ITALY FUND INC
N-30B-2, 1994-03-31
Previous: ITALY FUND INC, NSAR-B, 1994-03-31
Next: ML MEDIA PARTNERS LP, 10-K, 1994-03-31



<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
Dear Shareholder,
 
    We  are pleased to present the Annual Report for The Italy Fund Inc. for the
fiscal year ended January 31, 1994. As of that date, the Fund's net asset  value
(NAV), including the costs and dilution associated with the rights offering, was
$9.84  per share. At the end of the  previous quarter, October 31, 1993, the NAV
was $9.75 per share and  at the close of the  previous fiscal year, January  31,
1993,  the NAV was $8.43 per share. In  considering the NAV, please bear in mind
the dividend of $0.075 per share paid in December 1993.
 
    When expressed in Lira terms, the Fund's NAV, when adjusted for the dividend
and rights offering, increased by 38.3% during this fiscal year, which  compares
with a 36% increase in the Banca Commerciale Italiana Index (BCI Index) over the
same period. Expressed in U.S. dollars, the Fund has continued to outperform the
BCI Index since inception.
 
POLITICS
 
    Given  the  political  and  economic  revolution  that  Italy  is  currently
undergoing, political developments have continued to set the scene over the last
three months.  In local  elections held  in November  and December,  the  former
communist  party (PDS) led coalitions  which won most of  the contests, with the
Northern League suffering their first major  setback. The wave of protest  which
had  been clearly perceived in the June local elections was further strengthened
as shown  by  the  demise  of  the present  coalition  parties  and  the  strong
performance  of the MSI (extreme right party) in both Naples and Rome. The major
winner of these elections was the PDS,  which was able to take advantage of  the
new  majority electoral system in building alliances both to the right and left.
The new electoral system enabled it to  win a majority without being the  single
largest  party in the contest. It was  also very skillful in dispelling possible
apprehensions about  its  victory between  the  two rounds  of  elections,  when
several  key PDS  figures reassured  the electorate  about the  party's economic
policies.
 
    Finally, after months of political maneuvering including last-minute efforts
by elements in the security services to force President Scalfaro's  resignation,
the  date of  early elections  was fixed.  With the  final approval  of the 1994
budget and  of the  new electoral  constituencies, Parliament  was dissolved  in
January,  with early elections called for the  27th and 28th of March. With just
under two  months  to go  until  the elections,  it  is still  not  clear  which
political  aggregations will  contest the  seats in  the various constituencies,
which will be largely decided by a majority electoral system for the first  time
in the history of the Italian Republic.
 
    Following  last fall's local  elections four political  groupings seem to be
taking shape.
 
1.  The progressive pole (center), led by the PDS
    and potentially consisting  of the  Green Party,  Communist Refoundation  (a
    left-wing  breakaway  group  from  the  PDS),  some  former  Socialists  and
    Republicans from the old governing majority ("Alleanza Democratica") and the
    anti-mafia party "La Rete." This  grouping has currently been credited  with
    40% of the votes.
 
2.  The Northern League (which has recently
    toned  down its federalist  stance), "Forza Italia"  (group founded by media
    magnate Silvio  Berlusconi) plus  the former  Liberal party.  This group  is
    credited with 27% of the votes, according to an opinion poll.
 
3.  The Partito Popolare (former Christian
Democrats)  in possible alliance with  Mario Segni and his  "Pact for Italy." An
    opinion poll taken in January gave this aggregation 23% of the votes.
 
4.  Alleanza Nazionale, i.e. the right under the
    leadership of MSI. The same poll gives this grouping 10% of the votes.
 
    Given the new majority electoral system, it has become crucial to be able to
forge alliances and  present a  single candidate representing  the alliance.  So
far,  the "progressive pole"  has demonstrated its  skills in building alliances
and this was the key to their success in the last local elections. Together  the
three center-right groupings should win more support than the "progressive pole"
in  the next elections.  They are, however, subject  to severe internal strains;
and among the center-right groupings there is still not a well defined  alliance
to  confront  the  left.  Unless  there are  last  minute  agreements  among the
center-right forces, the progressive  pole has an excellent  chance to take  the
majority in the new parliament.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
    While  at this point few will hazard a  bet on the likely winner or winners,
at least one result from the election  can be predicted. Italy will introduce  a
system  that encourages  parties to  alternate in power,  and this  is a turning
point in political culture. The lack of a genuine alternative to the parties  in
government  until  now  has  been  a crucial  ingredient  behind  the  spread of
corruption that has provoked the collapse of the old political system.
 
THE ECONOMY
 
    Turning to  the economic  outlook, little  has changed  in Italy's  economic
scenario  over the last few months. One  has to recognize that a growing dualism
between the domestic  and the export  sectors has emerged.  While real  domestic
demand  has been  falling for four  consecutive quarters, real  net exports have
improved significantly since late 1992, helping to turn the trade balance from a
Lit 15.3 trillion deficit in the first 11 months of 1992 into a Lit 27  trillion
surplus  for the same  period in 1993.  Trade flows continue  to improve Italy's
balance of payments which recorded  a Lit 2.1 trillion  surplus in 1993 after  a
deficit of Lit 32.5 trillion in 1992. The trade improvement reflects the unusual
combination  (for Italy) of an  almost 20% depreciation in  the Lira and falling
real wages. The vicious circle of high inflation and wage/price growth has  been
broken  with consequent gains for Italy's market share abroad. At the same time,
this largely explains why domestic demand  is showing a negative growth for  the
first  time  since the  Second World  War.  Consumer spending  was traditionally
underpinned by the fact  that wage growth was  exceeding inflation (through  the
automatic  wage  indexation mechanism),  thus  representing robust,  real income
growth despite  occasional  falls in  employment.  With the  abolition  of  wage
indexation last summer, wage growth has fallen below inflation. In addition, tax
increases,  resulting  from the  last two  years'  rigorous budgets,  along with
rising unemployment have dented the average household's income.
 
    Industrial output data to November 1993 shows activity stabilizing at around
the same levels as last year.  Steel production, car sales and business  surveys
all suggest that the economy has stopped deteriorating.
 
    While  the economy has bottomed out and  a decrease of 0.4% in Italy's gross
domestic product  (GDP) is  expected  for 1993,  no  strong recovery  can  occur
without  a turn-around in domestic demand, which is unlikely to occur before the
end of 1994. Net exports will again constitute the driving force for the Italian
economy in 1994, when GDP is expected to grow by around 1.5%.
 
