within 90 days of acquiring
the shares, then the loss the shareholder can recognize on the exchange will be
reduced (or the gain increased) to the extent the sales
45
<PAGE>
charge paid to the Fund reduces any sales charge such shareholder would have
owed upon purchase of the new shares in the absence of the exchange privilege.
Instead, such sales charge will be treated as an amount paid for the new shares.
A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be
disallowed if other Fund shares are acquired (whether through the automatic
reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In
such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss.
Under certain provisions of the Code, some shareholders may be subject to a
31% withholding tax on certain ordinary income dividends and on redemption
payments ("backup withholding"). Generally, shareholders subject to backup
withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification number
is on file with the Trust or who, to the Trust's knowledge, have furnished an
incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under
penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such shareholder is not
otherwise subject to backup withholding.
Ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund to shareholders who are
nonresident aliens or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% United States
withholding tax under existing provisions of the Code applicable to foreign
individuals and entities unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding
exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. Nonresident shareholders are
urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the applicability of the
United States withholding tax.
The Code provides that every person required to file a tax return must
include for information purposes on such return the amount of exempt-interest
dividends received from all sources (including the Fund) during the taxable
year.
ENVIRONMENTAL TAX
The Code imposes a deductible tax (the "Environmental Tax") on a
corporation's modified alternative minimum taxable income (computed without
regard to the alternative tax net operating loss deduction and the deduction for
the Environmental Tax) at a rate of $12 per $10,000 (0.12%) of alternative
minimum taxable income in excess of $2,000,000. The Environmental Tax is imposed
for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986 and before January 1, 1996.
The Environmental Tax is imposed even if the corporation is not required to pay
an alternative minimum tax because the corporation's regular income tax
liability exceeds its minimum tax liability. The Code provides, however, that a
RIC, such as the Fund, is not subject to the Environmental Tax. However,
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund that create alternative minimum
taxable income for corporate shareholders under the Code (as described above)
may subject corporate shareholders of the Fund to the Environmental Tax.
TAX TREATMENT OF OPTIONS AND FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may purchase and sell municipal bond index futures contracts and
interest rate futures contracts on U.S. Government securities ("financial
futures contracts"). The Fund may also purchase and write call and put options
on such financial futures contracts. In general, unless an election is available
to the Fund or an exception applies, such options and futures contracts that are
"Section 1256 contracts" will be "marked to market" for Federal income tax
purposes at the end of each taxable year, I.E., each such option or financial
futures contract will be treated as sold for its fair market value on the last
day of the taxable year,
46
<PAGE>
and any gain or loss attributable to Section 1256 contracts will be 60%
long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of these rules to
Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund may alter the timing and character of
distributions to shareholders.
Code Section 1092, which applies to certain "straddles", may affect the
taxation of the Fund's transactions in financial futures contracts and related
options. Under Section 1092, the Fund may be required to postpone recognition
for tax purposes of losses incurred in certain closing transactions in financial
futures contracts or the related options.
One of the requirements for qualification as a RIC is that less than 30% of
the Fund's gross income be derived from gains from the sale or other disposition
of securities held for less than three months. Accordingly, the Fund may be
restricted in effecting closing transactions within three months after entering
into an option or financial futures contract.
-------------------
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable
provisions of the Code, Treasury regulations and New York tax laws presently in
effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent
Code sections, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and New York tax
laws. The Code and the Treasury regulations, as well as the New York tax laws,
are subject to change by legislative or administrative action either
prospectively or retroactively.
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the
availability of any exemptions from state or local taxes (other than those
imposed by New York) and with specific questions as to Federal, state, local or
foreign taxes.
PERFORMANCE DATA
From time to time the Fund may include its average annual total return and
other total return data, as well as yield and tax equivalent yield, in
advertisements or information furnished to present or prospective shareholders.
From time to time, the Fund may include the Fund's Morningstar risk-adjusted
performance ratings in advertisements or supplemental sales literature. Total
return, yield and tax equivalent yield figures are based on the Fund's
historical performance and are not intended to indicate future performance.
Average annual total return, yield and tax equivalent yield are determined
separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares in accordance with
formulas specified by the Commission.
Average annual total return quotations for the specified periods are
computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return (based on net
investment income and any realized and unrealized capital gains or losses on
portfolio investments over such periods) that would equate the initial amount
invested to the redeemable value of such investment at the end of each period.
Average annual total return is computed assuming all dividends and distributions
are reinvested and taking into account all applicable recurring and nonrecurring
expenses, including the maximum sales charge in the case of Class A and Class D
shares and the contingent deferred sales charge that would be applicable to a
complete redemption of the investment at the end of the specified period in the
case of Class B and Class C shares.
The Fund also may quote annual, average annual and annualized total return
and aggregate total return performance data, both as a percentage and as a
dollar amount based on a hypothetical $1,000 investment, for various periods
other than those noted below. Such data will be computed as described above,
except that
47
<PAGE>
(1) as required by the periods of the quotations, actual annual, annualized or
aggregate data, rather than average annual data, may be quoted and (2) the
maximum applicable sales charges will not be included with respect to annual or
annualized rates of return calculations. Aside from the impact on the
performance data calculations of including or excluding the maximum applicable
sales charges, actual annual or annualized total return data generally will be
lower than average annual total return data since the average rates of return
reflect compounding of return; aggregate total return data generally will be
higher than average annual total return data since the aggregate rates of return
reflect compounding over a longer period of time.
48
<PAGE>
Set forth below is total return, yield and tax-equivalent yield information
for the Class A and Class B shares of the Fund for the periods indicated. Since
Class C and Class D shares have not been issued prior to the date of this
Statement of Additional Information, performance information concerning Class C
and Class D shares is not yet provided.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS B SHARES
---------------------------
CLASS A SHARES* REDEEMABLE
------------------------------- VALUE
REDEEMABLE VALUE OF A
EXPRESSED AS OF A EXPRESSED AS HYPOTHETICAL
A PERCENTAGE HYPOTHETICAL A PERCENTAGE $1,000
BASED ON A $1,000 BASED ON A INVESTMENT
HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT HYPOTHETICAL AT THE END
$1,000 AT THE END OF $1,000 OF
PERIOD INVESTMENT THE PERIOD INVESTMENT THE PERIOD
- ---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (INCLUDING MAXIMUM APPLICABLE
SALES CHARGES)
One Year Ended March 31, 1994........... (3.15)% $ 968.50 (3.31)% $ 966.90
Five Years Ended March 31, 1994......... 7.45% $ 1,432.40 7.79% $ 1,455.20
Inception (November 1, 1985) to March
31, 1994............................... 8.24% $ 1,946.80
October 25, 1988 to March 31, 1994...... 7.00% $ 1,444.60
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (EXCLUDING MAXIMUM APPLICABLE SALES
CHARGES)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Six Months Ended March 31, 1994......... (5.71)% $ 942.90 (5.95)% $ 940.50
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
- ----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1993.................................. 13.25% $ 1,132.50 12.68% $ 1,126.80
1992.................................. 11.77% $ 1,117.70 11.12% $ 1,111.20
1991.................................. 13.60% $ 1,136.00 13.03% $ 1,130.30
1990.................................. 4.42% $ 1,044.20 4.00% $ 1,040.00
1989.................................. 8.16% $ 1,081.60
1988.................................. 13.35% $ 1,133.50
1987.................................. (2.50)% $ 975.00
Inception (November 1, 1985) to
September 30, 1986..................... 17.65% $ 1,176.50
October 25, 1988 to September 30,
1989................................... 6.28% $ 1,062.80
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE TOTAL RETURN (INCLUDING MAXIMUM APPLICABLE SALES
CHARGES)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Inception (November 1, 1985) to March
31, 1994............................... 94.68% $ 1,946.80
October 25, 1988 to March 31, 1994...... 44.46% $ 1,444.60
YIELD
30 days ended on March 31, 1994......... 5.59% 5.30%
TAX-EQUIVALENT YIELD**
30 days ended on March 31, 1994......... 7.76% 7.36%
<FN>
- ---------
* Information as to Class A shares is presented only for the period October
25, 1988 to March 31, 1994. Prior to October 25, 1988, no Class A shares
were publicly issued.
** Based upon a Federal income tax rate of 28%.
</TABLE>
49
<PAGE>
In order to reflect the reduced sales charges in the case of Class A or
Class D shares or the waiver of the CDSC in the case of Class B shares
applicable to certain investors, as described under "Purchase of Shares" and
"Redemption of Shares", respectively, the total return data quoted by the Fund
in advertisements directed to such investors may take into account the reduced,
and not the maximum, sales charge or may take into account the waiver of the
CDSC and therefore may reflect greater total return since, due to the reduced
sales charges or the waiver of sales charges, a lower amount of expenses is
deducted.
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION OF SERIES AND SHARES
The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust shall be comprised of
separate Series ("Series") each of which will consist of a separate portfolio
which will issue separate shares. The Trust is presently comprised of the Fund,
Merrill Lynch Arizona Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Arkansas Municipal Bond
Fund, Merrill Lynch Colorado Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Connecticut
Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Florida Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch
Maryland Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund,
Merrill Lynch Michigan Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Minnesota Municipal
Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch New
Mexico Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund,
Merrill Lynch Ohio Municipal Bond Fund, Merrill Lynch Oregon Municipal Bond
Fund, Merrill Lynch Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund and Merrill Lynch Texas
Municipal Bond Fund. The Trustees are authorized to create an unlimited number
of Series and, with respect to each Series, to issue an unlimited number of full
and fractional shares of beneficial interest, par value $.10 per share, of
different classes and to divide or combine the shares into a greater or lesser
number of shares without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests
in the Series. Shareholder approval is not necessary for the authorization of
additional Series or classes of a Series of the Trust. At the date of this
Statement of Additional Information, the shares of the Fund are divided into
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares. Class A, Class B, Class C and
Class D shares represent an interest in the same assets of the Fund and are
identical in all respects except that the Class B, Class C and Class D shares
bear certain expenses related to the account maintenance and/or distribution of
such shares and have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to
such account maintenance and/or distribution expenditures. The Trust has
received an order (the "Order") from the Commission permitting the issuance and
sale of multiple classes of shares. The Order permits the Trust to issue
additional classes of shares of any Series if the Board of Trustees deems such
issuance to be in the best interests of the Trust.
All shares of the Trust have equal voting rights, except that only shares of
the respective Series are entitled to vote on matters concerning only that
Series and, as noted above, Class B, Class C and Class D shares will have
exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to the account
maintenance and/or distribution expenses being borne solely by such class. Each
issued and outstanding share is entitled to one vote and to participate equally
in dividends and distributions declared by the respective Series and in net
assets of such Series upon liquidation or dissolution remaining after
satisfaction of outstanding liabilities except that, as noted above, expenses
related to the account maintenance and/or distribution of the shares of a class
of a Class B, Class C and Class D shares will be borne solely by such class.
There normally will be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing
Trustees unless and until such time as less than a majority of the Trustees
holding office have been elected by shareholders, at which time the Trustees
then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for the election of Trustees.
Shareholders may, in accordance with the
50
<PAGE>
terms of the Declaration of Trust, cause a meeting of shareholders to be held
for the purpose of voting on the removal of Trustees. Also, the Trust will be
required to call a special meeting of shareholders in accordance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act to seek approval of new management and advisory
arrangements, of a material increase in distribution fees or a change in the
fundamental policies, objectives or restrictions of a Series.
The obligations and liabilities of a particular Series are restricted to the
assets of that Series and do not extend to the assets of the Trust generally.
The shares of each Series, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable,
have no preference, preemptive, conversion, exchange or similar rights, and are
freely transferable. Holders of shares of any Series are entitled to redeem
their shares as set forth elsewhere herein and in the Prospectus. Shares do not
have cumulative voting rights and the holders of more than 50% of the shares of
the Trust voting for the election of Trustees can elect all of the Trustees if
they choose to do so and in such event the holders of the remaining shares would
not be able to elect any Trustees. No amendments may be made to the Declaration
of Trust without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of
the Trust.
COMPUTATION OF OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE
An illustration of the computation of the offering price for Class A and
Class B shares of the Fund based on the Fund's net assets and number of shares
outstanding on March 31, 1994 is calculated as set forth below. Information is
not provided for Class C and Class D shares since no Class C or Class D shares
were publicly offered prior to the date of this Statement of Additional
Information.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B
------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Net Assets............................................................ $ 32,237,334 $ 683,467,893
------------- --------------
------------- --------------
Number of Shares Outstanding.......................................... 2,896,801 61,403,552
------------- --------------
------------- --------------
Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares
outstanding)......................................................... $ 11.13 $ 11.13
Sales Charge (for Class A shares: 4.00% of offering price (4.17% of
net asset value per share))*......................................... 0.46 **
------------- --------------
Offering Price........................................................ $ 11.59 $ 11.13
------------- --------------
------------- --------------
<FN>
- ---------
* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent; assumes maximum sales charge
is applicable.
** Class B and Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge but
may be subject to a CDSC on redemption of shares. See "Purchase of Shares
-- Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class B and Class C Shares" in the
Prospectus.
</TABLE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 117 Campus Drive, Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6400,
has been selected as the independent auditors of the Trust. The selection of
independent auditors is subject to ratification by the shareholders of the Fund.
The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the annual financial
statements of the Fund.
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 351, Boston, Massachusetts
02101, acts as the Custodian of the Fund's assets. The Custodian is responsible
for safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the
receipt and delivery of securities and collecting interest on the Fund's
investments.
51
<PAGE>
TRANSFER AGENT
Financial Data Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive, Jacksonville, Florida
32246-6484, acts as the Fund's Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent is responsible
for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening, maintenance
and servicing of shareholder accounts. See "Management of the Trust -- Transfer
Agency Services" in the Prospectus.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Brown & Wood, One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, is
counsel for the Trust.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The fiscal year of the Fund ends on September 30 of each year. The Fund
sends to its shareholders at least semi-annually reports showing the Fund's
portfolio and other information. An annual report, containing financial
statements audited by independent auditors, is sent to shareholders each year.
After the end of each year, shareholders will receive Federal income tax
information regarding dividends and capital gains distributions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain
all the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits
relating thereto, which the Trust has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Washington, D.C., under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, to which reference is hereby made.
-------------------
The Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust dated August 2, 1985, a copy
of which, together with all amendments thereto (the "Declaration") is on file in
the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that
the name "Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust" refers to the
Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals
or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of the
Trust shall be held to any personal liability; nor shall resort be had to their
private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim of the Trust,
but the "Trust Property" only shall be liable.
To the knowledge of the Trust, no person or entity owned beneficially 5% or
more of the Fund's shares as of September 30, 1994.
