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DEAR SHAREHOLDER:
We are pleased to present the semi-annual report for The Italy Fund Inc.
("Fund"), for the period ended July 31, 1997. As of that date, the Fund's net
asset value per share was $11.75, representing a 9.8% increase during the Fund's
fiscal second quarter. This performance compares unfavorably with the 15.5%
increase in the Banco Commerciale Index ("BCI Index"), (in U.S. Dollars) over
the same period. The BCI Index is a widely followed Italian index that includes
all the securities listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. However, since its
inception in 1986, the Fund has consistently outperformed the BCI Index.
For the six months ended July 31, 1997 the Fund returned -1.59%, which
underperformed versus the Morgan Stanley Capital International Index-Italy of
6.75%. (The Morgan Stanley Capital International Index-Italy is comprised of 35
Italian stocks.) On July 31, 1997, total net assets in the Fund amounted to
roughly $112 million.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Socialists' election victory in France in May was the catalyst for a
significant improvement in our outlook for Italy's financial markets, since the
country's chances for taking part in the European Monetary Union ("EMU") have
substantially increased. As a result, the interest-rate spread between Italian
and German bonds has narrowed to 100 basis points (1.00%) as of this report. As
yields declined, a buoyant bond market aided Italy's stock market in June and
July.
The Fund outperformed the local Italian indexes by a wide margin last year,
but the Fund has underperformed in its last two fiscal quarters because of the
following three factors:
First, we believe the diversification rule hurt the Fund's performance
versus the BCI Index during its last fiscal quarter. As a diversified investment
company, no more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may be
invested in positions of a single issuer that exceed 5% of the Fund's total
assets. When three companies -- phone company Telecom Italia, the diversified
energy company and now privatized Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi ("ENI") and Telecom
Italia Mobile (Europe's largest cellular network provider) -- represent nearly
50 percent of each major Italian index and outperform the benchmark, the Fund
finds it a challenge to perform better than the benchmark.
In an attempt to overcome the diversification rule problem, the Directors
of the Fund proposed that the Fund be converted to a non-diversified fund at its
last shareholder meeting. Unfortunately, the proposed change, which would have
required a fundamental change in Fund policy, required the approval of a larger
number of shareholders than we were able to obtain. Yet those Fund shareholders
who were contacted clearly favored the proposed change and we expect to try
again next year. A significant number of country-specific funds like The Italy
Fund are non-diversified because they have highly concentrated stock markets.
Therefore, this proposed change to the Fund is not unusual.
Second, after the Italian government decided that Telecom Italia (formerly
STET) savings shares (8.7% of the Fund's investments) would not be exchanged
into ordinary shares, the discount widened sharply from an average of 23% to
41%. During the privatizations of Credito Italiano at the end of 1993 and Banca
Commerciale Italiana in April 1994, the Dini and Ciampi governments did allow
the conversion of savers into ordinary shares. Therefore, the current
government's refusal was rather unexpected and was viewed unfavorably by many
international institutional investors. Since January 31, 1997, STET savers
advanced only 7.9%.
Third, apparel and footwear retailer Fila's recent poor performance (which
represented 1.6% of the Fund's investments as of July 31, 1997), also had a
negative affect on Fund performance. The company's stock declined from a
12-month high of $107 per share on September 9, 1996, to a current low of $30.
(The Fund's average cost per share during this time was $68.)
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Because we anticipate the scheduled deregulation of Italy's electricity
market to introduce fierce competition in the marketplace, we sold our positions
in utilities Edison and SONDEL. Another factor that we think does not bode well
for smaller independent electricity producers is ENEL's decision to stop buying
the surplus power of private producers.
During the reporting period, we added to our holdings in Pirelli (51%
cables, 49% tires), because of the company's successful bet on the exciting
business market for photonics, a branch of physics that deals with the
properties and applications of photons, especially as a medium for transmitting
information. We think Pirelli is well positioned to capitalize on the phenomenal
rise in Internet usage because its technology can increase the capacity of
existing fiber-optic systems.
Moreover, we added to our holdings in insurer Assicurazioni Generali after
its CEO outlined the company's objectives at its first-ever meeting with
analysts, held on July 16, 1997. The current management team plans to lift
Generali's return on equity from its previous 1996 level of 8.7% to 14% by the
year 2000. Generali appears to be serious about enhancing shareholder value.