    Economic weakness and falling real wages  have on the other hand, favored  a
decline  in inflation, in  spite of the  significant depreciation and widespread
fears of importing inflation.  Inflation, as represented  by the consumer  price
index (CPI) averaged 4.2% in 1993, down from 5.4% in 1992, and was running at 4%
in December 1993. Even if the trend in inflation will be temporarily interrupted
in  January 1994 because of the initial  effects of the year-end budget measures
(higher gasoline taxes  and motorway  tolls) it should  subsequently resume  its
downward trend, which could last until the end of the year.
 
THE STOCK MARKET
 
PERSPECTIVE
 
    The  year  under  review  has  been gratifying  and  not  only  in  terms of
performance. The  BCI index  grew by  36%  over the  twelve month  period  ended
January 31, 1994, while the daily volume jumped to nearly Lit 400 billion, up by
almost  300% from  the previous  year. In  the last  days of  January, the daily
volume on the Milan  Exchange reached Lit 1,500  billion, a record volume.  This
growth  was mainly due to the decline in interest rates and the expansion of the
screen-based trading system (telematico). The performance of the market was also
aided by the  long awaited start  of the privatization  program. Among the  four
privatizations  that have  taken place, the  most important was  that of Italy's
seventh largest  bank, Credito  Italiano, which  successfully raised  Lit  1,830
billion  ($1.08 billion), despite  the fact that  the market had  to deal with a
substantially larger amount  of capital  increases as compared  to the  previous
year.  The  other  major  unfavourable development  in  the  Italian  market was
represented by  the  financial difficulties  that  some industrial  groups  were
confronted with, the Ferruzzi collapse being the most noteworthy.
 
    In  terms of sector  performance, the best performing  sectors over the last
twelve months  were  the  telecom sector  (pulled  by  Stet and  Sip  and  their
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ---------------------------------------------------
reorganization  and privatization talks), the  textile sector (a key beneficiary
of the  Lira  devaluation)  and  the  auto  and  mechanical  engineering  sector
(beneficiary  of  corporate  restructuring  and  competitive  gains  from  lower
currency and lower wage costs). The underperforming sectors were essentially the
construction/property sector  (negatively  affected  by the  virtual  freeze  in
infrastructure  spending resulting  from the corruption  investigations) and the
banking sector  (suffering from  the provisions  to be  made for  increased  bad
loans, as illustrated by the well published Ferruzzi collapse).
 
OUTLOOK
 
    Given  the political development discussed earlier, and the upcoming general
elections in particular, it is rather  evident that the political variable  will
be the most important one with regard to the prospects for the Italian financial
markets.  We expect, therefore, the equity  market to remain quite volatile over
the next two months  as the electoral campaign  begins in earnest and  political
alliances  may be created or undone. Paradoxically, we believe that it is likely
that economic policy will not change in  the medium term whatever the result  of
the  elections.  The crucial  point  is that  all  of the  political  forces are
willing, in general terms, to follow the course outlined by the Amato and Ciampi
governments in terms of the issues which are vitally important to the  financial
markets,  i.e., the reduction of the  public deficit, continued wage moderation,
the decline  of  interest  rates and  privatizations.  Therefore,  whatever  the
electoral  verdict, the virtuous cycle (lower budget deficit, wage freeze, lower
interest rates,  lower budget  deficit) should  remain intact.  Even the  former
communist  party,  the PDS,  has  clearly expressed  itself  in favor  of market
solutions. But can the PDS be trusted  or is it just political maneuvering?  One
has to understand that the PDS is backing Ciampi's economic policy for the usual
combination  of altruistic and selfish reasons: the PDS leadership would like to
govern Italy over the longer term. Continuation as a ruling party will  probably
continue  to be difficult for the  PDS, as it would for  other parties in a West
European democracy, without  votes from  potentially uncommitted  voters in  the
center. The PDS will therefore probably find itself, whether it likes it or not,
following  the shift of the Spanish and  French Socialist parties or the earlier
move of the West German  SPD, to become a  mass center-left party with  policies
mostly  acceptable to financial markets. Furthermore, ill-judged policies on the
budget deficit  or  wages would  lead  to  massive foreign  selling  of  Italian
securities  and a resulting collapse of the  Lira, which would be most unwelcome
to the PDS at a time when it is trying hard to win international confidence.
 
    In terms of valuation, even if the market looks overvalued in price/earnings
terms (P/E of 27x 1994 earnings), it is  one of the cheapest in terms of  price/
cash  flow (P/CF of 5x 1994 earnings) and  in terms of price/book value (P/BV of
1.4x 1994 earnings). Considering that 1993 will probably represent the bottom of
earnings expected over the next three years, valuation is not excessive compared
to the present economic cycle.
 
    A shift in liquidity from money  market instruments to shares will  continue
to  play a major role when assessing the outlook for Italian equities. The shift
follows the collapse in nominal short-term yields that has already taken  place,
and  will continue over the  next year as further  declines are expected in 1994
given the  encouraging inflation  outlook.  The record  net inflows  in  Italian
mutual  funds  in the  last months  and the  highly successful  privatization of
Credito Italiano and IMI (which were four times oversubscribed, thus  indicating
that  Italian savers are favourably inclined towards equities when opportunities
are well presented and explained), clearly illustrates this changing pattern  in
Italian  savings. In this context, it is important to consider the fact that the
capitalization of the Italian bond and money market is around eight times higher
than that of the stock market, and that it is at least 13-14 times the float  of
the  Milan Stock  Exchange, while in  the US the  bond and stock  markets are of
similar dimensions. Also, in the present slow economic growth environment demand
for credit is growing  more slowly than deposits.  Italian banks will  therefore
find  liquidity  being freed  up, most  of which  could end  up on  the domestic
market, both in stocks and bonds.
 
    In the final analysis, the outlook for the Italian equity market will depend
on the continuation of the economic policies introduced by the Amato and  Ciampi
governments. The key to the Italian equity
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ---------------------------------------------------
market  is an  understanding of  the causal  relationship between  economics and
policies, and from this  perspective it is important  to recognize that the  new
political  order, whether it  be on the right  or the left,  is committed to the
policies of economic and financial stability. This is in marked contrast to  the
old  political considerations.  In the  past it was  less the  endless rounds of
elections and governments that undermined Italian assets than the failure of the
old political establishment  to control  the twin  problems of  inflation and  a
budget deficit.
 
    The conclusion must be that once the political uncertainty has been removed,
the  significantly improved economic fundamentals will be there for all to focus
on (primary budget and  trade surplus, low wages  and inflation, lower  interest
rates). Indeed it would not be excessive to argue that the Italian political and
economic "revolution" has had a greater positive impact on the economic fortunes
of Italy than German unification has had on the economic fortunes of Germany.
 
