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Dear Shareholder:
We are pleased to present you with the quarterly report for The Italy Fund,
Inc. for the nine months ended October 31, 1996. As of that date, the Fund's
net asset value (NAV) per share was $10.14, a 12.04% increase since the
beginning of 1996. This compares favorably with a 7.04% increase over the same
time period in the Banco Commerciale Index (BCI Index), a widely followed
Italian index which includes all the securities listed on the Milan Stock
Exchange. Since its inception in 1986, the Italy Fund has consistently
outperformed the BCI Index. On October 31, 1996, total net assets in the Italy
Fund amounted to just over $96 million.
Political Overview
In our opinion, the honeymoon for Romano Prodi's coalition government is
clearly over. (Prodi is an economics professor with centrist views who was
elected Italy's 55th post-war prime minister in April of 1996.) Prodi currently
heads an eight-party center-left coalition that uses an Olive Tree as its
electoral symbol. The Prodi government's priorities continue to be job creation
and making sure Italy can satisfy conditions for entry into the Economic-
Monetary Union (EMU) by reducing the budget deficit.
We expect that Italy's 1997 Finance Bill will have been adopted by Parliament
by mid-November of 1996. However, more serious spending cuts in health care and
social security spending will be required next year. Because we believe that the
Communist Refoundation probably will not support these proposed social security
cuts, a grand coalition between Massimo D'Alema (the leader of the largest
former communist party Partito Democratico della Sinistrat within the ruling
coalition) and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi of Forza Italia (FI)
could result and eventually push through the much-needed structural reforms in
Italy. When D'Alema decides that the current political situation is no longer
tenable, Prodi will most likely be forced out. Of course, political uncertainty
is unhealthy for the Italian stock market and many investors continue to shift
assets out of stock funds and into bond funds.
However, despite these negative factors, we believe Italian stocks remain
extremely inexpensive. For example, while the Italian stock market is selling at
4.1 times 1996 cash earnings, corporate profits are estimated to rise 15% and
18% in 1996 and 1997, respectively. In addition, the Italian stock market has
already discounted many of the challenges outlined in this letter. When some of
Italy's structural and constitutional problems are eventually addressed, the
Italian stock market could very well become one of the more attractive markets
outside the U.S.
Economic Overview
Italy's economy is close to entering a recession as second quarter Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) declined by 0.4% compared with the previous quarter.
Therefore, corporate earnings disappointments for cyclical industries seem
likely for the remainder of 1996 and into 1997.
We believe Italy will continue to make a serious effort to meet Round One of
the EMU. (Italy must cut its deficit to meet the Maastricht limit of 3.0% of GDP
by 1998, the year after the deadline for eligibility in EMU.)
However, in our opinion, Italy may not succeed because there are too many
potential problems in the projected 1997 deficit and too much luck required for
it to work. However, although there may be some temporary disappointment in
Italy and some disenchantment specifically with Italian bonds (which have
performed well so far this year), we believe that convergence of a single
European currency will occur sometime in 1999. The return of the lira at the
E.R.M. at 990 lira versus the D-mark a week ago does prove Prodi's commitment to
try to be eligible for EMU in 1999.
As stock markets cannot indefinitely ignore a significant decrease in both
short-and long-term rates, we believe there are significant long-term gains to
be
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made in both Italian stocks and bonds. Yet the question for investors in Italy
continues to be "when." Investors who can tolerate short-term volatility for
potential long-term gains may want to consider investing in Italy now.
Fund's Investment Strategy
From April to the end of October 1996, we reduced the number of positions in
the Italy Fund from 67 to 39. In addition, the Fund reduced its weighting in the
insurance industry from 18.50% to 11.19% primarily because we believe the
margins of many non-life insurance companies peaked in 1995 due mostly to higher
automobile tariffs. We also reduced our weighting in the insurance industry
because we expect margins to drop further for many car insurers throughout the
remainder of 1996 due to a revival of price competition and more claims that are
usually filed during an economic recovery. Moreover, many Italian insurers are
highly capitalized with a significant portion of their assets invested in low-
yielding real estate.