52
<PAGE>
APPENDIX I
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CONDITIONS IN NEW YORK
THE INFORMATION SET FORTH BELOW IS DERIVED FROM THE OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
PREPARED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BONDS AND OTHER
SOURCES THAT ARE GENERALLY AVAILABLE TO INVESTORS. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS
PROVIDED AS GENERAL INFORMATION INTENDED TO GIVE A RECENT HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION
AND IS NOT INTENDED TO INDICATE FUTURE OR CONTINUING TRENDS IN THE FINANCIAL OR
OTHER CONDITIONS OF NEW YORK CITY (THE "CITY") OR NEW YORK STATE (THE "STATE").
THE FUND HAS NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED THIS INFORMATION.
From the mid-1970s to the present time, New York State (sometimes referred
to as the "State"), some of its agencies, instrumentalities and public
authorities and certain of its municipalities, faced serious financial
difficulties. Any further financial problems experienced by these authorities or
municipalities could have a direct adverse effect on the New York Municipal
Bonds in which the New York Fund invests.
NEW YORK CITY
GENERAL. More than any other municipality, the fiscal health of New York
City (sometimes referred to as the "City") has a significant effect on the
fiscal health of the State. The national economic downturn which began in July
1990 adversely affected the local economy, which had been declining since late
1989. As a result, the City experienced job losses in 1990 and 1991 and real
Gross City Product ("GCP") fell in those two years. Beginning in calendar year
1992, the improvement in the national economy helped stabilize conditions in the
City. Employment losses moderated toward year-end and real GCP increased,
boosted by strong wage gains. The City now projects, and its current four-year
financial plan assumes, that the City's economy will continue to improve and
that a modest employment recovery will occur during calendar year 1994.
For each of the 1991 through 1993 fiscal years, the City achieved balanced
operating results as reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") and the City's 1994 fiscal year results are projected to be
balanced in accordance with GAAP. The City was required to close substantial
budget gaps in recent fiscal years in order to maintain balanced operating
results. For fiscal year 1995 (July 1, 1994 - June 30, 1995), the City adopted a
budget which halted the trend in recent years of substantial increases in City
spending from one year to the next. There can be no assurance that the City will
continue to maintain a balanced budget as required by State law without
additional tax or other revenue increases or reductions in City services, which
could adversely affect the City's economic base.
The Mayor is responsible for preparing the City's four-year financial plan,
including the City's current financial plan for the 1995 through 1998 fiscal
years (the "1995-1998 Financial Plan," or "Financial Plan"). The City's
projections set forth in the Financial Plan are based on various assumptions and
contingencies which are uncertain and which may not materialize. Changes in
major assumptions could significantly affect the City's ability to balance its
budget as required by State law and to meet its annual cash flow and financing
requirements. Such assumptions and contingencies include the timing and pace of
any regional and local economic recovery, the impact on real estate tax revenues
of the current downturn in the real estate market, wage increases for City
employees consistent with those assumed in the Financial Plan, employment
growth, the ability to implement proposed reductions in City personnel and other
cost reduction initiatives, provision of State and Federal aid and mandate
relief.
53
<PAGE>
Implementation of the Financial Plan is also dependent upon the City's
ability to market its securities successfully in the public credit markets. The
City's financing program for fiscal years 1995 through 1998 contemplates the
issuance of $10.4 billion of general obligation bonds primarily to reconstruct
and rehabilitate the City's infrastructure and physical assets and to make
capital investments. In addition, the City issues revenue and tax anticipation
notes to finance its seasonal working capital requirements. The success of
projected public sales of City bonds and notes will be subject to prevailing
market conditions, and no assurance can be given that such sales will be
completed. If the City were unable to sell its general obligation bonds and
notes, it would be prevented from meeting its planned operating and capital
expenditures.
1995-1998 FINANCIAL PLAN. The 1995-1998 Financial Plan projects revenues and
expenditures for the 1995 fiscal year balanced in accordance with GAAP. The
Financial Plan sets forth actions to close a projected budget gap of
approximately $2.3 billion in the 1995 fiscal year. The gap-closing actions for
the 1995 fiscal year include City and State actions to be taken during the
City's 1994 and 1995 fiscal years and an increase in Federal assistance. The
City actions include City agency productivity savings, tax and fee enforcement
initiatives, service reductions and savings from the restructuring of City
services. City actions also include savings resulting from proposed tort reform,
the transfer to the 1995 fiscal year of a projected 1994 fiscal year surplus,
savings for employee health care costs, reduced pension costs and savings from
refinancing City bonds and the proposed sale of certain City assets. The
proposed savings for employee health care costs are subject to collective
bargaining negotiation with the City's unions; the proposed savings from tort
reform will require the approval of the State Legislature; and the increase in
Federal assistance is subject to approval by Congress and the President.
The Financial Plan also sets forth projections for the 1996 through 1998
fiscal years and outlines a proposed gap-closing program to close projected
budget gaps of $1.5 billion, $2.0 billion and $2.4 billion for the 1996 through
1998 years, respectively. These projections assume the extension by the State
Legislature of the 14% personal income tax surcharge beyond calendar year 1995
and the extension of the 12.5% personal income tax surcharge beyond calendar
year 1996, State assumption of certain Medicaid costs and $100 million and $200
million in proposed additional Federal assistance in the 1997 and 1998 fiscal
years, respectively. City actions include additional spending reductions, the
reduction of City personnel through attrition, government efficiency
initiatives, procurement initiatives, labor productivity initiatives and the
proposed privatization of City sewage treatment plants. Certain of these
initiatives may be subject to negotiation with the City's municipal unions.
Various actions proposed in the Financial Plan for the 1996-1998 fiscal years,
including the proposed state actions, are subject to approval by the Governor
and the State Legislature, and the proposed increases in Federal assistance are
subject to approval by Congress and the President. The State Legislature has in
previous legislative sessions failed to approve certain of the City's proposals
for the State assumption of certain Medicaid costs and mandate relief, thereby
increasing the uncertainty as to the receipt of the State assistance included in
the Financial Plan. In addition, the Financial Plan assumes the continuation of
the current assumption with respect to wages for City employees and the assumed
9% earnings on pension fund assets affecting the City's pension fund
contributions. Actual earnings on pension fund assets for the 1994 fiscal year
are expected to be substantially below the 9% assumed rate, which will increase
the City's future pension contributions. In addition, a review of the pension
fund earnings assumptions is currently being conducted which could further
increase the City's future pension contribution by a substantial amount.
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On July 25, 1994, the Mayor announced the City would implement additional
spending reductions, over and above those included in the Financial Plan,
totaling $250 million during the 1995 fiscal year to compensate for a shortfall
in projected tax revenues and additional expenditures over projection for the
1994 fiscal year and failure by the State Legislature to approve City proposals
for tort reform and State mandate relief. The Mayor stated that the City would
also prepare contingency plans for an additional $200 million in spending
reductions during the 1995 fiscal year, such plans to be implemented in the
event other assumptions included in the Financial Plan do not materialize.
The City's financial plans have been the subject of extensive public comment
and criticism. On August 2, 1994, the City Comptroller issued a report on the
Financial Plan citing budget risks up to $968 million for the 1995 fiscal year
and budget risks of up to $1.2 billion, $1.3 billion and $1.6 billion for the
1996 through 1998 fiscal years, respectively. On July 28, 1994, the staff of the
New York State Financial Control Board (the "Control Board") issued a report on
the 1995-1998 Financial Plan concluding that the City faces budget risks of more
than $1 billion in the 1995 fiscal year, $2 billion in the 1996 fiscal year and
$3 billion in each of the 1997 and 1998 fiscal years. On July 27, 1994, the
Office of the State Deputy Comptroller of New York issued a report reviewing the
1995-1998 Financial Plan. The report concluded that a potential budget gap of
$616 million exists for the 1995 fiscal year and that budget gaps for fiscal
years 1996-1998 could exceed the gaps projected by the Financial Plan by a total
of $1.2 billion annually. On July 11, 1994, the three private members of the
Control Board issued a statement which concluded that the City's 1995 fiscal
year budget is not reasonably balanced and that further budget cuts are
unavoidable in the next six months. It is reasonable to expect that such reports
and statements will continue to be issued and to engender public comment.
RATINGS. As of July 28, 1994, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")
rated the City's general obligation bonds Baa1 and Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group ("Standard & Poor's") and Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch") each
rated such bonds A-. Such ratings reflect only the views of Moody's, Standard &
Poor's and Fitch, from which an explanation of the significance of such ratings
may be obtained. There is no assurance that such ratings will continue for any
given period of time or that they will be revised downward or withdrawn
entirely. Any such downward revision or withdrawal could have an adverse effect
on the market prices of bonds.
OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS. As of June 30, 1994, the City and the Municipal
Assistance Corporation ("MAC") had, respectively, $21.673 billion and $4.215
billion of outstanding net long-term debt.
The City depends on the State for State aid both to enable the City to
balance its budget and to meet its cash requirements. If the State experiences
revenue shortfalls or spending increases beyond its projections during its
1994-1995 fiscal year or subsequent years, such developments could result in
reductions in anticipated State aid to the City. In addition, there can be no
assurance that State budgets in future fiscal years will be adopted by the April
1 statutory deadline and that there will not be adverse effects on the City's
cash flow and additional City expenditures as a result of such reductions or
delays.
LITIGATION. The City is a defendant in a significant number of lawsuits.
Such litigation includes, but is not limited to, routine litigation incidental
to the performance of its governmental and other functions, actions commenced
and claims asserted against the City arising out of alleged constitutional
violations, alleged torts, alleged breaches of contracts and other violations of
law and condemnation proceedings and other tax and miscellaneous actions. While
the ultimate outcome and fiscal impact, if any, on the proceedings and claims
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are not currently predictable, adverse determination in certain of them might
have a material adverse effect upon the City's ability to carry out the
Financial Plan. As of June 30, 1993, the City estimated its potential future
liability on account of all outstanding claims to be approximately $2.2 billion.
NEW YORK STATE
CURRENT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK. The national economy began to expand in 1991,
although the growth rate for the first two years of the expansion was modest by
historical standards. The State economy remained in recession until 1993, when
employment growth resumed. Since early 1993, New York has gained approximately
100,000 jobs.
New York's economy is expected to continue to expand during 1994. Industries
that export goods and services to the rest of the country and abroad are
expected to benefit from growing national and international markets. Both
upstate and downstate regions are expected to share in this renewed growth.
Employment is expected to grow moderately throughout the year, although the rate
of increase is expected to be below the experience of the 1980s due to cutbacks
in Federal spending and employment, as well as continued downsizing by large
corporations.
1993-1994 FISCAL YEAR. The State ended its 1993-94 fiscal year on March 31,
1994 with a balance of $1.140 billion in the tax refund reserve account, and
positive balances in its Contingency Reserve Fund and Tax Stabilization Reserve
Fund. These fund balances were primarily the result of an improving national
economy, employment growth, tax collections that exceeded earlier projections
and disbursements that were below expectations.
STATE FINANCIAL PLAN FOR THE 1994-1995 FISCAL YEAR. The State's budget for
the 1994-95 fiscal year (April 1, 1994 - March 31, 1995) was enacted by the
Legislature on June 7, 1994, more than two months after the start of the fiscal
year. Prior to adoption of the budget, the Legislature enacted appropriations
for disbursements considered to be necessary for State operations and other
purposes, including all necessary appropriations for debt service. The State
Financial Plan for the 1994-95 fiscal year (the "1994-95 State Financial Plan"
or "State Financial Plan") was formulated on June 16, 1994 and is based on the
State's budget as enacted by the Legislature and signed into law by the
Governor.
The State Financial Plan projects a General Fund balanced on a cash basis
with total projected receipts of $34.321 billion, an increase of $2.092 billion
over total receipts in the prior fiscal year. Total General Fund disbursements
in the current fiscal year are projected to be $34.248 billion, an increase of
$2.351 billion over the total amount disbursed and transferred in the prior
fiscal year.
The State anticipates that its capital programs will be financed, in part,
by State and public authorities borrowings in 1994-95. The State expects to
issue $374 million in general obligation bonds (including $140 million for
purposes of redeeming outstanding BANs), $140 million in general obligation
commercial paper and up to $69 million in certificates of participation during
the State's 1994-95 fiscal year for equipment purchases. Borrowings by public
authorities pursuant to lease-purchase and contractual-obligation financings for
capital programs of the State are projected to total $2.426 billion.
Additionally, the Local Government Assistance Corporation is authorized to
provide net proceeds of up to $315 million during the State's 1994-95 fiscal
year.
The State Financial Plan is based upon forecasts of national and State
economic activity. Economic forecasts have frequently failed to predict
accurately the timing and magnitude of changes in the national
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and State economies. Many uncertainties exist in forecasts of both the national
and State economies, including consumer attitudes toward spending, Federal
financial and monetary policies, the availability of credit, and the condition
of the world economy, which could have an adverse effect on the State. There can
be no assurance that the State economy will not experience worse-than-predicted
results in the 1994-95 fiscal year, with corresponding material and adverse
effects on the State's projections of receipts and disbursements.
Owing to these and other factors the State may face substantial potential
budget gaps in future years resulting from a significant disparity between tax
revenues projected from a lower recurring receipts base and the spending
required to maintain State programs at required levels. Any such recurring
imbalance would be exacerbated by the use by the State of nonrecurring resources
to achieve budgetary balance in a particular fiscal year. To correct any
recurring budgetary imbalance, the State would need to take significant actions
to align recurring receipts and disbursements in future fiscal years. There can
be no assurance, however, that the State's action will be sufficient to preserve
budget balances in the then current or future fiscal years.
The State Financial Plan contains actions that provide nonrecurring
resources or savings, as well as actions that impose nonrecurring losses of
receipts or costs. The Division of the Budget believes that the amount of such
actions do not materially affect the underlying financial condition of the
State, and represent less than one-half of one percent of the State's General
Fund. This amount is significantly lower than the amount included in the State
Financial Plans in recent years.
