AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 1, 1999
REGISTRATION NO. 33-48969
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
-------------------------------------
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 7
TO
FORM S-6
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FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 OF SECURITIES OF UNIT INVESTMENT
TRUSTS REGISTERED ON FORM N-8B-2
-------------------------------------
A. EXACT NAME OF TRUST:
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS--
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
MULTISTATE SERIES--15
B. NAMES OF DEPOSITORS:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
C. COMPLETE ADDRESSES OF DEPOSITORS' PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE,
FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS
POST OFFICE BOX 9051
PRINCETON, NJ 08543-9051 SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
388 GREENWICH
STREET--23RD FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10013
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
INCORPORATED 1285 AVENUE OF THE TWO WORLD TRADE
ONE NEW YORK PLAZA AMERICAS CENTER--59TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10292 NEW YORK, NY 10019 NEW YORK, NY 10048
</TABLE>
D. NAMES AND COMPLETE ADDRESSES OF AGENTS FOR SERVICE:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
TERESA KONCICK, ESQ. ROBERT E. HOLLEY MICHAEL KOCHMANN
P.O. BOX 9051 1200 HARBOR BLVD. 388 GREENWICH ST.
PRINCETON, NJ 08543-9051 WEEHAWKEN, NJ 07087 NEW YORK, NY 10013
LEE B. SPENCER, JR. COPIES TO: DOUGLAS LOWE, ESQ.
ONE NEW YORK PLAZA PIERRE DE SAINT PHALLE, DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
NEW YORK, NY 10292 ESQ. TWO WORLD TRADE
450 LEXINGTON AVENUE CENTER--59TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10017 NEW YORK, NY 10048
</TABLE>
The issuer has registered an indefinite number of Units under the Securities Act
of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2 and filed the Rule 24f-2 Notice for the most
recent fiscal year on March 16, 1999.
Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective on December
10, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485. /X/
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<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDSSM
- ----------
----------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
MULTISTATE SERIES--15
(A UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST)
- FLORIDA PORTFOLIO
- PORTFOLIO OF INSURED LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL BONDS
- DESIGNED FOR INCOME FREE FROM REGULAR FEDERAL
INCOME TAX
- EXEMPT FROM SOME STATE TAXES
- MONTHLY DISTRIBUTIONS
Sponsors:
Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
PaineWebber Incorporated
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved
these Securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus dated December 10, 1999.
<PAGE>
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Defined Asset FundsSM
Defined Asset FundsSM is America's oldest and largest family of unit investment
trusts, with over $160 billion sponsored over the last 28 years. Defined Asset
Funds has been a leader in unit investment trust research and product
innovation. Our family of Funds helps investors work toward their financial
goals with a full range of quality investments, including municipal, corporate
and government bond portfolios, as well as domestic and international equity
portfolios.
Defined Asset Funds offer a number of advantages:
- A Disciplined strategy of buying and holding with a long-term view is the
cornerstone of Defined Asset Funds.
- Fixed portfolio: Defined Funds follow a buy and hold investment strategy;
funds are not managed and portfolio changes are limited.
- Defined Portfolios: We choose the stocks and bonds in advance, so you know
what you're investing in.
- Professional research: Our dedicated research team seeks out stocks or bonds
appropriate for a particular fund's objectives.
- Ongoing supervision: We monitor each portfolio on an ongoing basis.
No matter what your investment goals, tolerance for risk or time horizon,
there's probably a Defined Asset Fund that suits your investment style. Your
financial professional can help you select a Defined Asset Fund that works best
for your investment portfolio.
THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, THE
EVALUATION DATE.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CONTENTS
PAGE
---
Florida Insured Portfolio--
Risk/Return Summary................ 3
What You Can Expect From Your
Investment......................... 7
Monthly Income..................... 7
Return Figures..................... 7
Records and Reports................ 7
The Risks You Face................... 7
Interest Rate Risk................. 7
Call Risk.......................... 8
Reduced Diversification Risk....... 8
Liquidity Risk..................... 8
Concentration Risk................. 8
State Concentration Risk........... 9
Bond Quality Risk.................. 9
Insurance Related Risk............. 9
Litigation and Legislation Risks... 10
Selling or Exchanging Units.......... 10
Sponsors' Secondary Market......... 10
Selling Units to the Trustee....... 10
Exchange Option.................... 11
How The Fund Works................... 11
Pricing............................ 11
Evaluations........................ 11
Income............................. 12
Expenses........................... 12
Portfolio Changes.................. 12
Fund Termination................... 13
Certificates....................... 13
Trust Indenture.................... 13
Legal Opinion...................... 14
Auditors........................... 14
Sponsors........................... 14
Trustee............................ 14
Underwriters' and Sponsors'
Profits.......................... 15
Public Distribution................ 15
Code of Ethics..................... 15
Year 2000 Issues................... 15
Taxes................................ 15
Supplemental Information............. 17
Financial Statements................. D-1
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
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FLORIDA INSURED PORTFOLIO--RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
1. WHAT IS THE FUND'S OBJECTIVE?
The Fund seeks interest income that is
exempt from regular federal income taxes
and some state and local taxes by
investing in a fixed portfolio
consisting primarily of insured, long-
term municipal revenue bonds.
2. WHAT ARE MUNICIPAL REVENUE BONDS?
Municipal revenue bonds are bonds issued
by states, municipalities and public
authorities to finance the cost of
buying, building or improving various
projects intended to generate revenue,
such as airports, health care
facilities, housing and municipal
electric, water and sewer utilities.
Generally, payments on these bonds
depend solely on the revenues generated
by the projects, excise taxes or state
appropriations, and are not backed by
the government's taxing power.
3. WHAT IS THE FUND'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY?
- The Fund plans to hold to maturity 8
long-term tax-exempt municipal bonds
with an aggregate face amount of
$1,950,000.
- The Fund is a unit investment trust
which means that, unlike a mutual fund,
the Portfolio is not managed.
- The bonds are rated AAA or Aaa by
Standard & Poor's, Moody's or Fitch.
- Many of the bonds can be called at a
premium declining over time to par
value. Some bonds may be called earlier
at par for extraordinary reasons. 17% of
the bonds are currently callable.
- The Fund is concentrated in refunded
bonds.
- 100% of the bonds are insured by
insurance companies that guarantee
timely payments of principal and
interest on the bonds (but not Fund
units or the market value of the bonds
before they mature).
The Portfolio consists of municipal
bonds of the following types:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
/ / Airports/Ports/Highways 17%
<S> <C>
/ / Hospital/Health Care 26%
/ / Municipal Water/Sewer
Utilities 27%
/ / Refunded Bonds 30%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
4. WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS?
YOU CAN LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE
FUND. THIS CAN HAPPEN FOR VARIOUS
REASONS, INCLUDING:
- Rising interest rates, an issuer's
worsening financial condition or a drop
in bond ratings can reduce the price of
your units.
- Because the Fund is concentrated in
hospital/health care and municipal
water/sewer utility bonds, adverse
developments in these sectors may affect
the value of your units.
- Assuming no changes in interest rates,
when you sell your units, they will
generally be worth less than your cost
because your cost included a sales fee.