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
 
    After  the anticipated fall  in share prices in  September and October 1993,
the Fund reinvested its cash mostly  in equities. Investments were added to  the
banking,  chemical, mechanical engineering  and textile sectors.  In the banking
sector the Fund bought positions in Credito Italiano, Banca Comerciale  Italiana
after  the recent underperformance, and Banca Fideuram, which is among the major
beneficiaries of  the booming  Italian  mutual fund  industry. In  the  chemical
sector,  the Fund's investment  in Enichem Augusta was  further increased and we
started a  position  in  Montedison,  as we  believe  that  its  prospects  have
significantly  improved after  the recent  restructuring and  joint-venture with
Royal Dutch. After its massive capital increase in November, we also started  an
investment in vehicle producer Fiat, whose prospects have significantly improved
after the recent rights offering and the launch of the highly successful new car
model,  the Punto.  Valuation grounds  led us  to increase  the exposure  to the
textile sector in investing in Stefanel. Finally, two of the Fund's  convertible
bonds,  Italgas and Banca di Roma, were converted into the underlying shares, as
their conversion period expired. In terms of sector allocation, the Fund remains
overweighted in  the  food/  sugar,  textiles  and  communications  sectors  and
continues to underweight the banking sector.
 
    We  would  like  to  take  this opportunity  to  extend  our  thanks  to all
shareholders who participated  in the  recently completed  rights offering.  The
shares  available through the offering were oversubscribed, and as a result, the
Fund's assets were increased  by over $27 million.  We are particularly  pleased
with  the  results  as  we  believe  there  are  several  attractive  investment
opportunities currently available in Italy which  the Fund will be able to  take
advantage  of  more fully  as a  result of  the offering's  success. We  will be
reporting to you on such opportunities in upcoming quarters.
 
    We appreciate the opportunity to serve  your investment needs and thank  you
for your continued confidence and support.
 
                Sincerely,
 
                Heath B. McLendon
                CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
 
                Mario d'Urso
                PRESIDENT
 
                Erich Stock
                INVESTMENT OFFICER
 
                February 16, 1994
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
             THE ITALY FUND'S EQUITY PORTFOLIO VERSUS THE BCI INDEX
                          JANUARY 31, 1994 (UNAUDITED)
 
Pie  charts depicting the  allocation of The  Italy Fund's investment securities
and The BCI Index held  at January 31, 1994  by sector classification. The  pies
are broken in pieces representing industries in the following percentages:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    SECTOR                       PERCENTAGE
<S>                                             <C>
Communications                                        22.7%
Financials                                             8.9%
Food & Sugar                                           8.9%
Electromechanical, Engineering & Autos                 9.7%
Banks                                                 10.5%
Textiles                                               5.5%
Property, Construction & Cement                        3.3%
Chemicals                                              5.6%
Pharmaceuticals                                        1.0%
Other                                                  1.7%
Insurance                                             22.2%
 
<CAPTION>
                    SECTOR                       PERCENTAGE
<S>                                             <C>
Communications                                        20.4%
Financials                                             6.6%
Food & Sugar                                           3.0%
Electromechanical, Engineering & Autos                11.6%
Banks                                                 16.7%
Textiles                                               2.8%
Property, Construction & Cement                        2.9%
Chemicals                                              4.7%
Pharmaceuticals                                        0.4%
Paper & Publishing                                     1.8%
Other                                                  4.7%
Insurance                                             24.4%
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
Investment Portfolio as of January 31, 1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              MARKET 
                                             VALUE ($) 
  SHARES                                     (NOTE 1)  
 <C>        <S>                             <C>      
 -----------------------------------------------------
 -----------------------------------------------------
 STOCKS -- 66.1%
 -------------------------------------------
 INSURANCE -- 14.8%
   218,750  Alleanza......................  $ 2,248,784
   110,000  Assicurazioni Generali........    2,647,591
    90,000  Compagnia di Assicurazioni di
              Milano......................      400,501
   112,291  Lloyd Adriatico...............    1,023,832
    61,250  Lloyd Adriatico Risp NC**.....      378,771
   105,000  RAS...........................    1,748,617
   230,000  SAI Risp NC**.................    1,306,069
   130,000  SAI-Societa Assicuratrice
              Industriale.................    1,516,449
   110,000  Toro Assicurazioni+++.........    2,013,347
    85,000  Toro Assicurazioni Risp
              NC**........................      592,167
                                            -----------
                                             13,876,128
                                            -----------
 COMMUNICATIONS -- 12.5%
    45,000  Ericsson......................      714,161
   786,000  SIP...........................    2,017,964
 1,200,000  SIP Risp NC**+++..............    2,627,190
   203,000  Sirti S.p.A...................    1,200,520
   670,000  STET+++.......................    1,865,568
 1,190,000  STET Risp NC**+++.............    2,685,308
   110,000  Teleco Cavi S.p.A.............      582,861
                                            -----------
                                             11,693,572
                                            -----------
 HOLDING COMPANIES -- 6.8%
   850,000  Europa Investimenti++#........      501,327
    10,000  Finanziaria Italiana di
              Participazioni++#...........      631,082
   800,000  Gaic Conv. di Risp*...........      380,159
   150,000  IFI Privilegio................    1,684,813
   264,480  IFIL+++.......................      959,023
   270,000  IFIL Risp NC**................      560,702
 1,500,000  Montedison S.p.A..............    1,035,978
   280,000  Sopaf.........................      421,115
   210,000  Sopaf Risp*...................      220,466
                                            -----------
                                              6,394,665
                                            -----------
 -----------------------------------------------
 STOCKS -- (CONTINUED)
 -------------------------------------------
 BANKING -- 6.7%
   280,000  Banca Comerciale Italiana
              Risp*.......................  $   743,474
   425,000  Banca Fideuram................      430,640
   124,998  Banca di Roma.................      141,844
   450,000  Banco Ambrosiano Veneto.......    1,300,501
   228,000  Credito Fondiario.............      725,216
   560,000  Credito Italiano Risp*........      714,409
    50,000  Credito Romagnolo.............      405,485
    75,000  Istituto Bancario San Paolo di
              Torino+++...................      471,896
   140,000  Mediobanca S.p.A..............    1,340,136
                                            -----------
                                              6,273,601
                                            -----------
 UTILITIES -- 5.8%
 2,000,000  Autostrade Privelegio.........    2,194,043
   366,500  Italgas.......................    1,234,276
   460,000  Edison........................    2,027,473
                                            -----------
                                              5,455,792
                                            -----------
 FOOD -- 5.7%
    15,595  Eridania-Beghin-Say...........    2,805,352
 1,760,000  Parmalat Finanziaria S.p.A....    2,570,192
                                            -----------
                                              5,375,544
                                            -----------
 TEXTILES -- 3.7%
   140,000  Benetton......................    2,312,167
   144,310  SIMINT S.p.A., Privilegio.....      118,308
   432,446  SIMINT S.p.A. -- Societa
              Italiana Manufatti..........      487,920
   150,000  Stefanel S.p.A................      501,003
                                            -----------
                                              3,419,398
                                            -----------
 AUTOMOBILES -- 2.4%
   390,000  Fiat S.p.A....................    1,113,990
   808,000  Pirelli S.p.A.................    1,119,429
                                            -----------
                                              2,233,419
                                            -----------
 CHEMICALS AND PHARMACEUTICALS -- 2.0%
   870,000  Enichem Augusta S.p.A.........  $ 1,246,889
   260,000  Recordati Risp NC**...........      628,723
                                            -----------
                                              1,875,612
                                            -----------
</TABLE>
 
