FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS INC
N-30D, 1999-07-09
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               FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
               INSTITUTIONAL
               U.S. MICRO-CAP FUND
               SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

               [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

               April 30, 1999

                                                                  Fremont
                                                                    Funds [LOGO]

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fund Profile and Letter to Shareholders ...................................    2
Statement of Investments ..................................................    4
Combined Financial Statements
Statement of Assets and Liabilities .......................................    5
Statement of Operations ...................................................    6
Statement of Changes in Net Assets ........................................    7
Financial Highlights ......................................................    7
Notes to Financial Statements .............................................    8

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREMONT INSTITUTIONAL U.S. MICRO-CAP FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert E. Kern, Jr.
Portfolio Manager
Kern Capital Management LLC

[PHOTO OMITTED]

Robert E. Kern, Jr.,

- ------------
FUND PROFILE
- ------------

     The   U.S.    micro-cap   stock   market   is   a   breeding   ground   for
entrepreneurially-managed  companies with  exceptional  growth  prospects.  With
minimal Wall Street research coverage and low institutional ownership, micro-cap
stocks  represent the least efficient  sector of the domestic  equities  market.
This  inefficiency   creates   attractive   investment   opportunities  for  the
research-driven  stock pickers managing the Fremont Institutional U.S. Micro-Cap
Fund.

     Since the investment potential of micro-cap stocks is largely determined by
the business  prospects for  individual  companies  rather than  macro-eco-nomic
trends,  the Fund's  focus is on  bottom-up  stock  selection.  Fund  management
analyzes financial statements,  the company's  competitive  position,  and meets
with key corporate decision makers to discuss strategies for future growth.

     Robert E. Kern,  Jr. is  nationally  recognized  as a pioneer  and  leading
practitioner of micro-cap research and portfolio management.

To Our Shareholders,

     For the six months ended April 30,  1999,  the Fremont  Institutional  U.S.
Micro-Cap Fund gained 51.33% compared to the Russell 2000's 15.16% advance.

     The  strategy  we  implemented  in  the  dark  days  of   August/September,
1998--concentrating  the  portfolio  in those  individual  stocks and sectors we
believed  would lead a micro-cap  recovery--rewarded  us during  this  reporting
period. We handily outperformed our Russell 2000 benchmark in the initial stages
of the small company stock rebound (October,  1998 through  Janu-ary,  1999) and
have maintained this large  performance edge over the last three months of first
half fiscal 1999.

     Coming off the October 1998 bottom,  virtually all of our portfolio sectors
(consumer,  technology,  services, healthcare, and special situations) performed
well.  Over the last several months sector  performance  has diverged,  with our
consumer,   technology,  and  services  holdings  materially  outperforming  our
healthcare and special situation investments.

     Consumer companies have benefited from a high level of consumer  confidence
spawned by full employment, rising wages, and the wealth effect of this historic
bull  market.  They have been able to sustain and in some cases,  expand  profit
margins,  because of  suppliers'  lack of pricing  flexibility.  We believe  the
American consumer will continue to spend liberally and that our consumer company
holdings will continue to grow earnings at attractive rates.

     Our technology  holdings performed well in general and certain  sub-sectors
have been  particularly  productive,  most  notably what we refer to as internet
"enablers".  These include  companies that provide  account  identification  and
transaction  security  systems  and  services  to the  e-commerce  players,  and
broadband   companies   that  have  developed   technologies   that  expand  the
transmission  capacity  of copper  phone  wires,  allowing  for faster  internet
service.  Importantly  these "enablers"  remain much more reasonably priced than
the ".com"  start ups that come public at 10 and trade at 100 an hour later.  We
believe  owning  seasoned  companies  that serve large  segments of the internet
industry is more prudent than  speculating on which of the many new portals will
ultimately succeed.

     Concern over the prospect of  additional  federal  "reform" has put a cloud
over the healthcare sector. We aren't giving up on our healthcare holdings, many
of which are specialty  medical  equipment makers not likely to be as negatively
impacted by any prospective  regulatory change as healthcare  service providers.
We think  these  stocks  can do quite  well  when  investors  look at them  more
objectively.