During the past seven months, the Italy Fund also reduced its weighting in the
banking industry from 16.60% to 12.70%. With 950 different banks, Italy's
banking industry remains highly fragmented and retail Italian banking remains
extremely competitive. Moreover, due to a slowdown in general business activity,
credit volume was depressed in the first half of 1996. In our view, a
combination of low lending volumes with declining margins does not bode well for
the profitability of Italy's banking industry.
From April 1996 through October 1996, the Italy Fund sharply increased its
weighting in the energy sector from 2.60% to approximately 16.85%. The Fund's
performance was enhanced by our significant holdings in the diversified energy
company and recently privatized, Ente Nazionale Idrocarbu (ENI) as well as our
holdings in the oil drilling company, Saipem.
With respect to the telecommunications industry, the Italy Fund has made
additions to its holdings over the past seven months and its weighting in this
sector rose from 19.3% to 23.1%. A key holding of the Fund in this sector is
Societa Finanziaria Telefonica per Azioni (STET), a telecommunications holding
company that owns a majority stake of Telecom Italia (the principal operator of
local, long-distance and international phone services) and Telecom Italia Mobile
(Europe's largest cellular network provider).
During the period covered by this report, the Italian government announced
that it intends to merge STET with Telecom Italia as a prelude to the company's
again-delayed privatization. The privatization of STET, which was first
announced in the late 1980's, has been pushed back many times because of
political disagreements and market-related problems. Moreover, the state holding
company, Instituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale, which controls 64.3% of
STET, has recently come under pressure from the European Community to reduce its
debt levels in order to meet the conditions of the European Union's competition
policy.
The following chart shows the other changes in the Italy Fund's industry
weightings from March 29, 1996 through October 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Industry 3/29/96 10/31/96
-------- ------- --------
Automotives 6.70% 6.06%
Banking 16.60 12.70
Construction 3.20 3.14
Consumer Products 3.30 4.79
Energy 2.60 16.85
Engineering 4.20 3.54
Food 4.40 4.02
Insurance 18.50 11.19
Telecommunications 19.30 23.10
Textiles 1.70 3.72
Utilities 7.30 7.89
Miscellaneous 7.50 0.66
Cash 4.70 2.34
------ ------
Total 100.00% 100.00%
====== ======
</TABLE>
2
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Other factors that contributed to the Italy's Fund positive relative
performance during the reporting period include:
-- Participation in the initial public offering of life insurance and
mutual fund distributor Mediolanum that was subsequently sold at a
significant profit
-- Early sales of Olivetti (a computer and telecommunications concern),
Simint (a clothing company) and Eridania Beghin Say (a food and
beverages company)
-- Initiating new positions in the American Depository Receipts (ADRs)
of Gucci (a luxury goods company), Fila (a shoes and apparel company)
and Natuzzi (a furniture company)
Conclusion
Italy's stock market has been the worst performer among the major European
markets for an extremely long time. The BCI Index is still 35.00% away from its
all-time high reached in May 1986. However, the BCI Index of today is very
different from the BCI Index of May 1986, because the weighting of the major
stocks and sectors has changed dramatically. For example, the automotive company
Fiat was Italy's largest stock with a 13.70% weighting of total market
capitalization. Today, Fiat's weighting in the BCI Index has fallen to 4.80%.
On the other hand, the weighting of Italy's telecommunications sector (state-
controlled telecommunications company STET and its two main operating
subsidiaries Telecom Italia and telecommunications giant Telecom Italia Mobile)
has tripled from 7.30% at the end of 1986 to approximately 21.00% today. In
fact, seven of the Italian stock market's top-fifteen stocks were not even
listed in 1986. In our opinion, the underperformance of the BCI Index over the
past ten years was caused in large part by the underperformance of only a few
major stocks and market sectors. The performance of the BCI Index is now more
closely linked to Italian companies and industries that are less prone to
cyclical downturns.
In closing, thank you for your investment in the Italy Fund. We look forward
to continuing to help you achieve your financial goals.
Sincerely,
/s/ Heath B. McLendon
Heath B. McLendon
Chairman of the Board
/s/ Mario d'Urso
Mario d'Urso
President
/s/ Rein W. van der Does
Rein W. van der Does
Investment Officer
November 13, 1996
3
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THE ITALY FUND'S SECTORIAL STRUCTURE
OCTOBER 31, 1996 (unaudited)
[PIE CHART]
Automotives 6.1%
Banking 12.7%
Construction 3.1%
Consumer Products 4.8%
Energy 16.9%
Engineering 3.5%
Food 4.0%
Insurance 11.3%
Miscellaneous 2.8%
Telecommunications 23.2%
Textiles 3.7%
Utilities 7.9%
BCI INDEX SECTORIAL STRUCTURE
OCTOBER 31, 1996 (unaudited)
[PIE CHART]
Automotives 7.5%
Banking 20.5%
Construction 2.5%
Consumer Products 1.1%
Energy 18.6%
Engineering 2.4%
Food 2.0%
Insurance 17.3%
Miscellaneous 1.3%
Telecommunications 21.8%
Textiles 2.2%
Utilities 2.8%
4
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Schedule of Investments as of October 31, 1996 (unaudited)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Security Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS - 97.9%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Automotives - 6.1%
300,000 Fiat S.p.A............................ $ 797,309
1,500,000 Pirelli S.p.A......................... 2,664,952
1,200,000 Sogefi S.p.A.......................... 2,374,122
-----------
5,836,383
-----------
Banking - 12.7%
1,700,000 Banca Fideuram S.p.A.................. 3,606,621
180,000 Banca Popolare di Bergamo/
Credito Varesino..................... 2,832,802
1,800,000 Credito Italiano S.p.A................ 1,841,132
500,000 Istituto Mobiliare
Italiano S.p.A....................... 3,962,146
-----------
12,242,701
-----------
Construction - 3.1%
600,000 Unicem S.p.A.
di Risp NC**......................... 1,539,222
900,000 Vianini Lavori S.p.A.................. 1,483,826
-----------
3,023,048
-----------
Consumer Products - 4.8%
225,000 Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A....... 1,659,363
25,000 Industrie Natuzzi S.p.A.
ADR.................................. 1,131,250
500,000 La Rinascente S.p.A.
di Risp NC**........................ 1,033,732
260,000 Recordati S.p.A.
di Risp NC**........................ 797,309
-----------
4,621,654
-----------
Energy - 16.9%
2,860,000 Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi
S.p.A. #............................. 13,685,600
500,000 Saipem S.p.A.......................... 2,546,905
-----------
16,232,505
-----------
Engineering - 3.5%
180,000 Danieli & Co.......................... 1,155,248
Engineering - 3.5% (continued)
266,750 Danieli & Co.
di Risp NC**......................... $ 851,081
800,000 Sasib S.p.A.
di Risp NC**......................... 1,402,315
-----------
3,408,644
-----------
Food - 4.0%
800,041 Finanziarira Autogrill
S.p.A.#.............................. 816,740
220,000 La Doria S.p.A.#...................... 811,026
1,570,000 Parmalat Finanziaria
S.p.A................................ 2,245,741
-----------
3,873,507
-----------
Insurance - 11.3%
220,000 Alleanza Assicurazioni
S.p.A................................ 1,552,992
154,000 Assicurazioni Generali
S.p.A................................ 2,972,855
1,602,000 Instituto Nazionale Delle
Assicurazioni........................ 2,219,674
425,700 Riunione Adriatica
di Sicurta S.p.A..................... 4,040,128
-----------
10,785,649
-----------
Miscellaneous - 0.7%
850,000 Europa Investimenti+#................. 280,278
49,639 Quattrocentoduedue
Cat B+#.............................. 360,094
-----------
640,372
-----------
Telecommunications - 23.2%
1,000,000 Stet Societa' Finanziaria
Telefonica S.p.A..................... 3,468,197
2,802,500 Stet Societa' Finanziaria
Telefonica S.p.A.
di Risp NC**......................... 7,481,465
1,416,000 Telecom Italia S.p.A.................. 3,167,522
1,000,000 Telecom Italia S.p.A.
di Risp*............................. 1,894,022
1,700,000 Telecom Italia Mobile
S.p.A. di Risp*#..................... 1,949,616
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
5
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Schedule of Investments as of October 31, 1996 (unaudited) (continued)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Security Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Telecommunications - 23.2% (continued)
2,076,000 Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A.
Ordinary #........................... $ 4,282,473
------------
22,243,295
Textiles - 3.7%
100,000 Benetton Group S.p.A.................. 1,162,397
35,000 Gucci Group N.V. -- N.Y.