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
Investment Portfolio as of January 31, 1994 (Continued)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              MARKET  
                                             VALUE ($)
  SHARES                                     (NOTE 1) 
 <C>        <S>                             <C>  
 ----------------------------------------------------
 -----------------------------------------------
 STOCKS -- (CONTINUED)
 -------------------------------------------
 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING -- 2.0%
   180,000  Danieli.......................    1,167,797
   191,750  Danieli Risp NC**.............      684,216
                                            -----------
                                              1,852,013
                                            -----------
 CEMENT AND CERAMICS -- 1.8%
    60,000  Calcestruzzi..................      417,965
   310,000  Italcementi Risp*.............    1,231,589
                                            -----------
                                              1,649,554
                                            -----------
 RETAILING -- 1.4%
    81,790  La Rinascente.................      442,018
   186,136  La Rinascente Risp*...........      638,933
    90,000  SME...........................      205,798
                                            -----------
                                              1,286,749
                                            -----------
 CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY -- 0.5%
   208,000  Vianini Lavori................      453,294
                                            -----------
            TOTAL STOCKS
             (COST $59,509,161)...........   61,839,341
                                            -----------
 -----------------------------------------------
 WARRANTS -- 0.8%
 -------------------------------------------
    20,900  Alleanza Risp, Warrants,
              expire 02/29/96#............  $    24,247
     8,816  IFIL, Warrants to Purchase
              ordinary shares, expire
              07/01/94#...................        7,009
    27,200  IFIL Risp, Warrants to
              Purchase savings shares,
              expire 07/01/94#............       11,870
   220,000  Parmalat Finanziaria,
              Warrants, expire
              01/02/99#...................      215,263
     3,580  Raggio di Sole, Warrants,
              expire 05/30/94.............            0
     3,580  Raggio di Sole di Risp,
              Warrants, expire 05/30/94...            0
    15,000  RAS Risp, Warrants, expire
              12/31/95#...................       28,124
    12,500  STET, Warrants, expire
              09/30/96#...................      186,840
    25,000  STET di Risp, Warrants, expire
              09/30/94#...................      258,980
                                            -----------
            TOTAL WARRANTS
             (COST $112,682)..............      732,333
                                            -----------
 </TABLE>
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
Investment Portfolio as of January 31, 1994 (Continued)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 FACE VALUE                                    MARKET  
  (MILLION                                    VALUE ($)
   LIRE)                                      (NOTE 1) 
 <C>         <S>                             <C>      
 -----------------------------------------------------
 -----------------------------------------------------
 FIXED-INCOME INVESTMENTS -- 2.8%
 -------------------------------------------
 L    2,000  Italy, Government of, 11.500%
               due 03/01/03................  $1,379,062
     2,000   Italy, Republic of, 9.000% due
               10/01/98....................   1,219,109
                                             -----------
             TOTAL FIXED-INCOME
              INVESTMENTS (COST
              $2,578,777)..................   2,598,171
                                             -----------
 -----------------------------------------------
 CONVERTIBLE BONDS -- 0.7%
 -------------------------------------------
         1   IFIL, 8.500% due 07/01/94.....         388
     2,265   Mediobanca/Alleanza, 4.000%
               due 09/03/99................     206,176
       180   Mediobanca - Italmobiliare,
               6.000% due 04/01/96.........     102,129
       500   Stefanel Finance, 9.000% due
               12/31/95....................     308,169
                                             -----------
             TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS (COST
              $728,059)....................     616,862
                                             -----------
 FACE VALUE
 -----------------------------------------------------
 COMMERCIAL PAPER -- 3.7%
   (COST $3,494,000)
 -------------------------------------------
 $3,494,000  Ford Motor Credit Corporation,
               3.100% due 02/01/94.........   3,494,000
                                             -----------
 -----------------------------------------------
 REPURCHASE AGREEMENT -- 3.7%
   (COST $3,500,000)
 -------------------------------------------
 $3,500,000  Agreement with Morgan Stanley
               & Company, 3.100% dated
               01/30/94, to be repurchased
               at $3,500,603 on 02/01/94,
               collateralized by $2,635,000
               U.S Treasury Bonds, 9.375%
               due 02/15/06................  $3,500,000
                                             -----------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
 <S>                             <C>    <C>
 TOTAL INVESTMENTS
    (COST $69,922,679+)........   77.8 %  72,780,707
 OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
  (NET)........................   22.2   20,737,322
                                 ------ -----------
 NET ASSETS....................  100.0 % $93,518,029
                                 ------ -----------
                                 ------ -----------
<FN>
 
- --------------------------
  * Risp -- Risparmio (savings shares).
 ** Risp NC -- Risparmio Non-Convertible (non-convertible savings shares).
  + Aggregate cost for Federal tax purposes.
 ++ Security restricted as to resale (Note 5).
+++ A portion of security loaned at 01/31/94. Total market value of all
    securities loaned is $6,753,685 (Note 6).
 # Non-income producing security.
 </TABLE>
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
January 31, 1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>       <C>
ASSETS:
Investments, at value (Cost $69,922,679) (Note 1)
  See accompanying schedule.......................          $ 72,780,707
Cash and foreign currency (Cost $1,569,750).......             1,573,478
Receivable for Fund shares sold (Note 4)..........            27,685,663
Receivable for investment securities sold.........                91,711
Interest and dividends receivable.................                42,177
Other assets......................................                 5,326
                                                            ------------
      Total Assets................................           102,179,062
LIABILITIES:
Collateral for securities loaned (Note 6)......... $6,950,375
Payable for investment securities purchased.......  1,281,869
Investment advisory fee payable (Note 2)..........     39,171
Custodian fees payable (Note 2)...................     39,000
Administration fee payable (Note 2)...............     20,626
Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)..............      3,183
Accrued expenses and other payables...............    326,809
                                                  ----------
      Total Liabilities...........................             8,661,033
                                                            ------------
NET ASSETS........................................            93,518,029
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
NET ASSETS consist of:
Accumulated net investment loss...................              (257,530)
Accumulated net realized loss on securities sold,
  forward foreign exchange contracts and foreign
  currency transactions...........................            (4,626,252)
Net unrealized appreciation of securities and
  currencies......................................             2,857,625
Par value.........................................                95,031
Additional paid-in capital........................            95,449,155
                                                            ------------
      Total Net Assets............................          $ 93,518,029
                                                            ------------
                                                            ------------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ($93,518,029
   DIVIDED BY 9,503,089 shares of common stock
  outstanding or subscribed) (Note 4).............             $9.84
                                                                ----
                                                                ----
</TABLE>
 
