STEIN ROE MUTUAL FUNDS
ANNUAL REPORT
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
PHOTO OF: HANDS ON GLOBE.
STEIN ROE INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
PACIFIC REGION FUND
ASIA PACIFIC FUND
LOGO: STEIN ROE MUTUAL FUNDS
SENSIBLE RISKS. INTELLIGENT INVESTMENTS.(R)
<PAGE>
CONTENTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From the President................................................ 1
Stephen E. Gibson's thoughts on the equity markets and investing
Performance Summary............................................... 2
Questions & Answers............................................... 3
An interview with Your Fund's Portfolio Managers
Fund Highlights................................................... 6
Portfolio of Investments.......................................... 8
A complete list of investments with market values
Financial Statements.............................................. 12
Statements of assets and liabilities, operations
and changes in net assets
Notes to Financial Statements..................................... 15
Financial Highlights.............................................. 19
Selected per-share data
Report of Independent
Accountants....................................................... 20
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
<PAGE>
FROM THE PRESIDENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
It was a good year for the Stein Roe Asia Pacific Fund. I am pleased to present
this fiscal year 2000 Annual Report and to report that the Fund outperformed its
benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International Pacific Index (the MSCI
Pacific Index), by a wide margin. For the 12 months ended September 30, 2000 the
Fund delivered a positive total return of 13.97% while the MSCI Pacific Index
declined 1.37% during the same period.
Many Asian markets performed superbly in 1999, as nations across the Pacific
Basin marched toward economic recovery for the first time since the financial
crisis of mid-1998. By early 2000, valuations in many markets had sprinted far
ahead of fundamental company strengths, triggering a correction much like the
one that occurred in U.S. markets in March 2000. Despite the accelerating
economic growth in the region, the summer quarter proved no friendlier to the
Asian markets.
The recent downturn notwithstanding, we believe the situation in Asia is much
improved over where it stood two years ago.
A pronounced trend toward deregulation and the opening of markets throughout the
region should bode well for economic expansion, though the extent and
sustainability of economic recovery will likely vary from country to country.
The changes in the region could also bode well for the Fund, since they
present your Fund's managers with new and more varied opportunities for
investment.
Take a look at the report inside for a more detailed discussion on the
economic and market factors that affected the Fund's performance. Portfolio
managers David Smith and Chris Legallet are especially positive about the
investment possibilities in Greater China and Japan, and they review the
strategies used to help the Fund achieve a double-digit, positive return during
the past year.
Thank you for choosing the Stein Roe Asia Pacific Fund and for giving us the
opportunity to serve your investment needs.
Sincerely,
/S/ Stephen E. Gibson
Stephen E. Gibson
President
November 20, 2000
Photo of: Stephen E. Gibson
1
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
ONE LIFE
YEAR OF FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stein Roe Asia Pacific Fund* 13.97% 36.26%
MSCI Pacific Index (1.37)% N/A
MSCI EAFE Index 3.18% N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The inception of the Fund was 10/19/98.
INVESTMENT COMPARISON
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROWTH OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT October 19, 1998 to September 30, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEIN ROE ASIA PACIFIC FUND
Line Chart:
STEIN ROE
ASIA MSCI
PACIFIC MSCI PACIFIC
FUND EAFE INDEX
10/19/98 10000 10000 10000
10110 10000 10000
10490 10335 10278
12/31/98 10730 10369 10352
10300 10014 10149
10440 10276 11428
3/31/99 11541 10740 12191
13481 10217 11465
12931 10783 12519
6/30/99 14851 10977 13472
15301 10986 13335
15841 10927 13949
9/30/99 16031 11298 14489
17031 11974 15208
19511 13355 16201
12/31/99 21999 12234 15419
20331 12719 15081
20833 12862 16127
3/31/00 21379 11938 15007
19493 11640 14135
18010 11666 15225
6/30/00 19635 11293 13775
19079 11352 14525
19329 10800 13759
9/30/00 18269 10800 13759
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS. SHARE PRICE AND INVESTMENT
RETURN WILL VARY, SO YOU MAY HAVE A GAIN OR LOSS WHEN YOU SELL YOUR SHARES. The
above illustration assumes a $10,000 investment made on October 19, 1998
(October 31, 1998 for the indices), and reinvestment of income and capital gains
distributions. The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe Australia Far
East (MSCI EAFE) Index and MSCI Pacific Index are an unmanaged group of
securities that differs from the composition of any Stein Roe Fund; they are not
available for direct investment. Foreign investing involves market, political,
currency and accounting risks not associated with domestic securities.