- The Fund will receive early returns of
principal if bonds are called or sold
before they mature. If this happens your
income will decline and you may not be
able to reinvest the money you receive at
as high a yield or as long a maturity.
ALSO, THE PORTFOLIO IS CONCENTRATED IN
BONDS OF FLORIDA SO IT IS LESS
DIVERSIFIED THAN A NATIONAL FUND AND IS
SUBJECT TO RISKS PARTICULAR TO FLORIDA
WHICH ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED UNDER STATE
CONCENTRATION RISKS LATER IN THIS
PROSPECTUS.
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
5. IS THIS FUND APPROPRIATE FOR YOU?
Yes, if you want federally tax-free
income. You will benefit from a
professionally selected and supervised
portfolio whose risk is reduced by
investing in insured bonds of several
different issuers.
The Fund is NOT appropriate for you if
you want a speculative investment that
changes to take advantage of market
movements, if you do not want a
tax-advantaged investment or if you
cannot tolerate any risk.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
DEFINING YOUR INCOME
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT (Payable on the 25th day
of the month to holders of record on the
10th day of the month):
Regular Monthly Income per unit $ 4.27
Annual Income per unit: $51.29
THESE FIGURES ARE ESTIMATES DETERMINED ON THE
EVALUATION DAY; ACTUAL PAYMENTS MAY VARY.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
6. WHAT ARE THE FUND'S FEES AND EXPENSES?
This table shows the costs and expenses you may pay,
directly or indirectly, when you invest in the Fund.
INVESTOR FEES
Maximum Sales Fee (Load) on new
purchases (as a percentage of
$1,000 invested) 2.90%
Employees of some of the Sponsors and their affiliates
may pay a reduced sales fee of no less than $5.00 per
unit.
The maximum sales fee is reduced if you invest at
least $100,000, as follows:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YOUR MAXIMUM
SALES FEE
IF YOU INVEST: WILL BE:
-------------- ------------
<C> <S> <C>
Less than $100,000 2.90%
$100,000 to $249,999 2.65%
$250,000 to $499,999 2.40%
$500,000 to $999,999 2.15%
$1,000,000 and over 1.90%
Maximum Exchange Fee 1.90%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
ESTIMATED ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT
PER UNIT
--------
<C> <S> <C>
$0.61
Trustee's Fee
$0.46
Portfolio Supervision,
Bookkeeping and
Administrative Fees
(including updating
expenses)
$0.45
Evaluator's Fee
$0.68
Other Operating Expenses
-----
$2.20
TOTAL
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
The Sponsors historically paid updating
expenses.
7. HOW HAVE SIMILAR FUNDS PERFORMED IN THE PAST?
IN THE FOLLOWING CHART WE SHOW PAST PERFORMANCE
OF PRIOR FLORIDA PORTFOLIOS, WHICH HAD
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND TYPES OF
BONDS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THIS FUND. THESE
PRIOR SERIES DIFFERED IN THAT THEY CHARGED A
HIGHER SALES FEE. These prior Florida Series
were offered between August 25, 1988 and
December 6, 1996 and were outstanding on
September 30, 1999. OF COURSE, PAST PERFORMANCE
OF PRIOR SERIES IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE
RESULTS OF THIS FUND.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND TOTAL RETURNS
FOR PRIOR SERIES
REFLECTING ALL EXPENSES. FOR PERIODS ENDED
9/30/99.
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
High 4.33% 6.45% 6.04% 4.49% 7.65% 6.64%
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average -2.14 4.94 5.74 -0.21 5.98 6.32
Low -7.67 3.19 5.56 -4.96 3.95 6.15
</TABLE>
-----------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average
Sales fee 2.01% 5.14% 5.70%
</TABLE>
-----------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: ALL RETURNS REPRESENT CHANGES IN UNIT PRICE WITH DISTRIBUTIONS REINVESTED
INTO THE MUNICIPAL FUND INVESTMENT ACCUMULATION PROGRAM.
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
8. IS THE FUND MANAGED?
Unlike a mutual fund, the Fund is not managed and
bonds are not sold because of market changes.
Rather, experienced Defined Asset Funds financial
analysts regularly review the bonds in the Fund.
The Fund may sell a bond if certain adverse credit
or other conditions exist.
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
9. HOW DO I BUY UNITS?
The minimum investment is one unit.
You can buy units from any of the
Sponsors and other broker-dealers. The
Sponsors are listed later in this
prospectus. Some banks may offer units
for sale through special arrangements
with the Sponsors, although certain legal
restrictions may apply.
UNIT PRICE PER UNIT $930.28
(as of September 30, 1999)
Unit price is based on the net asset
value of the Fund plus the sales fee. An
amount equal to any principal cash, as
well as net accrued but undistributed
interest on the unit, is added to the
unit price. An independent evaluator
prices the bonds at 3:30 p.m. Eastern
time every business day. Unit price
changes every day with changes in the
prices of the bonds in the Fund.
10. HOW DO I SELL UNITS?
You may sell your units at any time to
any Sponsor or the Trustee for the net
asset value determined at the close of
business on the date of sale. You will
not pay any other fee when you sell your
units.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
11. HOW ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE AND TAXED?
The Fund pays income monthly.
In the opinion of bond counsel when each
bond was issued, interest on the bonds in
this Fund is generally 100% exempt from
regular federal income tax. Your income
may also be exempt from some Florida state
and local personal income taxes if you
live in Florida.
You will also receive principal payments
if bonds are sold or called or mature,
when the cash available is more than $5.00
per unit. You will be subject to tax on
any gain realized by the Fund on the
disposition of bonds.
12. WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
REINVESTMENT
You will receive your income in cash
unless you choose to compound your income
by reinvesting at no sales fee in the
Municipal Fund Investment Accumulation
Program, Inc. This program is an open-end
mutual fund with a comparable investment
objective, but the bonds will generally
not be insured. Income from this program
will generally be subject to state and
local income taxes. FOR MORE COMPLETE
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING
CHARGES AND FEES, ASK THE TRUSTEE FOR THE
PROGRAM'S PROSPECTUS. READ IT CAREFULLY
BEFORE YOU INVEST. THE TRUSTEE MUST
RECEIVE YOUR WRITTEN ELECTION TO REINVEST
AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE RECORD DAY OF
AN INCOME PAYMENT.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
You may exchange units of this Fund for
units of certain other Defined Asset
Funds. You may also exchange into this
Fund from certain other funds. We charge a
reduced sales fee on exchanges.