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended January 31, 1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>     <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends.........................................        $  1,229,247
Interest..........................................             802,248
Less taxes withheld (Note 1)......................            (264,284)
                                                          ------------
      Total Investment Income.....................           1,767,211
EXPENSES:
Investment advisory fee (Note 2).................. $444,604
Custodian fees (Note 2)...........................  144,403
Administration fee (Note 2).......................  118,537
Advisory board and Directors' fees and expenses
  (Note 2)........................................   97,580
Legal and audit fees..............................   96,295
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)......................   33,383
Other.............................................   64,285
                                                  --------
      Total Expenses..............................             999,087
                                                          ------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME.............................             768,124
                                                          ------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
  (NOTES 1 AND 3):
Net realized loss on securities transactions......          (3,009,611)
Net realized gain on forward foreign exchange
  contracts and foreign currency transactions.....             331,616
                                                          ------------
    Net realized loss on investments during the
     year.........................................          (2,677,995)
                                                          ------------
Net change in unrealized
  appreciation/(depreciation) of:
  Securities......................................          15,462,628
  Forward foreign exchange contracts..............            (372,895)
  Foreign currency and net other assets...........              16,398
                                                          ------------
    Net unrealized appreciation of investments
     during the year..............................          15,106,131
                                                          ------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS...          12,428,136
                                                          ------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS......................................        $ 13,196,260
                                                          ------------
                                                          ------------
</TABLE>
 
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR          YEAR
                                              ENDED        ENDED
 Statement of Changes in Net Assets         01/31/94      01/31/93
 <S>                                       <C>          <C>
 -------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net investment income...................  $   768,124  $  1,182,862
 Net realized loss from securities sold,
   forward foreign exchange contracts and
   foreign currency transactions during
   the year..............................   (2,677,995)   (3,395,556)
 Net unrealized
   appreciation/(depreciation) on
   securities, forward foreign exchange
   contracts, foreign currencies and net
   other assets during the year..........   15,106,131   (14,589,784)
                                           -----------  ------------
 Net increase/(decrease) in net assets
   resulting from operations.............   13,196,260   (16,802,478)
 Distributions to shareholders from:
   Net investment income.................     (426,675)      --
   Capital...............................      (48,443)      --
 Net increase in net assets from Fund
   share transactions (Note 4)...........   27,412,978       --
                                           -----------  ------------
 Net increase/(decrease) in net assets...   40,134,120   (16,802,478)
 NET ASSETS:
 Beginning of year.......................   53,383,909    70,186,387
                                           -----------  ------------
 End of year (including accumulated net
   investment loss of $257,530 at January
   31, 1994).............................  $93,518,029  $ 53,383,909
                                           -----------  ------------
                                           -----------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
Financial Highlights
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Set  forth below  is per  share operating  performance data  for a  share of
common stock outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net  assets
and  other supplemental data. This information has been derived from information
provided in  the financial  statements  and market  price  data for  the  Fund's
shares.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       YEAR        YEAR       YEAR       YEAR        YEAR        YEAR        YEAR        YEAR
 For a Fund share outstanding         ENDED        ENDED      ENDED      ENDED       ENDED       ENDED       ENDED       ENDED
 throughout each year.              01/31/94#    01/31/93    01/31/92  01/31/91    01/31/90    01/31/89    01/31/88    01/31/87*
 <S>                                <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Operating performance:
 Net asset value, beginning of
  year............................  $8.43        $   11.08   $ 11.37   $   13.24   $    9.91   $    9.07   $   14.33   $   11.16
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Net investment income............   0.12             0.19      0.25        0.32        0.17        0.21        0.12        0.22
 Net realized and unrealized
  gain/(loss) on investments......   1.72            (2.84)     0.03       (1.01)       3.31        0.82       (3.65)       2.95
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Net increase/(decrease) in net
  assets resulting from investment
  operations......................   1.84            (2.65)     0.28       (0.69)       3.48        1.03       (3.53)       3.17
 Dilution in NAV from rights
  offering (Note 4)...............  (0.32)          --         --         --          --          --          --          --
 Offering expenses charged to paid
  in capital......................  (0.03)          --         --         --          --          --          --          --
 Distributions:
 Dividends from net investment
  income..........................  (0.07)          --         (0.25)      (0.34)      (0.15)      (0.19)      (0.36)     --
 Distributions from net realized
  gains...........................   --             --         (0.24)      (0.58)     --          --           (1.37)     --
 Distributions from capital (Note
  1)..............................  (0.01)          --         (0.08)      (0.26)     --          --          --          --
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Total distributions..............  (0.08)            0.00     (0.57)      (1.18)      (0.15)      (0.19)      (1.73)       0.00
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Net asset value, end of year.....  $9.84        $    8.43   $ 11.08   $   11.37   $   13.24   $    9.91   $    9.07   $   14.33
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Market value, end of year........  $12.375      $   8.875   $  9.50   $   10.00   $   17.50   $    8.00   $    7.00   $  12.125
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Total investment return++........  40.54%+++        (6.58)%    1.00%     (36.14)%    121.31%      16.97%     (32.16)%      1.04%
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
                                    ----------   ---------   -------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
 Ratios to average net assets/
  supplemental data:
 Net assets, end of year (in
  000's)..........................  $93,518      $  53,384   $70,186   $  72,055   $  83,902   $  62,743   $  57,445   $  90,793
 Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets..............   1.30%            2.04%     2.17%       2.28%       1.54%       2.23%       1.02%       1.83%+
 Ratio of operating expenses to
  average net assets..............   1.69%            1.70%     1.53%       1.80%       1.90%       1.99%       1.92%       1.96%+
 Portfolio turnover rate..........     46%              33%       24%         24%         15%         15%         19%         39%
<FN>
 