2
<PAGE>
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID SMITH AND CHRIS LEGALLET, PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
OF THE STEIN ROE ASIA PACIFIC FUND
Q: HOW DID THE STEIN ROE ASIA PACIFIC FUND PERFORM DURING THE 2000 FISCAL YEAR?
A. We are pleased with the Fund's performance for the 12 months ended September
30, 2000. Its positive one-year total return of 13.97% was considerably better
than the 1.37% decline for its benchmark, the MSCI Pacific Index.
Q: TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THE FUND'S SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE?
A. The Fund clearly benefited from a relatively high concentration in equities
from Greater China (47.3% of net assets), an area that includes Mainland China,
Hong Kong and Macao. Hong Kong's market, the Hang Seng, has generally been
Asia's safe haven in times of economic or market uncertainty, so it fared better
than most in the turmoil of the past six months. The outperformance also Q&A
Continued is attributable to an underweighting in Japanese stocks during the
latter half of the year.
photos of: Chris Legallet and David Smith
Q: WHY DID YOU FOCUS ON GREATER CHINA IN SELECTING SECURITIES?
A. As bottom-up managers, we focus primarily on a company's fundamentals, and
less on specific countries or markets. We're looking for exceptional individual
investment possibilities, and since the capital markets of Greater China are
evolving, a wealth of new investment opportunities has been created there.
For example, we have been long-time fans of China Mobile (4.1% of net
assets). It is the largest wireless operator in China and, with more than 180
million potential customers in China's urban centers, seems well on its way to
becoming one of the largest wireless communications companies in the world.
Wireless communication is the de facto standard for telecommunications in China,
and the company has been steadily generating profits.
Another holding we have been quite enthusiastic about is Li & Fung (4.8% of
net assets), the modern-day incarnation of an old-line China trading company.
Riding the trend toward
3
<PAGE>
Q&A CONTINUED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
outsourcing, a new generation of owners has transformed the firm from an
old-fashioned import/export business into a wholesale manufacturing contractor
for companies as varied as Home Depot and GAP. Li & Fung contracts with
third-party producers to manufacture and deliver quality, well-priced and
ethically produced goods to retailers on a timely basis. The business requires
little capital outlay for Li & Fung, yet has been generating a steady stream of
cash from service fees.
Q: ALTHOUGH YOU USE A BOTTOM-UP APPROACH, HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENTS INFLUENCED YOUR INVESTMENT SELECTIONS?
A. Yes. A 'micro-recovery' has been unfolding in Japan. Inaction by the Japanese
government has hindered the growth opportunities for stocks we would normally
have added to the portfolio. Although corporate profits have expanded at rates
we have not seen in years, perhaps a decade, the economy has not gained strength
as rapidly and has struggled to move into positive territory. A major reason has
been the government's reluctance to embrace new policies or, putting it another
way, clinging to old-style fiscal policies that attempt to keep the economy
afloat by pumping money into public projects and infrastructure. These policies
and the likely results (e.g., rising national debt), plus a change in government
leadership that raised many questions, have dampened investor enthusiasm for
Japanese stocks.
As a result, we identified what we believe to be better growth
opportunities elsewhere in the region, so we sold our position in Softbank
International, the Japanese holding company that invests primarily in
Internet-related businesses. Though its long-term prospects remain attractive,
we felt the stock was too highly priced to withstand the worldwide downturn in
technology stocks or the near-term problems in the Japanese stock market.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON OTHER COUNTRIES IN ASIA?
A. In our view, ineffectual governments hamper the Taiwanese and Korean markets.
Moreover, these stock markets are heavily weighted in technology shares and
plagued by concerns over a global slowdown in personal computer and telecom
equipment sales. As for the markets comprising the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, the appropriate word might be "shipwrecked." Markets in the
Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have all been struggling against a tide of
poor monetary and fiscal policies.