     Since the consumer  sector now has the largest  weighting in the portfolio,
let's discuss one of our favorite  consumer  companies with Judy Finger,  one of
the  Fund's  three  senior  investment  managers  and an expert on the  consumer
sector. Genesco is a shoe retailer, whose stock sold off last year due primarily
to a general  slowdown  throughout the footwear  industry.  In the midst of this
slump,  Genesco aggressively cut costs, and fourth quarter 1998 earnings came in
well above consensus estimates. Going forward, we believe earnings will continue
to be strong,  driven by top line revenue  growth from its Journey's  chain (pop
ular brand footwear for teens and children) and its Johnston & Murphy  division,
which retails and  wholesales  upscale  men's dress shoes.  Journey's is a great
concept serving one of the fastest growing  demographic  segments of the market,
and Johnston & Murphy has built a strong brand name in one of the highest margin
categories  in the  industry.  Also,  Genesco  opened 75 new  stores  last year.
Gener-ally,  store sales ramp up  substantially  in the second and third  years.
This should provide a revenue  tailwind for the company.  Genesco stock has done
well this year,  but we think it is still  reasonably  priced  relative  to very
favorable earnings growth prospects.

     In closing, we are quite proud of the Fremont  Institutional U.S. Micro-Cap
Fund's long term track record relative to its benchmark and its peer group.  Why
have we done so well? We credit research  driven stock selection  focused on the
most innovative sectors in the economy.  Quite simply, we have been able to find
exceptional  small growth companies in America's most dynamic  industries.  This
has translated into superior absolute and relative  performance.  Our attractive
annualized returns have not come without some volatility.  Such is the nature of
small company stock investing.  However,  we believe our discipline will help us
continue to fulfill our mission  --rewarding  loyal  shareholders  with generous
long term investment returns.

     We are also pleased the special  features of our Fund--a low expense  ratio
and stable institutional  shareholder base--have enhanced returns. Low costs and
the  ability to stay  fully  invested  rather  than  having to reserve  cash for
potential fund redemptions has translated into superior  performance relative to
our own "retail" micro-cap fund.

Sincerely,

/s/ Robert E. Kern, Jr.

Robert E. Kern, Jr.
Portfolio Manager

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROWTH OF $10,000 (1)

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

                                                      4/30/99
                                                      -------
FREMONT INSTITUTIONAL U.S. MICRO-CAP FUND             $67,696
RUSSELL 2000 INDEX                                    $30,899


AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED 4/30/99

1 YEAR    5 YEARS   10 YEARS
- ----------------------------
11.46%    23.10%     21.08%

ANNUAL RETURNS

11/01/88-10/31/89   +25.28%
11/01/89-10/31/90   -10.25%
11/01/90-10/31/91   +84.70%
11/01/91-10/31/92    -0.65%
11/01/92-10/31/93   +42.08%
11/01/93-10/31/94   -10.62%
11/01/94-10/31/95   +29.21%
11/01/95-10/31/96   +41.99%
11/01/96-10/31/97   +34.19%
11/01/97-10/31/98   -21.03%
11/01/98-4/30/99*   +51.33%

TOP TEN HOLDINGS

Orckit Communications Ltd. ..................       4.6%
Emulex Corp. ................................       4.1%
Rent-Way, Inc. ..............................       3.4%
Anaren Microwave, Inc. ......................       3.2%
NPC International, Inc. .....................       3.1%
Wesley Jessen VisionCare, Inc. ..............       3.0%
MDSI Mobile Data Solutions, Inc. ............       2.8%
Photon Dynamics, Inc. .......................       2.6%
Information Resources, Inc. .................       2.4%
Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. .........       1.9%
        TOTAL ...............................      31.1%