- ------------------------
  * The Fund commenced operations on February 28, 1986.
  + Annualized.
 ++ Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated.
+++ The total return for the year ended January 31, 1994, adjusted for the
    effect of the rights offering completed in January of 1994 is 45.85%
    (unaudited).
 # Per share amounts have been calculated using the monthly average share
   method, which more appropriately presents per share data for the period since
   the use of the undistributed method does not accord with results of
   operations.
 </TABLE>
                       See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    The  Italy  Fund Inc.  (the "Fund")  is registered  with the  Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Investment Company  Act of 1940, as amended, as  a
diversified, closed-end investment company for United States and other investors
desiring  to  achieve  international  diversification  by  participating  in the
Italian economy. The policies described  below are followed consistently by  the
Fund in the preparation of its financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
        PORTFOLIO  VALUATION:  All securities  for  which market  quotations are
    readily available are valued at  the last sales price  prior to the time  of
    determination,  or, if  no sales  price is  available at  that time,  at the
    closing price quoted for the securities (but if bid and asked quotations are
    available, at the mean between the last current bid and asked prices, rather
    than the quoted closing price). Securities that are traded  over-the-counter
    are  valued, if bid and asked quotations  are available, at the mean between
    the current  bid and  asked prices.  If  bid and  asked quotations  are  not
    available,  then over-the-counter securities will be valued as determined in
    good faith by  the Board of  Directors. Investments in  securities having  a
    maturity  of 60  days or less  are valued  at cost with  accrued interest or
    discount earned included  in interest receivable.  All other securities  and
    assets  are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of
    Directors, although the actual calculation may be done by others.
 
        CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS: The books and records of the Fund are  maintained
    in  U.S. dollars. Italian  lire amounts are translated  into U.S. dollars on
    the following basis:
 
        (a) market value of investment securities, assets and liabilities at the
    midday spot (i.e., cash) rate; and
 
        (b) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at
    the midday spot rate on the respective dates of such transactions.
 
        Unrealized gains  and  losses  which  result  from  changes  in  foreign
    currency   exchange   rates   have   been   included   in   the   unrealized
    appreciation/(depreciation) of  investments, foreign  currency holdings  and
    net  other assets. Net realized foreign  currency gains and losses resulting
    from changes in  exchange rates  include foreign currency  gains and  losses
    between   trade   date  and   settlement   date  on   investment  securities
    transactions, foreign currency transactions  and the difference between  the
    amounts  of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the
    amount actually received. The portion  of foreign currency gains and  losses
    related  to fluctuation in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade
    date and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gains and losses
    on investment securities sold.
 
        FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS:  Forward foreign currency  contracts
    are valued at the forward rate and are marked-to-market daily. The change in
    market value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. 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.
 
        The  use  of  forward  foreign  currency  contracts  does  not eliminate
    fluctuations in the  underlying prices of  the Fund's portfolio  securities,
    but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future.
    Although  forward foreign currency contracts limit the risk of loss due to a
    decline in the value of the  hedged currency, they also limit any  potential
    gain  that  might  result should  the  value  of the  currency  increase. In
    addition, the Fund could
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
    be exposed to  risks if the  counterparties to the  contracts are unable  to
    meet the terms of their contracts.
 
        SECURITIES  TRANSACTIONS  AND INVESTMENT  INCOME:  Investment securities
    transactions are  accounted  for  as  of  trade  date.  The  Fund  uses  the
    identified  cost  method  for  determining  the  realized  gain  or  loss on
    investments for  both  financial  and  U.S.  Federal  income  tax  reporting
    purposes.  Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on
    the ex-dividend date except that  certain dividends from foreign  securities
    are  recorded  as soon  as the  Fund  is informed  of the  ex-dividend date.
    Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.
 
        DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS  TO SHAREHOLDERS:  It is the  policy of  the
    Fund  to distribute all taxable net investment income at least annually. The
    Fund currently expects to distribute  substantially all of its net  realized
    capital  gains,  if any,  annually. The  Board  of Directors  will determine
    annually whether  to  distribute  such net  gains  to  shareholders.  Income
    distributions  and capital  gain distributions are  determined in accordance
    with income  tax  regulations  which  may  differ  from  generally  accepted
    accounting  principles.  These differences  are  primarily due  to differing
    treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by  the
    Fund,  timing  differences and  differing characterization  of distributions
    made by the Fund as a whole.
 
        FEDERAL INCOME TAXES:  It is  the policy  of the  Fund to  qualify as  a
    regulated  investment  company by  complying  with the  requirements  of the
    Internal  Revenue  Code  applicable   to  regulated  investment   companies.
    Therefore,  no Federal income tax provision is required. The Fund is subject
    to  a  4%  nondeductible  excise  tax  measured  with  respect  to   certain
    undistributed amounts of net investment income and capital gains.
 
        FOREIGN  INCOME  TAXES:  Investment  income received  by  the  Fund from
    Italian corporations  is subject  to foreign  income taxes  withheld at  the
    source.
 
        RECLASSIFICATIONS:  During the current year,  the Fund adopted Statement
    of  Position  93-2  "Determination,  Disclosure,  and  Financial   Statement
    Presentation of Income, Capital Gain, and Return of Capital Distributions by
    Investment Companies." Accordingly, certain reclassifications have been made
    to  the components of capital in the Statement of Net Assets to conform with
    the accounting and reporting guidelines of this statement. Distributions  in
    excess  of  book  basis  accumulated  realized  gains  or  undistributed net
    investment income that were the result of permanent book and tax  accounting
    differences  have been reclassified to paid-in capital. Accordingly, amounts
    as of January 31, 1993 have been  restated to reflect a decrease in  paid-in
    capital, a decrease in undistributed net investment income and a decrease in
    accumulated   realized   loss  of   $355,393,  $1,182,862   and  $1,538,255,
    respectively. The Financial  Highlights have  not been  restated to  reflect
    this  change in presentation. Net investment income, net realized gains, and
    net assets were not affected by this change.
 
2.  INVESTMENT ADVISORY, ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER FEES
 
    The Fund  has entered  into an  investment advisory  agreement  ("Investment
Advisory  Agreement")  with  Lehman  Brothers  Global  Asset  Management Limited
("Global Asset  Management"),  a  wholly owned  subsidiary  of  Lehman  Brothers
Holdings  Inc. ("Holdings"). American Express  Company ("American Express") owns
100%  of  Holdings'  issued  and  outstanding  common  stock,  which  represents
approximately  92%  of  Holdings'  issued  and  outstanding  voting  stock.  The
remainder of Holdings' voting stock is  owned by Nippon Life Insurance  Company.
Under the Investment Advi-
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
sory  Agreement, the Fund pays a fee computed and paid monthly at an annual rate
of 0.75% of the value of its average monthly net assets.
 
    The Fund also has entered into  an administration agreement with The  Boston
Company  Advisors, Inc. ("Boston Advisors"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary
of Mellon Bank Corporation ("Mellon"), which provides that Boston Advisors  will
be paid a fee computed and paid monthly at the annual rate of 0.20% of the value
of its average monthly net assets.
 