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
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TAX-FREE VS. TAXABLE INCOME: A COMPARISON OF TAXABLE AND TAX-FREE YIELDS
FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EFFECTIVE
TAXABLE INCOME 1999* TAX RATE TAX-FREE YIELD OF
SINGLE RETURN JOINT RETURN % 3% 3.5% 4% 4.5% 5% 5.5%
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
IS EQUIVALENT TO A TAXABLE YIELD OF
<CAPTION>
TAXABLE INCOME 1999* TAX-FREE YIELD OF
SINGLE RETURN 6% 6.5% 7%
<S> <C> <C> <C>
IS EQUIVALENT TO A
TAXABLE YIELD OF
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 0- 25,750 $ 0- 43,050 15.00 3.53 4.12 4.71 5.29 5.88 6.47 7.06
$ 27,751- 62,450 $ 43,051-104,050 28.00 4.17 4.86 5.56 6.25 6.94 7.64 8.33
$ 62,451-130,250 $104,051-158,550 31.00 4.35 5.07 5.80 6.52 7.25 7.97 8.70
$130,251-283,150 $158,551-283,150 36.00 4.69 5.47 6.25 7.03 7.81 8.59 9.38
OVER $283,151 OVER $283,151 39.60 4.97 5.79 6.62 7.45 8.28 9.11 9.93
<S> <C> <C>
$ 0- 25,750 7.65 8.24
$ 27,751- 62,450 9.03 9.72
$ 62,451-130,250 9.42 10.14
$130,251-283,150 10.16 10.94
OVER $283,151 10.76 11.59
</TABLE>
To compare the yield of a taxable security with the yield of a tax-free
security, find your taxable income and read across. The table incorporates 1999
federal and applicable State income tax rates and assumes that all income would
otherwise be taxed at the investor's highest tax rate. Yield figures are for
example only.
*Based upon net amount subject to federal income tax after deductions and
exemptions. This table does not reflect the possible effect of other tax
factors, such as alternative minimum tax, personal exemptions, the phase out of
exemptions, itemized deductions or the possible partial disallowance of
deductions. Consequently, you should consult your own tax advisers in this
regard.
6
<PAGE>
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR INVESTMENT
MONTHLY INCOME
The Fund will pay you regular monthly income. Your monthly income may vary
because of:
- elimination of one or more bonds from the Fund's portfolio because of calls,
redemptions or sales;
- a change in the Fund's expenses; or
- the failure by a bond's issuer to pay interest.
Changes in interest rates generally will not affect your income because the
portfolio is fixed.
Along with your income, you will receive your share of any available bond
principal.
RETURN FIGURES
We cannot predict your actual return, which will vary with unit price, how long
you hold your investment and changes in the portfolio, interest income and
expenses.
ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN equals the estimated annual cash to be received from
the bonds in the Fund less estimated annual Fund expenses, divided by the Unit
Price (including the maximum sales fee):
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Estimated Annual Estimated
Interest Income - Annual Expenses
- -------------------------------------
Unit Price
</TABLE>
ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN is a measure of the estimated return over the
estimated life of the Fund. Unlike Estimated Current Return, Estimated Long Term
Return reflects maturities, discounts and premiums of the bonds in the Fund. It
is an average of the yields to maturity (or in certain cases, to an earlier call
date) of the individual bonds in the portfolio, adjusted to reflect the Fund's
maximum sales fee and estimated expenses. We calculate the average yield for the
portfolio by weighting each bond's yield by its market value and the time
remaining to the call or maturity date.
Yields on individual bonds depend on many factors including general conditions
of the bond markets, the size of a particular offering and the maturity and
quality rating of the particular issues. Yields can vary among bonds with
similar maturities, coupons and ratings.
These return quotations are designed to be comparative rather than predictive.
RECORDS AND REPORTS
You will receive:
- - a monthly statement of income payments and any principal payments;
- - a notice from the Trustee when new bonds are deposited in exchange or
substitution for bonds originally deposited;
- - an annual report on Fund activity; and
- - annual tax information. THIS WILL ALSO BE SENT TO THE IRS. YOU MUST REPORT THE
AMOUNT OF TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR.
You may request:
- - copies of bond evaluations to enable you to comply with federal and state tax
reporting requirements; and
- - audited financial statements of the Fund.
You may inspect records of Fund transactions at the Trustee's office during
regular business hours.
THE RISKS YOU FACE
INTEREST RATE RISK
Investing involves risks, including the risk that your investment will decline
in value if interest
7
<PAGE>
rates rise. Generally, bonds with longer maturities will change in value more
than bonds with shorter maturities. Bonds in the Fund are more likely to be
called when interest rates decline. This would result in early returns of
principal to you and may result in early termination of the Fund. Of course, we
cannot predict how interest rates may change.
CALL RISK
Many bonds can be prepaid or "called" by the issuer before their stated
maturity.
For example, some bonds may be required to be called pursuant to mandatory
sinking fund provisions.
Also, an issuer might call its bonds during periods of falling interest rates,
if the issuer's bonds have a coupon higher than current market rates.
An issuer might call its bonds in extraordinary cases, including if:
- it no longer needs the money for the original purpose;
- the project is condemned or sold;
- the project is destroyed and insurance proceeds are used to redeem the
bonds;
- any related credit support expires and is not replaced; or
- interest on the bonds become taxable.
If the bonds are called, your income will decline and you may not be able to
reinvest the money you receive at as high a yield or as long a maturity. An
early call at par of a premium bond will reduce your return.
REDUCED DIVERSIFICATION RISK
If many investors sell their units, the Fund will have to sell bonds. This could
reduce the diversification of your investment and increase your share of Fund
expenses.
LIQUIDITY RISK
You can always sell back your units, but we cannot assure you that a liquid
trading market will always exist for the bonds in the portfolio, especially
since current law may restrict the Fund from selling bonds to any Sponsor. The
bonds will generally trade in the over-the-counter market. The value of the
bonds, and of your investment, may be reduced if trading in bonds is limited or
absent.
CONCENTRATION RISK
When a certain type of bond makes up 25% or more of the portfolio, it is said to
be "concentrated" in that bond type, which makes the Portfolio less diversified.
Here is what you should know about the Florida Portfolio's concentration in
hospital and health care bonds.
- payment for these bonds depends on revenues from private third-party payors
and government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, which have
generally undertaken cost containment measures to limit payments to health
care providers;
- hospitals face increasing competition resulting from hospital mergers and
affiliations;
- hospitals need to reduce costs as HMOs increase market penetration and
hospital supply and drug companies raise prices;
- hospitals and health care providers are subject to various legal claims by
patients and others and are adversely affected by increasing costs of
insurance; and
- many hospitals are aggressively buying physician practices and assuming risk
contracts to gain market share. If revenues do not increase accordingly,
this practice could reduce profits;
- Medicare is changing its reimbursement system for nursing homes. Many
nursing home providers are not sure how they will be
8
<PAGE>
treated. In many cases, the providers may receive lower reimbursements and
these would have to cut expenses to maintain profitability; and
- most retirement/nursing home providers rely on entrance fees for operating
revenues. If people live longer than expected and turnover is lower than
budgeted, operating revenues would be adversely affected by less than
expected entrance fees.
Here is what you should know about the Florida Portfolio's concentration in
refunded bonds. Refunded bonds are typically:
- backed by direct obligations of the U.S. government; or
- in some cases, backed by obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government and
placed in escrow with an independent trustee;
- noncallable prior to maturity; but
- sometimes called for redemption prior to maturity.
Here is what you should know about the Florida Portfolio's concentration in
municipal water and sewer revenue bonds. The payment of interest and principal
of these bonds depends on the rates the utilities may charge, the demand for
their services and the cost of operating their business which includes the
expense of complying with environmental and other energy and licensing laws and
regulations. The operating results of utilities are particularly influenced by:
- increases in operating and construction costs; and
- unpredicability of future usage requirements.