Registered Shares ADR................ 2,415,000
-----------
3,577,397
-----------
Utilities - 7.9%
1,440,000 Autostrade Concessioni E
Costruzioni.......................... 2,136,710
460,000 Edison S.p.A.......................... 2,741,768
356,000 Italgas S.p.A......................... 1,316,849
756,000 SONDEL -- Societa
Nordelettrica S.p.A.................. 1,395,985
---------
7,591,312
---------
TOTAL COMMON
STOCKS
(Cost - $81,539,780).................... 94,076,467
----------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face
Amount++ Security Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIME DEPOSITS - 2.1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
1,500,000,000 J.P. Morgan 7.500%
due 11/4/96.......................... $ 989,218
1,500,000,000 J.P. Morgan 7.375%
due 11/4/96.......................... 989,218
-----------
TOTAL TIME
DEPOSITS
(Cost - $1,971,544)................... 1,978,436
-----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
AT VALUE - 100%
(Cost - $83,511,324 +++).............. $96,054,903
===========
</TABLE>
- ----------
* Risp -- Risparmio (savings shares).
** Risp NC -- Risparmio Non-Convertible (non-covertible savings
shares).
# Non-income producing security.
+ Security valued by the Fund's Board of Directors (See
Note 4).
++ Represents local currency.
+++ Aggregate cost for Federal income tax purposes is
substantially the same.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
6
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
October 31, 1996 (unaudited)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments, at value (Cost -- $83,511,324)..................... $ 96,054,903
Foreign currency (Cost -- $1,366,381)........................... 1,367,728
Cash............................................................ 20,874
Receivable for securities sold.................................. 544,768
Dividends and interest receivable............................... 99,838
------------
Total Assets.................................................... 98,088,111
------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for securities purchased................................ 1,416,757
Management fees payable......................................... 79,965
Accrued expenses................................................ 246,442
Other liabilities............................................... 9,311
------------
Total Liabilities............................................... 1,752,475
------------
Total Net Assets................................................. $ 96,335,636
============
NET ASSETS:
Par value of capital shares..................................... $ 95,031
Capital paid in excess of par value............................. 94,936,689
Undistributed net investment income............................. 1,421,596
Accumulated net realized loss from security
transactions................................................... (12,660,720)
Net unrealized appreciation of investments
and foreign currencies......................................... 12,543,040
------------
Total Net Assets
(Equivalent to $10.14 a share on 9,503,089 shares of $0.01 par
value outstanding; 20,000,000 shares authorized)............... $ 96,335,636
============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
7
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Statement of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended October 31, 1996 (unaudited)
=================================================================================
<S> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends....................................................... $ 2,448,706
Interest........................................................ 294,811
Less: Foreign withholding tax................................... (566,046)
----------
Total Investment Income......................................... 2,177,471
----------
EXPENSES:
Management fees (Note 2)........................................ 677,815
Audit and legal................................................. 84,000
Directors' fees................................................. 76,800
Shareholder and system servicing fees........................... 72,000
Custody......................................................... 56,566
Shareholder communications...................................... 33,000
Registration fees............................................... 21,000
Other........................................................... 141,808
----------
Total Expenses.................................................. 1,162,989
----------
Net Investment Income............................................. 1,014,482
----------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES (NOTE 3):
Realized Gain (Loss) From:
Security transactions (excluding short-term securities) ...... (5,754,059)
Foreign currency transactions................................. 211,116
----------
Net Realized Loss............................................... (5,542,943)
----------
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation of Investments and
Foreign Currencies:
Beginning of period........................................... 2,519,552
End of period................................................. 12,543,040
----------
Increase in Net Unrealized Appreciation......................... 10,023,488
----------
Net Gain on Investments and Foreign Currencies.................... 4,480,545
----------
Increase in Net Assets From Operations............................ $ 5,495,027
==========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8
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The Italy Fund Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months
Ended Year
10/31/96 Ended
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited) 1/31/96
============================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income.......................................... $ 1,014,482 $ 1,131,274
Net realized loss.............................................. (5,542,943) (3,663,972)
Increase in net unrealized appreciation........................ 10,023,488 216,237
----------- -----------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations.............. 5,495,027 (2,316,461)
----------- -----------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income.......................................... -- (190,062)
----------- -----------
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders...... -- (190,062)
----------- -----------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets............................... 5,495,027 (2,506,523)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period............................................ 90,840,609 93,347,132
----------- -----------
End of period*................................................. $96,335,636 $90,840,609
=========== ===========
*Includes undistributed net investment income of:............... $ 1,421,596 $ 195,998
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
9
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
================================================================================
1. Significant Accounting Policies
The Italy Fund Inc. ("Fund") is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a
diversified, closed-end management investment company.
The significant accounting policies followed by the Fund are: (a) security
transactions are accounted for on trade date; (b) securities traded on national
securities markets are valued at the closing prices in the primary exchange on
which they are traded; securities listed or traded on certain foreign exchanges
or other markets whose operations are similar to the U.S. over-the-counter
market (including securities listed on exchanges where the primary market is
believed to be over-the-counter) and listed securities for which no sale was
reported on that date are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices.
Securities which are listed or traded on more than one exchange or market are
valued at the quotations on the exchange or market determined to be the primary
market for such securities. If bid and ask quotations are not available, then
over-the-counter securities will be valued as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors; (c) securities maturing within 60 days are valued at cost
plus accreted discount, or minus amortized premium, which approximates value;
(d) gains or losses on the sale of securities are calculated by using the
specific identification method; (e) interest income, adjusted for amortization
of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis; (f)
dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date; foreign dividends are
recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practical after the Fund
determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable
due diligence; (g) dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on
the ex-dividend date; (h) the accounting records are maintained in U.S. dollars.
All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into
U.S. dollars based on the rate of exchange of such currencies against U.S.
dollars on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of securities, and income
and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange quoted on the respective
date that such transactions are recorded. Differences between income and expense
amounts recorded and collected or paid are adjusted when reported by the
custodian bank; (i) the Fund intends to comply with the applicable provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, pertaining to regulated
investment companies and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to
relieve it from substantially all Federal income and excise taxes; (j) the
character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance
with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting
principles. Reclassifications were made to the Fund's capital accounts to
reflect permanent book/tax differences and income and gains available for
distributions under income tax regulations. At January 31, 1996, a portion of
overdistributed net investment income amounting to $512,466 was reclassified to
paid-in capital. Net investment income, net realized gains and net assets were
not affected by this change; and (k) estimates and assumptions are required to
be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from
operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic
environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining
these estimates could cause actual results to differ.
In addition, the Fund may enter into forward exchange contracts in
order to hedge against foreign currency risk. These contracts are marked to
market daily, by recognizing the difference between the contract exchange rate
and the current market rate as an unrealized gain or loss. Realized gains or
losses are recognized when the contracts are settled.
10
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
================================================================================
2. Management Agreement and Transactions with Affiliated Persons
At December 15, 1995, Smith Barney Mutual Funds Management Inc.
("SBMFM"), a subsidiary of Smith Barney Holdings, Inc. ("SBH"), acts as
investment manager of the Fund. The Fund pays SBMFM a fee calculated at an
annual rate of 0.95% of the average daily net assets for all management and
administrative services. This fee is calculated daily and paid monthly.
All officers (except one) and one Director of the Fund are employees of
Smith Barney Inc.
3. Securities Transactions
During the nine months ended October 31, 1996, the aggregate cost of
purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (including maturities, but
excluding short-term securities) were as follows:
================================================================================
Purchases $ 33,326,518
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales 35,132,274
================================================================================
At October 31, 1996, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation
and depreciation of investments were as follows:
================================================================================
Gross unrealized appreciation $16,819,989 *
Gross unrealized depreciation (4,276,410)*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation $12,543,579 *
================================================================================
* Substantially the same for Federal income tax purposes.
4. Securities Valued by the Fund's Board of Directors
Certain of the Fund's investments are valued at the direction of the Fund's
Board of Directors; these securities are restricted as to resale and have been
valued in good faith, taking into consideration the appropriate economic,
financial and other pertinent available information pertaining to the restricted
securities. The table below shows all securities valued by the Fund's Board of
Directors:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Acquisition 10/31/96 Value Per Percentage of
Security Shares Date Fair Value Unit Net Assets Cost
-------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- ------------ ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Europa Investimenti............. 850,000 7/02/91 $280,278 $ 0.33 0.3% $ 623,396
Quattrocentoduedue
Cat B........................ 49,639 3/21/94 360,094 7.25 0.4 295,889
-------- --- ----------
Total.......................... $640,372 0.7% $ 919,285
======== === ==========
</TABLE>
5. 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 October 31,1996, the Fund had no securities on loan to brokers.
