ANNUAL
REPORT
DECEMBER 31, 1996
[Logo of Aquila Group of Funds: Eagles head]
CHURCHILL
TAX-FREE FUND OF
KENTUCKY
A TAX-FREE INCOME INVESTMENT
[Logo of Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky: A Standing Pegasus Within a
Circle]
ONE OF THE
AQUILASM GROUP OF FUNDS
<PAGE>
[Logo of Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky: A Standing Pegasus Within a
Circle]
CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY
ANNUAL REPORT
"THE VALUE OF STEADFASTNESS"
February 18, 1997
Dear Investor:
Most of us have heard, at one time or another, the story of the
tortoise and the hare. With respect to your investment in Churchill Tax-Free
Fund of Kentucky, this old adage, detailing the virtue of steadfastness,
speaks volumes. If the finish line you are seeking to cross is one of capital
preservation and triple tax-free income, then an investment which performs
much like the tortoise just might "win the race."
THE CALL OF THE STOCK MARKET
As I am sure you will agree, recent years have been banner ones for
the stock market. The spectacular price increases experienced have made the
appeal of investing in equity securities extremely powerful and, at times,
almost irresistible.
If it were possible to know in advance just what and when to buy or
sell in order to maximize profit, then constantly switching your investment
vehicle, trying to capture the latest trend, would be uncomplicated.
Unfortunately, "timing" the market, with any degree of consistency,
is near impossible. We have generally found that, for the average investor,
switching continuously from one security to another in the management of
his/her investment portfolio tends to be a fruitless, often imprudent,
exercise. With the degree of volatility inherent in the equity markets,
missing an upturn or downturn could result in a disastrous loss of invested
principal.
PROUD TO BE A TORTOISE
Our various survey results indicate that a substantial portion of
investors in Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky are retirees or pre-retirees
who are concerned about capital preservation. Accordingly, staying on track
with your investment in the Fund could well prove to be the most appropriate
course to follow. Although equity investments can be rewarding for a portion
of one's capital, it is still critical to keep firmly in mind your overall
investment goal and not get disproportionately distracted by the dazzle of
other investments.
It is no great secret that municipal bonds, such as those in which
the Fund invests, are generally not exciting investments. Unlike stocks, they
do not experience abrupt, dramatic highs. However, it must be kept in mind
that municipal bonds also do not experience the dumbfounding lows of stocks.
Municipal bond funds just plod along from year to year, much like the
tortoise, producing consistent triple tax-free results for shareholders.
While being a tortoise may not be as glamorous as being a hare, this
should not represent a cause for concern. The end result is really what
counts - not how you got there, but that you got there at all.
<PAGE>
CAPITAL PRESERVATION STRATEGIES
Although capital preservation is not guaranteed, the Fund does take
some very deliberate steps to ensure that there will be minimal volatility in
share price over a reasonable time frame.
The Fund's basic philosophy is "don't put all your eggs in one basket."
And, when you choose the eggs for that basket, choose only quality ones.
DIVERSIFICATION is a key stability tool used in the construction of
the Fund's investment portfolio. At year-end 1996, over 170 separate
municipal issues were represented in the Fund's portfolio. Having such a
breadth of participation helps to ensure against any significant loss of
principal by the Fund in the remote event anything ever did go wrong with a
particular issuer. Such diversification also enables the Fund to participate
in financing many different vital public purpose projects in numerous
communities throughout Kentucky, thereby benefitting residents of the entire
Commonwealth.
We have found from experience that sticking with QUALITY is best in
the long run. Therefore, investments in the Fund are specifically limited to
only the top four credit ratings, or equivalent, of the nine assignable to
municipal securities by nationally-known credit rating services. At December
31, 1996, 96.8% of the portfolio was comprised of the top three credit
ratings - AAA, AA, AND A.
Emphasis is also placed on having A SPREAD OF MATURITIES in the
Fund's investment portfolio. As you probably are aware, short term maturities
tend to have very little price fluctuation, but produce a lesser rate of
return than longer maturity securities. Conversely, long-term maturities
produce a higher return level, but have a much higher price volatility factor
than shorter-term issues since they reflect the risks associated with the
unpredictability of future events and the potential interest rate changes
over the extended life of the municipal bond.
By creating a blend of maturities, ranging from under one year to
over 20 years in length, the Fund attempts to provide you with a satisfactory
level of return without subjecting the share price to excessive swings as
interest rates move up and down. Thus, the current average maturity of the
Fund's portfolio is the relatively intermediate term of 15.7 years.
The Fund's Investment Adviser, Banc One Investment Advisors
Corporation, examines the above elements very carefully when selecting each
individual "egg" for your basket of investments in order to obtain the most
appropriate fit. Such careful attention seeks to provide protection for
shareholders' capital and promote stability.
TAX-FREE RATE OF RETURN
What many investors sometime forget is that while the level of income
from the Fund may seem unimpressive on the surface, it is TRIPLE TAX-FREE* -
free of both regular Federal and Commonwealth of Kentucky income taxes as
well as ad valorem taxes. When the rate of return achieved by the Fund is
converted into a taxable equivalent rate, the outcome is generally quite an
eye-opener.
The following chart shows the average annualized level of TRIPLE
TAX-FREE income return distributed to shareholders from January 1, 1996 to
December 31, 1996, as measured against the maximum public offering price.**
It additionally illustrates the rate of taxable income return one would have
had to earn in order to equate to the TRIPLE TAX-FREE income return generated
by the Fund.
<PAGE>
[Graphic of Bar Chart with the following information:]
CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY'S TRIPLE TAX-FREE
DISTRIBUTION RATE AS COMPARED TO THE TAXABLE EQUIVALENT RATE
AN INVESTOR WOULD HAVE TO EARN AT VARIOUS TAX BRACKETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Tax Bracket Taxable Equivalent Rate Triple Tax-Free Distribution Rate
<S> <C> <C>
28% 7.98% 5.40%
31% 8.44% 5.40%
36% 9.13% 5.40%
39.6% 9.70% 5.40%
</TABLE>
No matter which Federal income tax bracket applies, you can readily
see that there is quite a difference between the TAXABLE and the TRIPLE
TAX-FREE return levels.
OUR PLEDGE TO YOU
Management of Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky values the
confidence you have placed in us. You can be assured that we will steadfastly
strive to help you cross the finish line of your investment goal.
Sincerely,
/s/ Lacy B. Herrmann
Lacy B. Herrmann
President and Chairman
of the Board of Trustees
* Some income may be subject to the alternative minimum tax for
certain investors.