Changes to the portfolio from bond redemptions, maturities and sales may affect
the Fund's concentrations over time.
STATE CONCENTRATION RISK
FLORIDA RISKS
GENERALLY
Florida's financial condition is affected by numerous national, economic, social
and environmental policies and conditions. For example:
- south Florida is heavily involved with foreign tourism, trade and investment
capital. As a result, the region is susceptible to international trade and
currency imbalances and economic problems in Central and South America;
- central and northern Florida are more vulnerable to agricultural problems,
such as crop failures or severe weather conditions, especially in the citrus
and sugar industries; and
- the state as a whole is also very dependent on tourism and construction.
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The state of Florida and its local governments are restricted in their ability
to raise taxes and incur debts. These restrictions limit their ability to
generate revenue, and so could hurt their ability to pay debts.
General obligations of the state are rated Aa2 by Moody's, AA+ by Standard &
Poor's and AA by Fitch.
BOND QUALITY RISK
A reduction in a bond's rating may decrease its value and, indirectly, the value
of your investment in the Fund.
INSURANCE RELATED RISK
The bonds are backed by insurance companies (as shown under Portfolios).
Insurance policies generally make payments only according to a bond's original
payment
9
<PAGE>
schedule and do not make early payments when a bond defaults or becomes taxable.
Although the federal government does not regulate the insurance business,
various state laws and federal initiatives and tax law changes could
significantly affect the insurance business. The claims-paying ability of the
insurance companies is generally rated A or better by Standard & Poor's or
another nationally recognized rating organization. The insurance company ratings
are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the rating agencies.
LITIGATION AND LEGISLATION RISKS
We do not know of any pending litigation that might have a material adverse
effect upon the Fund.
Future tax legislation could affect the value of the portfolio by:
- limiting real property taxes,
- reducing tax rates,
- imposing a flat or other form of tax, or
- exempting investment income from tax.
SELLING OR EXCHANGING UNITS
You can sell your units at any time for a price based on net asset value. Your
net asset value is calculated each business day by:
- ADDING the value of the bonds, net accrued interest, cash and any other Fund
assets;
- SUBTRACTING accrued but unpaid Fund expenses, unreimbursed Trustee advances,
cash held to buy back units or for distribution to investors and any other
Fund liabilities; and
- DIVIDING the result by the number of outstanding units.
Your net asset value when you sell may be more or less than your cost because of
sales fees, market movements and changes in the portfolio.
SPONSORS' SECONDARY MARKET
While we are not obligated to do so, we will buy back units at net asset value
without any other fee or charge. We may resell the units to other buyers or to
the Trustee. You should consult your financial professional for current market
prices to determine if other broker-dealers or banks are offering higher prices.
We have maintained the secondary market continuously for over 25 years, but we
could discontinue it without prior notice for any business reason.
SELLING UNITS TO THE TRUSTEE
Regardless of whether we maintain a secondary market, you can sell your units to
the Trustee at any time by sending the Trustee a letter (with any outstanding
certificates if you hold Unit certificates). You must properly endorse your
certificates (or execute a written transfer instrument with signatures
guaranteed by an eligible institution). Sometimes, additional documents are
needed such as a trust document, certificate of corporate authority, certificate
of death or appointment as executor, administrator or guardian.
Within seven days after your request and the necessary documents are received,
the Trustee will mail a check to you. Contact the Trustee for additional
information.
As long as we are maintaining a secondary market, the Trustee will sell your
units to us at a price based on net asset value. If there is no secondary
market, the Trustee may sell your units in the over-the-counter market for a
10
<PAGE>
higher price, but it is not obligated to do so. In that case, you will receive
the net proceeds of the sale.
If the Fund does not have cash available to pay you for units you are selling,
the agent for the Sponsors will select bonds to be sold. Bonds will be selected
based on market and credit factors. These sales could be made at times when the
bonds would not otherwise be sold and may result in your receiving less than the
unit par value and also reduce the size and diversity of the Fund.
There could be a delay in paying you for your units:
- if the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and
holiday closings);
- if the SEC determines that trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
restricted or that an emergency exists making sale or evaluation of the
bonds not reasonably practicable; and
- for any other period permitted by SEC order.
EXCHANGE OPTION
You may exchange units of certain Defined Asset Funds for units of this Fund at
a maximum exchange fee of 1.90%. You may exchange units of this Fund for units
of certain other Defined Asset Funds at a reduced sales fee if your investment
goals change. To exchange units, you should talk to your financial professional
about what funds are exchangeable, suitable and currently available.
Normally, an exchange is taxable and you must recognize any gain or loss on the
exchange. However, the IRS may try to disallow a loss if the portfolios of the
two funds are not materially different; you should consult your own tax adviser.
We may amend or terminate this exchange option at any time without notice.
HOW THE FUND WORKS
PRICING
The price of a unit includes interest accrued on the bonds, less expenses, from
the initial most recent Record Day up to, but not including, the settlement
date, which is usually three business days after the purchase date of the unit.
A portion of the price of a unit consists of cash so that the Trustee can
provide you with regular monthly income. When you sell your units you will
receive your share of this cash.
EVALUATIONS
An independent Evaluator values the bonds on each business day (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays as observed by the New York Stock
Exchange: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas).
Bond values are based on current bid or offer prices for the bonds or comparable
bonds. In the past, the difference between bid and offer prices of publicly
offered tax-exempt bonds has ranged from 0.5% of face amount on actively traded
issues to 3.5% on inactively traded issues; the difference has averaged between
1 and 2%.
11
<PAGE>
INCOME
The Trustee credits interest to an Income Account and other receipts to a
Capital Account. The Trustee may establish a Reserve Account by withdrawing from
these accounts amounts it considers appropriate to pay any material liability.
These accounts do not bear interest.
EXPENSES
The Trustee is paid monthly. It also benefits when it holds cash for the Fund in
non-interest bearing accounts. The Trustee may also receive additional amounts:
- to reimburse the Trustee for the Fund's operating expenses;
- for extraordinary services and costs of indemnifying the Trustee and the
Sponsors;
- costs of actions taken to protect the Fund and other legal fees and
expenses;
- expenses for keeping the Fund's registration statement current; and
- Fund termination expenses and any governmental charges.
The Sponsors are currently reimbursed up to 55 CENTS per $1,000 face amount
annually for providing portfolio supervisory, bookkeeping and administrative
services and for any other expenses properly chargeable to the Fund. Legal,
typesetting, electronic filing and regulatory filing fees and expenses
associated with updating the Portfolio's registration statement yearly are also
now chargeable to the Portfolio. While this fee may exceed the amount of these
costs and expenses attributable to this Fund, the total of these fees for all
Series of Defined Asset Funds will not exceed the aggregate amount attributable
to all of these Series for any calendar year. The Fund also pays the Evaluator's
fees.
The Trustee's, Sponsors' and Evaluator's fees may be adjusted for inflation
without investors' approval.
The Sponsors will pay advertising and selling expenses at no charge to the Fund.
If Fund expenses exceed initial estimates, the Fund will owe the excess. The
Trustee has a lien on Fund assets to secure reimbursement of Fund expenses and
may sell bonds if cash is not available.