    For  the  year ended  January 31,  1994, the  Fund incurred  total brokerage
commissions of $58,678 of which $1,717 was paid to Lehman Brothers.
    No officer, director or employee of Lehman Brothers, Global Asset Management
or Boston Advisors or of any parent or subsidiary of those corporations receives
any compensation from the Fund for serving as a Director or officer of the Fund.
The Fund pays  each Director  who is  not an  officer, director  or employee  of
Lehman  Brothers, Global  Asset Management  or Boston  Advisors or  any of their
affiliates $7,500 per annum plus $750  per meeting attended and reimburses  each
such  Director for travel and out-of-pocket  expenses. The Fund pays each member
of the Advisory Board an annual fee of $8,000 plus $250 per meeting attended and
reimburses each Advisory Board member for travel and out-of-pocket expenses.
 
    Boston Safe Deposit and Trust  Company, an indirect wholly owned  subsidiary
of  Mellon, serves as the Fund's custodian. The Shareholder Services Group, Inc.
("TSSG"), a subsidiary of First Data Corporation, serves as the Fund's  transfer
agent. American Express retains 21.5% interest in FDC.
 
3.  SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
    During  the year ended January 31, 1994, cost of purchases and proceeds from
sales of invest-
ment securities (excluding short-term investments)
when aggregated amounted to $27,250,663 and $26,328,603, respectively.
 
    As of January 31, 1994, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for  all
securities  in which  there was  an excess  of value  over tax  cost amounted to
$13,060,784, and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all  securities
in which there was an excess of tax cost over value amounted to $10,202,756.
 
4.  FUND SHARES
    As  of January 31, 1994,  20 million shares of  $.01 par value capital stock
were authorized and 6,335,393 shares were outstanding and 3,167,696 shares  were
subscribed.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Year Ended
                                                01/31/94
                                        -------------------------
                                         Shares         Amount
                                        ---------     -----------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>
Issued via rights offering*........     3,167,696     $27,408,313
Issued as reinvestment of
 dividends.........................           492           4,665
                                        ---------     -----------
Net increase.......................     3,168,188      27,412,978
                                        ---------     -----------
                                        ---------     -----------
* On January 20, 1994, the Fund received sub-
 scriptions for 3,167,696 shares at a subscription price of $8.74
per share pursuant to the exercise of rights issued to
shareholders of record on December 28, 1993. Share issuance
costs, which totaled $277,350, were charged directly against the
proceeds of the offering.
</TABLE>
 
5.  RESTRICTED SECURITIES
    Certain of the Fund's investments are restricted as to resale and are valued
at  the direction of the Fund's Board of Directors in good faith, at fair value,
after taking into consideration appropriate indications of value available.  The
table  below shows the number of shares  held, the acquisition date, value as of
January 31, 1994, value per unit, percentage of net assets which the  securities
comprise and aggregate cost of the securities.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         NUMBER OF   ACQUISITION    01/31/94     VALUE PER   PERCENTAGE OF NET
               SECURITY                   SHARES        DATE       FAIR VALUE      UNIT           ASSETS           COST
- --------------------------------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------  -----------------  ----------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>                <C>
Europa Investmenti....................     850,000     07/02/91   $    501,327   $     0.59           0.5%      $  623,396
Finanziaria Italiana di
 Participazioni.......................      10,000     03/13/87        631,082        63.11           0.7          772,361
                                                                                                     --
                                                                  ------------
    Total.............................                            $  1,132,409                        1.2%
                                                                                                     --
                                                                                                     --
                                                                  ------------
                                                                  ------------
</TABLE>
 
6.  LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
    The  Fund has  the ability  to lend its  securities to  brokers, dealers and
other  financial   organizations.  Loans   of  securities   by  the   Fund   are
collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities that are
maintained  at all times in an amount at least equal to the current market value
of the loaned securities.
 
    At January 31, 1994, the Fund had securities on loan to certain brokers  for
which the Fund received $6,950,375 as collateral.
 
    At  January 31, 1994,  the Fund's loaned securities  had an aggregate market
value of $6,753,685 which represented 7.2% of total net assets.
 
7.  CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARDS AND OTHER TAX INFORMATION
 
    At January 31, 1994, the Fund had available for Federal tax purposes  unused
capital  loss carryforwards  of $1,736,171 and  $1,962,107 to  offset future net
capital gains expiring in the year 2001 and 2002, respectively.
 
    In accordance with tax law, the Fund has elected to defer the recognition of
losses occurring between October 31  and January 31 until  the first day of  the
following  fiscal  year. The  amount of  such deferral  is $257,530  of currency
losses and $927,974  of capital losses.  These losses for  tax purposes will  be
deemed to occur on February 1, 1994.
 
    For  the fiscal  year ended  January 31,  1994, the  total amount  of income
received by the Fund  from sources within foreign  countries and possessions  of
the  United States was  $0.2138 per share (representing  a total of $2,031,495).
The total amount of  taxes paid by  the Fund to such  countries was $0.0278  per
share (representing a total of $264,284).
 
8.  CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISKS
 
    Because  the  Fund  concentrates  its investments  in  securities  issued by
Italian corporations,  its  portfolio  may  be  subject  to  special  risks  and
considerations  not typically  associated with investing  in a  broader range of
domestic securities.  In  addition, the  Fund  is more  susceptible  to  factors
adversely  affecting the Italian  economy than a fund  not concentrated in these
issuers to the same extent.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
THE ITALY FUND INC.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                        QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NET REALIZED           NET INCREASE/ (DECREASE)
                                                                               GAIN/(LOSS) ON
                             INVESTMENT            NET INVESTMENT             INVESTMENTS AND          IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
                               INCOME               INCOME/(LOSS)                 CURRENCY                 FROM OPERATIONS
       QUARTER         ----------------------  -----------------------   --------------------------   --------------------------
         END             TOTAL     PER SHARE     TOTAL      PER SHARE       TOTAL        PER SHARE       TOTAL        PER SHARE
 --------------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------   ------------   -----------   ------------   -----------
 <S>                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
 April 30, 1992......  $  171,205    $  0.03   $  (89,143)   $   (0.01)  $    (72,791)    $   (0.01)  $ (3,638,243)    $   (0.57)
 July 31, 1992.......   1,408,295       0.22    1,133,982         0.18       (145,886)        (0.02)    (9,861,491)        (1.56)
 October 31, 1992....     264,725       0.04       45,344         0.01     (3,290,180)        (0.52)    (3,331,563)        (0.53)
 January 31, 1993....     324,140       0.05       92,679         0.01        113,301          0.02         28,819          0.01
 April 30, 1993......     208,399       0.03      (22,200)        0.00       (633,996)        (0.10)     4,646,508          0.73
 July 31, 1993.......   1,164,578       0.19      946,601         0.14       (673,685)        (0.10)     2,566,981          0.41
 October 31, 1993....     231,050       0.04      (51,313)       (0.01)      (330,679)        (0.05)     1,139,682          0.17
 January 31, 1994....     163,184       0.03     (104,964)       (0.01)    (1,350,029)        (0.21)     4,843,089          0.53
</TABLE>
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of The Italy Fund Inc.:
 