** The performance shown represents that of Class A shares. Such
performance data quoted represents past performance and is not
indicative of future results. The investment return and principal value
of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when
redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Fund's
average annual total return as of 12/31/96 for the past one-year period
was 4.17%; for the past five-year period was 6.55% and since inception
was 7.56%. These returns do not take into consideration the maximum
sales charge of 4%. Returns would be less if the sales charge was
applied. As of 12/31/96, the Fund's 30-day SEC yield was 4.58%.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
The graph below illustrates the value of $10,000 invested in Class A
shares of Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky at inception of the Fund in
May, 1987 and maintaining this investment through the Fund's latest fiscal
year end, December 31, 1996, as compared with a hypothetical similar size
investment in the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index (the "Index") of
municipal securities and the Consumer Price Index (a cost of living index)
over that same period. The total return of the investment in the Fund is
shown after deduction of the maximum sales charge of 4% at the time of
initial investment. It also reflects deduction of the Fund's annual operating
expenses and reinvestment of monthly dividends and capital gains
distributions without sales charge. On the other hand, the Index does not
reflect any sales charge nor operating expenses but does reflect reinvestment
of interest. The performance of the Fund's other classes, first offered on
April 30, 1996, may be greater or less than the Class A shares performance
indicated on this graph, depending on whether greater or lesser sales charges
and fees were incurred by shareholders investing in the other classes.
It should also be specifically noted that the Index is nationally
oriented and consisted, over the period covered by the graph, of an unmanaged
mix of between 8,000 to 34,000 investment-grade long-term municipal
securities of issuers throughout the United States. However, the Fund's
investment portfolio consisted of a significantly lesser number of
investment-grade tax-free municipal obligations, principally of Kentucky
issuers, over the same period. The maturities, market prices, and behavior of
the individual securities in the Fund's investment portfolio can be affected
by local and regional factors which might well result in variances from the
market action of the securities in the Index.
Consequently, much of the difference in performance of the Index
versus the Fund can be attributed to the lack of application of annual
operating expenses and initial sales charge to the Index. Additionally, a
portion of the difference in performance can be attributed to the different
characteristics in the single-state market of the securities in the Fund's
portfolio as compared with the national orientation of the securities in the
Index.
Since its inception, the Fund has been managed to provide as stable a
share value as possible consistent with producing a competitive income return
to shareholders. It has not been managed for maximum total return, since one
of the aims of management in structuring the portfolio of the Fund is to
reduce fluctuations in the price of the Fund's shares resulting from changes
in interest rates.
As can be observed, however, the pattern of the Fund's results and
that of the Index over the period since inception of the Fund track quite
similarly, even though they are not entirely comparable in character.
[Graphic of Line Chart with the following information:]
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LEHMAN BROTHERS FUND AFTER SALES COST OF
MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX CHARGE AND EXPENSES LIVING INDEX
<S> <C> <C> <C>
5/87 10,000 9,600 10,000
12/87 10,500 9,500 10,230
12/88 11,500 10,600 10,681
12/89 12,750 11,900 11,176
12/90 13,750 12,700 11,874
12/91 15,300 14,000 12,228
12/92 16,750 15,250 12,591
12/93 18,850 16,850 12,935
12/94 17,844 16,342 13,271
12/95 20,960 18,589 13,616
12/96 21,890 19,362 14,067
</TABLE>
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
[Table with the following information:]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND'S AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
For the Period Ended 1 Year 5 Years Life of Fund
December 31, 1996 Since 5/21/87
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Including Sales (0.01%) 5.69% 7.11%
Charge and Expenses
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
1996 will certainly be remembered as a year of financially
significant milestones:
1. The Dow Jones Industrial Average skyrocketed
past the 6,000 mark and didn't look back;
2. Bill Clinton was reelected, with Republicans
retaining control in the House and Senate;
3. The consumer price index once again
demonstrated the economy's impressive resistance to
inflation. The core inflation rate, which excludes the
volatile food and energy sectors, rose a modest 2.60%;
4. Kentucky municipal bonds remained in short supply;
5. Interest rates, while volatile in-between,
started and ended the year with little change;
6. The "flat tax" faded away - at least for the
time being - as a political\economic issue, returning
municipal bonds back to more representative levels.
Interest rates on municipal bonds rose modestly over the course of
1996, as measured by The Bond Buyer's 20 Bond Index, moving from 5.37% in
January to 5.66% in December. Along the way, long-term rates traded in the
6.00% range. This weakness had been in response to the possible enactment
of a "flat tax."
Due to the defensive, intermediate-term maturity structure of the
Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, the net asset value of the Fund showed
only a modest decline, moving from $10.71 at December 31, 1995 to $10.55 at
December 31, 1996. The Fund generated a total return of 4.17%, which was
very competitive relative performance among Kentucky state-specific funds.
As we saw in 1995, the ongoing demand for quality Kentucky tax-free
bonds greatly outpaced the available supply of municipal bonds. Nationwide,
the issuance of municipal bonds rose 14.4% from the levels of 1995. For the
same period, Kentucky saw a decline of 29.0% from what was brought to market
in 1995. The Commonwealth of Kentucky, as of year-end 1996, had a General
Fund surplus of approximately $200 million. There is no need for state
government to borrow funds in the bond market if there is plenty of cash in
the bank!
The key investment objectives of the Churchill Tax-Free Fund of
Kentucky are to provide as high a level of triple tax-free current income as
possible while seeking to minimize the volatility of the daily net asset
value of the Fund. These objectives continue to be successfully addressed by
following our fundamental, conservative portfolio management ideals. We
purchase high quality investments. The Fund today has an average quality
rating of "AA" and has a 4-star rating from the independent mutual funds
rating service, Morningstar. We maintain a "laddered" portfolio maturity
structure to manage price volatility. The Fund currently has an average
maturity of just over 15 years. We maintain a well-diversified portfolio of
over 170 different Kentucky issues.
As we look to 1997, we continue to be optimistic about a
restructuring of the Federal capital gains tax. From Frankfort, we should
hear definitive information on the Kentucky intangibles tax in the near
future. Banc One Investment Advisors, Inc. Chief Economist Anthony Chan's
current economic forecast calls for a slowing of the growth rate of Real
Domestic Product (GDP) into the 1.0 - 1.5% range, down from 1996 levels. An
upturn in interest rates is also predicted, with the Consumer Price Index
climbing to over 3.0% during the year, due to increased wage and price
pressures.