In addition to these nonrecurring actions, the 1994-95 State Financial Plan
reflects the use of $1.026 billion in the positive cash margin carried over from
the prior fiscal year, resources that are not expected to be available in
1995-96.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE CORPORATION. In 1990, as part of a state fiscal
reform program, legislation was enacted creating the Local Government Assistance
Corporation ("LGAC"), a public benefit corporation empowered to issue long-term
obligations to fund certain payments to local governments traditionally funded
through the State's annual seasonal borrowing. The legislation authorized LGAC
to issue its bonds and notes in an amount not in excess of $4.7 billion
(exclusive of certain refunding bonds) plus certain other amounts. Over a period
of years, the issuance of those long-term obligations, which are to be amortized
over no more than 30 years, was expected to eliminate the need for continued
short-term seasonal borrowing. The legislation also dedicated revenues equal to
one-quarter of the four cent State sales and use tax to pay debt service on
these bonds. The legislation also imposed a cap on the annual seasonal borrowing
of the State at $4.7 billion, less net proceeds of bonds issued by LGAC and
bonds issued to provide for capitalized interest, except in cases where the
Governor and the legislative leaders have certified both the need for additional
borrowing and provided a schedule for reducing it to the cap. If borrowing above
the cap is thus permitted in any fiscal year, it is required by law to be
reduced to the cap by the fourth fiscal year after the limit was first exceeded.
This provision capping the seasonal borrowing was included as a covenant with
LGAC's bondholders in the resolution authorizing such bonds.
To date, LGAC has issued bonds to provide net proceeds of $3.856 billion and
has been authorized to issue its bonds to provide net proceeds of up to an
additional $315 million during the State's 1994-95 fiscal year. The impact of
this borrowing, together with the availability of certain cash reserves, is
that, for the first time in nearly 35 years, the State's 1994-95 Financial Plan
includes no short-term seasonal borrowing.
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FINANCING ACTIVITIES. State financing activities include general obligation
debt of the State and State-guaranteed debt, to which the full faith and credit
of the State has been pledged, as well as lease-purchase and
contractual-obligation financings, moral obligation financings and other
financings through public
authorities and municipalities, where the State's obligation to make payments
for debt service is generally subject to annual appropriation by the
Legislature.
As of March 31, 1994, the total amount of outstanding general obligation
debt was approximately $5.370 billion, including $224 million in BANs, the total
amount of debt issued by the LGAC was approximately $4.462 billion, the total
amount of moral obligation debt was approximately $7.261 billion and $16.604
billion of bonds issued primarily in connection with lease-purchase and
contractual-obligation financings of State capital programs were outstanding.
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES. The fiscal stability of the State is related, in part,
to the fiscal stability of its public authorities. Public authorities are not
subject to the constitutional restrictions on the incurrence of debt which apply
to the State itself, and may issue bonds and notes within the amounts of, and as
otherwise restricted by, their legislative authorization. As of September 30,
1993, the latest data available, there were 18 public authorities that had
outstanding debt of $100 million or more and the aggregate outstanding debt,
including refunding bonds, of these 18 public authorities was $63.5 billion. The
State's access to the public credit markets could be impaired and the market
price of its outstanding debt may be adversely affected, if any of its public
authorities were to default on their respective obligations.
RATINGS. On June 6, 1990, Moody's changed its ratings on all of the State's
outstanding general obligation bonds from A1 to A. On March 26, 1990, Standard &
Poor's changed its ratings on all of the State's outstanding general obligation
bonds from AA- to A. On January 13, 1992, Standard & Poor's changed its ratings
on all of the State's outstanding general obligation bonds from A to A-. Ratings
reflect only the respective views of such organizations, and an explanation of
the significance of such ratings must be obtained from the rating agency
furnishing the same. There is no assurance that a particular rating will
continue for any given period of time or that any such rating will not be
revised downward or withdrawn entirely if, in the judgment of the agency
originally establishing the rating, circumstances so warrant. A downward
revision or withdrawal of such ratings, or either of them, may have an effect on
the market price of the New York State Municipal Bonds in which the New York
Fund invests.
LITIGATION. The State is a defendant in numerous legal proceedings
including, but not limited to, claims asserted against the State arising from
alleged torts, alleged breaches of contracts, condemnation proceedings and other
alleged violations of State and Federal laws. Included in the State's
outstanding litigation are a number of cases challenging the constitutionality
or the adequacy and effectiveness of a variety of significant social welfare
programs primarily involving the State's mental hygiene programs. Adverse
judgments in these matters generally could result in injunctive relief coupled
with prospective changes in patient care which could require substantial
increased financing of the litigated programs in the future.
On May 31, 1988 the Supreme Court of the United States took jurisdiction of
a claim of the State of Delaware that certain unclaimed dividends, interest and
other distributions made by issuers of securities and held by New York-based
brokers incorporated in Delaware for beneficial owners who cannot be identified
or located, had been, and were being, wrongfully taken by the State of New York
pursuant to New York's Abandoned Property Law (STATE OF DELAWARE V. STATE OF NEW
YORK, United States Supreme Court). Texas intervened, claiming a portion of such
distributions and similar property taken by the State of New York
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from New York-based banks and depositories incorporated in Delaware. All other
states and the District of Columbia moved to intervene. In a decision dated
March 30, 1993, the United States Supreme Court granted all pending motions of
the states and the District of Columbia to intervene and remanded the case to a
Special Master for further proceedings consistent with the Court's decision. The
Court determined that the abandoned property should be remitted first to the
state of the beneficial owner's last known address, if ascertainable and, if
not, then to the state of incorporation of the intermediary bank, broker or
depository. New York and Delaware have executed a settlement agreement which
provides for payments by New York to Delaware of $35 million in the State's
1993-94 fiscal year and five annual payments thereafter of $33 million. New York
and Massachusetts have executed a settlement agreement which provides for
aggregate payments by New York of $23 million, payable over five consecutive
years. The claims of the other states and the District of Columbia remain.
In an action commenced on August 6, 1991 (SCHULZ, ET AL., V. STATE OF NEW
YORK, ET AL., Supreme Court, Albany County), plaintiffs challenge the
constitutionality of two bonding programs of the New York State Thruway
Authority authorized by Chapters 166 and 410 of the Laws of 1991. Plaintiffs
argue that cooperative highway contractual agreements and service contracts to
be entered into by the State and the Thruway Authority in connection with the
bonding programs constitute State debt and a gift or loan of State credit in
violation of Sections 8 and 11 of Article VII and Section 5 of Article X of the
State Constitution. In addition, plaintiffs challenge the fiscal year 1991-92
Judiciary budget as having been enacted in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of
Article VII of the State Constitution. The defendants' motion to dismiss the
action on procedural grounds was denied by order of the Supreme Court dated
January 2, 1992. By order dated November 5, 1992, the Appellate Division, Third
Department, reversed the order of the Supreme Court and granted defendants'
motion to dismiss on grounds of standing and mootness. By order dated September
16, 1993, on motion to reconsider, the Appellate Division, Third Department,
ruled that plaintiffs have standing to challenge the bonding program authorized
by Chapter 166 of the Laws of 1991. The action is pending in Supreme Court,
Albany County.
IN SCHULZ, ET AL. V. STATE OF NEW YORK, ET AL. (SUPREME COURT, ALBANY
COUNTY, commenced May 24, 1993), plaintiffs challenge, among other things, the
constitutionality of, and seek to enjoin, certain highway, bridge and mass
transportation bonding programs of the New York State Thruway Authority and the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority authorized by Chapter 56 of the Laws of
1993. Plaintiffs contend that the application of State tax receipts held in
dedicated transportation funds to pay debt service on bonds of the Thruway
Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority violates Sections 8 and
11 of Article VII and Section 5 of Article X of the State Constitution and due
process provisions of the State and Federal constitutions. By order dated July
27, 1993, the Supreme Court granted defendants' motions for summary judgment,
dismissed the complaint and vacated the temporary restraining order previously
issued. By decision dated October 21, 1993, the Appellate Division, Third
Department, affirmed the judgment of the Supreme Court. By decision dated June
30, 1994, the Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment of the Appellate Division.
Plaintiffs' motion for reargument before the Court of Appeals was denied on
September 1, 1994. As a result of the decision by the Court of Appeals, the New
York State Thruway Authority issued bonds pursuant to Chapter 56 in August of
1994.
In 1990 three actions were commenced in Supreme Court, Albany County
(MCDERMOTT, ET AL. V. REGAN, ET AL.; PUMA, ET AL. V. REGAN, ET AL.; and GUZDEK,
ET AL. V. REGAN, ET AL.) challenging the constitutionality of legislation,
enacted during the 1990 Legislative session, which changed the actuarial funding
method for
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determining State and local contributions to the New York State and Local
Employees' Retirement Systems ("ERS"), resulting in initial reductions in such
contributions. In a decision dated August 10, 1992, the Supreme Court, Albany
County, estimating the reduction in State and local contributions for the 1991
fiscal year at approximately $800 million, granted summary judgment to
plaintiffs in all three actions. On July 1, 1993 the Appellate Division, Third
Department affirmed. By opinion dated November 16, 1993, the Court of Appeals
affirmed the order of the Appellate Division. As a result of the decision by the
Court of Appeals, in the State's 1994-95 fiscal year the State Comptroller
returned to the pre-1990 actuarial funding method, using a four-year phase-in in
the ERS, with State contributions to the ERS capped at a percentage of payroll
that increases each year during the phase-in.
Adverse developments in these proceedings or the initiation of new
proceedings could affect the ability of the State to maintain a balanced State
Financial Plan. The State believes that the State Financial Plan includes
sufficient reserves for the payment of judgments that may be required during the
1994-95 fiscal year. There can be no assurance, however, that an adverse
decision in any of these proceedings would not exceed the amount of the State
Financial Plan reserves for the payment of judgments and, therefore, could
affect the ability of the State to maintain a balanced State Financial Plan.
OTHER LOCALITIES. Certain localities in addition to the City could have
financial problems leading to requests for additional State assistance during
the State's 1994-95 fiscal year and thereafter. The potential impact on the
State of such actions by localities is not included in the projections of the
State receipts and disbursements in the State's 1994-95 fiscal year.
Fiscal difficulties experienced by the City of Yonkers ("Yonkers") resulted
in the creation of the Financial Control Board for the City of Yonkers (the
"Yonkers Board") by the State in 1984. The Yonkers Board is charged with
oversight of the fiscal affairs of Yonkers. Future actions taken by the Governor
or the State Legislature to assist Yonkers could result in allocation of State
resources in amounts that cannot yet be determined.
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APPENDIX II
RATINGS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. ("MOODY'S") MUNICIPAL BOND
RATINGS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the
smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge".
Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and
principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change,
such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally
strong position of such issues.
Aa Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together
with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They
are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as
large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater
amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks
appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be
considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal
and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a
susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
Baa Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are
neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payment and principal security
appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or
may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack
outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics
as well.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future
cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal
payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and
bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this
class.
B Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment.
Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the
contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or
there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high
degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and issues so rated can
be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment
standing.
<FN>
NOTE: Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody's believes
possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols Aa1,
A1, Baa1, Ba1 and B1.
</TABLE>
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SHORT-TERM NOTES: The four ratings of Moody's for short-term notes are MIG
1/VMIG1, MIG 2/VMIG2, MIG 3/VMIG3 and MIG 4/VMIG4; MIG 1/VMIG1 denotes "best
quality . . . strong protection by established cash flows"; MIG 2/VMIG2 denotes
"high quality" with ample margins of protection; MIG 3/VMIG3 notes are of
"favorable quality . . . but . . . lacking the undeniable strength of the
preceding grades"; MIG 4/VMIG4 notes are of "adequate quality . . . [p]rotection
commonly regarded as required of an investment security is present . . . there
is specific risk."
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
Excerpts from Moody's description of its corporate bond ratings: Aaa --
judged to be the best quality, carry the smallest degree of investment risk; Aa
- -- judged to be of high quality by all standards; A -- possess many favorable
investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade
obligations; Baa -- considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are
neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to
repay punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in
excess of nine months. Moody's employs the following three designations, all
judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of
rated issuers:
Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a superior
capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment
capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics: leading
market positions in well established industries; high rates of return on funds
employed; conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt
and ample asset protection; broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial
charges and high internal cash generation; and well established access to a
range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a strong
capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally
be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Prime-3 (or related supporting institutions) have an
acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. The
effects of industry characteristics and market composition may be more
pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in
the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement for relatively
high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.
DESCRIPTION OF STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION'S ("STANDARD & POOR'S") MUNICIPAL
DEBT RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's municipal debt rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. This
assessment may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers, or
lessees.
The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a
security, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for
a particular investor.
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The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources Standard & Poor's considers
reliable. Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any
rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The
ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or
unavailability of, such information, or for other reasons.
The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
I. Likelihood of default-capacity and willingness of the obligor as to
the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with
the terms of obligation;
II. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
III. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in
the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws
of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
AAA Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity to
pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA Debt rated "AA" has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and
differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.
A Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although
it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances
and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.
BBB Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and
repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a
weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category
than for debt in higher rated categories.
BB Debt rated "BB", "B", "CCC", "CC" and "C" is regarded, on balance, as
B predominately speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
CCC principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations. "BB" indicates the
CC lowest degree of speculation and "C" the highest degree of speculation. While such
C bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are
outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
CI The rating "CI" is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
D Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when
interest payments of principal payments are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be
used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are
jeopardized.
</TABLE>
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major
rating categories.
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DESCRIPTION OF STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's corporate debt rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. Debt rated
"AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. Capacity to pay
interest and repay principal is extremely strong. Debt rated "AA" has a very
strong capacity to pay interest and to repay principal and differs from the
highest rated issues only in small degree. Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity
to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to
the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
debt of a higher rated category. Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an
adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally
exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and
repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
The ratings from "AA" to "BBB" may be modified by the addition of a plus or
minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
DESCRIPTION OF STANDARD & POOR'S COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
A Standard & Poor's Commercial Paper Rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than
365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from "A-1" for the
highest quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. These categories are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
A-1 This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment
is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
A-2 Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory.
However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated
"A-1".
A-3 Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely payment. They
are, however, somewhat more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
B Issues rated "B" are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely
payment.
C This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity
for payment.
D Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the
applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period.
</TABLE>
A Commercial Paper Rating is not a recommendation to purchase or sell a
security. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard &
Poor's by the issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it
considers reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a
result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information.
64
<PAGE>
A Standard & Poor's note rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market
access risks unique to notes. Notes due in 3 years or less will likely receive a
note rating. Notes maturing beyond 3 years will most likely receive a long-term
debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment.
--Amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other
maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
--Source of payment (the more dependent the issue is on the market for its
refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1 A very strong, or strong, capacity to pay principal and interest.
Issues that possess overwhelming safety characteristics will be given
a "+" designation.
SP-2 A satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
SP-3 A speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
Standard & Poor's may continue to rate note issues with a maturity greater
than three years in accordance with the same rating scale currently employed for
municipal bond ratings.
UNRATED: Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been
suspended or withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality of the
issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1. An application for rating was not received or accepted.
2. The issue or issuers belongs to a group of securities that are not
rated as a matter of policy.
3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.
4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not
published in Standard & Poor's publications.
Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise,
the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer
available reasonable up-to-date information to permit a judgment to be formed;
if a bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.
DESCRIPTION OF FITCH INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.'S ("FITCH") INVESTMENT GRADE BOND
RATINGS
Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in
determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings
represent Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of
a specific debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner.
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and of any
guarantor, as well as the economic and political environment that might affect
the issuer's future financial strength and credit quality.
Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by
insurance policies or financial guaranties unless otherwise indicated.
65
<PAGE>
Bonds that have the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small
differences in the degrees of credit risk.
Fitch ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security.
Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any
security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of
payments made in respect of any security.
Fitch ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other
obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch believes to be
reliable. Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such
information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of
changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
AAA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The
obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay principal,
which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although not
quite as strong as bonds rated "AAA". Because bonds rated in the "AAA" and "AA"
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments,
short-term debt of these insurers is generally rated "F-1+".
A Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's
ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be
more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than
bonds with higher ratings.
BBB Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality. The
obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate.
Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely
to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore, impair timely payment. The
likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is
higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
</TABLE>
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category.
CREDIT TREND INDICATOR: Credit trend indicators show whether credit
fundamentals are improving, stable, declining, or uncertain, as follows:
Improving Up arrow
Stable Arrow to left followed by arrow to right
Declining Down arrow
Uncertain Up arrow above down arrow
66
<PAGE>
Credit trend indicators are not predictions that any rating change will
occur, and have a longer-term time frame than issues placed on FitchAlert.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
NR Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
CONDITIONAL A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of a project
or the occurrence of a specific event.
SUSPENDED A rating is suspended when Fitch deems the amount of information available
from the issuer to be inadequate for rating purposes.
WITHDRAWN A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or refinanced
and, at Fitch's discretion, when an issuer fails to furnish proper and
timely information.
FITCHALERT Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an occurrence that
is likely to result in a rating change and the likely direction of such
change. These are designated as "Positive," indicating a potential upgrade,
"Negative," for potential downgrade, or "Evolving," where ratings may be
raised or lowered. FitchAlert is relatively short-term, and should be
resolved within 12 months.
</TABLE>
DESCRIPTION OF FITCH SPECULATIVE GRADE BOND RATINGS
Fitch speculative grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in
determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings
("BB" to "C") represent Fitch's assessment of the likelihood of timely payment
of principal and interest in accordance with the terms of obligation for bond
issues not in default. For defaulted bonds, the rating ("DDD" to "D") is an
assessment of the ultimate recovery value through reorganization or liquidation.
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective
financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor,
as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's
future financial strength.
Bonds that have the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical
credit quality since rating categories cannot fully reflect the differences in
degrees of credit risk.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
BB Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay interest
and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic
changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified
which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service
requirements.
B Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are
currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of
continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the
obligor's limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business
and economic activity throughout the life of the issue.
CCC Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied,
may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations requires an
advantageous business and economic environment.
CC Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or
principal seems probable over time.
</TABLE>
67
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
C Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.
DDD, DD and D Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such bonds
are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their
ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor.
"DDD" represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and
"D" represents the lowest potential for recovery.
</TABLE>
Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and
minus signs, however, are not used in the "DDD", "DD", or "D" categories.
DESCRIPTION OF FITCH INVESTMENT GRADE SHORT-TERM RATINGS
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on
demand or have original maturities of generally up to three years, including
commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and
investment notes.
The short-term rating places greater emphasis than a long-term rating on the
existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a timely
manner.
Fitch short-term ratings are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
F-1+ Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are
regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1 Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an
assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues
rated "F-1+".
F-2 Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory
degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not
as great as for issues assigned "F-1+" and "F-1" ratings.
F-3 Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate,
however, near-term adverse changes could cause these securities to be
rated below investment grade.
F-S Weak Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics
suggesting a minimal degree of assurance for timely payment and are
vulnerable to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic
conditions.
D Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent payment
default.
LOC The symbol "LOC" indicates that the rating is based on a letter of
credit issued by a commercial bank.
INS The symbol "INS" indicates that the rating is based on an insurance
policy or financial guaranty issued by an insurance company.
</TABLE>
68
<PAGE>
THE FOLLOWING SEMI-ANNUAL FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE FUND FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED MARCH 31, 1994 ARE UNAUDITED. THESE UNAUDITED
INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REFLECT ALL ADJUSTMENTS WHICH ARE, IN
THE OPINION OF MANAGEMENT, NECESSARY TO
A FAIR STATEMENT OF THE RESULTS FOR
THE INTERIM PERIOD PRESENTED. ALL SUCH
ADJUSTMENTS ARE OF A NORMAL RECURRING NATURE.
69
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS March 31, 1994
(in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
S&P Moody's Face Value
Ratings Ratings Amount Issue (Note 1a)
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
New York--97.2%
BBB+ Baa1 $ 2,955 Babylon, New York, IDA, Resource Recovery Revenue Bonds (Ogden Martin Systems),
Series C, 8.50% due 1/01/2019 $ 3,248
NR Baa1 14,750 Babylon, New York, IDA, Waste Facilities Revenue Bonds (Babylon Community
Waste Management), Series A, 7.875% due 7/01/1999 (d) 16,965
Battery Park City Authority, New York, Revenue Refunding Bonds (Senior Lien),
Series A:
AA A1 4,200 5.25% due 11/01/2017 3,611
AA A1 6,500 4.75% due 11/01/2019 5,117
AA A1 7,800 5.70% due 11/01/2020 7,097
Buffalo, New York, Sewer Authority Revenue Bonds:
AAA Aaa 2,250 Series E, 7.75% due 7/01/1997 (a)(d) 2,508
AAA Aaa 4,000 Series F, 6% due 7/01/2013 (b) 3,990
Clifton Park, New York, Water Authority, Water System Revenue Bonds (b):
AAA Aaa 2,000 Refunding, 5% due 10/01/2026 1,664
AAA Aaa 1,000 Series A, 6.375% due 10/01/2002 (d) 1,091
AAA Aaa 1,210 Erie County, New York, Water Authority, Water Revenue Refunding Bonds
(Fourth Resolution), 7.30% due 12/01/2017 (a)(g) 221
Grand Central District Management Association Inc., New York, Business
Improvement District, Capital Improvement Revenue Bonds:
AAA A1 2,170 6.50% due 1/01/2002 (d) 2,354
AAA A1 6,500 6.50% due 1/01/2002 (d) 7,050
A A1 1,125 Refunding, 5.125% due 1/01/2014 964
A A1 2,750 Refunding, 5.25% due 1/01/2022 2,307
NR Aa1 6,200 Hornell, New York, IDA, IDR (Crowley Foods, Inc.), 7.75% due 12/01/2016 6,890
AA A1 10,400 Housing New York Corp., Revenue Refunding Bonds, 5% due 11/01/2013 8,812
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Service Contract Revenue Bonds
(Commuter Facilities):
BBB Baa1 8,475 Refunding, Series 5, 7% due 7/01/2012 9,063
BBB Baa1 1,195 Series 3, 9.25% due 7/01/1999 1,413
BBB Baa1 1,300 Series 3, 9.25% due 7/01/2000 1,568
BBB Baa1 4,370 Series O, 5.75% due 7/01/2013 4,081
BBB Baa1 2,000 Series O, 5.50% due 7/01/2017 1,781
</TABLE>
PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS
To simplify the listings of Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond
Fund's portfolio holdings in the Schedule of Investments, we have
abbreviated the names of many of the securities according to the
list below and at right.
AMT Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
COP Certificates of Participation
DDN Daily Demand Notes
GO General Obligation Bonds
HFA Housing Finance Authority
IDA Industrial Development Authority
IDR Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
LEVRRS Leveraged Reverse Rate Securities
M/F Multi-Family
PCR Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
RIB Residual Interest Bonds
TRAN Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes
UT Unlimited Tax
VRDN Variable Rate Demand Notes
70
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued) March 31, 1994
(in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
S&P Moody's Face Value
Ratings Ratings Amount Issue (Note 1a)
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
New York (continued)
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Service Contract
Revenue Bonds (Transit Facilities):
BBB Baa1 $ 1,595 Refunding, Series 7, 4.75% due 7/01/2019 $ 1,233
AAA Aaa 16,125 Refunding, Series N, 5.35% due 7/01/2012 (b)(g) 5,291
BBB Baa1 4,350 Series 3, 9.25% due 7/01/1999 5,145
BBB Baa1 4,755 Series 3, 9.25% due 7/01/2000 5,737
BBB Baa1 1,845 Series O, 5.75% due 7/01/2013 1,723
BBB Baa1 2,585 Series O, 5.50% due 7/01/2017 2,312
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Facilities
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series N (b)(g):
AAA Aaa 5,230 5.35% due 7/01/2013 1,614
AAA Aaa 1,210 5.35% due 7/01/2014 351
AAA Aaa 2,950 Monroe County, New York, Airport Authority Revenue Bonds (Greater Rochester
International), AMT, 7.25% due 1/01/2009 (c) 3,257
Monroe County, New York, COP:
BBB+ Baa 670 7.375% due 1/01/1996 706
BBB+ Baa 9,770 8.05% due 1/01/2011 10,891
NR A 6,125 Monroe County, New York, IDA, Civic Facilities Revenue Bonds (Genesee Hospital),
Series A, 7% due 11/01/2018 6,429
A1+ NR 1,000 Nassau County, New York, IDA, Research Facilities Revenue Bonds (Cold Spring
Harbor Lab Project), VRDN, 3.25% due 7/01/2023 (e) 1,000
New York City, New York, GO, UT:
A- Aaa 1,700 Series A, 8.50% due 11/01/1997 (d) 1,943
A- Baa1 15,400 Series D, 9.50% due 8/01/2002 19,092
A- Baa1 1,000 Series H, 7.20% due 2/01/2014 1,075
A1 Baa1 5,000 Series I, 7.75% due 8/15/2018 5,514
AAA Aaa 5,000 New York City, New York, Health and Hospital Authority, Local Government
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A, 5.75% due 2/15/2022 (a) 4,640
AA Aa 8,475 New York City, New York, Housing Development Corporation, M/F Housing
Revenue Bonds, Series B, 5.70% due 11/01/2013 (f) 7,862
New York City, New York, IDA, Civic Facilities Revenue Bonds:
A1+ NR 400 (National Audobon Society), 3.25% due 12/01/2014 (e) 400
BBB NR 2,000 (New York Blood Center), 7.20% due 5/01/2012 2,093
BBB NR 3,250 (New York Blood Center), 7.25% due 5/01/2022 3,413
AAA Aaa 6,100 (Rockefeller Foundation Project), 5.375% due 7/01/2023 5,477
BB+ Baa2 2,030 New York City, New York, IDA, Special Facitities Revenue Bonds (American Airlines Inc.
Project), AMT, 7.75% due 7/01/2019 2,109
New York City, New York, Municipal Water Finance Authority Water and Sewer System
Revenue Bonds:
AAA Aaa 10,000 7.82% due 6/15/2012 (c) 8,250
A- A 9,000 6.75% due 6/15/2017 9,238
AAA Aaa 10,000 LEVRRS, 8.376% due 6/15/2019 (c)(h) 10,000
A- A 740 Series B, 5.50% due 6/15/2019 655
A-1+ VMIG1 2,700 Series C, DDN, 2.60% due 6/15/2022 (b)(e) 2,700
New York City, New York, Trust for Cultural Resources Revenue Bonds:
AAA Aaa 3,750 (American Museum of Natural History), Series A, 6.90% due 4/01/2001 (c)(d) 4,189
A1+ VMIG1 6,900 (Soloman R. Guggenheim), Series B, DDN, 3.25% due 12/01/2015 (e) 6,900
</TABLE>
71
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued) March 31, 1994
<CAPTION>
S&P Moody's Face Value
Ratings Ratings Amount Issue (Note 1a)
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
New York (continued)
New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue Bonds:
BBB Baa1 $ 9,635 (City University System), Refunding, Series B, 6% due 7/01/2014 $ 9,226
BBB Baa1 3,800 (City University System), Refunding, Series U, 6.375% due 7/01/2008 3,890
BBB Baa1 3,500 (City University System), Series A, 9.25% due 7/01/2000 4,202
BBB Baa1 7,030 (City University System), Series C, 9.25% due 7/01/2000 8,502
BBB Baa1 2,250 (City University System), Series F, 5% due 7/01/2014 1,895
A NR 1,120 (Community Memorial Hospital, Hamilton), 9% due 7/01/2005 1,200
A1+ VMIG1 3,300 (Cornell University), Series B, DDN, 3.25% due 7/01/2025 (e) 3,300
BBB+ Baa1 8,000 (Court Facilities Lease Bonds), Refunding, Series A, 5.625% due 5/15/2013 7,231
BBB+ Baa1 8,000 (Court Facilities Lease Bonds), Refunding, Series A, 5.50% due 5/15/2023 6,858
BBB+ Baa1 10,950 (Court Facilities Lease Bonds), Series A, 5.25% due 5/15/2021 9,082
BBB Baa1 8,135 (Department of Health), Refunding, 5.50% due 7/01/2020 7,016
AAA Aaa 1,000 (Insured-Colgate University), 5.625% due 7/01/2023 (b) 925
AAA Aaa 6,150 (Insured-Fordham University), 5.50% due 7/01/2023 (b) 5,579
NR VMIG1 700 (Oxford University Press, Inc.), Refunding, DDN, 3.05% due 7/01/2023 (e) 700
AA Aa 3,130 (Rochester General Hospital), 8.75% due 8/01/1995 (d)(f) 3,388
BBB+ Baa1 2,250 (State University Educational Facilities), Refunding, Series A, 5.25%
due 5/15/2015 1,955
BBB+ Baa1 9,410 (State University Educational Facilities), Refunding, Series B, 7.50%
due 5/15/2011 10,635
BBB+ Baa1 14,405 (State University Educational Facilities), Refunding, Series B, 5.25%
due 5/15/2013 12,627
BBB- Baa1 5,400 (Upstate Community College), Series A, 5.40% due 7/01/2009 4,947
BBB- Baa1 4,200 (Upstate Community College), Series A, 5.25% due 7/01/2023 3,464
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Electric Facilities
Revenue Refunding Bonds (Consolidated Edison Company), AMT:
A+ Aa3 4,000 Series A, 6.75% due 7/15/2027 4,076
A+ Aa3 9,610 Series C, 5.375% due 9/15/2022 8,282
A A1 8,400 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Gas Facilities
Revenue Bonds (Brooklyn Union Gas Co. Project), Series II, 7% due 12/01/2020 8,834
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, PCR:
BBB+ Baa1 4,510 (New York State Electric & Gas Corp.), Series A, AMT, 5.95% due 12/01/2027 4,093
NR NR 2,000 (Niagara Mohawk Corporation Project), Series A, DDN, 3.25% due 3/01/2027 (e) 2,000
A1+ NR 1,600 (Niagara Power Corporation Project), AMT, DDN, Series B, 5.70%
due 7/01/2027 (e) 1,600
AAA Aaa 5,500 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Solid Waste Disposal
Revenue Bonds (New York State Electric and Gas Co., Project), Series A, AMT,
5.70% due 12/01/2028 (c) 5,073
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, PCR (Water-Revolving Fund):
A Aa 2,450 Series A, 7.25% due 6/15/2010 2,678
A Aa 1,250 Series A, 7% due 6/15/2012 1,358
A Aa 16,350 Series E, 6.875% due 6/15/2010 17,516
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, Special Obligation Bonds
(Riverbank State Park):
BBB NR 1,485 7.25% due 4/01/2007 1,619
BBB NR 3,000 7.25% due 4/01/2012 3,271
BBB NR 8,400 7.375% due 4/01/2022 9,224
New York State, HFA, Service Contract Obligation Revenue Bonds:
BBB Baa1 3,500 Refunding, Series C, 5.875% due 9/15/2014 3,330
BBB Baa1 6,500 Refunding, Series C, 6.125% due 3/15/2020 6,111
BBB Baa1 18,585 Series A, 5.50% due 9/15/2022 16,167
BBB Baa1 3,000 Series C, 6.30% due 9/15/2012 2,952
BBB Baa1 3,000 Series C, 6.30% due 3/15/2022 2,882
</TABLE>
72
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued) March 31, 1994
(in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
S&P Moody's Face Value
Ratings Ratings Amount Issue (Note 1a)
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
New York (continued)
New York State Job Development Authority Revenue Bonds (e):
NR VMIG1 $ 1,400 Series A-1--A-21, DDN, 3.10% due 3/01/2003 $ 1,400
NR VMIG1 1,200 Special Purpose, Series A-1--A-25, AMT, DDN, 2.85% due 3/01/2007 1,200
New York State Local Government Assistance Corporation Revenue Bonds:
A A 24,740 Refunding, Series C, 5% due 4/01/2021 20,019
A A 1,600 Series A, 7.125% due 4/01/2011 1,731
A A 5,500 Series A, 6.875% due 4/01/2019 5,854
A A 4,000 Series B, 6% due 4/01/2018 3,800
New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency Revenue Bonds:
AAA Aaa 6,820 (Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York), Series B, 8.50% due
12/01/1997 (a)(d) 7,612
AA NR 1,000 (Hospital & Nursing Home Mortgage), Series A, 8.30% due 2/15/1998 (d)(f) 1,146
AA Aa 2,700 (Hospital & Nursing Home Mortgage), Series B, 8.10% due 2/15/2022 2,890
AAA Aaa 4,000 (Long Term Health Care Capital Guaranty Insured), Series D, 6.50%
due 11/01/2015 4,114
BBB+ Baa1 2,200 (Mental Health Services), Series B, 6% due 2/15/2011 2,075
BBB+ Baa1 1,470 (Mental Health Services), Series B, 7.625% due 8/15/2017 1,599
BBB+ Baa1 1,075 (Mental Health Services), Series C, 7.30% due 2/15/2021 1,160
AAA Aaa 3,240 (Mental Health Services), Series C, 7.30% due 2/15/2021 (d) 3,692
BBB+ Baa1 2,710 (Mental Health Services), Series D, 7.40% due 2/15/2018 2,920
BBB+ Baa1 3,700 (Mental Health Services), Series F, 6.50% due 2/15/2019 3,644
AAA Aaa 2,200 (Mental Health Services), Series F, 5.25% due 2/15/2021 (f) 1,913
AAA Aa 10,000 (Presbyterian Hospital), Refunding, Series A, 5.375% due 2/15/2025 8,699
AAA Aaa 6,850 (Saint Francis Hospital Project), Series A, 7.625% due 11/01/2021 (b) 7,616
BBB Baa 7,750 (Security Hospital), Series A, 7.40% due 8/15/2021 8,106
New York State Mortgage Agency, Homeowner Mortgage Revenue Bonds:
NR Aa 695 10th Series A, 8.10% due 4/01/2014 739
NR Aa 14,235 Series BB--2, 7.95% due 10/01/2015 15,058
NR Aa 1,750 Series EE--3, 7.75% due 4/01/2016 1,875
NR Aa 2,375 Series FF, 7.95% due 10/01/2014 2,569
NR Aa 1,865 Series GG, AMT, 8.125% due 4/01/2020 1,991
New York State Power Authority, General Purpose and Revenue Bonds:
AA- Aa 11,750 Refunding, Series Z, 6.50% due 1/01/2019 11,995
AA- Aa 10,000 Series Y, 6.75% due 1/01/2018 10,770
NR NR 9,000 New York State Power Authority, RIB, 7.014% due 1/01/2014 (e) 6,874
AAA Aaa 4,375 New York State Thruway Authority, General Revenue Bonds, Series B, 5%
due 1/01/2020 (c) 3,694
New York State Thruway Authority, Service Contract Revenue Bonds (Local
Highway and Bridge):
BBB Baa1 1,630 6% due 4/01/2002 1,662
BBB Baa1 6,125 5.25% due 4/01/2013 5,296
New York State Urban Development Corporation Revenue Bonds:
BBB Baa1 1,500 (Alfred Technology Resource Income Project), 7.875% due 1/01/2020 1,663
BBB Baa1 9,800 (Correctional Capital Facilities), Refunding, 5.50% due 1/01/2015 8,681
BBB Baa1 7,000 (Correctional Capital Facilities), Series 4, 5.25% due 1/01/2013 6,059
BBB Baa1 3,050 (Correctional Capital Facilities), Series 4, 5.375% due 1/01/2023 2,568
AAA Aaa 3,500 Niagara Falls, New York, Bridge Commission, Toll Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series B, 5.25% due 10/01/2021(b) 3,060
BBB Baa 3,000 Oneida-Herkimer, New York, Solid Waste Management Authority, Revenue
Refunding Bonds, 6.75% due 4/01/2014 3,021
</TABLE>
73
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded) March 31, 1994
(in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
S&P Moody's Face Value
Ratings Ratings Amount Issue (Note 1a)
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
New York (concluded)
AAA Aaa $ 4,000 Onondaga County, New York, IDA, Sewer Facilities Revenue Bonds (Bristol-Myers
Squibb Co. Project), AMT, 5.75% due 3/01/2024 $ 3,705
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Refunding Bonds:
AA- NR 11,850 7.10% due 10/01/2021 9,065
AA- A1 2,820 Eighty-Ninth Series, 5% due 10/01/2012 2,513
AA A1 800 Eighty-Ninth Series, 5.125% due 10/01/2021 705
AA- A1 23,000 Ninety-Second Series, 4.75% due 1/15/2029 17,705
A1+ VMIG1 1,100 Syracuse, New York, IDA, Civic Facilities Revenue Bonds (Syracuse University
Project), DDN, 3.25% due 3/01/2023 (e) 1,100
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, Revenue Bonds (General
Purpose):
A- Aa 1,000 Refunding, Series B, 5% due 1/01/2020 834
A+ Aa 3,930 Refunding, Series Q, 6.75% due 1/01/2009 4,266
A+ Aa 15,250 Series A, 4.75% due 1/01/2014 12,719
A+ Aa 14,055 Series X, 6.625% due 1/01/2012 14,831
BBB Baa 5,515 Ulster County, New York, Resource Recovery Agency Revenue Bonds (Solid Waste
Systems), 6% due 3/01/2014 5,145
NR A 2,250 United Nations Development Corp., New York, Revenue Refunding Bonds
(Sub Lien), Series B, 6.25% due 7/01/2026 2,228
AA- Aa3 1,720 Westchester County, New York, Westchester, IDA, Airport Facility Revenue Bonds
(West Chester Airport Association), Series A, AMT, 5.95% due 8/01/2024 1,593
Puerto Rico--1.8%
SP-1+ MIG1++ 1,500 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, TRAN, Series A, 3% due 7/29/1994 1,501
A Baa1 4,415 Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway and Transportation Authority, Highway Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Series X, 5.25% due 7/01/2021 (d) 3,709
Puerto Rico, Industrial, Medical and Environmental Pollution Control
Facilities, Financing Authority Revenue Bonds (Motorola Inc. Project), Series A:
AA- Aa3 2,500 6.75% due 1/01/2014 2,638
NR Aaa 5,500 5.10% due 12/01/2018 4,803
Total Investments (Cost--$720,009)--99.0% 708,547
Variation Margin on Financial Future Contracts--0.0%* 70
Other Assets Less Liabilities--1.0% 7,088
--------
Net Assets--100.0% $715,705
========
<FN>
++Highest short-term rating issued by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc.
(a)AMBAC Insured.
(b)FGIC Insured.
(c)MBIA Insured.
(d)Prerefunded.
(e)The interest rate is subject to change periodically based upon the
prevailing market rate. The interest rate shown is the rate in
effect at March 31, 1994.
(f)FHA Insured.
(g)Represents the yield to maturity on this zero coupon issue.
(h)The interest rate is subject to change periodically and inversely based
upon the prevailing market rate. The interest rate shown is the rate in
effect at March 31, 1994.
*Futures Contracts sold as of March 31, 1994 were as follows:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Expiration Value
Contracts Issue Date (Note 1a)
<C> <S> <C> <C>
1,875 United States Treasury Bonds June 1994 $(199,277,344)
Total Futures Contracts $(199,277,344)
=============
(Total Contract Price--$199,934,750)
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
74
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND March 31, 1994
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of March 31, 1994
<C> <S> <C> <C>
Assets: Investments, at value (identified cost--$720,008,546)(Note 1a) $708,546,948
Cash 36,416
Receivables:
Securities sold $ 24,618,793
Interest 13,198,578
Beneficial interest sold 1,945,431
Variation margin (Note 1b) 70,312 39,833,114
------------
Deferred organization expenses (Note 1e) 712
Prepaid registration fees and other assets (Note 1e) 77,975
------------
Total assets 748,495,165
------------
Liabilities: Payables:
Securities purchased 25,497,676
Beneficial interest redeemed 5,070,844
Dividends to shareholders (Note 1f) 1,360,069
Investment adviser (Note 2) 375,137
Distributor (Note 2) 330,604 32,634,330
------------
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 155,608
------------
Total liabilities 32,789,938
------------
Net Assets: Net assets $715,705,227
============
Net Assets Class A Shares of beneficial interest, $.10 par value,
Consist of: unlimited number of shares authorized $ 289,680
Class B Shares of beneficial interest, $.10 par value,
unlimited number of shares authorized 6,140,355
Paid-in capital in excess of par 706,682,774
Undistributed realized capital gains--net 13,396,610
Unrealized depreciation on investments--net (10,804,192)
------------
Net assets $715,705,227
============
Net Asset Value: Class A--Based on net assets of $32,237,334 and 2,896,801 shares
of beneficial interest outstanding $ 11.13
============
Class B--Based on net assets of $683,467,893 and 61,403,552 shares
of beneficial interest outstanding $ 11.13
============
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
75
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND March 31, 1994
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
Statement of Operations for the Six Months Ended March 31, 1994
<C> <S> <C>
Investment Income Interest and amortization of premium and discount earned $ 23,359,339
(Note 1d):
Expenses: Investment advisory fees (Note 2) 2,099,191
Distribution fees--Class B (Note 2) 1,855,192
Transfer agent fees--Class B (Note 2) 133,606
Printing and shareholder reports 50,996
Accounting services (Note 2) 39,215
Professional fees 31,544
Custodian fees 28,639
Registration fees (Note 1e) 22,643
Trustees' fees and expenses 16,262
Pricing fees 9,077
Transfer agent fees--Class A (Note 2) 5,183
Amortization of organization expenses (Note 1e) 343
Other 10,280
------------
Total expenses 4,302,171
------------
Investment income--net 19,057,168
------------
Realized & Unreal- Realized gain on investments--net 21,198,421
ized Gain (Loss) on Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments--net (85,563,932)
Investments--Net ------------
(Notes 1d & 3): Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $(45,308,343)
============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
<CAPTION>
For the Six For the Year
Months Ended Ended
March 31, September 30,
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: 1994 1993
<C> <S> <C> <C>
Operations: Investment income--net $ 19,057,168 $ 36,795,050
Realized gain on investments--net 21,198,421 15,506,899
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments--net (85,563,932) 30,754,959
------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (45,308,343) 83,056,908
------------ ------------
Dividends & Investment income--net:
Distributions to Class A (903,793) (1,475,206)
Shareholders Class B (18,153,375) (35,319,844)
(Note 1f): Realized gain on investments--net:
Class A (869,887) (194,989)
Class B (19,851,429) (5,828,788)
------------ ------------
Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends and distributions
to shareholders (39,778,484) (42,818,827)
------------ ------------
Beneficial Interest Net increase in net assets derived from beneficial
Transactions interest transactions 34,835,571 90,154,954
(Note 4): ------------ ------------
Net Assets: Total increase (decrease) in net assets (50,251,256) 130,393,035
Beginning of period 765,956,483 635,563,448
------------ ------------
End of period $715,705,227 $765,956,483
============ ============
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
76
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND March 31, 1994
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
Financial Highlights
Class A
For the Six
The following per share data and ratios have been derived from Months Ended
information provided in the financial statements. March 31, For the Year Ended September 30,
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value: 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
<S> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.46 $ 11.77 $ 11.22 $ 10.56 $ 10.81
Operating ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Performance: Investment income--net .33 .70 .72 .74 .73
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments--net (1.00) .80 .55 .66 (.25)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total from investment operations (.67) 1.50 1.27 1.40 .48
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less dividends and distributions:
Investment income--net (.33) (.70) (.72) (.74) (.73)
Realized gain on investments--net (.33) (.11) -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total dividends and distributions (.66) (.81) (.72) (.74) (.73)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of period $ 11.13 $ 12.46 $ 11.77 $ 11.22 $ 10.56
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Total Investment Based on net asset value per share (5.71%)++ 13.25% 11.77% 13.60% 4.42%
Return:** ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Ratios to Average Expenses .63%* .64% .65% .66% .67%
Net Assets: ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Investment income--net 5.40%* 5.80% 6.28% 6.72% 6.79%
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Supplemental Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $32,237 $31,976 $18,973 $13,727 $ 8,905
Data: ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Portfolio turnover 64.59% 38.31% 35.90% 49.78% 53.82%
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
<FN>
*Annualized.
**Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads.
++Aggregate total investment return.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
77
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND March 31, 1994
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (concluded)
Financial Highlights (concluded)
Class B
For the Six
The following per share data and ratios have been derived from Months Ended
information provided in the financial statements. March 31, For the Year Ended September 30,
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value: 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Net asset value, beginning of period $ 12.46 $ 11.77 $ 11.23 $ 10.57 $ 10.81
Operating -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Performance: Investment income--net .30 .64 .67 .67 .68
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments--net (1.00) .80 .54 .66 (.24)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total from investment operations (.70) 1.44 1.21 1.33 .44
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less dividends and distributions:
Investment income--net (.30) (.64) (.67) (.67) (.68)
Realized gain on investments--net (.33) (.11) -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total dividends and distributions (.63) (.75) (.67) (.67) (.68)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of period $ 11.13 $ 12.46 $ 11.77 $ 11.23 $ 10.57
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Total Investment Based on net asset value per share (5.95%)++ 12.68% 11.12% 13.03% 4.00%
Return:** ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Ratios to Average Expenses, excluding distribution fees .63%* .64% .66% .67% .68%
Net Assets: ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Expenses 1.13%* 1.14% 1.16% 1.17% 1.18%
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Investment income--net 4.89%* 5.32% 5.79% 6.23% 6.28%
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Supplemental Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $683,468 $733,981 $616,590 $568,958 $566,095
Data: ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Portfolio turnover 64.59% 38.31% 35.90% 49.78% 53.82%
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
<FN>
*Annualized.
**Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads.
++Aggregate total investment return.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
78
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND March 31, 1994
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Significant Accounting Policies:
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund (the "Fund") is part
of the Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust (the
"Trust"). The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 as a diversified, open-end investment management company.
The Fund offers both Class A and Class B Shares. Class A Shares
are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B Shares may be
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Both classes of
shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other
rights and the same terms and conditions, except that Class B
Shares bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such
shares and have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters
relating to such distribution expenditures. The following is a
summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.
(a) Valuation of investments--Municipal bonds and other
portfolio securities are traded primarily in the over-the-counter
municipal bond and money markets and are valued at the last
available bid price or yield equivalents as obtained by the
Fund's pricing service from one or more dealers that make markets
in such securities. Financial futures contracts, which are traded
on exchanges, are valued at their last sale price as of the close
of such exchanges. Options, which are traded on exchanges, are
valued at their last sale price as of the close of such exchanges
or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Short-
term investments with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less
are valued on an amortized cost basis, which approximates market
value. Securities and assets for which market quotations are not
readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good
faith by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust.
(b) Financial futures contracts--The Fund may purchase or sell
interest rate futures contracts and options on such futures
contracts for the purpose of hedging the market risk on existing
portfolio holdings or the intended purchase of securities.
Futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of
securities at a specific future date and at a specific price or
yield. Upon entering into a contract, the Fund deposits and
maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the
exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the
contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an
amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the
contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin
and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. When
the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss
equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the
time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
(c) Income taxes--It is the Fund's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated
investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its
taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income
tax provision is required.
(d) Security transactions and investment income--Security
transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are
entered into (the trade dates). Interest income is recognized on
the accrual basis. Original issue discounts and market premiums
are amortized into interest income. Realized gains and losses on
security transactions are determined on the identified cost
basis.
(e) Deferred organization expenses and prepaid registration fees--
Deferred organization expenses are charged to expense on a
straight-line basis over a five-year period. Costs related to the
organization of the second class of shares are charged to expense
over a period not exceeding five years. Prepaid registration fees
are charged to expense as the related shares are issued.
(f) Dividends and distributions--Dividends from net investment
income are declared daily and paid monthly. Distributions of
capital gains are recorded on the ex-dividend dates.
(g) Non-income producing investments--Written and purchased
options are non-income producing investments.
2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transactions with
Affiliates:
The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with
Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM"). Effective January 1, 1994,
the investment advisory business of FAM was reorganized from a
79
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND March 31, 1994
corporation to a limited partnership. Both prior to and after the
reorganization, ultimate control of FAM was vested with Merrill Lynch &
Co., Inc. ("ML & Co."). The general partner of FAM is Princeton Services,
Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ML & Co. The limited partners
are ML & Co. and Merrill Lynch Investment Management, Inc. ("MLIM"), which
is also an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ML & Co.
FAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and
provides the necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and
certain other services necessary to the operations of the Fund.
For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee based upon the
average daily value of the Fund's net assets at the following
annual rates: 0.55% of the Fund's average daily net assets not
exceeding $500 million; 0.525% of average daily net assets in
excess of $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; and 0.50% of
average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion. The Investment
Advisory Agreement obligates FAM to reimburse the Fund to the
extent the Fund's expenses (excluding interest, taxes,
distribution fees, brokerage fees and commissions, and
extraordinary items) exceed 2.5% of the Fund's first $30 million
of average daily net assets, 2.0% of the next $70 million of
average daily net assets, and 1.5% of the average daily net
assets in excess thereof. FAM's obligation to reimburse the Fund
is limited to the amount of the management fee. No fee payment
will be made to FAM during any fiscal year which will cause such
expenses to exceed the expense limitation at the time of such
payment.
Pursuant to a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") adopted
by the Fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Fund pays the Distributor ongoing
account maintenance and distribution fees which are accrued daily
and paid monthly at the annual rates of 0.25% and 0.25%,
respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Class B
Shares of the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-agreement with the
Distributor, Merrill Lynch also provides account maintenance and
distribution services to the Fund. As authorized by the Plan, the
Distributor has entered into an agreement with Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. ("MLPF&S"), an affiliate of MLIM,
which provides for the compensation of MLPF&S for providing
distribution-related services to the Fund. For the six months
ended March 31, 1994, MLFD earned underwriting discounts of
$6,122, and MLPF&S earned dealer concessions of $56,029 on sales
of the Fund's Class A Shares.
MLPF&S also received contingent deferred sales charges of
$332,306 for the sale of the Fund's Class B Shares during the
period.
Financial Data Services, Inc. ("FDS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of ML & Co., is the Fund's transfer agent.
Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAM at cost.
Certain officers and/or trustees of the Fund are officers and/or
directors of FAM, MLIM, MLFD, FDS, MLPF&S, and/or ML & Co.
3. Investments:
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term
securities, for the six months ended March 31, 1994 were
$475,561,894 and $511,252,824, respectively.
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) as of March 31, 1994
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Realized Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
<S> <C> <C>
Long-term investments $19,787,375 $(11,460,698)
Short-term investments (1,356,676) (900)
Financial futures contracts 2,767,722 657,406
----------- ------------
Total $21,198,421 $(10,804,192)
=========== ============
</TABLE>
As of March 31, 1994, net unrealized depreciation for Federal
income tax purposes aggregated $11,461,598, of which $25,937,105
related to appreciated securities and $37,398,703 related to
depreciated securities. The aggregate cost of investments at
March 31, 1994 for Federal income tax purposes was $720,008,547.
80
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND March 31, 1994
4. Beneficial Interest Transactions:
Net increase in net assets derived from beneficial interest
transactions was $34,835,571 and $90,154,954 for the six months
ended March 31, 1994 and the year ended September 30, 1993,
respectively.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest for Class A and
Class B Shares were as follows:
Class A Shares for the Six Dollar
Months Ended March 31, 1994 Shares Amount
<S> <C> <C>
Shares sold 588,756 $ 7,090,054
Shares issued to shareholders
in reinvestment of dividends
and distributions 96,689 1,165,894
---------- ------------
Total issued 685,445 8,255,948
Shares redeemed (355,121) (4,229,900)
---------- ------------
Net increase 330,324 $ 4,026,048
========== ============
Class A Shares for the Year Dollar
Ended September 30,1993 Shares Amount
Shares sold 1,289,097 $ 15,472,813
Shares issued to shareholders
in reinvestment of dividends
and distributions 88,322 1,058,599
---------- ------------
Total issued 1,377,419 16,531,412
Shares redeemed (422,810) (5,082,345)
---------- ------------
Net increase 954,609 $ 11,449,067
========== ============
Class B Shares for the Six Dollar
Months Ended March 31, 1994 Shares Amount
Shares sold 4,618,692 $ 56,002,809
Shares issued to shareholders
in reinvestment of dividends
and distributions 1,584,179 19,124,092
---------- ------------
Total issued 6,202,871 75,126,901
Shares redeemed (3,700,983) (44,317,378)
---------- ------------
Net increase 2,501,888 $ 30,809,523
========== ============
Class B Shares for the Year Dollar
Ended September 30,1993 Shares Amount
Shares sold 10,654,614 $128,316,771
Shares issued to shareholders
in reinvestment of dividends
and distributions 1,620,494 19,382,347
---------- ------------
Total issued 12,275,108 147,699,118
Shares redeemed (5,746,964) (68,993,231)
---------- ------------
Net increase 6,528,144 $ 78,705,887
========== ============
</TABLE>
81
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders,
MERRILL LYNCH NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND OF
MERRILL LYNCH MULTI-STATE MUNICIPAL SERIES TRUST:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the schedule of investments, of Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund of
Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust as of September 30, 1993, the
related statements of operations for the year then ended and changes in net
assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the
financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended.
These financial statements and the financial highlights are the responsibility
of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and the financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned at
September 30, 1993 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Merrill Lynch New
York Municipal Bond Fund of Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust as
of September 30, 1993, the results of its operations, the changes in its net
assets, and the financial highlights for the respective stated periods in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
October 29, 1993
82
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (IN THOUSANDS)
...................................................................................................................................
S&P MOODY'S FACE VALUE
RATINGS RATINGS AMOUNT ISSUE (NOTE 1a)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK 100.1
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
BBB+ Baa1 $ 2,955 Babylon, New York, IDA, Resource Recovery Revenue Bonds (Odgen Martin Systems),
Series C, 8.50% due 1/01/2019 $ 3,452
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR Baa1 14,750 Babylon, New York, IDA, Waste Facilities Revenue Bonds (Babylon Community Waste
Management), Series A, 7.875% due 7/01/1999 (d) 17,790
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffalo, New York, Sewer Authority Revenue Bonds:
AAA Aaa 2,000 Series C, 8,375% due 7/01/1996 (a)(d) 2,315
AAA Aaa 2,000 Series C, 8.50% due 7/01/1996 (a)(d) 2,322
AAA Aaa 2,250 Series E, 7.75% due 7/01/1997 (a)(d) 2,600
AAA Aaa 4,000 Series F, 6% due 7/01/2013 (b) 4,471
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 10,885 Erie County, New York, Water Authority, Water Revenue Refunding Bonds (Fourth
Resolution), 7.30% due 12/01/2017 (a)(g) 1,933
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Central District Management Association Inc., New York, Business Improvement
District, Capital Improvement Revenue Bonds:
A A1 2,170 6.50% due 1/01/2010 2,392
A A1 6,500 6.50% due 1/01/2022 7,109
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR Aa1 6,200 Hornell, New York, IDA, IDR (Crowley Foods, Inc.), 7.75% due 12/01/2016 6,927
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 6,110 Islip, New York, Resources Recovery Agency, Resource Recovery Revenue Bonds, Series A,
8.50% due 9/01/2007 (a) 6,818
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Capital Appreciation Revenue Bonds
(Transportation Facilities), Series N (b)(g):
AAA Aaa 20,525 5.35% due 7/01/2012 7,633
AAA Aaa 830 5.35% due 7/01/2013 293
AAA Aaa 1,210 5.35% due 7/01/2014 405
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 3,105 Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Commuter Facilities Revenue Refunding
Bonds, Series A, 5.50% due 7/01/2017 (c) 3,163
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Service Contract Revenue Bonds
(Commuter Facilities):
BBB Baa1 8,475 Refunding, Series 5, 7% due 7/01/2012 9,592
BBB Baa1 4,370 Series O, 5.75% due 7/01/2013 4,549
BBB Baa1 2,000 Series O, 5.50% due 7/01/2017 2,002
BBB Baa1 1,195 Series 3, 9.25% due 7/01/1999 1,476
BBB Baa1 1,300 Series 3, 9.25% due 7/01/2000 1,647
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS
............................................................
To simplify the listings of Merrill Lynch New York
Municipal Bond Fund's portfolio holdings in the
Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the
names of many of the securities according to the
list at right.
AMT Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
COP Certificates of Participation
GO General Obligation Bonds
HFA Housing Finance Agency
IDA Industrial Development Authority
IDR Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
M/F Multi-Family
PCR Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
TRAN Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes
VRDN Variable Rate Demand Notes
83
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) (IN THOUSANDS)
...................................................................................................................................
S&P MOODY'S FACE VALUE
RATINGS RATINGS AMOUNT ISSUE (NOTE 1a)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK (CONTINUED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Service Contract Revenue Bonds
(Transit Facilities):
BBB Baa1 $ 1,845 Series O, 5.75% due 7/01/2013 $ 1,918
BBB Baa1 1,000 Series O, 5.50% due 7/01/2017 1,001
BBB Baa1 4,350 Series 3, 9.25% due 7/01/1999 5,394
BBB Baa1 4,755 Series 3, 9.25% due 7/01/2000 6,025
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 3,000 Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Facilities Revenue Bonds
(Various Facilities), Series G, 8.50% due 7/01/1996 (d) 3,451
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 6,000 Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Facilities Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Series M, 5.50% due 7/01/2011 (b) 6,196
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,950 Monroe County, New York, Airport Authority Revenue Bonds (Greater Rochester
International), AMT, 7.25% due 1/01/2009 (c) 3,432
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monroe County, New York, COP:
BBB+ Baa 825 7.375% due 1/01/1996 893
BBB+ Baa 9,770 8.05% due 1/01/2011 11,438
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR A 6,125 Monroe County, New York, IDA, Civic Facilities Revenue Bonds (Genessee Hospital), Series A,
7% due 11/01/2018 6,818
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York City, New York, GO:
A- Aaa 1,700 Series A, 8.50% due 11/01/1997 (d) 2,027
A- Baa1 3,500 Series B, 7.75% due 2/01/1998 4,089
A- Baa1 15,400 Series D, 9.50% due 8/01/2002 20,001
A- Baa1 1,000 Series H, 7.20% due 2/01/2014 1,141
A- Baa1 5,000 Series I, 7.75% due 8/15/2018 5,768
A1+ VMG1 500 VRDN, Series E, 3.25% due 9/01/1995 (e) 500
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York City, New York, Health and Hospital Authority, Local Government Revenue
Refunding Bonds:
BBB Baa 6,000 Series A, 6.30% due 2/15/2020 6,293
AAA Aaa 10,845 Series A, 5.75% due 2/15/2022 (a) 11,333
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AA Aa 8,475 New York City, New York, Housing Development Corporation, M/F Housing, Series B, 5.70%
due 11/01/2013 (f) 8,626
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York City, New York, IDA, Civic Facilities Revenue Bonds:
A1+ NR 700 (National Audubon Society), VRDN, 3.50% due 12/01/2014 (e) 700
BBB NR 2,000 (New York Blood Center), 7.20% due 5/01/2012 2,326
BBB NR 3,250 (New York Blood Center), 7.25% due 5/01/2022 3,785
AAA Aaa 4,000 (Rockefeller Foundation Project), 5.375% due 7/01/2023 4,103
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BB+ Baa2 2,030 New York City, New York, IDA, Special Facilities Revenue Bonds (American Airlines),
7.75% due 7/01/2019 2,226
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York City, New York, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
Revenue Bonds:
A- A 9,000 Series A, 6.75% due 6/15/2017 10,070
A- Aaa 12,500 Series C, 7.75% due 6/15/2020 15,551
A1+ VMG1 500 VRDN, Series C, 3.30% due 6/15/2022 (b)(e) 500
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBB Baa 3,000 New York City, New York, Solid Waste Management Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds
(Oneida-Herkimer), 6.75% due 4/01/2014 3,266
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
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<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) (IN THOUSANDS)
...................................................................................................................................