PORTFOLIO CHANGES
The Sponsors and Trustee are not liable for any default or defect in a bond; if
a contract to buy any bond.
Unlike a mutual fund, the portfolio is designed to remain intact and we may keep
bonds in the portfolio even if their credit quality declines or other adverse
financial circumstances occur. However, we may sell a bond in certain cases if
we believe that certain adverse credit conditions exist or if a bond becomes
taxable.
If we maintain a secondary market in units but are unable to sell the units that
we buy in the secondary market, we will redeem units, which will affect the size
and composition of the portfolio. Units offered in the secondary market may not
represent the same face amount of bonds that they did originally.
We decide whether or not to offer units for sale that we acquire in the
secondary market after reviewing:
- diversity of the portfolio;
- size of the Fund relative to its original size;
- ratio of Fund expenses to income;
12
<PAGE>
- current and long-term returns;
- degree to which units may be selling at a premium over par; and
- cost of maintaining a current prospectus.
FUND TERMINATION
The Fund will terminate following the stated maturity or sale of the last bond
in the portfolio. The Fund may also terminate earlier with the consent of
investors holding 51% of the units or if total assets of the Fund have fallen
below 40% of the face amount of bonds deposited. We will decide whether to
terminate the Fund early based on the same factors used in deciding whether or
not to offer units in the secondary market.
When the Fund is about to terminate you will receive a notice, and you will be
unable to sell your units after that time. On or shortly before termination, we
will sell any remaining bonds, and you will receive your final distribution. Any
bond that cannot be sold at a reasonable price may continue to be held by the
Trustee in a liquidating trust pending its final sale.
You will pay your share of the expenses associated with termination, including
brokerage costs in selling bonds. This may reduce the amount you receive as your
final distribution.
CERTIFICATES
Certificates for units are issued on request. You may transfer certificates by
complying with the requirements for redeeming certificates, described above. You
can replace lost or mutilated certificates by delivering satisfactory indemnity
and paying the associated costs.
TRUST INDENTURE
The Fund is a "unit investment trust" governed by a Trust Indenture, a contract
among the Sponsors, the Trustee and the Evaluator, which sets forth their duties
and obligations and your rights. A copy of the Indenture is available to you on
request to the Trustee. The following summarizes certain provisions of the
Indenture.
The Sponsors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture without your consent:
- to cure ambiguities;
- to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision;
- to make any amendment required by any governmental agency; or
- to make other changes determined not to be materially adverse to your best
interest (as determined by the Sponsors).
Investors holding 51% of the units may amend the Indenture. Every investor must
consent to any amendment that changes the 51% requirement. No amendment may
reduce your interest in the Fund without your written consent.
The Trustee may resign by notifying the Sponsors. The Sponsors may remove the
Trustee without your consent if:
- it fails to perform its duties and the Sponsors determine that its
replacement is in your best interest; or
- it becomes incapable of acting or bankrupt or its affairs are taken over by
public authorities.
Investors holding 51% of the units may remove the Trustee. The Evaluator may
resign or be removed by the Sponsors and the Trustee without the consent of
investors. The
13
<PAGE>
resignation or removal of either becomes effective when a successor accepts
appointment. The Sponsors will try to appoint a successor promptly; however, if
no successor has accepted within 30 days after notice of resignation, the
resigning Trustee or Evaluator may petition a court to appoint a successor.
Any Sponsor may resign as long as one Sponsor with a net worth of $2 million
remains and agrees to the resignation. The remaining Sponsors and the Trustee
may appoint a replacement. If there is only one Sponsor and it fails to perform
its duties or becomes bankrupt the Trustee may:
- remove it and appoint a replacement Sponsor;
- liquidate the Fund; or
- continue to act as Trustee without a Sponsor.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated acts as agent for the
Sponsors.
The Trust Indenture contains customary provisions limiting the liability of the
Trustee, the Sponsors and the Evaluator.
LEGAL OPINION
Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, as
counsel for the Sponsors, has given an opinion that the units are validly
issued. Special counsel located in the relevant states have given state and
local tax opinions.
AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 2 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281,
independent accountants, audited the Statements of Condition included in this
prospectus.
SPONSORS
The Sponsors are:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED (a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.)
P.O. Box 9051,
Princeton, NJ 08543-9051
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC. (an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup
Inc.)
388 Greenwich Street--23rd Floor,
New York, NY 10013
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC. (a principal operating subsidiary of Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co.)
Two World Trade Center--59th Floor,
New York, NY 10048
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED (an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Prudential Insurance Company of America)
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10292
PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED (a wholly-owned subsidiary of PaineWebber Group Inc.)
1285 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10019
Each Sponsor is a Delaware corporation and it, or its predecessor, has acted as
sponsor to many unit investment trusts. As a registered broker-dealer each
Sponsor buys and sells securities (including investment company shares) for
others (including investment companies) and participates as an underwriter in
various selling groups.
TRUSTEE
The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, 17 W, New York, New York 10268, is the
14
<PAGE>
Trustee. It is supervised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and New York State banking
authorities.
UNDERWRITERS' AND SPONSORS' PROFITS
Underwriters receive sales charges when they sell units. The Sponsors also
realized a profit or loss on the initial date of deposit of the bonds. Any cash
made available by you to the Sponsors before the settlement date for those units
may be used in the Sponsors' businesses to the extent permitted by federal law
and may benefit the Sponsors.
A Sponsor or Underwriter may realize profits or sustain losses on bonds in the
Fund which were acquired from underwriting syndicates of which it was a member.
In maintaining a secondary market, the Sponsors will also realize profits or
sustain losses in the amount of any difference between the prices at which they
buy units and the prices at which they resell or redeem them.
PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
The Sponsors do not intend to qualify units for sale in any foreign countries.
This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell units in any country where
units cannot lawfully be sold.
CODE OF ETHICS
Merrill Lynch, as agent for the Sponsors, has adopted a code of ethics requiring
preclearance and reporting of personal securities transactions by its employees
with access to information on portfolio transactions. The goal of the code is to
prevent fraud, deception or misconduct against the Fund and to provide
reasonable standards of conduct.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
Many computer systems were designed in such a way that they may be unable to
distinguish between the year 2000 and the year 1900 (commonly known as the "Year
2000 Problem"). We do not expect that the computer system changes necessary to
prepare for the Year 2000 will cause any major operational difficulties for the
Fund. The Year 2000 Problem may adversely affect the issuers of the bonds
contained in a Portfolio, but we cannot predict whether any impact will be
material to the Fund as a whole.
TAXES
The following summary describes some of the important income tax consequences of
holding units. It assumes that you are not a dealer, financial institution,
insurance company or other investor with special circumstances or subject to
special rules. You should consult your own tax adviser about your particular
circumstances.
At the date of issue of each bond, counsel for the issuer delivered an opinion
to the effect that interest on the bond is exempt from regular federal income
tax. However, interest may be subject to state and local taxes may be taken into
account in determining your preference items for alternative minimum tax
purposes. Neither we nor our counsel have reviewed the issuance of the bonds,
related proceedings or the basis for the opinions of counsel for the issuers. We
cannot assure you that the issuer (or other users) have complied or will comply
with any requirements necessary for a bond to be tax-exempt. If any
15
<PAGE>
of the bonds were determined not to be tax-exempt, you could be required to pay
income tax for current and prior years, and if the Fund were to sell the bond,
it might have to sell it at a substantial discount.