11
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
================================================================================
6. Capital Loss Carryforwards
At January 31, 1996, the Fund had, for Federal income tax purposes,
approximately $6,602,000 of capital loss carryforwards available to offset
future capital gains. To the extent that these carryforward losses are used to
offset capital gains, it is probable that the gains so offset will not be
distributed. The amount and expiration of the carryforwards are indicated below.
Expiration occurs on January 31 of the year indicated:
2004 2005
---------- ----------
Carryforward Amounts.............................. $1,756,000 $4,846,000
========== ==========
7. Concentration of Risk
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.
12
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Financial Highlights
================================================================================
Set forth below is per share operating performance data for a share
of common stock outstanding throughout each period; total return and
ratios to average net assets are also provided. This information has been
derived from information provided in the financial statements and market
price data for the Fund's shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996(1) 1996 1995 1994(2) 1993 1992
======================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period............... $ 9.56 $ 9.82 $ 9.84 $ 8.43 $ 11.08 $ 11.37
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (Loss) From Operations:
Net investment income............................ 0.11 0.15 0.09 0.12 0.19 0.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).......... 0.47 (0.39) 0.06 1.72 (2.84) 0.03
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Income (Loss) From Operations................ 0.58 (0.24) 0.15 1.84 (2.65) 0.28
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Dilution in NAV From Rights Offering............... -- -- -- (0.32) -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Offering Expenses Charged to Paid-in Capital....... -- -- -- (0.03) -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Less Distributions From:
Net investment income............................ -- (0.02) (0.06) (0.07) -- (0.25)
Overdistribution of net investment income........ -- -- (0.11) -- -- --
Net realized gains............................... -- -- -- -- -- (0.24)
Capital ......................................... -- -- -- (0.01) -- (0.08)
Total Distributions................................ -- (0.02) (0.17) (0.08) -- (0.57)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net Asset Value, End of Period................... $ 10.14 $ 9.56 $ 9.82 $ 9.84 $ 8.43 $ 11.08
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ========
Market Value, End of Period...................... $ 8.25 $ 8.25 $ 8.75 $12.38 $ 8.88 $9.50
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ========
Total Return, Based on Market Value.............. 0.00%+++ (2.43)% (27.90)% 40.54%# (6.58)% 1.00%
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ========
Net Assets, End of Period (000's)................ $96,336 $90,841 $93,347 $93,518 $53,384 $70,186
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ========
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net investment income............................ 1.43%+ 1.12% 0.85% 1.30% 2.04% 2.17%
Expenses*........................................ 1.64+ 1.42 1.69 1.69 1.70 1.53
Portfolio Turnover Rate.......................... 33% 58% 42% 46% 33% 24%
Average commissions per share paid on
equity transactions(3).......................... $ 0.00** $ 0.00** -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) For the nine months ended October 31, 1996 (unaudited).
(2) 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.
(3) As of September 1995, the SEC instituted new guidelines requiring the
disclosure of average commissions per share.
+++ Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total
return for the year.
+ Annualized.
# 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).
* During the year ended January 31, 1996, the Fund earned credits from the
custodian which reduce service fees incurred. If the credits are taken into
consideration, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been
1.41%. Prior year numbers have not been restated to reflect this credit.