4
<PAGE>
Q&A CONTINUED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: WHAT IS YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE PACIFIC BASIN NATIONS?
A. We fully expect the uncertainty in the U.S. stock market and economy to put a
damper on Asian markets in the short run. However, Asian markets should
eventually break loose, simply because of the region's economic growth. Analysts
predict an 8% rate of increase in China's gross domestic product, and as we have
mentioned, we believe strong corporate profits and earnings will put Japan on
the right track in the long run. At the same time, markets in Asia are still
considerably undervalued, while it can be argued that equities in the United
States remain overvalued, in spite of the general decline since March 2000. The
bottom line: We believe the worst of the Asian financial crisis is behind us and
that the opportunities for investment in high-quality companies will likely
improve as we advance into fiscal 2001.
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS. Total return performance
includes changes in share price and reinvestment of income and capital gains
distributions. Share price and investment returns will vary, so you may have a
gain or loss when you sell your shares. Foreign investments involve market,
political and currency risks not generally associated with domestic securities.
Emerging market investing also involves these risks, and emerging market
equities are generally more volatile and less liquid than securities in either
the U.S. or countries with established equity markets.
5
<PAGE>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS As of September 30, 2000
================================================================================
STEIN ROE ASIA PACIFIC FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOP 10 EQUITY HOLDINGS (% OF NET ASSETS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HSBC Holdings 5.2% Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd 3.6%
Li & Fung Ltd 4.8% Cheung Kong Hldg 3.4%
Hong Kong & China Gas 4.6% United Microelectronics 3.0%
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd 4.4% Matsushita Communication Ind 2.5%
China Mobile 4.1% Park 24 Co Ltd 2.4%
================================================================================
EQUITY PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
MSCI EAFE
PORTFOLIO INDEX
--------------------------------
Number of Holdings 61 923
Dollar Weighted Median
Market Capitalization ($Mil.) 8,099.4 35,888.8
================================================================================
6
<PAGE>
FUND HIGHLIGHTS As of September 30, 2000 CONTINUED
================================================================================
ECONOMIC SECTOR BREAKDOWN
Equity Portfolio MSCI EAFE Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Goods 13.14% Basic Materials 4.23%
Communications Services 8.42% Capiatl Goods 7.91%
Consumer Cyclical 19.36% Communications Services 10.97%
Consumer Staples 11.26% Consumer Cyclical 10.6%
Energy 2.13% Consumer Staples 10.79%
Financial 24.3% Energy 5.87%
Health Care 1.28% Financial 23.43%
Technology 13.71% Health Care 8.67%
Utilities 6.4% Industrial 12.33%
Transport 2.03%
Utilities 3%
Unclassifed Other 0.17%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSET ALLOCATION
September 30, 1999 September 30, 2000
pie chart: pie chart:
Equities 95.7% Equities 97.3%
Cash Equivalent & Other 4.3% Cash Equivalent & Other 2.7%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COUNTRY ALLOCATION
Equity Portfolio (% Total Investments) MSCI EAFE Index
map: eastern hemisphere map: eastern hemisphere
China - 4.3% Japan - 26.3%
Hong Kong - 44.4% United Kingdom - 20.9%
Singapore - 9.7% France - 11.2%
Taiwan - 3.1% Australia - 2.7%
South Korea - 4.1% Hong Kong - 2.1%
Australia - 0.6% Singapore - 1.0%
Japan - 33.8% Other - 35.8%
7
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
Portfolio of Investments
September 30, 2000 (In thousands)
COMMON STOCKS - 97.3% COUNTRY SHARES VALUE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSTRUCTION - 0.4%
SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS
Zhejiang Expressway Co., Ltd., Class H HK 126 $ 21
--------
FINANCE, INSURANCE &REALESTATE - 32.1%
DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS - 12.4%
Dah Sing Financial................... HK 24 120
DBS Group Holding Ltd................ Si 11 121
HSBC Holdings PLC (b)................ HK 19 274
Hang Seng Bank Ltd................... HK 6 65
Suruga Bank, Ltd..................... Ja 5 74
--------
654
--------
FINANCIAL SERVICES - 1.1%
Aeon Credit Service Co., Ltd......... Ja (c) 24
Orix Corp............................ Ja (c) 36
--------
60
--------
HOLDING COMPANIES - 8.7%
Citic Pacific Ltd.................... HK 30 129
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd................ HK 18 234
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. Si 66 98
--------
461
--------
NONDEPOSITORY CREDIT INSTITUTIONS - 1.4%
Aiful Corp........................... Ja (c) 43
Takefuji Corp........................ Ja (c) 33
--------
76
--------
REAL ESTATE - 8.5%
Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd............. HK 15 181
City Developments Ltd................ Si 16 78
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.......... HK 20 189
--------
448
--------
MANUFACTURING - 21.5%
CHEMICALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS - 1.3%
Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd....... Ja 1 66
--------
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT - 4.5%
Matsushita Communication Industrial Co. Ja 1 135
Sony Corp............................ Ja 1 101
--------
236
--------
ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT - 1.2%
Sodick Co., Ltd. (a)................. Ja 10 65
--------
ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - 1.5%
Pioneer Electronic Corp.............. Ja 2 81
--------
See notes to investment portfolio.