POLITICAL OVERVIEW
The key political issue facing Italy today is whether Italian Premier
Romano Prodi's coalition government can implement significant structural reforms
and deficit-reduction measures despite the fragility and contradictions within
the current political coalition. (Prodi is an economics professor with centrist
views who was elected Italy's 55th postwar prime minister in April 1996.)
Prodi's coalition government is by its very composition unwieldy -- a
loose-knit group of small centrist parties and the Democratic Party of the Left
known as the PDS (Partito Democratico della Sinistra), the former Italian
Communist Party and now the country's largest single party. Moreover, Prodi
faces quite a challenge in instituting reforms, because his government must rely
on the votes of the Partito Della Rifondazione Comunista, an unrepentantly
Marxist party not in the coalition.
We believe the debate about Italy's public deficit in the coming months
will probably be one of the most important factors for the stock market. The
measures planned for 1998, which are scheduled to be passed September 30, 1997,
could contribute to savings of 25 billion lire (or 1.2% of Gross Domestic
Product) to the deficit. The measures for 1998 involve higher projected revenues
and spending cuts that, if passed, would result in a government deficit of
roughly 3% of Italy's Gross Domestic Product. To increase revenues, Italy plans
to rely on the current Eurotassia (a.k.a. the Euro tax), a higher value added
tax and more aggressive policies to reduce widespread tax evasion.
In our view, however, spending cuts (especially those for social security
programs) and reform of its welfare state are the most important factors if
Italy is to be successful in reducing its deficit. The welfare talks scheduled
to start at the end of August 1997 between the Prodi government, the unions, the
employers' association and the Rifondazione Comunista will be challenging, to
say the least. These welfare reform discussions seem crucial and will affect
central bank interest rate policy and Italy's ability to satisfy conditions for
entry into European Monetary Union ("EMU").
To underscore the difficulties in reforming Italy's political system,
consider the case of the bicamerale, a special 70-member parliamentary
commission established earlier in the year to present a long-term solution for
Italy's often fractious political system. Launched with much fanfare to update a
constitution that has muddled along since 1948, the bicamerale's original
mandate was to reform the Italian state, make government more efficient, suggest
changes to electoral law and reform the judicial system. Instead, the special
commission issued a series of recommendations that many critics believe would
make the government even less efficient and actually impede significant
constitutional reform.
2
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ECONOMIC OVERVIEW
Italy's economy continued to grow modestly during the period under review
and inflation declined to a 1.6% annual rate year to year. However, because
average wages in Italy have increased roughly 4% so far this year, we expect a
slightly higher annual rate of inflation in the second half of 1997.
CONCLUSION
We are pleased to report that Italy's stock market has finally set a new
all-time record high, surpassing its previous record level of 1986. In addition,
the astonishing success of ENI third tranche ($7.8 billion) is the best example
that low Italian bond yields are forcing private savers to switch from safe
T-bills towards stocks. We remain positive on the long-term prospects for
Italy's stock market for the following reasons:
-- As one of the worst-performing stock markets during the last ten years
while many other world markets reached all-time highs, the argument for some
type of catch-up for Italy's stock market has, in our view, grown even stronger.
-- With the annual rate of inflation in Italy at about 1.6%, we believe
interest rates have a bit more room to decline further.
-- Italian mutual fund inflow trends remain encouraging. For example, in
June the net inflows into Italian equity funds amounted to 2.9 trillion lire,
while inflows into bond funds declined from previous months. Although
international stock funds attracted the lion's share of assets, Italians became
net buyers of their own shares. In addition, July was an even stronger month for
net inflows into Italian stock funds.
-- If the introduction of a new Italian tax system (IREP) is approved, we
believe annual corporate profits could rise by roughly 10% to 15%.
-- As many foreign investors do not own Italian company stocks, any renewed
interest in the Italian equities market could have a very positive effect on
stock prices.
-- In our opinion, Italian stocks are relatively inexpensive. While
corporate profits are estimated to rise 18% and 19% in 1997 and 1998
respectively, the Italian stock market is trading well below the valuation
averages of U.S. and most other European markets.
Short-term risks still exist, however, as political tensions with the
Italian Communist Party are likely to materialize with respect to discussions on
the next budget and pension reforms, planned for late August and September.
Investors in the Italian stock market therefore need to maintain a long-term
perspective, stay patient and remain committed to a disciplined investment plan.