In the opinion of our counsel, under existing law:
GENERAL TREATMENT OF THE FUND AND YOUR INVESTMENT
The Fund will not be taxed as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, and
you will be considered to own directly your share of each bond in the Fund.
GAIN OR LOSS UPON DISPOSITION
When all or part of your share of a bond is disposed of (for example, when the
Fund sells, exchanges or redeems a bond or when you sell or exchange your
units), you will generally recognize capital gain or loss. Your gain, however,
will generally be ordinary income to the extent of any accrued "market
discount". Generally you will have market discount to the extent that your basis
in a bond when you purchase a unit is less than its stated redemption price at
maturity (or, if it is an original issue discount bond, the issue price
increased by original issue discount that has accrued on the bond before your
purchase). You should consult your tax adviser in this regard.
If your net long-term capital gains exceed your net short-term capital losses,
the excess may be subject to tax at a lower rate than ordinary income. Any
capital gain from the Fund will be long-term if you are considered to have held
your investment on each bond for more than one year and short-term otherwise. If
you are an individual and sell your units after holding them for more than one
year, you may be entitled to a 20% maximum federal tax rate on any resulting
gains. Consult your tax adviser in this regard. Because the deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations, you may not be able to deduct all of
your capital losses.
YOUR BASIS IN THE BONDS
Your aggregate basis in the bonds will be equal to the cost of your units,
including any sales charges and the organizational expenses you pay, adjusted to
reflect any accruals of "original issue discount," "acquisition premium" and
"bond premium". You should consult your tax adviser in this regard.
EXPENSES
If you are not a corporate investor, you will not be entitled to a deduction for
your share of fees and expenses of the Fund. Also, if you borrowed money in
order to purchase or carry your units, you will not be able to deduct the
interest on this borrowing for federal income tax purposes. The IRS may treat
your purchase of units as made with borrowed money even if the money is not
directly traceable to the purchase of units.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, the Fund will not
be taxed as a corporation. If you are a New York taxpayer, your income from the
Fund will not be tax-exempt in New York except to the extent that the income is
earned on bonds that are tax-exempt for New York purposes. Depending on where
you live, your income from the Fund may be subject to state and
16
<PAGE>
local taxation. You should consult your tax adviser in this regard.
FLORIDA TAXES
In the opinion of Greenberg, Traurig, P.A., Miami, Florida, special counsel on
Florida tax matters:
Under the income tax laws of the State of Florida, the Fund will not be taxed as
a corporation. Florida imposes an income tax on corporations but does not impose
a personal income tax. Accordingly, if you are an individual taxpayer your
income from the Fund will not be subject to tax in Florida. However, if you are
an entity that is normally taxed as a corporation, your income from the fund
will not be exempt from tax in Florida and special rules for taxation apply
depending on the type of entity. You should consult your tax adviser in this
regard.
Florida also imposes a tax on intangible personal property, such as stocks,
bonds, notes and units in trusts. The tax is imposed on Florida taxpayers as of
January 1st of each year. Florida exempts certain types of bonds and debt
obligations from this tax. Your units will be exempt from the intangible
personal property tax as long as 90% of the Fund is invested exclusively in
bonds and other debt obligations that are tax-exempt for Florida purposes.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
You can receive at no cost supplemental information about the Fund by calling
the Trustee. The supplemental information includes more detailed risk disclosure
about the types of bonds that may be in the Fund's portfolios, general risk
disclosure concerning any insurance securing certain bonds, and general
information about the structure and operation of the Fund. The supplemental
information is also available from the SEC.
17
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 15 (FLORIDA TRUST)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Sponsors, Trustee and Holders
of Defined Asset Funds - Municipal Investment Trust Fund,
Multistate Series - 15 (Florida Trust):
We have audited the accompanying statement of condition of Defined Asset Funds -
Municipal Investment Trust Fund, Multistate Series - 15 (Florida Trust),
including the portfolio, as of September 30, 1999 and the related statements of
operations and of changes in net assets for the years ended September 30, 1999,
1998 and 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trustee.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Securities owned at
September 30, 1999, as shown in such portfolio, were confirmed to us by The
Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Trustee, 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 referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Defined Asset Funds - Municipal
Investment Trust Fund, Multistate Series - 15 - (Florida Trust) at September 30,
1999 and the results of its operations and changes in its net assets for the
above-stated years in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, N.Y.
November 1, 1999
D - 1.
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 15 (FLORIDA TRUST)
STATEMENT OF CONDITION
As of September 30, 1999
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
TRUST PROPERTY:
Investment in marketable securities
at value (cost $ 1,918,012)(Note 1) ......... $ 2,034,499
Accrued interest................................ 43,212
Cash - principal ............................... 10,504
-------------
Total trust property ......................... 2,088,215
LESS LIABILITIES:
Income advance from Trustee..................... $ 14,323
Accrued Sponsors' fees ......................... 715 15,038
------------- -------------
NET ASSETS, REPRESENTED BY:
2,232 units of fractional undivided
interest outstanding (Note 3) ............... 2,045,003
Undistributed net investment income ............ 28,174 2,073,177
------------- =============
UNIT VALUE ($ 2,073,177 / 2,232 units)............ $ 928.84
=============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
D - 2.
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 15 (FLORIDA TRUST)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended September 30,
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest income ........................ $ 131,288 $ 159,112 $ 181,609
Trustee's fees and expenses ............ (3,728) (4,376) (4,676)
Sponsors' fees ......................... (970) (1,053) (1,135)
----------------------------------------------
Net investment income .................. 126,590 153,683 175,798
----------------------------------------------
REALIZED OR UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS:
Realized gain on
securities sold or redeemed .......... 28,085 20,516 7,241
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments ....................... (108,262) (29,296) 81,598
----------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments ........... (80,177) (8,780) 88,839
----------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS .............. $ 46,413 $ 144,903 $ 264,637
==============================================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
D - 3.
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 15 (FLORIDA TRUST)
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended September 30,
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income .................. $ 126,590 $ 153,683 $ 175,798
Realized gain on
securities sold or redeemed .......... 28,085 20,516 7,241
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments ....................... (108,262) (29,296) 81,598
----------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
resulting from operations ............ 46,413 144,903 264,637
----------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO HOLDERS (Note 2):
Income ................................ (127,884) (153,917) (175,917)
Principal .............................. (163,577) (145,315) (1,345)
----------------------------------------------
Total distributions .................... (291,461) (299,232) (177,262)
----------------------------------------------
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Redemption amounts - income ............ (4,577) (3,640) (999)
Redemption amounts - principal ......... (388,067) (273,302) (89,386)
----------------------------------------------
Total share transactions ............... (392,644) (276,942) (90,385)
----------------------------------------------
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS ............... (637,692) (431,271) (3,010)
NET ASSETS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR .......... 2,710,869 3,142,140 3,145,150
----------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS AT END OF YEAR ................ $ 2,073,177 $ 2,710,869 $ 3,142,140
==============================================
PER UNIT:
Income distributions during
year ................................. $ 52.69 $ 56.59 $ 59.34
==============================================
Principal distributions during
year ................................. $ 62.89 $ 52.34 $ 0.45
==============================================
Net asset value at end of
year ................................. $ 928.84 $ 1,026.46 $ 1,082.00
==============================================
TRUST UNITS:
Redeemed during year ................... 409 263 84
Outstanding at end of year ............. 2,232 2,641 2,904
==============================================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
D - 4.