    We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of  The
Italy  Fund Inc., including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of January
31, 1994, and the related statement of  operations for the year then ended,  the
statement  of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then
ended, and the financial highlights  for each of the  seven years in the  period
then  ended and for the period February 28, 1986 (Commencement of Operations) to
January 31, 1987. These  financial statements and  financial highlights are  the
responsibility  of the  Fund's management. Our  responsibility is  to express an
opinion on  these financial  statements and  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 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  as  of
January  31, 1994 by  correspondence with custodians 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, the financial  statements and financial highlights  referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The
Italy  Fund Inc. as of  January 31, 1994, the results  of its operations for the
year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in  the
period  then ended, and the financial highlights  for each of the seven years in
the period then  ended and  for the period  February 28,  1986 (Commencement  of
Operations)   to  January  31,  1987,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND
 
Boston, Massachusetts
March 17, 1994
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------
 
THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN
 
    Pursuant to the  Fund's Dividend  Reinvestment and Cash  Purchase Plan  (the
"Plan"),  shareholders of the Fund whose shares are registered in their own name
may elect  to  have all  distributions  automatically reinvested  in  additional
shares  of the Fund by TSSG, as agent under the Plan. Distributions with respect
to shares registered  in the  name of shareholders,  such as  banks, brokers  or
nominees,  which hold  shares for  others (that  is, in  "street name"),  may be
reinvested by the  broker or nominee  in additional shares  under the Plan,  but
only if the service is provided by the broker or nominee. Investors who own Fund
shares  registered in the street name should consult their broker or nominee for
details regarding reinvestment. Shareholders who do not participate in the  Plan
will  receive all distributions in cash paid in dollars by check mailed directly
to the shareholder by TSSG as dividend paying agent.
 
    The number of shares of common stock  participants in the Plan in lieu of  a
cash  dividend is determined in the  following manner. Whenever the market price
of Fund shares is equal to or exceeds the net asset value of the Fund shares  at
the  time such shares  are valued for  the purpose of  determining the number of
shares equivalent to  the cash  dividend or distribution,  participants will  be
issued  shares of the  Fund at net asset  value. If net  asset value exceeds the
market price  of Fund  shares at  such time,  or if  the Fund  should declare  a
dividend  or other distribution payable only in  cash, TSSG will buy Fund shares
in the open market, on  the New York Stock  Exchange or elsewhere, beginning  on
the payment date of the dividend or distribution, until it has expended for such
purchases  all of the cash that would  otherwise be payable to the participants.
The number of purchased shares that  will then be credited to the  participants'
accounts  is based  on the average  per share  purchase price of  Fund shares so
purchased, including brokerage  commission. Shares  issued by the  Fund are  not
issued  at a discount of more than 5  percent from the then current market value
of the Fund's shares.  If the market  price exceeds the net  asset value of  the
Fund  shares  before TSSG  has completed  its purchases,  the average  per share
purchase price paid by TSSG may exceed the net asset value of the Fund's shares,
resulting  in  the  acquisition  of  fewer  shares  than  if  the  dividend   or
distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund.
 
    Participants  in the Plan  have the option  of making additional semi-annual
cash payments to TSSG in any amount  from $100 to $3,000 for investment in  Fund
shares.  TSSG uses all funds  so received (as well  as any dividends and capital
gains distributions received in cash) to purchase Fund shares in the open market
on or about February 15 and August 15 of each year.
 
    Plan participants are not subject to any charge for reinvesting dividends or
capital gains distributions.  Each Plan  participant will, however,  bear a  pro
rata  share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to TSSG's open market
purchases of Fund  shares in connection  with the reinvestment  of dividends  or
capital gains distributions.
 
    The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions does
not  relieve Plan  participants of  any income  tax that  may be  payable on the
dividends or capital gains distributions. A  participant in the Plan is  treated
for  federal income  tax purposes  as having  received, on  the dividend payment
date, a  dividend or  distribution  in an  amount equal  to  the cash  that  the
participant could have received instead of shares.
 
    A  shareholder  may  terminate participation  in  the  Plan at  any  time by
notifying TSSG in writing. A termination will be effective immediately if notice
is   received    by    TSSG    not    less   than    10    days    before    any
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------
dividend  or  distribution  record  date.  Otherwise,  the  termination  will be
effective, with respect  to any  subsequent dividends or  distributions, on  the
first  day  after  the  dividend  or  distribution  has  been  credited  to  the
participant's account in  additional shares  of the Fund.  Upon termination  and
according   to  a  participant's  instructions,   TSSG  will  either  (i)  issue
certificates for the shares  credited to a  shareholder's Plan account  together
with  a check representing any fractional shares or (ii) sell such shares in the
market.
 
    Information concerning the Plan may be obtained from TSSG at 1-800-331-1710.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o
- ----------------------------------------------------
 
                              THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>
INVESTMENT ADVISER                 OFFICERS
Lehman Brothers Global Asset
  Management Limited               Heath B. McLendon
Two Broadgate                      CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
London EC2M 7HA,                   Mario d'Urso
United Kingdom                     PRESIDENT
                                   Erich Stock
ADMINISTRATOR                      VICE PRESIDENT AND
The Boston Company Advisors, Inc.  INVESTMENT OFFICER
One Boston Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108        Christina Haage
                                   TREASURER
ADVISORY BOARD
                                   Francis J. McNamara, III
Andrea Farace                      SECRETARY
Pierre Henchoz
Ing. Dott. Ettore Lolli
Dott. Pietro Manes
Ambasciatore Egidio Ortona
DIRECTORS
Heath B. McLendon
Paolo M. Cucchi
James J. Crisona
Alessandro C. di Montezemolo
Dr. Paul Hardin
George Pavia
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
                                                             THE ITALY FUND INC.
 
This report is sent to the shareholders of The Italy
Fund Inc. for their information. It is not a Pro-
spectus, circular or representation intended for
use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or
of any securities mentioned in the report.
 
Comparisons between changes in the Fund's net
asset value per share and changes in The Banca
Commerciale Italiana Index should be considered
in light of the Fund's investment policy and objec-
tives, the characteristics and quality of the Fund's
investments, the size of the Fund and variations
in the Lira/Dollar exchange rate. This Index
generally reflects ordinary shares (as opposed to
savings shares).
 
                              THE ITALY FUND INC.
                             TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
                                 (212) 298-6263
 
     Annual
     Report
        January 31, 1994



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission