Smith Barney
-------------------------------
MUNICIPAL FUND, INC.
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 1997
<PAGE>
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Smith Barney Municipal Fund, Inc.
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Dear Shareholder:
We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report for the Smith Barney Municipal
Fund, Inc. ("Fund") for the period ended June 30, 1997. During the past six
months, the Fund distributed income dividends totaling $0.43 per share. The
table below shows the annualized distribution rate and six-month total return
based on the Fund's June 30, 1997 net asset value (NAV) per share and its
American Stock Exchange (AMEX) closing price.
Price Annualized Six-Month
Per Share Distribution Rate Total Returns
--------- ----------------- -------------
$15.47 (NAV) 5.51% 3.35%
$14.75 (AMEX) 5.78% 5.70%
In comparison, closed-end long-intermediate maturity municipal bond funds posted
an average total return of 2.89% based on NAV for the same period, according to
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., an independent-fund tracking organization.
Market and Economic Overview
Over the last six months, the U.S. economy continued the steady expansion that
began nearly six years ago. Despite robust economic growth and historically low
unemployment, signs of emerging inflationary pressures have been absent.
However, at the beginning of the year, some economic indicators showed that the
U.S. economy may be overheating, raising investor fears of an acceleration in
the underlying rate of inflation. Specifically, the annualized Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) for the first quarter of 1997 was 5.9%, coming on the heels of an
already strong 3.8% reported for the fourth quarter of 1996. This continued
strength in the U.S. economy led the Federal Reserve Board ("Fed") to raise the
federal funds rate by 0.25% at their March 1997 meeting. (The federal funds rate
is the interest rate banks charge each other for overnight loans and a closely
watched indicator of the direction of interest rates.) As a result, both the
bond and equity markets experienced a correction and volatility increased as
investors remained divided over the possibility of a further tightening of
monetary policy by the Fed.
Although the U.S. economy continues to grow, there has not been any meaningful
increase in prices. In fact, the consumer price index (CPI) has risen at less
than a 2% annualized rate so far this year and wholesale prices, as represented
by the producers price index (PPI), have actually fallen. In our view,
inflationary pressure remains well contained primarily because of global
competition and improved productivity.
1
<PAGE>
Some economists have also cited what Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan has called
"heightened job insecurity" as another major reason for the apparent absence of
upward wage pressures in this current economic expansion. As more and more
countries become integrated into the global marketplace, U.S. corporations have
been forced to compete with the lower labor wages and production overheads
enjoyed by many other countries. At the same time, U.S. corporations have
benefited from the use of new technologies that have enabled businesses to
operate more efficiently and require fewer workers.
In response to the mounting evidence of a moderately growing U.S. economy, the
Fed declined to raise short-term interest rates at both its May and July
meetings. Chairman Greenspan further allayed investor fears of a possible
tightening of monetary policy when he delivered a fairly upbeat assessment of
the U.S. economy in his semi-annual report to Congress in July. Mr. Greenspan's
generally positive outlook on the U.S. economy led to a rally in both the bond
and equity markets, with stocks advancing to new record highs and sending the
yield on the benchmark 30 year U.S. Treasury bond down to around 6.4%.
Fund's Investment Strategy
The Smith Barney Municipal Fund's investment objective is to provide as high a
level of current income exempt from federal income taxes as is consistent with
prudent investment management. We continue to follow an investment strategy that
emphasizes high-quality, high coupon issues. In addition, we ladder the maturity
and call structure of the Fund's portfolio in order to provide a consistent
stream of income.
As an intermediate-term municipal bond fund, the Fund will invest at least 80%
of its total assets in municipal bonds that have remaining maturities of less
than 15 years. During the past six months, we have slightly extended the
weighted average maturity of the Fund to 11.5 years. We believe that by modestly
lengthening the weighted average maturity of the Fund, it is better positioned
to provide competitive returns over the long term without sacrificing a
substantial amount of current income.
Moreover, we have also maintained the Fund's high-quality credit orientation
during the reporting period. As of June 30, 1997, approximately 92.6% of the
Fund's holdings were rated investment grade or better by either Standard &
Poor's Ratings Service or Moody's Investors Services, Inc., with approximately
31% of the Fund's investments rated AAA. (Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and
Moody's Investors Service Inc. are two major credit reporting and bond rating
agencies.) The majority of the Fund's assets were allocated among the following
types of municipal bond issues as of June 30, 1997: hospital bonds (17.8%),
industrial development revenue bonds (16.9%) and multi-family housing bonds
(6.6%).
2
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Market Outlook
The bond market has continued to rally in response to the Fed's decision to
leave short-term interest rates unchanged and signs that the U.S. economy's
strong growth is beginning to slow down. We believe that while there is some
risk that the Fed will find it necessary to raise interest rates again if
economic growth rebounds, we expect that short-term interest rates should hold
steady over the next several months.
Given the current economic environment of moderate growth with the relative
absence of inflationary pressures, we also believe that it will become
increasingly important for fixed-income investors to focus on the maturity and
call protection of their portfolios.
In the coming months, we expect a modest pick-up in municipal refinancing which
should improve the balance of supply and demand for municipal bonds. As more
municipalities recall their debt, there should be a greater supply of municipal
bonds available for investors as these bonds are reissued with lower coupon
rates. For these reasons, we remain bullish on the municipal bond market for the
remainder of the year.
In closing, we thank you for your investment in the Smith Barney Municipal Fund,
Inc. We look forward to continuing to help you achieve your financial goals.
Sincerely,
/s/ Heath B. McLendon /s/ Peter M. Coffey
Heath B. McLendon Peter M. Coffey
Chairman Vice President
July 23, 1997
3
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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) June 30, 1997
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FACE
AMOUNT RATING SECURITY VALUE
================================================================================================
<C> <C> <S> <C>
Education -- 6.5%
$1,000,000 A* Arizona Education Loan Corp., 6.625% due 9/1/05(a) $ 1,060,000
1,000,000 AAA Keller, TX Independent School District,
PSFG, zero coupon due 8/15/16 346,250
1,000,000 AAA Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County, TN
MeHarry Medical College, AMBAC-Insured,
6.000% due 12/1/19 1,063,750
Utah State School District Finance Co-op Revenue Financing
Pool LOC Swiss Bank (Special Mandatory Redemption
8/15/98 @ 100):
530,000 AAA 8.375% due 2/15/10 547,888
470,000 AAA 8.375% mandatory tender 2/15/07 486,450
500,000 AAA 8.375% mandatory tender 2/15/09 516,875
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4,021,213
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Escrowed to Maturity(b) -- 14.8%
1,180,000 AAA Boston, MA Water & Sewer Community Revenue, Series A,
10.875% due 1/1/09, Sinking Fund Average Life 5/3/05 1,626,925
755,000 AAA Illinois Health Facility Authority Revenue, (Methodist Medical
Center Project), 9.000% due 10/1/10, Sinking Fund
Average Life 4/1/03 909,775
1,000,000 AAA Jackson, TN Water and Sewer Revenue,
7.200% due 7/1/12, Sinking Fund Average Life 1/25/06 1,137,500
500,000 AAA Lake County, OH Hospital Improvement Revenue,
Lake County Memorial Hospital, 8.625% due 11/1/09,
Sinking Fund Average Life 10/31/04 609,375
1,310,000 AAA Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center,
9.625% due 7/1/13, Sinking Fund Average Life 2/28/08(c) 1,711,188
220,000 AAA Louisiana Public Facilities, Southern Baptist Hospital,
8.000% due 5/15/12, Sinking Fund Average Life 6/18/06 263,450
275,000 AAA Nacogdoches County, TX Hospital District Revenue,
9.000% due 5/15/04, Sinking Fund Average Life 5/30/01 317,968
380,000 BBB New Haven, CT GO, Refunded Balance, Series B,
9.000% due 12/1/01, Sinking Fund Average Life 5/26/01 449,350
505,000 AAA New Jersey State Turnpike Authority Revenue Refunding
Bond, 10.375% due 1/1/03, Sinking Fund Average
Life 1/6/00(c) 598,425
780,000 AAA Ohio State Water Development Authority Revenue, Safe
Water Series 2, 9.375% due 12/1/10, Sinking Fund
Average Life 11/26/03 980,850
400,000 AAA Ringwood Borough, NJ Sewer Authority Special Obligation
Refunding, 9.875% due 7/1/13, Sinking Fund Average
Life 2/6/05 519,500
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9,124,306