S&P MOODY'S FACE VALUE
RATINGS RATINGS AMOUNT ISSUE (NOTE 1a)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK (CONTINUED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
New York City, New York, Trust for Cultural Resources Revenue Bonds (American
Museum of Natural History):
AAA Aaa $ 3,750 Series A, 6.90%, due 4/01/2021 (c) $ 4,304
A1+ VMG1 3,000 (Soloman R. Guggenheim), VRDN, Series B, 3.50% due 12/01/2015 (e) 3,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue Bonds:
BBB Baa1 3,500 (City University System), Series A, 9.25% due 7/01/2000 4,435
BBB Baa1 7,030 (City University System), Series C, 9.25% due 7/01/2000 8,908
AAA Aaa 1,000 (Colgate University System), 5.625% due 7/01/2023 (b) 1,045
A NR 1,120 (Community Memorial Hospital, Hamilton), 9% due 7/01/2005 1,238
BBB Baa1 2,870 (Consolidated City University System), Series A, 5.75% due 7/01/2018 2,927
BBB Baa1 11,885 Refunding (City University System), Series B, 6% due 7/01/2014 12,583
BBB Baa1 3,800 Refunding (City University System), Series U, 6.375% due 7/01/2008 4,150
BBB+ Baa1 9,410 Refunding (State University Educational Facilities), Series B, 7.50% due 5/15/2011 11,669
BBB+ Baa1 15,905 Refunding (State University Educational Facilities), Series B, 5.25% due 5/15/2013 15,374
BBB+ Baa1 8,250 Refunding (State University Educational Facilities), Series B, 5.25% due 5/15/2019 7,848
AA Aa 3,130 (Rochester General Hospital), 8.75% due 2/01/2025 (f) 3,457
BBB- Baa1 2,000 (State University Athletic Facility), 7.25% due 7/01/2021 2,305
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Electric Facilities Revenue
Bonds (Consolidated Edison Co.), AMT:
AA- Aa2 10,000 Series A, 7.75% due 1/01/2024 11,327
AA- Aa2 2,595 Series B, 9.25% due 9/15/2022 3,185
A- Aa2 5,000 Series B, 7.375% due 7/01/2024 5,612
AA- Aa2 7,815 Series C, 7.25% due 11/01/2024 8,780
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Electric Facilities Revenue
Bonds (Long Island Lighting Co.), AMT:
BBB- Baa3 2,000 Series A, 7.15% due 9/01/2019 2,243
BBB- Baa3 4,000 Series A, 7.15% due 12/01/2020 4,486
BBB- Baa3 3,000 Series A, 7.15% due 2/01/2022 3,365
BBB- Baa3 5,000 Series C, 6.90% due 8/01/2022 5,557
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Gas Facilities Revenue Bonds
(Brooklyn Union Gas Co. Project):
A A1 2,630 8.75% due 7/01/2015 2,916
A A1 915 Series A, 9% due 5/15/2015 1,012
A A1 18,400 Series II, 7% due 12/01/2020 20,415
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, PCR:
NR NR 1,200 (Niagara Mohawk Corporation), VRDN, Series A, 3.50% due 3/01/2027 (e) 1,200
A1+ NR 1,200 (Niagara Power Corporation Project), AMT, VRDN, Series B, 3.40% due 7/01/2027 (e) 1,200
A+ A3 3,170 (Orange and Rockland Utilities Project), 9% due 8/01/2015 3,533
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, PCR (Water-Revolving Fund):
A Aa - 2,450 Series A, 7.25% due 6/15/2010 2,853
A Aa 1,250 Series A, 7% due 6/15/2012 1,437
A Aa 16,350 Series E, 6.875% due 6/15/2010 18,648
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, Special Obligation Bonds
(Riverbank State Park):
BBB NR 1,485 7.25% due 4/01/2007 1,707
BBB NR 3,000 7.25% due 4/01/2012 3,448
BBB NR 8,400 7.375% due 4/01/2022 9,720
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
85
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<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) (IN THOUSANDS)
...................................................................................................................................
S&P MOODY'S FACE VALUE
RATINGS RATINGS AMOUNT ISSUE (NOTE 1a)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK (CONTINUED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
NEW YORK STATE HFA, SERVICE CONTRACT OBLIGATION REVENUE BONDS:
BBB Baa1 $ 3,500 Refunding, Series C, 5.875% due 9/15/2014 $ 3,580
BBB Baa1 6,500 Refunding, Series C, 6.125% due 3/15/2020 6,714
BBB Baa1 18,585 Series A, 5.50% due 9/15/2022 18,112
BBB Baa1 3,000 Series C, 6.30% due 9/15/2012 3,175
BBB Baa1 3,000 Series C, 6.30% due 3/15/2022 3,175
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NR VMG1 1,400 New York State Job Development Authority Revenue Bonds, Special Purpose,
Series A-1 -- A-25, VRDN, 3.25% due 3/01/2007 (e) 1,400
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Local Government Assistance Corporation Revenue Bonds:
A A 23,375 Refunding, Series C, 5% due 4/01/2021 21,948
A A 1,600 Series A, 7.125% due 4/01/2011 1,867
A A 10,500 Series A, 6.875% due 4/01/2019 12,043
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency Revenue Bonds:
AA NR 1,000 (Catholic Medical Center), Series A, 8.30% due 2/15/2022 (f) 1,143
AAA Aaa 6,820 (Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York), 1985 Series B, 8.50% due 12/01/1997 (a)(d) 7,730
AA Aa 2,700 (Long Island College Hospital), Series B, 8.10% due 2/15/2022 (f) 3,064
AAA Aaa 4,000 (Long Term Health Care Capital Guaranty Insured), Series D, 6.50% due 11/01/2015 4,548
BBB+ Baa1 5,900 (Mental Health Services), Series B, 6% due 2/15/2011 6,019
BBB+ Baa1 1,470 (Mental Health Services), Series B, 7.625% due 8/15/2017 1,749
BBB+ Baa1 4,315 (Mental Health Services), Series C, 7.30% due 2/15/2021 5,040
BBB+ Baa1 2,710 (Mental Health Services), Series D, 7.40% due 2/15/2018 3,182
AAA Aaa 30,550 (Mt. Sinai Hospital), Series C, 8.875% due 1/15/1996 (d)(f) 34,803
AAA Aaa 6,850 (Saint Francis Hospital Project), Series A, 7.625% due 11/01/2021 (b) 8,008
AAA Aa 4,695 (Saint Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital), Series A, 5.70% due 2/15/2029 4,784
BBB Baa 7,750 (Security Hospital), Series A, 7.40% due 8/15/2021 9,009
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Mortgage Agency, Homeowner Mortgage Revenue Bonds:
NR Aa 2,020 AMT, Series GG, 8.125% due 4/01/2020 2,187
NR Aa 14,875 Series BB-2, 7.95% due 10/01/2015 16,234
NR Aa 1,750 Series EE-3, 7.75% due 4/01/2016 1,963
NR Aa 2,375 Series FF, 7.95% due 10/01/2014 2,593
NR Aa 9,135 Series 29-C-1, 5.65% due 4/01/2015 9,230
NR Aa 790 10th Series A, 8.10% due 4/01/2014 873
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Power Authority, General Purpose and Revenue Bonds:
AA- Aa 9,000 Refunding, Series CC, 5% due 1/01/2014 8,775
AA- Aa 11,750 Refunding, Series Z, 6.50% due 1/01/2019 13,273
AA- Aa 4,000 Series AA, 6.375% due 1/01/2012 4,441
AA- Aa 10,000 Series Y, 6.75% due 1/01/2018 11,343
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State Thruway Authority, Service Contract Revenue Bonds (Local Highway
and Bridge):
BBB Baa1 - 9,000 6% due 1/01/2011 9,243
BBB Baa1 10,400 5.25% due 4/01/2013 10,049
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York State TRAN:
SP1+ MIG1+ 400 2.50% due 12/31/1993 400
SP1+ MIG1+ 600 2.75% due 12/31/1993 600
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
86
<PAGE>
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<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONCLUDED) (IN THOUSANDS)
...................................................................................................................................
S&P MOODY'S FACE VALUE
RATINGS RATINGS AMOUNT ISSUE (NOTE 1a)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK (CONCLUDED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S> <C>
New York State Urban Development Corporation Revenue Bonds:
BBB Baa1 $ 1,500 (Alfred Technology Resource Income Project), 7.875% due 1/01/2020 $ 1,740
BBB Baa1 7,500 (Correctional Capital Facilities), Series 1, 7.75% due 1/01/2014 8,648
BBB Baa1 10,000 (Correctional Capital Facilities), Series 2, 6.50% due 1/01/2021 10,633
BBB Baa1 5,000 (Correctional Capital Facilities), Series G, 6% due 1/01/2019 5,080
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Refunding Bonds,
Eighty-Seventh Series:
AA- A1 4,120 5.25% due 7/15/2015 4,130
AA- A1 5,175 5.25% due 7/15/2016 5,179
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+ VMG1 4,900 Syracuse, New York, IDA, Civic Facilities Revenue Bonds
(Syracuse University Project), VRDN, 3.50% due 3/01/2023 (e) 4,900
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, Revenue Bonds:
A+ Aa 14,055 (General Purpose), Series X, 6.625% due 1/01/2012 16,748
A+ Aa 5,000 Refunding (General Purpose), Series A, 5% due 1/01/2012 4,877
A+ Aa 3,930 Refunding (General Purpose), Series Q, 6.75% due 1/01/2009 4,681
AAA Aaa 11,450 Refunding (Special Obligation), 5.50% due 1/01/2017 (a) 11,735
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBB Baa 2,750 Ulster County, New York, Resource Recovery Agency Revenue Bonds (Solid Waste Systems),
6% due 3/01/2014 2,830
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUERTO RICO 1.0%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1+ VMG1 1,100 Puerto Rico Commonwealth Government Development Refunding Bonds, VRDN, 2.75%
due 12/01/2015 (e) 1,100
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 3,000 Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway Authority, Highway Revenue Bonds, Series P, 8.125%
due 7/01/1998 (d) 3,614
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AA- Aa3 2,500 Puerto Rico, Industrial, Medical and Environmental Pollution Control Facilities, Financing
Authority Revenue Bonds (Motorola Inc. Project), Series A, 6.75% due 1/01/2014 2,878
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (COST--$699,958)--101.1% 774,717
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS--(1.1%) (8,761)
--------
NET ASSETS--100.0% $765,956
--------
--------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) AMBAC INSURED. (e) THE INTEREST RATE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PERIODICALLY BASED UPON THE
(b) FGIC INSURED. PREVAILING MARKET RATE. THE INTEREST RATES SHOWN ARE THE RATES IN
(c) MBIA INSURED. EFFECT AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1993.
(d) PREREFUNDED. (f) FHA INSURED.
(g) REPRESENTS THE YIELD TO MATURITY ON THIS ZERO COUPON ISSUE.
+ HIGHEST SHORT-TERM RATING BY MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
See Notes to Financial Statements. RATINGS OF ISSUES SHOWN HAVE NOT BEEN AUDITED BY DELOITTE & TOUCHE.
</TABLE>
87
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<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
....................................................................................................................................
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C>
ASSETS: Investments, at value (identified cost--$699,957,636) (Note la) . . . $774,717,376
Cash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96,105
Receivables:
Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 12,233,140
Securities sold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,759,433
Beneficial interest sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,869,387 22,861,960
------------
Deferred organization expenses (Note le). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 712
Prepaid registration fees and other assets (Note le). . . . . . . . . 77,975
------------
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 797,754,128
------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES: Payables:
Securities purchased . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,532,499
Beneficial interest redeemed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,421,803
Dividends to shareholders (Note 1f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,060,744
Investment adviser (Note 2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338,301
Distributor (Note 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299,490 31,652,837
------------
Accrued expenses and other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144,408
------------
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31,797,645
------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS: Net assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $765,956,483
------------
------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS Class A Shares of beneficial interest, $.10 par value, unlimited
CONSIST OF: number of shares authorized. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $256,647
Class B Shares of beneficial interest, $.10 par value, unlimited
number of shares authorized. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,890,166
Paid-in capital in excess of par. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672,130,424
Undistributed realized capital gains--net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,919,506
Unrealized appreciation on investments--net . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74,759,740
------------
Net assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $765,956,483
------------
------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE: Class A--Based on net assets of $31,975,571 and 2,566,477 shares of
beneficial interest outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 12.46
------------
------------
Class B--Based on net assets of $733,980,912 and 58,901,665 shares of
beneficial interest outstanding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 12.46
------------
------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
88
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<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
....................................................................................................................................
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Operations for the Year Ended September 30, 1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME Interest and amortization of premium and discount earned. . . . . . . $44,544,836
(NOTE 1d)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES: Investment advisory fees (Note 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,744,878
Distribution fees--Class B (Note 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,320,440
Transfer agent fees--Class B (Note 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268,169
Printing and shareholder reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96,920
Registration fees (Note 1e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,562
Accounting services (Note 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65,976
Professional fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,803
Custodial fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46,190
Trustees' fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,527
Pricing fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,944
Transfer agent fees--Class A (Note 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,832
Amortization of organization expenses (Note 1e) . . . . . . . . . . . 8,370
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,175
------------
Total expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,749,786
------------
Investment income--net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,795,050
------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REALIZED & Realized gain on investments--net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,506,899
UNREALIZED GAIN Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net . . . . . . . . 30,754,959
ON INVESTMENTS-- ------------
NET (NOTES 1d & 3): NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . $83,056,908
------------
------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
89
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
....................................................................................................................................