Finally, we have prepared an Italy Fund Profile that is available on a
monthly basis. To order your free copy, please call (212) 816-6082 or e-mail us
at [email protected].
Thank you for your investment in The Italy Fund Inc. We look forward to
continuing to help you pursue your financial goals.
Sincerely,
/s/ Heath B. McLendon /s/ Mario d'Urso
Heath B. McLendon Mario d'Urso
Chairman of the Board President
/s/ Rein W. van der Does
Rein W. van der Does
Investment Officer
August 25, 1997
3
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE ITALY FUND'S SECTORIAL STRUCTURE*
JULY 31, 1997 (unaudited)
[THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A PIE CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]
<S> <C>
Time Deposit 1.3%
Automotive 7.3%
Banking 7.9%
Construction 2.5%
Consumer Products 6.1%
Energy 16.2%
Engineering 2.0%
Food 4.0%
Holding Companies 1.1%
Insurance 16.8%
Miscellaneous 1.9%
Telecommunications 26.4%
Textiles 5.5%
Utilities 1.0%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BCI INDEX SECTORIAL STRUCTURE
JULY 31, 1997 (unaudited)
[THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A PIE CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]
<S> <C>
Automotive 7.9%
Banking 19.6%
Construction 2.0%
Consumer Products 1.7%
Energy 18.6%
Engineering 1.8%
Food 1.8%
Insurance 14.2%
Miscellaneous 1.7%
Telecommunications 27.8%
Textiles 2.5%
Utilities 0.4%
</TABLE>
*As a percentage of total investments.
4
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THE ITALY FUND INC.
Schedule of Investments as of July 31, 1997 (unaudited)
================================================================================
Shares Security Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
COMMON STOCKS -- 98.7%
================================================================================
AUTOMOTIVE -- 7.3%
145,000 Brembo S.p.A. .................................. $ 1,589,962
1,000,000 Pirelli S.p.A. ................................. 2,724,152
1,525,000 Sogefi S.p.A. .................................. 3,847,077
-----------
8,161,191
-----------
BANKING -- 7.9%
700,000 Banca Popolare di Milano. ...................... 3,936,487
500,000 Istituto Mobiliare
Italiano S.p.A. .............................. 4,834,938
-----------
8,771,425
-----------
CONSTRUCTION -- 2.5%
600,000 Unicem S.p.A di
Risp NC * .................................... 1,484,470
900,000 Vianini Lavori S.p.A. .......................... 1,290,917
-----------
2,775,387
-----------
CONSUMER PRODUCTS -- 6.1%
325,000 Arnoldo Mondadori
Editore S.p.A. ............................... 2,005,958
50,000 Industrie Natuzzi
S.p.A. ADR ................................... 1,378,125
500,000 La Rinascente S.p.A.
di Risp NC * ................................ 1,429,608
260,000 Recordati S.p.A. di
Risp NC * .................................... 954,821
1,000,000 Seat S.p.A. # .................................. 358,030
2,702,500 Seat S.p.A. di
Risp NC *# ................................... 632,884
-----------
6,759,426
-----------
ENERGY -- 16.2%
2,300,000 Ente Nazionale
Idrocarburi S.p.A. ........................... 13,552,895
900,000 Saipem S.p.A. .................................. 4,551,863
-----------
18,104,758
-----------
Shares Security Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENGINEERING -- 2.0%
180,000 Danieli & Co. .................................. $ 1,311,009
266,750 Danieli & Co. di
Risp NC * .................................... 963,679
-----------
2,274,688
-----------
FOOD -- 4.0%
800,041 Finanziaria Autogrill
S.p.A. # ..................................... 1,385,532
2,212,000 Parmalat Finanziaria
S.p.A. ....................................... 3,108,590
-----------
4,494,122
-----------
HOLDING COMPANIES -- 1.1%
2,700,000 Holding di
Partecipazioni S.p.A. # ...................... 1,263,692
-----------
INSURANCE -- 16.8%
300,000 Alleanza Assicurazioni
S.p.A. ....................................... 2,560,234
200,000 Assicurazioni Generali
S.p.A. ....................................... 4,068,090
1,700,000 Banca Fideuram
S.p.A ........................................ 5,553,286
2,000,000 Instituto Nazionale
Delle Assicurazioni .......................... 2,928,980
425,700 Riunione Adriatica di
Sicurta S.p.A. ............................... 3,609,452
-----------
18,720,042
-----------
MISCELLANEOUS -- 1.9%
200,000 Aeroporti di Roma
S.p.A # ...................................... 1,622,102
850,000 Europa Investimenti #+ ......................... 237,198
49,639 Quattrocentoduedue
Cat B #+ ..................................... 304,746
-----------
2,164,046
-----------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
5
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THE ITALY FUND INC.