8
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO Continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS - (CONTINUED) COUNTRY SHARES VALUE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANUFACTURING - CONT.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS - 6.1%
Kyocera Corp......................... Ja 1 $ 122
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd........ Ja 1 96
Samsung Electronics.................. Ko (c) 54
Samsung Electronics GDS (e).......... Ko 1 51
--------
323
--------
FOOD & KINDRED PRODUCTS - 0.9%
Ito En, Ltd.......................... Ja 1 48
--------
MACHINERY & COMPUTER EQUIPMENT - 2.6%
Canon, Inc........................... Ja 1 44
Fujitsu Ltd.......................... Ja 2 46
Union Tool Co........................ Ja 1 46
--------
136
--------
MEASURING & ANALYZING INSTRUMENTS - 1.8%
China Hong Kong Photo Products
Holdings, Ltd........................ HK 230 21
Keyence Corp......................... Ja (c) 35
Venture Manufacturing (Singapore) Ltd. Si 4 39
--------
95
--------
PRINTING & PUBLISHING - 1.6%
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd......... Si 6 87
--------
MINING&ENERGY - 2.1%
OIL & GAS EXTRACTION
PetroChina Co., Ltd. Class H......... HK 540 110
--------
RETAIL TRADE - 9.6%
APPAREL & ACCESSORY STORES - 3.3%
Esprit Holdings Ltd.................. HK 68 56
Giordano International Ltd........... HK 202 117
--------
173
--------
GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES - 1.9%
Don Quijote Co., Ltd................. Ja 1 73
Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.............. Ja (c) 31
--------
104
--------
MISCELLANEOUS RETAIL - 3.8%
Foster's Brewing Group Ltd........... Au 13 31
Matsumotokiyoshi..................... Ja 1 68
Yamada Denki Co., Ltd................ Ja 1 101
--------
200
--------
RESTAURANTS - 0.6%
Cafe De Coral Holdings Ltd........... HK 93 33
--------
SERVICES - 9.2%
AMUSEMENT & RECREATION - 0.4%
People Co., Ltd...................... Ja (c) 22
--------
AUTO REPAIR, RENTAL & PARKING - 2.4%
Park24 Co., Ltd...................... Ja 1 129
--------
See notes to investment portfolio.
9
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO Continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS - (CONTINUED) COUNTRY SHARES VALUE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SERVICES - CONT.
BUSINESS SERVICES - 0.4%
Oracle Corp. Japan................... Ja (c) $ 23
--------
COMPUTER RELATED SERVICES - 3.0%
Bellsystem24, Inc.................... Ja (c) 47
Datacraft Asia Ltd................... Si 10 79
Fujitsu Support & Services, Inc...... Ja (c) 24
SINA.com (a)......................... HK (c) 6
--------
156
--------
COMPUTER SOFTWARE - 3.0%
United Microelectronics Corp. ADR (a) Tw 13 158
--------
TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION, ELECTRIC
GAS & SANITARY SERVICES - 13.3%
AIR TRANSPORTATION - 0.9%
China Unicom Ltd..................... HK 22 49
--------
COMMUNICATION SERVICES - 6.2%
China Mobile Ltd. (a)(b)............. HK 33 215
Korea Telecom Corp. ADR.............. Ko 3 109
--------
324
--------
GAS SERVICES - 4.6%
Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd....... HK 193 242
--------
SANITARY SERVICES - 0.5%
Sanix, Inc........................... Ja (c) 29
--------
TELECOMMUNICATIONS - 1.1%
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.... Ja (c) 59
--------
WHOLESALE TRADE - 9.1%
DURABLE GOODS
Huaneng Power International, Inc. ... HK 214 90
Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd. ...... HK 48 103
Li & Fung Ltd. ...................... HK 120 253
Softbank Corp........................ Ja (c) 38
--------
484
--------
================================================================================
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (cost of $3,607)(d). 5,152
--------
OTHER ASSETS & LIABILITIES, NET - 2.7%. 145
--------
NET ASSETS - 100%....................... $ 5,297
========
================================================================================
See notes to investment portfolio.