<PAGE>
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Certified Public Accountants
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of
Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, including the statement of investments,
as of December 31, 1996, the related statement of operations for the year
then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in
the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the
years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and
financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and
financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of
securities owned as of December 31, 1996, by correspondence with the
custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used,
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky as of December 31, 1996, the
results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net
assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the
financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then
ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
New York, New York
February 14, 1997
<PAGE>
CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATING
FACE MOODY'S/ MARKET
AMOUNT REVENUE BONDS (98.2%) S&P VALUE
<C> <S> <C> <C>
State Agencies (15.7%)
Kentucky Higher Education
Student Loan Corporation
Insured Student Loan Revenue,
$ 980,000 6.500%, 06/01/00 A/NR $ 1,022,875
1,490,000 6.500%, 06/01/02 A/NR 1,588,714
2,955,000 6.800%, 06/01/03 A/NR 3,176,625
1,915,000 7.100%, 12/01/11 Aa-/AA 2,053,837
Kentucky Infrastructure
Authority Revenue,
795,000 7.625%, 08/01/03 NR/A 873,506
205,000 7.625%, 08/01/03 NR/A 216,019
200,000 7.500%, 02/01/09 NR/AAA 216,750
1,445,000 7.500%, 02/01/99 NR/AAA 1,566,019
555,000 7.200%, 06/01/11 A/A 607,725
875,000 6.500%, 06/01/12 A/A 1,186,312
1,110,000 6.375%, 06/01/14 A/A 937,344
Kentucky Local Correctional
Facilities Construction
Authority Revenue,
4,925,000 5.500%, 11/01/14 Aaa/AAA 4,894,218
Kentucky Rural Economic
Development Authority,
3,110,000 7.250%, 06/01/17 NR/AAA 3,312,150
Kentucky State Properties and
Buildings Commission Revenue,
1,375,000 7.900%, 11/01/97 A/A+ 1,416,554
500,000 8.400%, 11/01/97 Aaa/AAA 528,875
1,130,000 7.100%, 12/01/97 A/A 1,159,673
250,000 7.600%, 08/01/98 NR/AAA 268,438
1,460,000 7.300%, 12/01/99 A/A 1,565,850
250,000 7.600%, 08/01/98 NR/AAA 268,125
400,000 7.350%, 12/01/99 Aaa/AAA 440,500
365,000 7.000%, 02/01/06 Aaa/AAA 404,693
4,510,000 6.625%, 10/01/07 A/A+ 4,989,188
300,000 8.000%, 08/01/98 NR/AAA 323,625
750,000 7.375%, 12/01/99 Aaa/AAA 826,875
1,000,000 6.500%, 08/01/01 Aaa/AAA 1,097,500
Puerto Rico Public Buildings
Authority,
1,000,000 6.875%, 07/01/12 Aaa/AAA 1,128,750
36,070,740
<PAGE>
County Agencies (9.0%)
Clark County Kentucky Public
Properties Corp. Revenue,
1,120,000 6.700%, 06/01/16 A/NR 1,201,200
Franklin County Kentucky Public
Projects Corp. Revenue,
350,000 5.500%, 12/01/08 NR/A- 348,688
Jefferson County Kentucky
Economic Development Corp.
Lease Revenue,
2,000,000 7.625%, 07/01/08 A1/NR 2,071,580
250,000 7.750%, 07/01/16 A1/NR 259,085
Jeffersontown Kentucky Public
Project Corp. Revenue,
500,000 5.750%, 11/01/15 A/NR 500,625
Kenton County Kentucky Public
Properties Corp. Revenue,
400,000 7.000%, 10/01/03 NR/NR* 434,500
Lincoln County Kentucky Public
Properties Corp.,
430,000 6.500%, 03/01/22 NR/NR* 459,563
Louisville and Jefferson County
Kentucky, Series B,
120,000 5.650%, 07/01/03 NR/NR* 120,185
200,000 6.625%, 07/01/15 NR/NR* 196,000
250,000 6.650%, 07/01/19 NR/NR* 248,750
470,000 5.625%, 07/01/25 NR/NR* 457,662
Madison County Kentucky
Capital Project Corp. Revenue,
650,000 7.800%, 04/01/09 NR/NR* 707,688
Muhlenberg County Kentucky
Industrial Development Revenue,
1,500,000 7.000%, 09/01/01 NR/A 1,636,875
Munfordville Kentucky Industrial
Development Bond,
2,500,000 7.000%, 06/01/19 NR/A 2,700,000
Pendleton County Kentucky
Multi-County Lease Revenue,
500,000 7.300%, 03/01/02 NR/A 533,750
570,000 7.550%, 03/01/10 NR/A 609,187
4,500,000 6.500%, 03/01/19 NR/A 4,708,125
3,000,000 6.400%, 03/01/19 NR/A 3,251,250
<PAGE>
Woodford County Kentucky Public
Properties Corp. Revenue,
100,000 8.200%, 11/01/17 A/NR 106,544
20,551,257
City/Municipal Obligations (8.4%)
Covington Kentucky Municipal
Properties Corp. Revenue,
400,000 7.950%, 08/01/04 Baa1/NR 434,500
250,000 7.375%, 08/01/11 Baa1/NR 269,687
Kentucky League Cities Funding