Schedule of Investments as of July 31, 1997 (unaudited)(continued)
================================================================================
Shares Security Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TELECOMMUNICATIONS -- 26.4%
2,064,444 Telecom Italia S.p.A. .......................... $12,949,513
2,724,500 Telecom Italia S.p.A.
Risp NC* ..................................... 9,775,811
1,976,000 Telecom Italia
Mobile S.p.A. ................................ 6,707,427
-----------
29,432,751
-----------
TEXTILES -- 5.5%
104,000 Benetton Group S.p.A. .......................... 1,570,781
55,000 Fila Holding S.p.A.
ADR .......................................... 1,797,812
45,000 Gucci Group N.V.--NY
Registered Shares ADR ........................ 2,840,626
-----------
6,209,219
-----------
UTILITIES -- 1.0%
356,000 Italgas S.p.A. ................................. 1,092,190
-----------
TOTAL COMMON
STOCKS
(Cost -- $88,100,935) .......................... 110,222,937
-----------
Face
Amounts++ Security Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
TIME DEPOSIT -- 1.3%
================================================================================
2,500,000,000 Chase Manhattan Bank,
6.75% due 8/4/97
(Cost -- $1,397,780) $ 1,395,284
------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
AT VALUE -- 100%
(Cost -- $89,498,715+++) $111,618,221
============
- ----------
* Risp NC -- Risparmio Non-Convertible (non-covertible savings shares).
# Non-income producing security.
+ Restricted security (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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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE ITALY FUND INC.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
July 31, 1997 (unaudited)
=======================================================================================
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments, at value (Cost--$89,498,715) .......................... $ 111,618,221
Foreign currency (Cost--$1,218,269) ................................ 1,220,362
Cash ............................................................... 101,796
Dividends and interest receivable .................................. 142,132
-------------
TOTAL ASSETS ....................................................... 113,082,511
-------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for securities purchased ................................... 1,173,315
Management fees payable ............................................ 90,296
Accrued expenses ................................................... 156,916
-------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES .................................................. 1,420,527
-------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS ...................................................... $ 111,661,984
=============
NET ASSETS:
Par value of capital shares ........................................ $ 95,031
Capital paid in excess of par value ................................ 94,936,689
Undistributed net investment income ................................ 56,768
Accumulated net realized loss from security transactions ........... (5,533,323)
Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currencies .. 22,106,819
-------------
TOTAL NET ASSETS
(Equivalent to $11.75 a share on 9,503,089 shares of $0.01 par value
outstanding; 20,000,000 shares authorized) ....................... $ 111,661,984
=============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
7
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE ITALY FUND INC.
Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended July 31, 1997 (unaudited)
==============================================================================================
<S> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends .................................................................. $ 2,277,288
Interest ................................................................... 100,406
Less: Foreign withholding tax .............................................. (325,239)
------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME .................................................... 2,052,455
------------
EXPENSES:
Management fees (Note 2) ................................................... 499,835
Directors' fees ............................................................ 61,987
Custody .................................................................... 51,681
Audit and legal ............................................................ 34,712
Shareholder communications ................................................. 24,795
Shareholder and system servicing fees ...................................... 23,555
Other ...................................................................... 3,661
------------
TOTAL EXPENSES ............................................................. 700,226
------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME ......................................................... 1,352,229
------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES (NOTE 3):
Realized Gain (Loss) From:
Security transactions (excluding short-term securities) .................. 1,427,150
Foreign currency transactions ............................................ (377,747)
------------
NET REALIZED GAIN .......................................................... 1,049,403
------------
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation of Investments and Foreign Currencies:
Beginning of period ...................................................... 26,279,197
End of period ............................................................ 22,106,819
------------
DECREASE IN NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION .................................... (4,172,378)
------------
NET LOSS ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES ................................ (3,122,975)
------------
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS ........................................ $ (1,770,746)
============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8
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THE ITALY FUND INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months
Ended Year
7/31/97 Ended
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited) 1/31/97
====================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .......................................... $ 1,352,229 $ 944,515
Net realized gain .............................................. 1,049,403 168,703
Increase (decrease) in net unrealized appreciation ............. (4,172,378) 23,759,645
------------- -------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS .............. (1,770,746) 24,872,863
------------- -------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Net investment income .......................................... -- (2,280,742)
------------- -------------
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS ...... -- (2,280,742)
------------- -------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS ................................. (1,770,746) 22,592,121
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period ............................................ 113,432,730 90,840,609
------------- -------------
END OF PERIOD* ................................................. $ 111,661,984 $ 113,432,730
============= =============
*Includes undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income of: $ 56,768 $ (917,714)
============= =============
</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"), a Maryland corporation, 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 price in the primary exchange on
which they are traded; securities for which no sales price was reported on that
date are valued at the mean between the bid and ask price. 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 an 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 or 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. At January 31, 1997, 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; 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.