*Unannualized  (1) Assumes  initial  investment  of $10,000 on November 1, 1988.
Performance data  illustrated is historical.  Past performance is not predictive
of future  performance.  Share price and return will vary so that a gain or loss
may  be  realized  when  shares  are  sold.  All   performance   figures  assume
reinvestment  of  dividends.  Performance  for the  Fremont  Institutional  U.S.
Micro-Cap Fund reflects the  performance of the  post-venture  fund of Fund A of
the  Bechtel  Trust & Thrift,  whose  assets were  transferred  into the Fremont
Institutional 8 8U.S. Micro-Cap Fund on 8/6/97, net of actual fees and expenses.
The post-venture  fund imposed higher fees and expenses than that of the Fremont
Institutional U.S. Micro-Cap Fund and was not registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and therefore was not subject to the investment restrictions
imposed on  registered  mutual  funds.  Management  fees and other  expenses are
included  in  the  Fund's  performance;  however,  fees  and  expenses  are  not
incorporated in the Russell 2000 Index.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREMONT INSTITUTIONAL U.S. MICRO-CAP FUND
PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION AS OF 4/30/99
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Technology (Components)                 (17.4%)
Consumer Services                       (11.8%)
Technology (Software)                    (7.0%)
Business Equipment & Services            (9.7%)
Consumer Non-DUrables                    (9.4%)
Health Care                              (9.8%)
Retail                                  (11.4%)
Short-Term Securities                   (11.5%)
Other                                   (12.0%)

FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS  PAGES 2 AND 3
<PAGE>

                    FREMONT INSTITUTIONAL U.S. MICRO-CAP FUND
                           APRIL 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)


STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES AND NET ASSETS

                                                                       Value
      Shares     Security Description                                 (Note 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCKS  88.5%
BUSINESS EQUIPMENT & SERVICES  9.7%

 *    54,200     AmeriLink Corp.                                     $   372,625
 *    32,100     Arguss Holdings, Inc.                                   525,638
 *    59,350     Cameron Ashley Building Products, Inc.                  652,850
 *    30,400     Corporate Executive Board Co.                           855,000
 *    83,400     NewsEdge Corp.                                          708,900
 *   125,400     NuCO2, Inc.                                             862,125
 *     6,900     Realty Information Group, Inc.                          270,394
 *   122,600     TeleTech Holdings, Inc.                                 812,225
 *    35,000     Zomax Optical Media, Inc.                               783,125
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       5,842,882
                                                                     -----------
CAPITAL GOODS  1.5%

 *    71,500     IMPCO Technologies, Inc.                                607,750
 *    59,000     Miller Industries, Inc.                                 298,688
                                                                     -----------
                                                                         906,438
                                                                     -----------
CONSUMER DURABLES  1.6%

      72,900     Craftmade International, Inc.                           956,813
                                                                     -----------
                                                                         956,813
                                                                     -----------
CONSUMER NON-DURABLES  9.4%

 *    80,000     Audiovox Corp. (Class A)                                510,000
 *    52,200     Hines Horticulture, Inc.                                443,700
 *    88,800     Image Entertainment, Inc.                               810,300
 *   104,500     NPC International, Inc.                               1,881,000
 *    48,000     RARE Hospitality International, Inc.                    864,000
 *    57,900     Steven Madden Ltd.                                      521,100
 *   125,700     U.S. Home & Garden, Inc.                                691,350
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       5,721,450
                                                                     -----------
CONSUMER SERVICES  11.8%

 *    60,950     American Classic Voyages Co.                          1,089,481
 *    43,500     Blue Rhino Corp.                                        625,313
 *    40,700     Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (Class A)                         877,594
      79,500     Cash America International, Inc.                      1,013,625
 *    53,500     Cinar Corp. (Class B)                                 1,116,813
 *    35,800     First Cash, Inc.                                        391,563
 *     6,600     SoftNet Systems, Inc.                                   215,325
 *    59,300     Wesley Jessen VisionCare, Inc.                        1,816,063
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       7,145,777
                                                                     -----------
ENERGY  1.8%

 *    51,900     Marine Drilling Co., Inc.                               892,031
 *    24,500     Newpark Resources, Inc.                                 225,094
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       1,117,125
                                                                     -----------
HEALTH CARE  9.8%

 *    47,450     ArthroCare Corp.                                        818,513
 *    53,400     Cytyc Corp.                                           1,044,638
 *    49,800     EndoSonics Corp.                                        252,113
 *    32,000     Fusion Medical Technologies, Inc.                       226,000
 *   122,100     Gene Logic, Inc.                                        518,925
 *   245,800     Genelabs Technologies, Inc.                             414,788
 *    88,300     Mediconsult.com, Inc.                                 1,054,081
 *    24,400     NeoPharm, Inc.                                          417,850
 *    17,700     Novoste Corp.                                           393,825
 *    11,600     Perclose, Inc.                                          440,800

HEALTH CARE  (cont.)

 *    22,400     SangStat Medical Corp.                              $    24,800
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       5,906,333
                                                                     -----------
RAW MATERIALS  0.7%

      73,400     Northern Technologies International Corp.               440,400
                                                                     -----------
                                                                         440,400
                                                                     -----------
RETAIL  11.4%

 *    26,700     Gadzooks, Inc.                                          253,650
 *   101,000     Genesco, Inc.                                         1,098,375
 *    60,500     Movie Gallery, Inc.                                     355,438
 *    31,700     Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc.                   1,175,872
 *    75,000     Rent-Way, Inc.                                        2,043,750
 *    74,700     United Retail Group, Inc.                               807,694
 *    59,100     Urban Outfitters, Inc.                                1,145,063
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       6,879,842
                                                                     -----------
TECHNOLOGY (COMPONENTS)  17.4%

 *    95,500     Anaren Microwave, Inc.                                1,945,813
 *    58,000     Ault, Inc.                                              630,750
 *   117,300     Elantec Semiconductor, Inc.                             923,738
 *    56,000     Emulex Corp.                                          2,471,000
 *    14,145     Hi/fn, Inc.                                             763,830
 *    52,200     Kopin Corp.                                             985,275
 *   116,900     Orckit Communications Ltd.                            2,805,600
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      10,526,006
                                                                     -----------
TECHNOLOGY (EQUIPMENT)  6.4%

 *    72,500     Information Resources, Inc.                           1,450,000
 *     8,400     Intergral Systems, Inc.                                 189,000
 *    16,900     Netopia, Inc.                                           379,193
 *   154,000     Photon Dynamics, Inc.                                 1,540,000
 *     7,600     Proxim, Inc.                                            292,600
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       3,850,793
                                                                     -----------
TECHNOLOGY (SOFTWARE)  7.0%

 *    40,000     Brooktrout Technology, Inc.                             597,499
 *    30,800     Digital Lava, Inc.                                      296,449
 *     2,800     Exigent International, Inc.                              14,524
 *    97,000     MDSI Mobile Data Solutions, Inc.                      1,697,499
 *    12,100     New Era of Networks, Inc.                               454,505
 *   146,000     OrCAD, Inc.                                           1,131,499
 *     5,400     Puma Technology, Inc.                                    29,024
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       4,220,999
                                                                     -----------

TOTAL STOCKS (Cost $47,869,808)                                       53,514,858
                                                                     -----------

SHORT-TERM SECURITIES  8.4%

   5,072,038     SSgA Prime Money Market Fund                          5,072,038
                                                                     -----------

TOTAL SHORT-TERM SECURITIES (Cost $ 5,072,038)                         5,072,038
                                                                     -----------

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $52,941,846), 96.9%                           58,586,896

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, NET, 3.1%                                1,880,148
                                                                     -----------

NET ASSETS,  100.0%                                                  $60,467,044
                                                                     ===========
      * Non-income producing securities
      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4  FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>

                   FREMONT INSTITUTIONAL U.S. MICRO-CAP FUND
                           APRIL 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
(All numbers in thousands except net asset value per share)

Assets:
   Investments in securities at cost                                   $ 52,942
                                                                       ========
   Investments in securities at value (Note 1)                           58,587
   Dividends and interest receivable                                         16
   Receivable for securities sold                                         1,490
   Receivable from sale of fund shares                                    1,654
   Unamortized organization costs (Note 3)                                   17
                                                                       --------
      Total assets                                                       61,764
                                                                       --------
Liabilities:
   Bank overdraft                                                             6
   Payable for securities purchased                                       1,215
   Payable to management company                                             22
   Accrued expenses:
      Investment advisory and administrative fees                            54
                                                                       --------
      Total liabilities                                                   1,297
                                                                       --------
Net assets                                                             $ 60,467
                                                                       ========
Net assets consist of:
   Paid in capital                                                     $ 48,526
   Undistributed net investment loss                                       (151)
   Unrealized appreciation on investments                                 5,645
   Accumulated net realized gain                                          6,447
                                                                       --------
Net assets                                                             $ 60,467
                                                                       ========
Shares of capital stock outstanding                                       5,315
                                                                       ========
Net asset value per share                                              $  11.38
                                                                       ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                                         FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS  5
<PAGE>

                   FREMONT INSTITUTIONAL U.S. MICRO-CAP FUND
                  SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1998 (UNAUDITED)

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(All numbers in thousands)

Investment Income:
   Interest                                                            $    143
   Dividends                                                                 14
                                                                       --------
      Total income                                                          157
                                                                       --------
Expenses:
   Investment advisory and administrative fees (Note 2)                     284
   Shareholder servicing fees                                                 8
   Custody fees                                                              17
   Accounting fees                                                            9
   Audit and legal fees                                                       9
   Directors' fees (Note 2)                                                   2
   Registration fees                                                          5
   Reports to shareholders                                                    2
   Other                                                                      5
                                                                       --------
      Total expenses before reductions                                      341
      Expenses waived and/or reimbursed by Advisor (Note 2)                 (33)
                                                                       --------
         Total net expenses                                                 308
                                                                       --------
            Net investment loss                                            (151)
                                                                       --------
Realized and unrealized gain from investments:
   Net realized gain from investments                                     9,594
   Net unrealized appreciation on investments                            10,127
                                                                       --------
         Net realized and unrealized gain from investments               19,721
                                                                       --------
            Net increase in net assets resulting from operations       $ 19,570
                                                                       ========

      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

6  FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>

                   FREMONT INSTITUTIONAL U.S. MICRO-CAP FUND
                                 APRIL 30, 1999

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
(All numbers in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    (Unaudited)
                                                                  Six Months Ended    Year ended
                                                                   April 30, 1999  October 31, 1998
                                                                   --------------  ----------------
Increase (decrease) in net assets:
   From operations:
<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>
     Net investment loss                                              $   (151)        $   (221)
     Net realized gain (loss) from investments                           9,594           (3,141)
     Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments          10,127           (8,765)
                                                                      --------         --------
         Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations          19,570          (12,127)
                                                                      --------         --------
   Distributions to shareholders from:
     Net realized gains                                                     --           (1,255)
                                                                      --------         --------
         Total distributions to shareholders                                --           (1,255)
                                                                      --------         --------
   From capital share transactions:
     Proceeds from shares sold (Note 2)                                  6,496           31,161
     Payments for shares redeemed                                       (2,946)         (22,116)
     Reinvested dividends                                                   --            1,139
                                                                      --------         --------
         Net increase in net assets
           from capital share transactions                               3,550           10,184
                                                                      --------         --------
     Net increase (decrease) in net assets                              23,120           (3,198)
Net assets at beginning of period                                       37,347           40,545
                                                                      --------         --------
Net assets at end of period                                           $ 60,467         $ 37,347
                                                                      ========         ========

Capital transactions in shares:
   Sold (Note 2)                                                           644            3,337
   Redeemed                                                               (298)          (2,640)
   Reinvested dividends                                                     --              127
                                                                      --------         --------
      Net increase from capital share transactions                         346              824
                                                                      ========         ========
</TABLE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             (Unaudited)                              Period from
                                                           Six Months Ended        Year ended      August 4, 19971 to
                                                            April 30, 1999      October 31, 1998    October 31, 1997
                                                              ----------           ----------          ----------
Selected Per Share Data
for one share outstanding during the period
<S>                                                           <C>                  <C>                 <C>
   Net asset value, beginning of period                       $     7.52           $     9.78          $    10.00
                                                              ----------           ----------          ----------
   Income from Investment Operations
      Net investment loss                                           (.03)                (.04)                 --
      Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)                       3.89                (1.98)                .09
                                                              ----------           ----------          ----------
         Total investment operations                                3.86                (2.02)                .09
                                                              ----------           ----------          ----------
   Less Distributions
      From net realized gains                                         --                 (.24)               (.31)
                                                              ----------           ----------          ----------
         Total distributions                                          --                 (.24)               (.31)
                                                              ----------           ----------          ----------
   Net asset value, end of period                             $    11.38           $     7.52          $     9.78
                                                              ==========           ==========          ==========

Total Return2                                                      51.33%             -21.03%                0.90%

Ratios and Supplemental Data
   Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)                   $   60,467           $   37,347          $   40,545
   Ratio of net expenses to average net assets3                     1.25%*               1.25%               1.25%*
   Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets3                   1.38%*               1.38%               1.49%*
   Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets3              -.61%*               -.44%               -.21%*
   Portfolio turnover rate                                            95%                 187%                 28%
</TABLE>

1 Fund's date of inception
2 Total  return  would  have  been  lower  had the  advisor  not  waived  and/or
  reimbursed expenses.
3 See Note 2 of "Notes to Financial Statements."
* Annualized

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                                         FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS  7
<PAGE>

                           FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
           NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - APRIL 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)


1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

   Fremont  Mutual  Funds,  Inc.  (the  "Investment  Company")  is  an  open-end
   investment company authorized to issue ten billion shares of $.0001 par value
   capital stock.  These shares are currently  offered in twelve series,  one of
   which, the Institutional  U.S.  Micro-Cap Fund (the Fund), is covered by this
   report.  The Fund has its own investment  objective and policies and operates
   as a separate mutual fund.

   Significant  accounting  policies followed by the Fund are in conformity with
   generally  accepted  accounting  principles for investment  companies and are
   summarized below.

A. Security Valuation

   Investments, including options, are stated at value based on recorded closing
   sales on a  national  securities  exchange  or, in the  absence of a recorded
   sale,  at the mean between the last  reported bid and asked prices or at fair
   value as determined by the Board of Directors.  Short-term  notes and similar
   securities are included in investments at amortized cost, which  approximates
   value.  Securities  which are  primarily  traded  on  foreign  exchanges  are
   generally valued at the closing values of such securities on their respective
   exchanges  or the most  recent  price  available  where no  closing  value is
   available.

B. Security Transactions

   Security  transactions are accounted for as of trade date. Realized gains and
   losses on  security  transactions  are  determined  on the basis of  specific
   identification for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes.

C. Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

   Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income and estimated
   expenses  are accrued  daily.  Bond  discount  and premium are  amortized  as
   required  by  the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  as  amended.   Distributions  to
   shareholders  are recorded on the  ex-dividend  date. The Investment  Company
   accounts  for the assets of the Fund and  allocates  general  expenses of the
   Investment Company to the Fund based upon the relative net assets of the Fund
   or the nature of the services performed and their applicability to the Fund.

D. Income Taxes

   The Fund's policy is to comply with the  requirements of the Internal Revenue
   Code  applicable to regulated  investment  companies  and to  distribute  all
   taxable income and net capital gains, if any, to shareholders.  Therefore, no
   income tax provision is required. The Fund is treated as a separate entity in
   the   determination   of  compliance  with  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  and
   distributes taxable income and net realized gains, if any, in accordance with
   schedules described in the prospectus.

   Income  dividends and capital gain  distributions  paid to  shareholders  are
   determined in accordance  with income tax  regulations  which may differ from
   generally accepted accounting principles and, therefore,  may differ from the
   information  presented in the financial  statements.  These  differences  are
   primarily due to differing  treatments  for losses  deferred due to wash sale
   rules,  classification of gains/losses related to certain futures and options
   transactions.

   Permanent  differences  will be  reclassified  to paid in capital.  Temporary
   differences,   which  will  reverse  in  subsequent  periods,   will  not  be
   reclassified  and will remain in  undistributed  net investment  income.  Any
   taxable  income or gain  remaining at fiscal year end is  distributed  in the
   following year.

   For Federal  income tax  purposes,  The Fund has a capital loss  carryover at
   October 31, 1998.  Capital loss carryovers result when a fund has net capital
   losses during a tax year.  These are carried over to subsequent years and may
   reduce  distributions  of realized gains in those years.  Unused capital loss
   carryovers  expire in eight years.  The Fund has a capital loss  carryover of
   $2,860,764 at October 31, 1998 which will expire in 2006.

E. Accounting Estimates

   The preparation of financial statements in accordance 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  amounts  of income  and  expense  during  the
   reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

2. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PARTIES

   Investment Advisor

   The  Fund  has  entered  into an  investment  management  and  administrative
   services agreement with Fremont Investment  Advisors,  Inc. (the Advisor),  a
   majority-owned  subsidiary of Fremont  Investors,  Inc. Under this agreement,
   the Advisor  supervises and implements the Fund's  investment  activities and
   provides  administrative  services as necessary to conduct Fund business. For
   its advisory and administrative  services,  the Advisor receives a management
   fee based on the  average  daily net assets of the Fund at an annual  rate of
   1.15%.