10
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO (Continued)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS - (CONTINUED)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Non-income producing.
(b) The value of this security represents fair value as determined in good faith
under the direction of the Trustees.
(c) Rounds to less than one.
(d) Cost for federal income tax purposes is $3,681.
(e) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
1933. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration,
normally to qualified institutional buyers. At September 30, 2000 this
security represents 1.0% of net assets.
SUMMARY OF SECURITIES
BY COUNTRY COUNTRY VALUE % OF TOTAL
---------- ------- -------- ---------
Hong Kong HK $2,508 48.7
Japan Ja 1,739 33.8
Singapore Si 502 9.7
Korea Ko 214 4.1
Taiwan Tw 158 3.1
Australia Au 31 0.6
-------- --------
$5,152 100.0
-------- --------
Certain securities are listed by country of underlying exposure but may trade
predominantly on other exchanges.
ACRONYM NAME
-------- ------
ADR American Depositary Receipt
GDS Global Depositary Shares
See notes to financial statements.
11
<PAGE>
STEIN ROE ASIA PACIFIC FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
September 30, 2000
(In thousands except for per share amounts and footnotes)
ASSETS
Investments at value (cost $3,607)............... $ 5,152
Cash including foreign currencies (cost $148).... $ 148
Receivable for:
Investments sold.............................. 36
Dividends..................................... 11
Expense reimbursement due from Advisor/Administrator 27 222
-------- --------
Total Assets................................ 5,374
LIABILITIES
Accrued:
Management fee................................ 3
Bookkeeping fee............................... 3
Transfer agent fee............................ 1
Other............................................ 70
--------
Total Liabilities........................... 77
--------
NET ASSETS.................................... $ 5,297
========
Net asset value & redemption price per share ($5,297/316) $ 16.76
--------
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
Capital paid in.................................. $ 3,569
Overdistributed net investment income............ (77)
Accumulated net realized gain.................... 261
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments................................... 1,545
Foreign currency transactions................. (1)
--------
$ 5,297
========
See notes to financial statements.
12
<PAGE>
STEIN ROE ASIA PACIFIC FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended September 30, 2000
(in thousands)
INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends........................................ $ 78
Interest......................................... 1
--------
Total Investment Income (net of nonreclaimable
foreign taxes withheld at source which
amounted to $4)............................. 79
EXPENSES
Management fee................................... $ 48
Administration fee............................... 8
Transfer agent fee............................... 11
Bookkeeping fee.................................. 25
Trustees fee..................................... 10
Custodian fee.................................... 13
Audit fee........................................ 18
Legal fee........................................ 3
Reports to shareholders.......................... 25
Registration fee................................. 30
Other............................................ 6
--------
197
Fees and expenses waived or borne by the
Advisor/Administrator......................... (91)
Custodian credits earned...................... (6) 100
-------- --------
Net Investment Loss........................... (21)
--------
NET REALIZED & UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON PORTFOLIO POSITIONS
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Investments................................... 293
Foreign currency transactions................. (a)
--------
Net Realized Gain................................ 293
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
during the period on:
Investments................................... 246
Foreign currency transactions................. (2)
--------
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation 244
--------
Net Gain......................................... 537
--------
Increase in Net Assets from Operations........... $ 516
========
(a) Rounds to less than one.
See notes to financial statements.