As of July 31, 1997, there were no open forward foreign currency contracts.
2. MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED PERSONS
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.
10
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THE ITALY FUND INC.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
================================================================================
3. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
During the six months ended July 31, 1997, the aggregate cost of purchases
and proceeds from sales of investments (including maturities, but excluding
short-term securities) were as follows:
================================================================================
Purchases $13,480,513
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales 7,919,070
================================================================================
At July 31, 1997, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation
of investments for Federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:
================================================================================
Gross unrealized appreciation $28,260,700
Gross unrealized depreciation (6,141,194)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation $22,119,506
================================================================================
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 7/31/97 Value Per Percentage of
Security Shares Date Fair Value Unit Net Assets Cost
-------- ------ ---- ---------- ---- ---------- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Europa Investimenti ......... 850,000 7/2/91 $237,198 $0.28 0.21% $623,396
Quattrocentoduedue
Cat B .................... 49,639 3/21/94 304,746 6.14 0.27 295,889
-------- ---- --------
Total .................. $541,944 0.48% $919,285
======== ==== ========
</TABLE>
5. CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARDS
At January 31, 1997, the Fund had, for Federal income tax purposes,
approximately $6,960,000 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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
2002 2004 2005
---------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Carryforward Amounts ............ $1,755,000 $5,027,000 $178,000
========== ========== ========
</TABLE>
11
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THE ITALY FUND INC.
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
================================================================================
6. 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>
1997(1) 1997 1996 1995 1994(2) 1993
==================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period ....... $11.94 $9.56 $9.82 $9.84 $8.43 $11.08
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Income (Loss) From Operations:
Net investment income ................... 0.14 0.10 0.15 0.09 0.12 0.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) . (0.33) 2.52 (0.39) 0.06 1.72 (2.84)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Total Income (Loss) From Operations ........ (0.19) 2.62 (0.24) 0.15 1.84 (2.65)
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Dilution in NAV From Rights Offering ....... -- -- -- -- (0.32) --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Offering Expenses Charged to Paid-in Capital -- -- -- -- (0.03) --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Less Distributions From:
Net investment income ................... -- (0.24) (0.02) (0.17) (0.07) --
Capital ................................. -- -- -- -- (0.01) --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Total Distributions ........................ -- (0.24) (0.02) (0.17) (0.08) --
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Net Asset Value, End of Period ............. $11.75 $11.94 $9.56 $9.82 $9.84 $8.43
=========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
Market Value, End of Period ................ $9.625 $10.000 $8.250 $8.750 $12.375 $8.875
=========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
Total Return, Based on Market Value ........ (3.75)%++ 24.49% (5.51)% (27.90)% 40.54%# (6.58)%
=========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
Total Return, Based on Net Asset Value ..... (1.59)%++ 28.27% (2.43)% (3.68)% 33.04% (24.64)%
=========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
Net Assets, End of Period (000's) .......... $111,662 $113,433 $90,841 $93,347 $93,518 $53,384
=========== =========== =========== =========== ============ ============
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net investment income ................... 2.55%+ 0.97% 1.12% 0.85% 1.30% 2.04%
Expenses(3) ............................. 1.32+ 1.42 1.42 1.69 1.69 1.70
Portfolio Turnover Rate .................... 8% 47% 58% 42% 46% 33%
Average commissions per share paid on
equity transactions(4) .................. $0.01 $0.01 $0.00** -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) For the six months ended July 31, 1997 (unaudited).