Trust COP,
1,715,000 6.200%, 08/01/17 NR/A- 1,794,319
Louisville Kentucky Public
Properties Corp,
4,090,000 6.700%, 12/01/20 A/A- 4,437,650
Mount Sterling Kentucky Lease
Revenue,
1,920,000 6.150%, 03/01/13 Aa/NR 1,963,200
7,000,000 6.200%, 03/01/18 Aa/NR 7,140,000
Nicholasville, Kentucky
Industrial Development Revenue
(Johnson Control),
3,000,000 8.000%, 09/01/04 A2/A 3,106,140
19,145,496
Utilities (3.3%)
Campbell & Kenton Counties
Kentucky Sanitation District
No. 1 Sanitation Revenue,
220,000 7.300%, 08/15/00 Aa/A+ 225,810
200,000 7.700%, 08/15/04 Aa/A+ 207,486
Glasgow Kentucky Electric Plant
Board Revenue,
280,000 7.600%, 12/01/09 NR/BBB 302,050
Lebanon Kentucky Waterworks
Revenue,
250,000 7.500%, 04/01/16 NR/NR* 269,375
Louisville and Jefferson
County Kentucky Metropolitan
Sewer District Revenue,
3,000,000 5.300%, 05/15/19 Aaa/AAA 2,940,000
1,230,000 5.500%, 05/15/23 Aaa/AAA 1,211,550
1,500,000 6.500%, 05/15/24 Aaa/AAA 1,648,125
<PAGE>
Muhlenberg County Kentucky
Water District, Waterworks
Revenue,
100,000 5.500%, 01/01/12 Aaa/AAA 100,250
110,000 5.500%, 01/01/13 Aaa/AAA 109,725
115,000 5.600%, 01/01/14 Aaa/AAA 115,718
Richmond Kentucky Water Gas
and Sewer Revenue,
200,000 7.300%, 07/01/05 Aaa/AAA 212,500
200,000 7.300%, 07/01/06 Aaa/AAA 212,500
7,555,089
Pollution Control Revenue (13.4%)
Ashland Kentucky Pollution
Control Revenue,
1,770,000 7.375%, 07/01/09 A3/NR 1,913,812
3,000,000 6.650%, 08/01/09 Baa1/NR 3,198,750
Boone County Kentucky Public
Properties Revenue,
500,000 5.150%, 12/01/14 A/A- 473,750
Boone County Kentucky Pollution
Control Revenue,
735,000 5.500%, 01/01/24 Aaa/AAA 719,381
Carroll County Kentucky
Pollution Control Revenue,
3,500,000 7.450%, 09/15/16 Aa2/NR 3,976,875
2,910,000 6.250%, 02/01/18 Aa2/AA- 3,030,038
450,000 5.750%, 12/01/23 Aa2/AA- 448,875
Jefferson County Kentucky
Pollution Control Revenue,
1,500,000 5.650%, 01/01/17 Aa2/AA 1,498,125
1,000,000 7.750%, 02/01/19 Aa2/AA 1,052,150
5,530,000 5.625%, 08/15/19 Aa2/AA 5,516,175
2,200,000 5.450%, 10/15/20 Aa2/AA 2,145,000
2,600,000 5.900%, 04/15/23 Aa2/AA 2,645,500
Wickliffe Kentucky Pollution
Control,
4,100,000 6.200%, 04/01/07 A1/A 4,109,144
100,000 6.375%, 04/01/26 A1/A 104,250
30,831,825
<PAGE>
Transportation (12.2%)
Kenton County Kentucky Airport
Board Airport Revenue,
4,740,000 6.300%, 03/01/15 Aaa/AAA 4,917,750
3,955,000 8.750%, 03/01/15 A/A 4,063,920
Kentucky Interlocal School
Transportation Authority,
150,000 5.100%, 03/01/05 A/A 149,625
Kentucky State Turnpike
Authority Economic
Development Road Revenue,
2,150,000 5.625%, 07/01/15 A/A 2,176,875
500,000 8.250%, 07/01/07 Aaa/AAA 521,295
100,000 6.000%, 07/01/09 Aaa/AAA 100,196
500,000 7.000%, 05/15/99 Aaa/AAA 531,250
1,035,000 7.250%, 05/15/10 Aaa/AAA 1,141,087
Kentucky State Turnpike
Authority Resource Recovery
Road Revenue,
2,105,000 7.600%, 07/01/98 A/A+ 2,180,401
3,875,000 7.750%, 07/01/99 A/A+ 4,015,624
320,000 8.000%, 07/01/03 A/A+ 332,310
Kentucky State Turnpike
Authority Toll Road Revenue,
1,380,000 8.500%, 07/01/04 A/A 1,424,063
Louisville Kentucky Airport
Lease Revenue,
750,000 7.850%, 02/01/09 A/A- 813,750
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway
& Transportation Authority
Highway Revenue,
4,000,000 6.625%, 07/01/12 Baa1/A 4,445,000
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway
Authority Highway Revenue,
1,000,000 6.750%, 07/01/05 Baa1/A 1,096,250
27,909,396
Hospitals (10.6%)
Floyd County Kentucky Hospital
Revenue,
275,000 7.500%, 08/01/10 NR/AAA 302,156
510,000 5.500%, 09/01/14 NR/AAA 504,262
Hopkins County Kentucky Hospital
Revenue,
1,000,000 6.625%, 11/15/11 Aaa/AAA 1,087,500
<PAGE>
Jefferson County Kentucky
Health Facilities Revenue
(Jewish Hospital),
1,090,000 6.550%, 05/01/22 Aaa/AAA 1,178,563
Jefferson County Kentucky
Hospital Revenue,
510,000 7.750%, 10/01/97 Aaa/AAA 535,322
Kentucky Development Finance
Authority Hospital Revenue,
895,000 7.625%, 09/01/11 Aaa/AAA 954,294
235,000 7.200%, 10/01/99 A/A 250,275
2,570,000 7.300%, 10/01/03 A/A 2,772,388
810,000 7.500%, 10/01/12 A/A 861,637
400,000 7.250%, 11/01/06 A1/A+ 428,000
400,000 7.200%, 09/01/15 Aaa/AAA 437,000
750,000 7.000%, 09/01/06 NR/NR* 838,125
Kentucky Development Finance
Authority Revenue,
3,000,000 6.500%, 11/01/07 A1/A+ 3,198,750
1,250,000 6.250%, 11/01/13 A1/A+ 1,279,688
2,150,000 6.750%, 11/01/12 A1/A+ 2,311,250
500,000 6.000%, 11/01/01 Aaa/AAA 530,625
Kentucky Development Finance