13
<PAGE>
STEIN ROE ASIA PACIFIC FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 1999 (A)
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)..................... $ (21) $ 3
Net realized gain................................ 293 203
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation 244 1,300
-------- --------
Net Increase from Operations.................. 516 1,506
-------- --------
Distributions:
From net investment income....................... (194) --
From net realized gains.......................... (201) --
-------- --------
121 1,506
-------- --------
Fund Share Transactions:
Receipts for shares sold......................... 793 2,500
Value of distributions reinvested................ 395 --
Cost of shares repurchased....................... (18) --
-------- --------
Net Increase from Fund Share
Transactions.................................. 1,170 2,500
-------- --------
Total Increase.............................. 1,291 4,006
NET ASSETS
Beginning of period.............................. 4,006 --
-------- --------
End of period (net of overdistributed and including
accumulated net investment income of $77 and
$40, respectively)............................ $ 5,297 $ 4,006
-------- --------
NUMBER OF FUND SHARES
Sold............................................. 45 250
Issued for distributions reinvested.............. 22 --
Repurchased...................................... (1) --
-------- --------
Net increase in fund shares................... 66 250
Shares outstanding at beginning of period........ 250 --
-------- --------
Shares outstanding at end of period.............. 316 250
======== ========
</TABLE>
(a) The Fund commenced investment operations on October 19, 1998.
See notes to financial statements.
14
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION: Stein Roe Asia Pacific Fund (the Fund), a series of Liberty-Stein
Roe Funds Investment Trust, (the "Trust"), is a diversified portfolio of a
Massachusetts business trust, registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The Fund's
investment objective is to seek growth of capital by investing in the common
stocks and equity-related securities of medium to large capitalization growth
companies located in Asia and the Pacific Basin. The Fund may issue an unlimited
number of shares.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results
could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant
accounting policies that are consistently followed by the Fund in the
preparation of its financial statements.
SECURITY VALUATION AND TRANSACTIONS: Equity securities generally are valued
at the last sale price or, in the case of unlisted or listed securities for
which there were no sales during the day, at current quoted bid prices. In
certain countries, the Fund may hold foreign designated shares. If the foreign
share prices are not readily available as a result of limited share activity,
the securities are valued at the last sale price of the local shares in the
principal market in which such securities are normally traded. Korean equity
securities that have reached the limit for aggregate foreign ownership and for
which premiums to the local exchange prices may be paid by foreign investors are
valued by applying a broker quoted premium to the local share price. In
addition, if the values of foreign securities have been materially affected by
events occurring after the closing of the market, the foreign securities may be
valued at their fair value under procedures approved by the Trustees.
Forward currency contracts are valued based on the weighted value of the
exchange traded contracts with similar durations.
Short-term obligations with a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost.
The value of all assets and liabilities quoted in foreign
currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at that day's exchange rates.
Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are
purchased, sold or mature.
Cost is determined and gains and losses are based upon the specific
15
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
identification method for both financial statement and federal income tax
purposes.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES: Consistent with the Fund's policy to qualify as a
regulated investment company and to distribute all of its taxable income, no
federal income tax has been accrued.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: Distributions to shareholders are recorded on
the ex-date. The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are
determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from
generally accepted accounting principles. Reclass ifications are made to the
Fund's capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution
(or available capital loss carry forwards) under income tax regulations.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS: Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on
foreign currency transactions includes the gains (losses) arising from the
fluctuation in exchange rates between trade and settlement dates on securities
transactions, gains (losses) arising from the disposition of foreign currency
and currency gains (losses) between the accrual and payment dates on dividends
and interest income and foreign withholding taxes.
The Fund does not distinguish that portion of gains (losses) on investments
which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates from that which is due to
changes in market prices of the investments. Such fluctuations are included with
the net realized and unrealized gains (losses) from investments.
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS: The Fund may enter into forward currency
contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies at pre deter mined exchange
rates in connection with the settlement of purchases and sales of securities.
The Fund may also enter into forward currency contracts to hedge certain other
foreign currency denominated assets. The contracts are used to minimize the
exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations during the period between trade
and settlement date of the contracts.