(2) Per share amounts have been calculated using the monthly average shares
method, rather than the undistributed net investment income method, because
it more accurately reflects the per share data for the period.
(3) During the years ended January 31, 1997 and January 31, 1996, the Fund
earned credits from the custodian which reduced service fees incurred. If
the credits are taken into consideration, the ratios of expenses to average
net assets would have been 1.42% and 1.41%, respectively. Prior year
numbers have not been restated to reflect this credit.
(4) 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).
** Amount represents less than $0.01.
13
<PAGE>
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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) (0.16) (1,777,887) (0.18)
July 31, 1996 .......... 1,944,252 0.20 1,539,905 0.16 2,953,107 0.31 4,493,012 0.47
October 31, 1996 ....... 57,105 0.01 (336,620) (0.04) 3,116,522 0.33 2,779,902 0.29
January 31, 1997 ....... 144,366 0.02 (69,967) (0.01) 19,447,803 2.05 19,377,836 2.04
April 30, 1997 ......... 106,945 0.01 (238,794) (0.03) (11,469,551) (1.21) (11,708,345) (1.24)
July 31, 1997 .......... 1,945,510 0.20 1,591,023 0.17 8,346,576 0.88 9,937,599 1.05
</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
("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 the greater of (i) net asset value per share or (ii) 95%
of the then current market 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. Additionally, if the
market price exceeds the net asset value of Fund shares before First Data has
completed its purchases, First Data is permitted to cease purchasing shares and
the Fund may issue the remaining shares at the greater of (a) net asset value or
(b) 95% of the then current market price.
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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ITA [LOGO]======================================================================
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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
shares of its common stock in the open market.
16
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THE ITALY FUND INC.
Additional Information (unaudited)
================================================================================
On May 14, 1997, 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 Paolo M. Cucchi
and Mario d'Urso as Directors; and
2. To approve or disapprove the selection of KMPG Peat Marwick LLP as the
independent auditors for the current fiscal year of the Fund.
3. To approve or disapprove the changing of the Fund's subclassification
from a diversified to a non-diversified investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The results of the vote on Proposal 1 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF VOTES % OF
DIRECTORS VOTES FOR SHARES VOTED AGAINST SHARES VOTED
===============================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Paolo M. Cucchi 7,244,553.823 97.54% 182,573.242 2.46%
Mario d'Urso 7,247,793.662 97.59 179,333.403 2.41
===============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The results of the vote on Proposal 2 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF VOTES %OF VOTES %OF
VOTES FOR SHARES VOTED AGAINST SHARES VOTED ABSTAINED SHARES VOTED
===========================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
7,328,972.540 98.68% 61,707.578 0.84% 36,446.947 0.48%
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The following directors, representing the balance of the Board of Directors,
continue to serve as Directors: Dr. Paul R. Hardin, Alesandro C. di Montezemolo,
George M. Pavia, and Heath B. McLendon.
The results of the vote on Proposal 3 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF % OF
VOTES FOR OUTSTANDING SHARES VOTES AGAINST* OUTSTANDING SHARES
===========================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
3,712,919.602 39.07% 3,490,745.131 36.73%
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Includes 3,082,820 broker non-votes and 127,516.373 abstentions which have
the effect of "no" votes for purposes of obtaining approval of the proposal.
Proposal 3 failed because an insufficient number of the outstanding shares voted
in favor of the proposal.
17
<PAGE>
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THE ITALY FUND INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT MANAGER AND OFFICERS
ADMINISTRATOR
Heath B. McLendon
Smith Barney Mutual Funds Management Inc. Chairman of the Board
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013 Mario d'Urso
President
ADVISORY BOARD Lewis E. Daidone
Senior Vice President
Andrea Farace and Treasurer
Pierre Henchoz
Ing. Dott. Ettore Lolli Rein W. van der Does
Dott. Pietro Manes Investment Officer
Irving P. David
DIRECTORS Controller
Heath B. McLendon Christina T. Sydor
Paolo M. Cucchi Secretary
Alesandro C. di Montezemolo
Dr. Paul R. Hardin
George M. Pavia
Mario d'Urso
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18
<PAGE>
THE ITALY FUND INC.
==================================================================== ITA [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
FD01012 9/97
Semi-Annual
Report
July 31, 1997