Authority Kings Daughters
Medical Center,
1,375,000 6.125%, 02/01/12 Aaa/AAA 1,436,875
Kentucky Development Finance
Authority Hospital Revenue,
3,000,000 5.900%, 12/01/15 Aaa/AAA 3,063,750
2,590,000 5.000%, 08/15/15 Aaa/AAA 2,408,700
24,379,160
Housing (14.9%)
Greater Kentucky Housing
Assistance Corp. Multi-Family
Housing Revenue,
500,000 7.000%, 07/01/11 NR/AA+ 526,875
320,000 6.300%, 07/01/15 Aaa/AAA 329,200
275,000 6.400%, 07/01/23 NR/AA+ 283,250
Jefferson County Kentucky
Multi-Family Revenue,
1,500,000 5.750%, 06/01/23 NR/AA 1,531,875
<PAGE>
Kentucky Housing Corporation
Housing Revenue,
255,000 7.750%, 01/01/07 Aaa/AAA 269,344
835,000 7.600%, 01/01/07 Aaa/AAA 879,881
1,000,000 6.500%, 01/01/07 Aaa/AAA 1,051,250
95,000 7.875%, 01/01/08 Aaa/AAA 99,037
545,000 7.250%, 01/01/09 Aaa/AAA 572,931
980,000 7.125%, 01/01/10 Aaa/AAA 1,033,900
4,975,000 6.600%, 07/01/11 Aaa/AAA 5,180,219
745,000 5.800%, 07/01/13 Aaa/AAA 753,381
200,000 5.400%, 07/01/14 Aaa/AAA 194,250
750,000 6.250%, 07/01/15 Aaa/AAA 766,875
1,685,000 6.400%, 01/01/17 Aaa/AAA 1,750,293
1,450,000 5.800%, 01/01/19 Aaa/AAA 1,440,938
545,000 7.900%, 01/01/21 Aaa/AAA 574,975
345,000 7.800%, 01/01/21 Aaa/AAA 362,681
160,000 8.100%, 01/01/22 Aaa/AAA 169,400
2,820,000 7.450%, 01/01/23 Aaa/AAA 2,915,175
1,560,000 6.800%, 01/01/24 Aaa/AAA 1,612,650
150,000 5.850%, 07/01/27 Aaa/AAA 148,688
3,500,000 6.375%, 07/01/28 Aaa/AAA 3,583,125
5,525,000 6.300%, 01/01/28 Aaa/AAA 5,594,063
Martin County Kentucky
Housing Revenue,
2,400,000 6.250%, 07/01/23 Aa/AA 2,418,000
34,042,256
Universities (0.5%)
Eastern Kentucky University,
585,000 5.375%, 05/01/04 A/A 588,890
Western Kentucky University
Revenue,
325,000 7.100%, 12/01/99 Baa/BBB+ 348,156
275,000 7.100%, 12/01/01 Aaa/AAA 306,625
1,243,671
<PAGE>
Schools (10.2%)
Boone County Kentucky School
District Finance Corp.
School Building Revenue,
2,250,000 6.125%, 12/01/17 A/A 2,334,375
1,750,000 6.750%, 09/01/09 A/A 1,887,812
Butler County Kentucky School
Building Revenue,
270,000 7.200%, 05/01/07 A/A 299,700
290,000 7.200%, 05/01/08 A/A 321,900
Campbell County Kentucky
School Building Revenue,
1,000,000 5.100%, 02/01/14 A/NR 965,000
Fayette County School Building
Revenue,
1,780,000 5.700%, 12/01/16 A/A 1,784,450
Garrard County Kentucky School
Building Revenue,
100,000 5.900%, 06/01/15 A/NR 101,125
160,000 5.900%, 06/01/16 A/NR 161,800
Grayson County Kentucky School
Building Revenue,
1,940,000 6.000%, 01/01/15 A/NR 2,024,875
Harlan County Kentucky School
District Corp. School Building
Revenue,
205,000 7.400%, 12/01/06 A/A 226,268
200,000 7.250%, 09/01/09 NR/A 217,250
Jefferson County Kentucky School
District Finance Corp. School
Building Revenue,
370,000 6.200%, 01/01/06 Aaa/AAA 400,062
210,000 6.750%, 08/01/09 Aaa/AAA 226,275
500,000 5.875%, 01/01/11 A-1/A+ 516,875
Kenton County Kentucky School
District Finance Corp. School
Building Revenue,
500,000 6.900%, 12/01/05 NR/NR* 548,125
600,000 7.000%, 12/01/07 NR/NR* 660,000
Lexington-Fayette Urban County
Government School Building
Revenue,
255,000 7.700%, 11/01/04 A-1/A+ 270,777
180,000 7.700%, 11/01/05 A-1/A+ 191,137
250,000 7.000%, 06/01/06 A-1/A+ 274,375
400,000 7.000%, 06/01/08 A-1/A+ 439,000
370,000 7.000%, 06/01/09 A-1/A+ 406,075
<PAGE>
Mead County School District,
500,000 6.000%, 07/01/16 A/NR 513,750
Middlesboro Kentucky
Independent School District
Finance Corp.,
100,000 6.000%, 07/01/16 A/NR 104,250
Nelson County Kentucky School
Building Revenue,
900,000 6.500%, 04/01/05 A/NR 965,250
1,820,000 5.750%, 04/01/15 A/NR 1,845,025
Pike County Kentucky School
District Finance Corp. School
Building Revenue,
505,000 6.900%, 12/01/05 NR/A 547,294
720,000 7.000%, 12/01/09 NR/A 782,100
Rowan County Kentucky School
District Finance Corp.,
215,000 5.600%, 06/01/16 NR/A 216,613
Scott County Kentucky School
Building Revenue,
2,750,000 5.900%, 06/01/18 NR/A 2,794,688
Taylor County Kentucky School
Building Revenue,
280,000 6.000%, 08/01/16 NR/A 288,050
Todd County Kentucky School
Building Revenue,
980,000 6.300%, 10/01/14 NR/A 1,038,800
23,353,076
Total Investments- 98.2%
(Cost $215,512,122**) 225,081,966
Other assets in excess of
liabilitites - 1.8% 4,063,031
Net Assets - 100% $ 229,144,997
<FN>
* Any security not rated must be determined by the
Investment Adviser to have sufficient quality to be ranked in the top
four credit ratings if a credit rating were to be assigned by a rating
service.