All contracts are marked-to-market daily, resulting in unrealized gains (losses)
which become realized at the time the forward currency contracts are closed or
mature. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) arising from such transactions
are included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency
transactions. Forward currency contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the
prices of the Fund's portfolio securities. While the maximum potential loss from
such contracts is the aggregate face value in U.S. dollars at the time the
contract is opened, the actual exposure is typically limited to the change in
value of the contract (in U.S. dollars) over the period it remains open. Risks
may also arise if counterparties fail to perform their obligations under the
contracts.
16
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER: Corporate actions and dividend income are recorded on the ex-date
(except for certain foreign securities which are recorded as soon after ex-date
as the Fund becomes aware of such), net of nonreclaimable tax withholdings.
Where a high level of uncertainty as to collection exists, income on securities
is recorded net of all tax withholdings with any rebates recorded when received.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 2. FEES AND COMPENSATION
PAID TO AFFILIATES
MANAGEMENT FEE: Stein Roe & Farnham Inc. (the Advisor) is the investment
Advisor of the Fund and receives a monthly fee equal to 0.95% annually of the
Fund's average net assets. Newport Fund Management, Inc. has been engaged as
sub-advisor to provide investment advisory services to the Fund, subject to
overall management by the Advisor.
ADMINISTRATION FEE: Colonial Management Associates, Inc. (the Administrator),
an affiliate of the Advisor, provides accounting and other services for a
monthly fee equal to 0.15% annually of the Fund's average net assets.
BOOKKEEPING FEE: The Administrator provides bookkeeping and pricing services
for a monthly fee equal to $25,000 annually plus 0.0025% of the Fund's average
net assets over $50 million.
TRANSFER AGENT: Liberty Funds Services, Inc. (the Transfer Agent), an
affiliate of the Administrator, provides shareholder services for a monthly fee
equal to 0.22% annually of the Fund's average net assets and receives
reimbursement for certain out of pocket expenses.
EXPENSE LIMITS: The Advisor/Administrator has agreed, until further notice,
to waive fees and bear certain Fund expenses to the extent that total expenses
(exclusive of brokerage commissions, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses,
if any) exceed 2.00% annually of the Fund's average net assets.
OTHER: The Fund pays no compensation to its officers, all of whom are
employees of the Advisor or Administrator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 3. PORTFOLIO INFORMATION
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY: During the year ended September 30, 2000, purchases and
sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, were $2,191,428 and
$1,412,961, respectively. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at September
30, 2000, based on cost of investments
17
<PAGE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes was:
Gross unrealized
appreciation $1,744,495
Gross unrealized
depreciation (273,492)
---------
Net unrealized
appreciation $1,471,003
=========
OTHER: There are certain additional risks involved when investing in foreign
securities that are not inherent with investments in domestic securities. These
risks may involve foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, adverse political
and economic developments and the possible prevention of currency exchange or
other foreign governmental laws or restrictions.
The Fund may focus its investments in certain industries, subjecting it to
greater risk than a fund that is more diversified.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 4. LINE OF CREDIT
The Liberty-Stein Roe Funds Investment Trust participates in unsecured line of
credit agreements provided by the custodian bank consisting of two components.
The committed line of credit entitles the Trust to borrow from the custodian at
any time upon notice from the Trust. The uncommitted line of credit permits the
Trust to borrow from the custodian at the custodian's sole discretion. The
aggregate borrowings available to the Trust for the committed and uncommitted
lines of credit are $200 million and $100 million, respectively. Borrowings may
be made to temporarily finance repurchase of Fund shares. Interest is charged to
the trust and, ultimately, the Fund based on its borrowings. In addition, a
commitment fee of 0.10% per annum on the Fund's unused commitment shall be paid
quarterly by the Fund based on the relative asset size of the Fund to the Trust
as a whole. The commitment fee is included in other expenses on the Statement of
Operations. For the year ended September 30, 2000, the Trust and Fund had no
borrowings under the agreement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 5. OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
At September 30, 2000, Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. owned 86.2% of the
Fund's outstanding shares.