** Amount represents less than $0.01.
13
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Net Realized
and Unrealized Net Increase
Gain (Loss) on (Decrease) in
Investment Net Investment Investments and Net Assets
Income Income (Loss) Foreign Currencies From Operations
--------------------- -------------------- --------------------- --------------------
Quarter Ended Total Per Share Total Per Share Total Per Share Total Per Share
- ------------- ------- --------- ------- --------- -------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
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
April 30, 1994............... 262,201 0.03 37,867 0.01 376,390 0.04 21,587,589 2.27
July 31, 1994................ 1,568,187 0.17 933,702 0.10 2,317,766 0.24 (12,011,879) (1.26)
October 31, 1994............. 275,691 0.03 19,893 0.00 578,197 0.06 (6,426,246) (0.68)
January 31, 1995............. 396,171 0.04 (152,088) (0.02) (2,089,977) (0.22) (1,682,024) (0.18)
April 30, 1995............... 252,540 0.03 (74,178) (0.01) (1,556,369) (0.16) (6,441,384) (0.68)
July 31, 1995................ 1,539,509 0.16 1,141,497 0.12 (1,724,100) (0.18) 4,471,408 0.47
October 31, 1995............. 287,963 0.03 (81,879) (0.01) (172,867) (0.02) (6,926,030) (0.72)
January 31, 1996............. 282,141 0.03 145,834 0.02 (210,636) (0.02) 6,579,545 0.69
April 30, 1996............... 176,114 0.02 (188,803) (0.02) (1,589,084) (0.17) 6,727,660 0.70
July 31, 1996................ 1,944,252 0.20 1,539,905 0.16 2,953,107 0.31 (4,012,535) (0.42)
October 31, 1996............. 57,105 0.01 (336,620) (0.04) 3,116,522 0.33 2,779,902 0.29
</TABLE>
14
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited)
================================================================================
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 First Data Investor Services Group, Inc., ("First Data"),
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 First
Data 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 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, First Data will buy Fund
shares in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, as soon
as practicable after the record date for 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 commissions. 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 Fund shares before First Data has completed its purchases, the
average per share purchase price paid by First Data 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 First Data in any amount from $100 to $3,000 for
investment in Fund shares. First Data 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 First
Data'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.
15
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited) (continued)
================================================================================
A shareholder may terminate participation in the Plan at any time by notifying
First Data in writing. A termination will be effective immediately if notice is
received by First Data not less than 10 days before any 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,
First Data 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 First Data at 1-800-331-
1710.
---------------
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase at
market prices shares of its common stock in the open market.
16
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The Italy Fund Inc.
Additional Information (unaudited)
================================================================================
On May 15, 1996 the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Fund
was held for the purpose, of voting on the following matters:
1. To approve or disapprove for the Fund the election of Paul R.
Hardin and George M. Pavia as Directors; and
2. To approve or disapprove the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
as the independent auditors for the current fiscal year of the
Fund.
The results of the vote on Proposal 1 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% of Votes % of
Directors Votes For Shares Votes Against Shares Voted
==============================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dr. Paul R. Hardin 6,435,207.339 96.90% 205,318.151 3.10%
George M. Pavia 6,422,367.531 96.71% 218,157.959 3.29%
==============================================================================
</TABLE>
The results of the vote on Proposal 2 were as follows:
<TABLE>
% of Votes % of Votes % of
Votes For Shares Votes Against Shares Voted Abstained Shares Voted
================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
6,588,854.318 99.22% 26,021.814 0.39% 25,648.358 0.39%
================================================================================
</TABLE>
The following directors, representing the balance of the Board of Directors,
continue to serve as Directors: Paolo M. Cucchi, Alesandro C. di Montezemolo,
Mario d'Urso and Heath B. McLendon.
17
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The Italy Fund Inc.
INVESTMENT ADVISER and
administrator
Smith Barney Mutual Funds Management Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
ADVISORY BOARD
Andrea Farace
Pierre Henchoz
Ing. Dott. Ettore Lolli
Dott. Pietro Manes
DIRECTORS
Heath B. McLendon
Paolo M. Cucchi
Alesandro C. di Montezemolo
Dr. Paul R. Hardin
George M. Pavia
Mario d'Urso
OFFICERS
Heath B. McLendon
Chairman of the Board
Mario d'Urso
President
Lewis E. Daidone
Senior Vice President
and Treasurer
Rein W. van der Does
Investment Officer
Irving P. David
Controller
Christina T. Sydor
Secretary
18
<PAGE>
The Italy Fund Inc. [LOGO]
================================================================================
This report is sent to the shareholders of The Italy Fund Inc. for their
information. It is not a Prospectus, circular or representation intended for
use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or of any securities
mentioned in this 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 objectives, 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.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
(212) 816-4605
FD01045 12/96
Quarterly
Report
October 31, 1996