   The Advisor has agreed to limit the Fund's total operating  expenses to 1.25%
   of average  daily net  assets.  The Fund may  reimburse  the  Advisor for any
   reductions  in the Fund's  expenses  during the three  years  following  that
   reduction  if  such  reimbursement  is  requested  by the  Advisor,  if  such
   reimbursement  can be achieved within the foregoing expense limit, and if the
   Board of Directors  approves the  reimbursement at the time of the request as
   not  inconsistent  with the best  interests  of the  Fund.  Because  of these
   substantial contingencies, the potential reimbursements will be accounted for

8  FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>

                           FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
           NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - APRIL 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)


   as contingent liabilities that are not recordable on the balance sheet of the
   Fund until payment is probable. The Advisor has not recouped $86,622 of prior
   period expense waivers and reimbursements as of April 30, 1999.

   Investors Fiduciary Trust Company ("IFTC") serves as custodian and investment
   accounting agent for the Fund. All fees charged by IFTC are paid by the Fund,
   subject to the  limitations  listed  above.  Fees for  custody  services  are
   subject to reductions by credits earned on the cash balances of the Fund held
   by IFTC as custodian.

   Ratios of expenses  have been  disclosed  both before and after the impact of
   these various waivers,  reimbursements and credits under the Fund's Financial
   Highlights table.

   The Fund is also  required  to comply with the  limitations  set forth in the
   laws, regulations, and administrative  interpretations of the states in which
   it is registered.  For the six months ended April 30, 1999, no reimbursements
   were  required  or made to the  Fund by the  Advisor  to  comply  with  these
   limitations.

   Other Related Parties

   At April 30,  1999,  Fremont  Investors,  Inc. and its  affiliated  companies
   including  their employee  retirement  plans,  its principal  shareholder and
   members  of his  family,  including  trusts,  owned  directly  or  indirectly
   approximately 79% of the Fund.

   Certain  officers  and/or  directors  of the Fund are  also  officers  and/or
   directors of the Advisor and/or Fremont Investors,  Inc. None of the officers
   and/or directors so affiliated receive  compensation for services as officers
   and/or directors of the Fund.

3. ORGANIZATION COSTS

   Costs incurred by the Fund, if any, in connection with its organization  have
   been  deferred and are  amortized on a  straight-line  basis over a period of
   five years (60 months).

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES

   Aggregate  purchases and aggregate  proceeds from sales of securities for the
   six months ended April 30, 1999 were as follows:

                                Purchases        Proceeds

   Long-term securities:       $43,609,672      $41,627,070

5. PORTFOLIO CONCENTRATIONS

   Although the Fund has a diversified  investment portfolio,  there are certain
   investment   concentrations   of  risk  which  may   subject  the  Fund  more
   significantly   to  economic   changes   occurring  in  certain  segments  or
   industries.

6. UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) - TAXBASIS

   At April 30, 1999, the cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was
   $53,228,575  and the net unrealized  appreciation  based on that cost were as
   follows:

   Unrealized appreciation        $   9,787,943
   Unrealized depreciation           (4,429,622)
                                  -------------
   Net unrealized appreciation    $   5,358,321
                                  =============

7. LINE OF CREDIT

   The Investment  Company has a Line of Credit  Arrangement  ("LOC") with State
   Street Bank and Trust  Company,  to be used for  extraordinary  or  emergency
   purposes,  primarily  to cover  redemption  payments.  The Fund's  borrowings
   cannot exceed 20% of its net assets.  Combined borrowings of all Funds cannot
   exceed the $75 million limit on the total line of credit. The Fund is subject
   to the annual fees and  interest on the unpaid  balance  based on  prevailing
   market  rates as defined in the LOC.  At April 30,  1999,  there were no such
   borrowings outstanding.

                                                         FREMONT MUTUAL FUNDS  9
<PAGE>

FREMONT
  FUNDS [LOGO]

50 Beale Street, Suite 100
San Francisco, CA  94105

www.fremontfunds.com


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Distributed by First Fund Distributors, Inc., San Francisco, CA 94105

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