18
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STEIN ROE ASIA PACIFIC FUND
Selected per share data, total return, ratios and supplemental data throughout
each period are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 1999 (B)
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE - BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......... $ 16.030 $ 10.000
-------- --------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) (a)(c)............ (0.077) 0.011
Net realized and unrealized gain............... 2.388 6.019
-------- --------
Total from Investment Operations............ 2.311 6.030
-------- --------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From net investment income..................... (0.776) --
From net realized gains........................ (0.805) --
-------- --------
Total Distributions Declared to Shareholders... (1.581) --
-------- --------
Net Asset Value - End of Period............... $ 16.760 $ 16.030
======== ========
Total return (d)(e)............................ 13.97% 60.30%(f)
-------- --------
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS
Expenses (g)................................... 2.00% 2.00%(h)
Net investment income (loss) (g)............... (0.43)% 0.10%(h)
Fees and expenses waived or borne by the
Advisor/Administrator (g)................... 1.80% 2.05%(h)
Portfolio turnover ............................ 29% 31%(f)
Net assets at end of period (000).............. $ 5,297 $ 4,006
</TABLE>
(a) Net of fees and expenses waived or borne by the
Advisor/Administrator which amounted to: $ 0.324 $ 0.232
(b) The Fund commenced investment operations on October 19, 1998.
(c) Per share data was calculated using average shares outstanding during the
period.
(d) Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested.
(e) Had the Advisor/Administrator not waived or reimbursed a portion of
expenses, total return would have been reduced.
(f) Not annualized.
(g) The benefits derived from custody credits and directed brokerage
arrangements had an impact of 0.12% and 0.05% for the year ended
September 30, 2000 and for the period ended September 30, 1999,
respectively.
(h) Annualized.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000, the Fund designates long term
capital gains of $281,696.
19
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Trustees of Liberty-Stein Roe
Funds Investment Trust and
Shareholders of Stein Roe Asia
Pacific Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the investment portfolio, and the related statements of operations and of
changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Stein Roe Asia Pacific Fund (the
"Fund") (a series of Liberty-Stein Roe Funds Investment Trust) at September 30,
2000, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the
financial highlights for the periods indicated, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial
statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial
statements') are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We
conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with auditing
standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation
of securities at September 30, 2000 by correspondence with the custodian,
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
November 20, 2000
20
<PAGE>
LIBERTY-STEIN ROE FUNDS INVESTMENT TRUST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRUSTEES
John A. Bacon Jr. Private Investor
William W. Boyd
Chairman and Director, Sterling Plumbing
Group Inc.
Lindsay Cook
Senior Vice President, Liberty Financial
Companies, Inc.
Douglas A. Hacker
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
United Airlines
Janet Langford Kelly
Vice President-Corporate Development, General
Counsel and Secretary, Kellogg Co.
Charles R. Nelson
Van Voorhis Professor of Political Economy,
University of Washington
Joseph R. Palombo
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Executive Vice President and Director,
Colonial Management Associates
Thomas C. Theobald
Managing Partner, William Blair Capital Partners
OFFICERS
Stephen E. Gibson, President
William D. Andrews, Executive Vice President
Loren A. Hansen, Executive Vice President
Kevin M. Carome, Executive Vice President,
Assistant Secretary
Joseph R. Palombo, Executive Vice President
AGENTS AND ADVISORS
Stein Roe & Farnham Incorporated
Investment Advisor
Newport Pacific Management Inc.
Subadvisor
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Custodian
Liberty Funds Services, Inc.
Transfer Agent
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd
Legal Counsel to the Fund
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Independent Accountants
21
<PAGE>
THE STEIN ROE MUTUAL FUNDS
FIXED INCOME FUNDS
Cash Reserves Fund
Municipal Money Market Fund
Intermediate Municipals Fund
Managed Municipals Fund
High-Yield Municipals Fund
Intermediate Bond Fund
Income Fund
High Yield Fund
EQUITY FUNDS
Balanced Fund
Growth & Income Fund
Disciplined Stock Fund
Growth Stock Fund
Young Investor Fund
Midcap Growth Fund
Focus Fund
Capital Opportunities Fund
Small Company Growth Fund
INTERNATIONAL FUNDS
Asia Pacific Fund
International Fund
Small Cap Tiger Fund
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stein Roe Mutual Funds
P.O. Box 8900
Boston, MA
02205-8900
Financial Advisors
call: 800-322-0593
Shareholders call: 800-338-2550
www.steinroe.com
Liberty Funds Distributor, Inc.
S22-02/208D-0900(11/00) 00/2131