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS: 1993 1992
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS: Investment income--net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 36,795,050 $ 34,874,676
Realized gain on investments--net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,506,899 9,882,022
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net . . . . . . . . 30,754,959 18,567,618
------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations. . . . . . . . . 83,056,908 63,324,316
------------ ------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS & Investment income--net:
DISTRIBUTIONS Class A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,475,206) (939,087)
TO SHAREHOLDERS Class B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (35,319,844) (33,935,589)
(NOTE 1f): Realized gain on investments--net:
Class A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (194,989) --
Class B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5,828,788) --
------------ ------------
Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends and distributions
to shareholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (42,818,827) (34,874,676)
------------ ------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIAL INTEREST Net increase in net assets derived from beneficial interest
TRANSACTIONS transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90,154,954 24,429,272
------------ ------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS: Total increase in net assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130,393,035 52,878,912
Beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635,563,448 582,684,536
------------ ------------
End of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $765,956,483 $635,563,448
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
90
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<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
....................................................................................................................................
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A
------------------------------------------------
FOR THE
PERIOD
THE FOLLOWING PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS HAVE BEEN DERIVED FROM OCT. 25,
INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1988+ TO
------------------------------------ SEPT. 30,
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE: 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE Net asset value, beginning of period. . . . . . . . . . $11.77 $11.22 $10.56 $10.81 $10.85
OPERATING ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PERFORMANCE: Investment income--net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 .72 .74 .73 .68
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments--net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 .55 .66 (.25) (.04)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations. . . . . . . . . . . . 1.50 1.27 1.40 .48 .64
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less dividends and distributions:
Investment income--net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (.70) (.72) (.74) (.73) (.68)
Realized gain on investments--net . . . . . . . . . (.11) -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total dividends and distributions . . . . . . . . . . . (.81) (.72) (.74) (.73) (.68)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value, end of period. . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.46 $11.77 $11.22 $10.56 $10.81
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT Based on net asset value per share. . . . . . . . . . . 13.25% 11.77% 13.60% 4.42% 6.28%++
RETURN:** ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS TO AVERAGE Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64% .65% .66% .67% .66% *
NET ASSETS: ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Investment income--net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.80% 6.28% 6.72% 6.79% 6.82% *
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of period (in thousands). . . . . . . . $31,976 $18,973 $13,727 $8,905 $3,796
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Portfolio turnover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.31% 35.90% 49.78% 53.82% 74.51%
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
* ANNUALIZED.
** TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURNS EXCLUDE THE EFFECTS OF SALES LOADS.
+ COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS.
++ AGGREGATE TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN.
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
91
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONCLUDED)
....................................................................................................................................
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONCLUDED)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B
------------------------------------------------
THE FOLLOWING PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS HAVE BEEN DERIVED FROM
INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE: 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE Net asset value, beginning of year. . . . . . . . . . . $11.77 $11.23 $10.57 $10.81 $10.66
OPERATING ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
PERFORMANCE: Investment income--net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 .67 .67 .68 .69
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments-net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 .54 .66 (.24) .15
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations. . . . . . . . . . . . 1.44 1.21 1.33 .44 .84
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less dividends and distributions:
Investments income--net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (.64) (.67) (.67) (.68) (.69)
Realized gain on investments--net. . . . . . . . . . (.11) -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total dividends and distributions . . . . . . . . . . . (.75) (.67) (.67) (.68) (.69)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value, end of year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.46 $11.77 $11.23 $10.57 $10.81
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT Based on net asset value per share. . . . . . . . . . . 12.68% 11.12% 13.03% 4.00% 8.16%
RETURN*: ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS TO AVERAGE Expenses, excluding distribution fees . . . . . . . . . .64% .66% .67% .68% .66%
NET ASSETS: ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.14% 1.16% 1.17% 1.18% 1.16%
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Investment income--net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.32% 5.79% 6.23% 6.28% 6.38%
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net asets, end of year (in thousands) . . . . . . . . . $733,981 $616,590 $568,958 $566,095 $635,227
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Portfolio turnover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.31% 35.90% 49.78% 53.82% 74.51%
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURNS EXCLUDE THE EFFECTS OF SALES LOADS.
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
92
<PAGE>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
................................................................................
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund (the "Fund") is part of the Merrill
Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust (the "Trust"). The Fund is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end investment
management company. The Fund offers both Class A and Class B Shares. Class A
Shares are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B Shares may be subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge. Both classes of shares have identical
voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and
conditions, except that Class B Shares bear certain expenses related to the
distribution of such shares and have exclusive voting rights with respect to
matters relating to such distribution expenditures. The following is a summary
of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.
(a) VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS--Municipal bonds and other portfolio securities are
traded primarily in the over-the-counter municipal bond and money markets and
are valued at the last available bid price or yield equivalents as obtained by
the Fund's pricing service from one or more dealers that make markets in such
securities. Financial futures contracts, which are traded on exchanges, are
valued at their last sale price as of the close of such exchanges. Options,
which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their last sale price as of the
close of such exchanges or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price.
Short-term investments with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued
on an amortized cost basis, which approximates market value. Securities and
assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair
value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of
Trustees of the Trust.
(b) FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS--The Fund may purchase or sell interest rate
futures contracts and options on such futures contracts for the purpose of
hedging the market risk on existing portfolio holdings or the intended purchase
of securities. Futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of
securities at a specific future date and at a specific price or yield. Upon
entering into a contract, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such
initial margin as required by the exchange on which the transaction is effected.
Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker
an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such
receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund
as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a
realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract
at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
(c) INCOME TAXES--It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.
(d) SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME--Security transactions are
recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates).
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Original issue discounts and
market premiums are amortized into interest income. Realized gains and losses on
security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.
(e) DEFERRED ORGANIZATION EXPENSES AND PREPAID REGISTRATION FEES--Deferred
organization expenses are charged to expense on a straight-line basis over a
five-year period. Costs related to the organization of the second class of
shares are charged to expense over a period not exceeding five years.
Prepaid registration fees are charged to expense as the related shares are
issued.
(f) DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS--Dividends from net investment income are
declared daily and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on
the ex-dividend dates.
(g) NON-INCOME PRODUCING INVESTMENTS--Written and purchased options are non-
income producing investments.
93
<PAGE>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES:
The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Fund Asset
Management, Inc. ("FAMI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Investment
Management, Inc. ("MLIM"), which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution Plan
with Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. ("MLFD" or "Distributor"), a wholly-
owned subsidiary of MLIM.
FAMI is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides the
necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary
to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee
based upon the average daily value of the Fund's net assets at the following
annual rates: 0.55% of the Fund's average daily net assets not exceeding $500
million; 0.525% of average daily net assets in excess of $500 million but not
exceeding $1 billion; and 0.50% of average daily net assets in excess of
$1 billion. The Investment Advisory Agreement obligates FAMI to reimburse the
Fund to the extent the Fund's expenses (excluding interest, taxes,
distribution fees, brokerage fees and commissions, and extraordinary items)
exceed 2.5% of the Fund's first $30 million of average daily net assets,
2.0% of the next $70 million of average daily net assets, and 1.5% of the
average daily net assets in excess thereof. FAMI's obligation to reimburse the
Fund is limited to the amount of the management fee. No fee payment will be
made to FAMI during any fiscal year which will cause such expenses to exceed
the expense limitation at the time of such payment.
The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the plan, MLFD receives a fee
from the Fund for the sale of Class B Shares at the end of each month at the
annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class B
Shares to compensate the Distributor for services provided and the expenses
borne by it under the Plan. As authorized by the Plan, the Distributor has
entered into an agreement with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
("MLPF&S"), an affiliate of MLIM, which provides for the compensation of MLPF&S
for providing distribution-related services to the Fund. For the year ended
September 30, 1993, MLFD earned underwriting discounts of $15,617, and MLPF&S
earned dealer concessions of $136,397 on sales of the Fund's Class A Shares.
MLPF&S also received contingent deferred sales charges of $622,557 for the sale
of the Fund's Class B Shares during the year.
Financial Data Services, Inc. ("FDS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill
Lynch & Co., Inc., is the Fund's transfer agent.
Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAMI at cost.
Certain officers and/or trustees of the Fund are officers and/or directors of
FAMI, MLIM, MLFD, FDS, MLPF&S, and/or Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
3. INVESTMENTS:
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the
year ended September 30, 1993 were $360,529,074 and $253,481,979, respectively.
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) as of September 30, 1993 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
REALIZED UNREALIZED
GAINS GAINS
(LOSSES) (LOSSES)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Long-term investments................... $16,360,864 $74,760,049
Short-term investments.................. (3,731) (309)
Options purchased....................... (850,234) --
----------- -----------
Total................................... $15,506,899 $74,759,740
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
94
<PAGE>
Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund September 30, 1993
As of September 30, 1993, net unrealized appreciation for Federal income tax
purposes aggregated $74,759,740, of which $74,760,597 related to appreciated
securities and $857 related to depreciated securities. The aggregate cost of
investments at September 30, 1993 for Federal income tax purposes was
$699,957,636.
Transactions in put options purchased for the year ended September 30, 1993 were
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
PAR VALUE/SHARES
COVERED BY
PURCHASED PREMIUMS
OPTIONS PAID
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding options at
beginning of year....................... -- --
Options purchased....................... $ 1,000 $ 850,234
Options expired......................... (1,000) (850,234)
------------ ----------
Outstanding options
at end of year.......................... -- --
------------ ----------
------------ ----------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
4. BENEFICIAL INTEREST TRANSACTIONS:
Net increase in net assets derived from beneficial interest transactions was
$90,154,954 and $24,429,272 for the years ended September 30, 1993 and September
30, 1992, respectively.
Transactions in shares of beneficial interest for Class A and Class B Shares
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES FOR THE YEAR DOLLAR
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1993 SHARES AMOUNT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Shares sold............................. 1,289,097 $15,472,813
Shares issued to shareholders
in reinvestment of dividends............ 88,322 1,058,599
--------- -----------
Total issued............................ 1,377,419 16,531,412
Shares redeemed......................... (422,810) (5,082,345)
--------- -----------
Net increase............................ 954,609 $11,449,067
--------- -----------
--------- -----------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A SHARES FOR THE YEAR DOLLAR
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1992 SHARES AMOUNT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Shares sold............................. 767,239 $ 8,785,231
Shares issued to shareholders
in reinvestment of dividends............ 49,986 574,421
--------- -----------
Total issued............................ 817,225 9,359,652
Shares redeemed......................... (428,444) (4,852,108)
--------- -----------
Net increase............................ 388,781 $ 4,507,544
--------- -----------
--------- -----------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES FOR THE YEAR DOLLAR
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1993 SHARES AMOUNT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Shares sold............................. 10,654,614 $128,316,771
Shares issued to shareholders
in reinvestment of dividends
and distributions....................... 1,620,494 19,382,347
---------- ------------
Total issued............................ 12,275,108 147,699,118
Shares redeemed......................... (5,746,964) (68,993,231)
---------- ------------
Net increase............................ 6,528,144 $ 78,705,887
---------- ------------
---------- ------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS B SHARES FOR THE YEAR DOLLAR
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1992 SHARES AMOUNT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Shares sold............................. 9,679,990 $111,047,304
Shares issued to shareholders
in reinvestment of dividends............ 1,269,811 14,564,799
---------- ------------
Total issued............................ 10,949,801 125,612,103
Shares redeemed......................... (9,261,996) (105,690,375)
---------- ------------
Net increase............................ 1,687,805 $ 19,921,728
---------- ------------
---------- ------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
95
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
---------
<S> <C>
Investment Objective and Policies.............. 2
Description of Municipal Bonds and Temporary
Investments.................................. 4
Description of Municipal Bonds............. 4
Description of Temporary Investments....... 5
Repurchase Agreements...................... 7
Financial Futures Transactions and
Options.................................. 7
Investment Restrictions........................ 12
Management of the Trust........................ 16
Trustees and Officers........................ 16
Management and Advisory Arrangements......... 17
Purchase of Shares............................. 19
Initial Sales Charge Alternatives -- Class A
and Class D Shares......................... 19
Reduced Initial Sales Charges................ 20
Distribution Plans........................... 23
Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales
Charges.................................... 24
Redemption of Shares........................... 25
Deferred Sales Charges -- Class B Shares..... 25
Portfolio Transactions......................... 26
Determination of Net Asset Value............... 27
Shareholder Services........................... 28
Investment Account........................... 28
Automatic Investment Plans................... 28
Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends and
Capital Gains Distributions................ 29
Systematic Withdrawal Plans -- Class A and
Class D Shares............................. 29
Exchange Privilege........................... 30
Distributions and Taxes........................ 43
Environmental Tax............................ 46
Tax Treatment of Options and Futures
Transactions............................... 46
Performance Data............................... 47
General Information............................ 50
Description of Series and Shares............. 50
Computation of Offering Price Per Share...... 51
Independent Auditors......................... 51
Custodian.................................... 51
Transfer Agent............................... 52
Legal Counsel................................ 52
Reports to Shareholders...................... 52
Additional Information....................... 52
Appendix I -- Economic and Financial Conditions
in New York.................................. 53
Appendix II -- Ratings of Municipal Bonds...... 61
Financial Statements (unaudited)............... 69
Independent Auditors' Report................... 82
Financial Statements (audited)................. 83
Code #10343-1094
</TABLE>
[LOGO]
Merrill Lynch
New York Municipal
Bond Fund
Merrill Lynch Multi-State
Municipal Series Trust
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
October 21, 1994
Distributor:
Merrill Lynch
Funds Distributor, Inc.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX FOR GRAPHIC AND IMAGE MATERIAL
Pursuant to Rule 304 of Regulation S-T, the following table presents fair
and accurate narrative descriptions of graphic and image material omitted from
this EDGAR submission file due to ASCII-incompatibility and cross-references
this material to the location of each occurrence in the text.
DESCRIPTION OF OMITTED LOCATION OF GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC OR IMAGE OR IMAGE IN TEXT
- ---------------------- -------------------
Compass plate, circular Back cover of Prospectus and
graph paper and Merrill Lynch back cover of Statement of
logo including stylized market Additional Information
bull
A-1