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 15 (FLORIDA TRUST)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a
Unit Investment Trust. The following is a summary of significant
accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the
preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
(A) Securities are stated at value as determined by the Evaluator
based on bid side evaluations for the securities.
(B) The Fund is not subject to income taxes. Accordingly, no
provision for such taxes is required.
(C) Interest income is recorded as earned.
2. DISTRIBUTIONS
A distribution of net investment income is made to Holders each month.
Receipts other than interest, after deductions for redemptions and
applicable expenses, are also distributed periodically.
3. NET CAPITAL
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Cost of 2,232 units at Date of Deposit ....................... $ 2,307,212
Less sales charge .......................................... 103,832
-----------
Net amount applicable to Holders ........................... 2,203,380
Redemptions of units - net cost of 1,268 units redeemed
less redemption amounts (principal)....................... (42,493)
Realized gain on securities sold or redeemed ............... 91,187
Principal distributions .................................... (323,558)
Unrealized appreciation of investments...................... 116,487
-----------
Net capital applicable to Holders .......................... $ 2,045,003
===========
</TABLE>
4. INCOME TAXES
As of September 30, 1999, unrealized appreciation of investments,
based on cost for Federal income tax purposes, aggregated $116,487,
all of which related to appreciated securities. The cost of investment
securities for Federal income tax purposes was $1,918,012 at September
30, 1999.
D - 5.
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 15 (FLORIDA TRUST)
PORTFOLIO
As of September 30, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Rating of Option
Portfolio No. and Title of Issues Face Redemption
Securities (1) (4) Amount Coupon Maturities(3) Provisions(3) Cost Value(2)
---------- --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 City of Cape Coral, FL, Wastewater Imp. AAA $ 215,000 6.375 % 2012 06/01/2002 $ 217,176 $ 221,611
Assessment Bonds, Ser. 1992 @ 102.000
(Orange Area) (FSA Ins.)
2 Florida Mun. Pwr. Agency, Stanton II AAA 150,000 6.500 2020(5) 10/01/2002 152,489 161,999
Proj. Rev. Bonds, Ser. 1992 @ 102.000
(AMBAC Ins.)
3 Hillsborough Cnty. Aviation Auth., FL, AAA 330,000 5.750 2011 10/31/1999 313,563 337,079
Tampa International Airport Rev. @ 104.000
Rfdg. Bonds, 1992 Ser. A (AMBAC Ins.)
4 Hillsborough Cnty., FL, Hosp. Auth., AAA 500,000 6.375 2013 10/01/2002 503,100 530,770
Hosp. Rev. Rfdg. Bonds (Tampa Gen. @ 102.000
Hosp. Proj.), Ser. 1992 (FSA Ins.)
5 North Broward Hosp. Dist., FL, Hosp. AAA 115,000 6.250 2012(5) 01/01/2002 115,000 121,948
Rev. Bonds, Ser. 1992 (MBIA Ins.) @ 102.000
6 Sea Coast Util. Auth., FL, W & S Util. AAA 320,000 5.500 2013 03/01/2002 294,252 321,069
Sys. Rfdg. Rev. Bonds, Ser. 1992 @ 101.000
(Financial Guaranty Ins.)
7 State of Florida, Dept. of Trans., AAA 180,000 6.350 2022(5) 07/01/2002 181,368 191,263
Tpke. Rev. Bonds, Ser. 1992 A @ 101.000
(Financial Guaranty Ins.)
140,000 6.350 2022(5) 07/01/2002 141,064 148,760
@ 101.000
--------- --------- ---------
$ 1,950,000 $ 1,918,012 $ 2,034,499
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Portfolio.
D - 6.
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS - MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES - 15 (FLORIDA TRUST)
NOTES TO PORTFOLIO
As of September 30, 1999
(1) The ratings of the bonds are by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, or by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. if followed by "(m)", or by Fitch
Investors Service, Inc. if followed by "(f)"; "NR" indicates that this
bond is not currently rated by any of the above-mentioned rating services.
These ratings have been furnished by the Evaluator but not confirmed with
the rating agencies.
(2) See Notes to Financial Statements.
(3) Optional redemption provisions, which may be exercised in whole or in
part, are initially at prices of par plus a premium, then subsequently at
prices declining to par. Certain securities may provide for redemption at
par prior or in addition to any optional or mandatory redemption dates or
maturity, for example, through the operation of a maintenance and
replacement fund, if proceeds are not able to be used as contemplated,the
project is condemned or sold or the project is destroyed and insurance
proceeds are used to redeem the securities. Many of the securities are
also subject to mandatory sinking fund redemption commencing on dates
which may be prior to the date on which securities may be optionally
redeemed. Sinking fund redemptions are at par and redeem only part of the
issue. Some of the securities have mandatory sinking funds which contain
optional provisions permitting the issuer to increase the principal amount
of securities called on a mandatory redemption date. The sinking fund
redemptions with optional provisions may, and optional refunding
redemptions generally will, occur at times when the redeemed securities
have an offering side evaluation which represents a premium over par. To
the extent that the securities were acquired at a price higher than the
redemption price, this will represent a loss of capital when compared with
the Public Offering Price of the Units when acquired. Distributions will
generally be reduced by the amount of the income which would otherwise
have been paid with respect to redeemed securities and there will be
distributed to Holders any principal amount and premium received on such
redemption after satisfying any redemption requests for Units received by
the Fund. The estimated current return may be affected by redemptions.
(4) Insured by the indicated municipal bond insurance company.
(5) Bonds with an aggregate face amount of $585,000 have been pre-refunded and
are expected to be called for redemption on the optional redemption
provision dates shown.
D - 7.
<PAGE>
Defined
- -SM- Asset Funds
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
HAVE QUESTIONS ? MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
Request the most MULTISTATE SERIES--15
recent free Information (A Unit Investment Trust)
Supplement that gives more ---------------------------------------
details about the Fund, This Prospectus does not contain
by calling: complete information about the
The Bank of New York investment company filed with the
1-800-221-7771 Securities and Exchange Commission in
Washington, D.C. under the:
- Securities Act of 1933 (file no.
33-48969) and
- Investment Company Act of 1940 (file
no. 811-1777).
TO OBTAIN COPIES AT PRESCRIBED RATES--
WRITE: Public Reference Section of the
Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549-6009
CALL: 1-800-SEC-0330.
VISIT: http://www.sec.gov.
---------------------------------------
No person is authorized to give any
information or representations about
this Fund not contained in this
Prospectus or the Information
Supplement, and you should not rely on
any other information.