</FN>
<FN>
** Cost for Federal tax purposes is identical.
</FN>
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Investments at value (identified cost $215,512,122) $ 225,081,966
Cash 81,259
Interest receivable 4,390,978
Receivable for Fund shares sold 149,166
Total assets 229,703,369
LIABILITIES
Dividends payable 166,731
Payable for Fund shares redeemed 119,935
Accrued expenses 103,400
Distribution fees payable 88,350
Adviser and Administrator fees payable 79,956
Total liabilities 558,372
NET ASSETS $ 229,144,997
Net Assets consist of:
Capital Stock - Authorized an unlimited number of shares,
par value $.01 per share $ 217,272
Additional paid-in capital 219,583,345
Accumulated net realized loss on investments (225,464)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments 9,569,844
$ 229,144,997
CLASS A
Net Assets $ 222,888,819
Capital shares outstanding 21,134,263
Net asset value and redemption price per share $ 10.55
Offering price per share (100/96 of $10.55 adjusted
to nearest cent) $ 10.99
CLASS C
Net Assets $ 433,309
Capital shares outstanding 41,087
Net asset value and offering price per share $ 10.55
Redemption price per share (*varies by length of time
shares are held) $ *
CLASS Y
Net Assets $ 5,822,869
Capital shares outstanding 551,863
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share $ 10.55
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest income $ 13,500,888
Expenses:
Investment Adviser fees (note B) $ 316,432
Administrator fees (note B) 587,239
Distribution fees (note B) 339,776
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees 135,302
Legal fees 82,082
Trustees' fees and expenses (note G) 59,858
Shareholders' reports and proxy statements 47,554
Audit and accounting fees 35,228
Custodian fees (note F) 32,974
Registration fees and dues 23,848
Insurance 4,551
Miscellaneous 30,140
1,694,984
Expenses paid indirectly (note F) (24,720)
Net expenses 1,670,264
Net investment income 11,830,624
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS:
Net realized gain from securities
transactions 513,426
Change in unrealized appreciation on
investments (3,273,903)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments (2,760,477)
Net increase in net assets resulting from
operations $ 9,070,147
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1996 1995
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income $ 11,830,624 $ 13,733,799
Net realized gain (loss) from
securities transactions 513,426 (423,661)
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments (3,273,903) 17,432,689
Change in net assets from operations 9,070,147 30,742,827
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (note E):
Class A Shares:
Net investment income (11,653,180) (13,727,664)
Distributions in excess of net
investment income (796,825) -
Net realized gain on investments - -
Class C Shares:
Net investment income (5,800) -
Distributions in excess of net
investment income (410) -
Net realized gain on investments - -
Class Y Shares:
Net investment income (171,644) -
Distributions in excess of net
investment income (10,323) -
Net realized gain on investments - -
Change in net assets from distributions (12,638,182) (13,727,664)
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (note H):
Proceeds from shares sold 25,334,669 17,964,446
Reinvested dividends and distributions 7,120,982 7,773,545
Cost of shares redeemed (30,012,962) (45,139,255)
Change in net assets from capital share
transactions 2,442,689 (19,401,264)
Change in net assets (1,125,346) (2,386,101)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period 230,270,343 232,656,444
End of period $ 229,144,997 $ 230,270,343
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky (the "Fund"), a non-diversified,
open-end investment company, was organized in March, 1987 as a Massachusetts
business trust and commenced operations on May 21, 1987. The Fund is
authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares and, since its inception to
April 1, 1996, offered only one class of shares. On that date, the Fund began
offering two additional classes of shares, Class C and Class Y shares. All
shares outstanding prior to that date were designated as Class A shares and,
as was the case since inception, are sold with a front-payment sales charge
and bear an annual service fee. Class C shares are sold with a level-payment
sales charge with no payment at time of purchase but level service and
distribution fees from date of purchase through a period of six years
thereafter. A contingent deferred sales charge is assessed to any Class C
shareholder who redeems shares of this Class within one year from the date of
purchase. The Class Y shares are only offered to institutions acting for an
investor in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodian or similar capacity.
They are not available to individual retail investors. Class Y shares are
sold at net asset value without any sales charge, redemption fees, contingent
deferred sales charge or distribution or service fees. All classes of shares
represent interests in the same portfolio of investments in the Fund and are
identical as to rights and privileges. They differ only with respect to the
effect of sales charges, the distribution and/or service fees borne by the
respective class, expenses specific to each class, voting rights on matters
affecting a single class and the exchange privileges of each class.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by
the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles for investment
companies.
(1) PORTFOLIO VALUATION: Municipal securities which have remaining
maturities of more than 60 days are valued each business day based
upon information provided by a nationally prominent independent
pricing service and periodically verified through other pricing
services. In the case of securities for which market quotations are
readily available, securities are valued at the mean of bid and
asked quotations and, in the case of other securities, at fair
value determined under procedures established by and under the
general supervision of the Board of Trustees. Securities which
mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost if their
term to maturity at purchase was 60 days or less, or by amortizing
their unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the 61st day prior
to maturity, if their term to maturity at purchase exceeded 60
days.
In Fiscal 1996, the Fund began amortizing bond premium using the
constant yield method. Accordingly, net unrealized appreciation and
additional paid-in capital have been adjusted by equal amounts at
the beginning of the year. This change had no effect on the Fund's
net asset value or distribution policy and conforms to the
amortization policy followed by the Fund for Federal tax purposes.
(2) SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED INVESTMENT INCOME: Securities
transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and
losses from securities transactions are reported on the identified
cost basis. Interest income is recorded daily on the accrual basis
and is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of
original issue discount. Market discount is recognized upon
disposition of the security.
(3) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES: It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a
regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code applicable to certain investment
companies. The Fund intends to make distributions of income and
securities profits sufficient to relieve it from all, or
substantially all, Federal income and excise taxes.
<PAGE>
(4) ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES: Expenses, other than class-specific
expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the
relative net assets of each class. Class-specific expenses, which
include distribution and service fees and any other items that are
specifically attributed to a particular class, are charged directly
to such class.
(5) USE OF ESTIMATES: 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 at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and
decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
NOTE B - MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH
AFFILIATES:
Management affairs of the Fund are conducted through two separate
management arrangements.
Banc One Investment Advisors Corporation (the "Adviser") became Adviser
to the Fund, effective September 11, 1995. In this role, under an Investment
Advisory Agreement, the Adviser supervises the Fund's investments and
provides various services to the Fund for which it is entitled to receive a
fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each
day at the annual rate of 0.14 of 1% of the net assets of the Fund.
The Fund also has an Administration Agreement with Aquila Management
Corporation (the "Administrator"), the Fund's founder and sponsor. Under this
Agreement, the Administrator provides all administrative services, other than
those relating to the management of the Fund's investments. These include
providing the office of the Fund and all related services as well as
overseeing the activities of all the various support organizations to the
Fund such as the shareholder servicing agent, custodian, legal counsel,
auditors and distributor and additionally maintaining the Fund's accounting
books and records. For its services, the Administrator is entitled to receive
a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each
day at the annual rate of 0.26 of 1% of the net assets of the Fund.