---------------------------------------
When units of this Fund are no longer
available, this Prospectus may be used
as a preliminary prospectus for a
future series, but some of the
information in this Prospectus will be
changed for that series.
UNITS OF ANY FUTURE SERIES MAY NOT BE
SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED
UNTIL THAT SERIES HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION. NO UNITS CAN BE SOLD IN ANY
STATE WHERE A SALE WOULD BE ILLEGAL.
14320--12/99
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS--
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
MULTISTATE SERIES
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form S-6
comprises the following papers and documents:
The facing sheet of Form S-6.
The cross-reference sheet (incorporated by reference to the Cross-Reference
Sheet to the Registration Statement of Defined Asset Funds Municipal Insured
Series, 1933 Act File No. 33-54565).
The Prospectus.
The Signatures.
The following exhibits:
1.1.1-- Form of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust Effective as of
October 21, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1.1 to the
Registration Statement of Municipal Investment Trust Fund, Multistate
Series--48, 1933 Act File No. 33-50247).
4.1 --Consent of the Evaluator.
5.1 --Consent of independent accountants.
9.1 -- Information Supplement (incorporated by reference to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Exhibit 9.1 to the Registration Statement of
Municipal Investment Trust Fund, Multistate Series--409, 1933 Act File
No. 333-81777).
R-1
<PAGE>
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS--
MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND
MULTISTATE SERIES--15
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT,
DEFINED ASSET FUNDS--MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND, MULTISTATE SERIES--15,
CERTIFIES THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 485(B) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND STATE OF NEW YORK ON THE 1ST DAY OF
DECEMBER, 1999.
SIGNATURES APPEAR ON PAGES R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6 AND R-7.
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated has signed this Registration Statement or
Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney
authorizing the person signing this Registration Statement or Amendment to the
Registration Statement to do so on behalf of such members.
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Salomon Smith Barney
Inc. has signed this Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration
Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney authorizing the person signing this
Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration Statement to do so on
behalf of such members.
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Prudential Securities
Incorporated has signed this Registration Statement or Amendment to the
Registration Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney authorizing the person
signing this Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration Statement
to do so on behalf of such members.
A majority of the members of the Executive Committee of the Board of
Directors of PaineWebber Incorporated has signed this Registration Statement or
Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney
authorizing the person signing this Registration Statement or Amendment to the
Registration Statement to do so on behalf of such members.
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Dean Witter Reynolds
Inc. has signed this Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration
Statement pursuant to Powers of Attorney authorizing the person signing this
Registration Statement or Amendment to the Registration Statement to do so on
behalf of such members.
R-2
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
DEPOSITOR
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
By the following persons, who constitute Powers of Attorney have been filed
a majority of under
the Board of Directors of Merrill Form SE and the following 1933 Act
Lynch, Pierce, File
Fenner & Smith Incorporated: Number: 333-70593
</TABLE>
GEORGE A. SCHIEREN
JOHN L. STEFFENS
By J. DAVID MEGLEN
(As authorized signatory for Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated and
Attorney-in-fact for the persons listed above)
R-3
<PAGE>
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.
DEPOSITOR
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
By the following persons, who constitute a majority of Powers of Attorney
the Board of Directors of Salomon Smith Barney Inc.: have been filed
under the 1933 Act
File Numbers:
333-63417 and
333-63033
</TABLE>
MICHAEL A. CARPENTER
DERYCK C. MAUGHAN
By GINA LEMON
(As authorized signatory for
Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and
Attorney-in-fact for the persons listed above)
R-4
<PAGE>
PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED
DEPOSITOR
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
By the following persons, who constitute a majority of Powers of Attorney
the Board of Directors of Prudential Securities have been filed
Incorporated: under Form SE and
the following 1933
Act File Numbers:
33-41631 and
333-15919
</TABLE>
ROBERT C. GOLDEN
ALAN D. HOGAN
A. LAURENCE NORTON, JR.
LELAND B. PATON
VINCENT T. PICA II
MARTIN PFINSGRAFF
HARDWICK SIMMONS
LEE B. SPENCER, JR.
BRIAN M. STORMS
By RICHARD R. HOFFMANN
(As authorized signatory for Prudential Securities
Incorporated and Attorney-in-fact for the persons
listed above)
R-5
<PAGE>
PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
DEPOSITOR
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
By the following persons, who constitute Powers of Attorney have been filed
the Board of Directors of PaineWebber under
Incorporated: the following 1933 Act File
Number: 33-55073
</TABLE>
MARGO N. ALEXANDER
TERRY L. ATKINSON
BRIAN M. BAREFOOT
STEVEN P. BAUM
MICHAEL CULP
REGINA A. DOLAN
JOSEPH J. GRANO, JR.
EDWARD M. KERSCHNER
JAMES P. MacGILVRAY
DONALD B. MARRON
ROBERT H. SILVER
MARK B. SUTTON
By ROBERT E. HOLLEY
(As authorized signatory for
PaineWebber Incorporated
and Attorney-in-fact for the persons listed above)
R-6
<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
DEPOSITOR
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
By the following persons, who constitute Powers of Attorney have been filed
a majority of under Form SE and the following 1933
the Board of Directors of Dean Witter Act File Numbers: 33-17085,
Reynolds Inc.: 333-13039 and 333-47553
</TABLE>
RICHARD M. DeMARTINI
RAYMOND J. DROP
JAMES F. HIGGINS
MITCHELL M. MERIN
STEPHEN R. MILLER
PHILIP J. PURCELL
THOMAS C. SCHNEIDER
By MICHAEL D. BROWNE
(As authorized signatory for
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
and Attorney-in-fact for the persons listed above)
R-7
EXHIBIT 4.1
STANDARD & POOR'S
A DIVISION OF THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES
J. J. KENNY
65 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10006-2551
TELEPHONE (212) 770-4422
FAX 212/797-8681
December 1, 1999
Frank A. Ciccotto, Jr.
Vice President
Tax-Exempt Evaluations
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
Defined Asset Funds
P.O. Box 9051
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9051
The Chase Manhattan Bank
4 New York Plaza, 6th Floor
New York, New York 10004
</TABLE>
RE: DEFINED ASSET FUNDS--MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND,
MULTISTATE SERIES--15
Gentlemen:
We have examined the post-effective Amendment to the Registration Statement
File No. 33-48969 for the above-captioned trust. We hereby acknowledge that
Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc. is currently
acting as the evaluator for the trust. We hereby consent to the use in the
Amendment of the reference to Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J. J.
Kenny Co., Inc. as evaluator.
In addition, we hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the
above-referenced Amendment to the Registration Statement for the respective
bonds comprising the trust portfolio are the ratings currently indicated in our
KENNYBASE database.
You are hereby authorized to file copies of this letter with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Sincerely,
FRANK A. CICCOTTO
Vice President
Exhibit 5.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Sponsors and Trustee of
Defined Asset Funds--Municipal Investment Trust Fund--Multistate Series--15
(Florida Insured Trust)
We consent to the use in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registration
Statement No. 33-48969 of our opinion dated November 1, 1999 appearing in the
Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement, and to the reference
to us under the heading "Miscellaneous--Auditors" in such Prospectus.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, N.Y.
December 1, 1999