Specific details as to the nature and extent of the services provided by
the Adviser and the Administrator are more fully defined in the Fund's
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
The Adviser and the Administrator each agrees that the above fees shall
be reduced, but not below zero, by an amount equal to its pro-rata portion
(determined on the basis of the respective fees computed as described above)
of the amount, if any, by which the total expenses of the Fund in any fiscal
year, exclusive of taxes, interest and brokerage fees, shall exceed the
lesser of (i) 2.5% of the first $30 million of average annual net assets of
the Fund plus 2% of the next $70 million of such assets and 1.5% of its
average annual net assets in excess of $100 million, or (ii) 25% of the
Fund's total annual investment income. The payment of the above fees at the
end of any month will be reduced or postponed so that at no time will there
be any accrued but unpaid liability under this expense limitation. No such
reduction in fees was required during the year ended December 31, 1996.
For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Fund incurred fees under the
Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement of $316,432 and $587,239,
respectively.
<PAGE>
Under a Distribution Agreement, Aquila Distributors, Inc. (the
"Distributor") serves as the exclusive distributor of the Fund's shares.
Through agreements between the Distributor and various broker-dealer firms
("dealers"), the Fund's shares are sold primarily through the facilities of
these dealers having offices within Kentucky, with the bulk of sales
commissions inuring to such dealers. For the year ended December 31, 1996,
the Distributor received sales commissions in the amount of $21,310.
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule
12b-1 (the "Rule") under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under one part
of the Plan, with respect to Class A Shares, the Fund is authorized to make
service fee payments to broker-dealers ("Qualified Recipients") or others
selected by the Distributor, including, but not limited to, any principal
underwriter of the Fund, with which the Distributor has entered into written
agreements contemplated by the Rule and which have rendered assistance in the
distribution and/or retention of the Fund's shares or servicing of
shareholder accounts. The Fund makes payment of this service fee at the
annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund's average net assets represented by Class A
Shares. For the year ended December 31, 1996, service fees on Class A Shares
amounted to $338,443, of which the Distributor received $4,724.
Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make payments
with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients which have rendered
assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund's Class C shares
or servicing of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual
rate of 0.75% of the Fund's net assets represented by Class C Shares and for
the period April 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996, amounted to $1,000, of
which the Distributor received $1,000.
In addition, under a Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to
make service fee payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified
Recipients for providing personal services and/or maintenance of shareholder
accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's
net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the period April 1, 1996
through December 31, 1996, amounted to $333, of which the Distributor
received $333.
Specific details about the Plans are more fully defined in the Fund's
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
NOTE C - PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES:
During the year ended December 31, 1996, purchases of securities and
proceeds from the sales of securities aggregated $37,128,138 and $37,237,286,
respectively.
At December 31, 1996, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all
securities in which there is an excess of market value over tax cost amounted
to approximately $9,780,000 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for
all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over market value
amounted to approximately $213,000, for an approximate net unrealized
appreciation of $9,570,000. At December 31, 1996, the Fund has a capital loss
carryover of approximately $225,000 of which $185,000 expire on December 31,
2002 and $40,000 expire on December 31, 2003. This carryover is available to
offset future net realized gains on securities transactions to the extent
provided for in the Internal Revenue Code. To the extent that this loss is
used to offset future realized capital gains, it is probable that gains so
offset will not be distributed.
<PAGE>
NOTE D - PORTFOLIO ORIENTATION:
Since the Fund invests principally and may invest entirely in triple
tax-free municipal obligations of issuers within Kentucky, it is subject to
possible risks associated with economic, political, or legal developments or
industrial or regional matters specifically affecting Kentucky and whatever
effects these may have upon Kentucky issuers' ability to meet their
obligations.
NOTE E - DISTRIBUTIONS:
The Fund declares dividends daily from net investment income and makes
payments monthly in additional shares at the net asset value per share or in
cash, at the shareholder's option. Net realized capital gains, if any, are
distributed annually.
The Fund intends to maintain, to the maximum extent possible, the
tax-exempt status of interest payments received from portfolio municipal
securities in order to allow dividends paid to shareholders from net
investment income to be exempt from regular Federal and State of Kentucky
income taxes. However, due to differences between financial reporting and
Federal income tax reporting requirements, distributions made by the Fund may
not be the same as the Fund's net investment income, and/or net realized
securities gains. Further, a small portion of the dividends may, under some
circumstances, be subject to ordinary income taxes. For certain shareholders,
some dividends may, under some circumstances, be subject to the alternative
minimum tax. Also, annual capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable.
NOTE F - CUSTODIAN FEES:
The Fund has negotiated an expense offset arrangement with its custodian,
Bank One Trust Company, N.A., an affiliate of the Adviser, wherein it
receives credit toward the reduction of custodian fees whenever there are
uninvested cash balances. During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Fund's
custodian fees amounted to $32,974, of which $24,720 was offset by such
credits. It is the general intention of the Fund to invest, to the extent
practicable, some or all of cash balances in income-producing assets rather
than leave cash on deposit with the custodian.
NOTE G - TRUSTEES' FEES AND EXPENSES:
During the fiscal year from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996,
there were nine Trustees. Trustees' fees paid during the year were at the
annual rate of $5,000 for carrying out their responsibilities and attendance
at regularly scheduled Board Meetings. If additional or special meetings are
scheduled for the Fund, separate meeting fees are paid for each such meeting
to those Trustees in attendance. The Fund also reimburses Trustees for
expenses such as travel, accommodations, and meals incurred in connection
with attendance at regularly scheduled or special Board Meetings and at the
Annual Meeting and outreach meetings of Shareholders. For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, such reimbursements averaged approximately $2,300
per Trustee. Two of the Trustees, who are affiliated with the Administrator,
are not paid any Trustee fees.
<PAGE>
NOTE H - CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Transactions in Capital Shares of the Fund were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 1996 December 31, 1995
Shares Amount Shares Amount
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CLASS A SHARES:
Proceeds from shares sold 1,793,117 $ 18,843,152 1,723,240 $ 17,964,446
Reinvested dividends and
distributions 676,874 7,110,206 743,680 7,773,545
Cost of shares redeemed (2,464,106) (25,843,142) (4,315,370) (45,139,255)
Exchanged into Class Y
Shares (369,589) (3,858,514) - -
Net change (363,704) $ (3,748,298) (1,848,450) $ (19,401,264)
<CAPTION>
Period Ended
December 31, 1996*
Shares Amount
<S> <C> <C>
CLASS C SHARES:
Proceeds from shares sold 40,643 $ 424,784
Reinvested dividends and
distributions 444 4,663
Cost of shares redeemed - -
Net change 41,087 $ 429,447
<CAPTION>
Period Ended
December 31, 1996*
Shares Amount
<S> <C> <C>
CLASS Y SHARES:
Proceeds from shares sold 211,416 $ 2,208,219
Reinvested dividends and
distributions 583 6,113
Exchanged from Class A
Shares 369,589 3,858,514
Cost of shares redeemed (29,725) (311,306)
Net change 551,863 $ 5,761,540
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total transactions in Fund
shares 229,246 $ 2,442,689 (1,848,450) $ (19,401,264)
<FN>
* From April 1, 1996 (date of inception) through December 31, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For a share outstanding throughout each period
Class C(2) Class Y(2) Class A(1)
Period ended Year ended December 31
December 31, 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period $10.47 $10.47 $10.71 $9.97 $10.93 $10.49 $10.39
Income from Investment
Operations:
Net investment income 0.37 0.43 0.55 0.60 0.60 0.62 0.66
Net gain (loss) on
securities (both
realized and
unrealized) 0.11 0.11 (0.12) 0.74 (0.96) 0.47 0.19
Total from Investment
Operations 0.48 0.54 0.43 1.34 (0.36) 1.09 0.85
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income (0.40) (0.46) (0.59) (0.60) (0.60) (0.62) (0.66)
Distributions from
capital gains - - - - - (0.03) (0.09)
Total Distributions (0.40) (0.46) (0.59) (0.60) (0.60) (0.65) (0.75)
Net Asset Value, End
of Period $10.55 $10.55 $10.55 $10.71 $9.97 $10.93 $10.49
Total Return (not
reflecting sales
charge) (%) 4.72# 5.24# 4.17 13.75 (3.31) 10.50 8.48
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net Assets, End of
Period ($ thousands) 433 5,823 222,889 230,270 232,656 258,632 192,600
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(%) 1.55* 0.56* 0.74 0.79 0.72 0.59 0.42
Ratio of Net
Investment Income
to Average Net
Assets (%) 4.35* 5.42* 5.23 5.75 5.81 5.67 6.21
Portfolio Turnover
Rate (%) 8.94 8.94 8.94 17.09 35.25 31.29 50.33
<CAPTION>
Net investment income per share and the ratios of income and expenses to
average net assets without the Adviser's and Administrator's voluntary waiver
of fees, the Administrator's voluntary expense reimbursement and the expense
offset in custodian fees for uninvested cash balances would have been:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Investment Income
($) 0.37 0.43 0.55 0.60 0.60 0.60 0.63
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets
(%) 1.56* 0.58* 0.75 0.80 0.73 0.73 0.68
Ratio of Net
Investment Income
to Average Net
Assets (%) 4.34* 5.41* 5.22 5.74 5.80 5.52 5.95
<FN>
(1) Designated as Class A Shares on April 1, 1996.
</FN>
<FN>
(2) New Class of Shares established on April 1, 1996.
</FN>
<FN>
# Not annualized
</FN>
<FN>
* Annualized.
</FN>
Note: Effective September 11, 1995, Banc One Investment Advisors Corporation
became the Fund's Investment Adviser replacing PNC Bank, Kentucky, Inc.
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
REPORT ON THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS (UNAUDITED)
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Churchill Tax-Free Fund of
Kentucky (the "Fund") was held on April 26, 1996.* At the meeting, the
following matters were submitted to a shareholder vote and approved:
(i) the election of Lacy B. Herrmann, Thomas A. Christopher, Douglas
Dean, Diana P. Herrmann, Ann R. Leven, Theodore T. Mason, Anne J.
Mills, William J. Nightingale, and James R. Ramsey as Trustees to
hold office until the next annual meeting of the Fund's
shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected (each
Trustee received at least 14,374,826 affirmative votes (98.57%);
no more than 208,789 votes were withheld for any Trustee (1.43%)),
and
(ii) the ratification of the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
the Fund's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December
31, 1996 (votes for: 13,979,337 (95.86%); votes against: 38,526
(0.26%); abstentions: 561,770 (3.85%); broker non-votes: 3,982
(0.03%)).
Special Meetings of the Fund's Class C and Class Y Shareholders were
held on March 29, 1996 and April 4, 1996, respectively. **At the Special
Meeting of Class C Shareholders of the Fund, the Class C Shareholders voted
on and unanimously approved amendments to the Fund's Distribution Plan
affecting the interests of the Class C Shareholders of the Fund. At the
Special Meeting of Class Y Shareholders of the Fund, the Class Y Shareholders
voted on and unanimously approved amendments to the Fund's Distribution Plan
affecting the interests of the Class Y Shareholders of the Fund.
___________
* On the record date for this meeting, 21,620,751 shares of the Fund were
outstanding and entitled to vote. The holders of 14,583,615 shares (67.45%)
entitled to vote were present in person or by proxy at the meeting.
** On the record dates for the Special Meetings, the total net asset values
of the Class C and Class Y Shares of the Fund outstanding and entitled to
vote were $100 and $100, respectively. The holders of all Class C and Class
Y Shares entitled to vote were present in person at the meetings.
FEDERAL TAX STATUS OF 1996 DISTRIBUTIONS (UNAUDITED)
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, of the total amount of
dividends paid by Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, 93.61% was
"exempt-interest dividends" and the balance was ordinary dividend income. For
those shareholders subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax, 19.63% of
your Fund's dividends was derived from interest on "private activity bonds."
Prior to January 31, 1997, shareholders were mailed IRS Form 1099-DIV
which contained information on the status of distributions paid for the 1996
CALENDAR YEAR.
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISER
BANC ONE INVESTMENT ADVISORS CORPORATION
416 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
ADMINISTRATOR AND FOUNDER
AQUILA MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
380 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300
New York, New York 10017
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lacy B. Herrmann, Chairman
Thomas A. Christopher
Douglas Dean
Diana P. Herrmann
Ann R. Leven
Theodore T. Mason
Anne J. Mills
William J. Nightingale
James R. Ramsey
OFFICERS
Lacy B. Herrmann, President
Jerry G. McGrew, Senior Vice President
L. Michele Crutcher, Vice President
Teresa M. Wright, Assistant Vice President
Rose F. Marotta, Chief Financial Officer
Richard F. West, Treasurer
Edward M.W. Hines, Secretary
DISTRIBUTOR
AQUILA DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
380 Madison Avenue, Suite 2300
New York, New York 10017
CUSTODIAN
BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
100 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43271
TRANSFER AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
ADMINISTRATIVE DATA
MANAGEMENT CORP.
581 Main Street
Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095-1198
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
Further information is contained in the Prospectus,
which must precede or accompany this report.