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</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
4
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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) June 30, 1997
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FACE
AMOUNT RATING SECURITY VALUE
================================================================================================
<C> <C> <S> <C>
Finance -- 2.7%
$1,000,000 A Pennsylvania State Finance Authority, Beaver County
Revenue Refunding Bonds, Municipal Capital
Improvement Program, Series 1993, LOC Societe
Generale, 6.600% due 11/1/09 $ 1,075,000
545,000 BBB Tampa, FL Capital Improvement Program Revenue,
Series B, Den Danske Bank Royal, Trust Canada and
Yasuda Trust, 8.000% due 10/1/02 560,669
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1,635,669
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General Obligation -- 5.5%
500,000 AAA Anchorage, AK GO, 6.000% due 10/1/14 535,000
290,000 BBB New Haven, CT GO, Unrefunded Balance, Series B,
9.000% due 12/1/01 320,450
New Orleans, LA GO, Certificates of Indebtedness:
1,000,000 BBB- Series A, 6.650% due 8/1/01 1,010,630
500,000 BBB- Series C, 6.650% due 8/1/01 505,315
1,000,000 BBB+ New York, NY GO, Series L, 5.875% due 8/1/14 1,005,000
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3,376,395
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Hospitals -- 17.8%
700,000 BBB Allentown, PA Area Hospital Authority Revenue Refunding,
Sacred Heart Hospital, Series A, 6.200% due 11/15/03 728,875
650,000 AAA Calcasieu Parish, LA Memorial Hospital Service District
Revenue Refunding, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital,
Series A, CONNIE LEE-Insured, 7.500% due 12/1/05 749,937
1,500,000 A+ California Statewide Community Development Authority
Revenue, COP Refunding Hospital, Triad Healthcare,
6.250% due 8/1/06 1,575,000
1,510,000 Baa1* Fulco, GA Hospital Authority Revenue Anticipation
Certificates Refunding, Georgia Baptist Healthcare,
Series A, 6.400% due 9/1/07 1,587,388
1,300,000 NR Illinois Health Facilities Authority Revenue Friendship,
VLG Hospital, 6.650% due 12/1/06 1,378,000
1,200,000 BBB+ Klamath Falls, OR Intercommunity, Merle Hospital,
8.000% due 9/1/08 1,431,000
1,000,000 Ba* Langhorne Manor Borough, PA Higher Education and Health
Authority Bucks County, Lower Bucks Hospital,
6.750% due 7/1/02 1,006,250
400,000 BBB- McKean County, PA Hospital Authority, Hospital Revenue,
(Bradford Hospital Project), 6.100% due 10/1/20 397,500
2,000,000 AAA Orange County, FL Health Facilities Authority Revenue,
Adventist Health System/Sunbelt, CGIC-Insured, FLAIRS,
6.340% due 11/15/07(d) 2,107,500
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10,961,450
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</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
5
<PAGE>
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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) June 30, 1997
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FACE
AMOUNT RATING SECURITY VALUE
================================================================================================
<C> <C> <S> <C>
Housing: Multi-Family -- 6.6%
$1,100,000 A* Dallas, TX Housing Corp. Capital Program Revenue
Refunding, Section 8 Assisted, 7.700% due 8/1/05,
Sinking Fund Average Life 9/2/03 $ 1,152,250
1,470,000 NR Lynchburg, VA Redevelopment & Housing Authority,
Multi-Family Housing Revenue Refunding, Princeton
Circle Association, 6.250% due 12/1/10, Sinking Fund
Average Life 9/24/07 1,508,587
500,000 BBB+ Montgomery County, PA Redevelopment Authority,
Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Series A,
6.375% due 7/1/12, Sinking Fund Average Life 1/29/09 498,125
865,000 AAA Nevada Housing Division, Multi-Unit Housing Saratoga
Palms, 6.250% due 10/1/16, Sinking Fund Average
Life 8/8/12(a) 886,625
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4,045,587
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Housing: Single-Family -- 5.9%
275,000 A1* Ford County, KS Single-Family Mortgage Revenue
Refunding, Series A, FHA-Insured, 7.900% due 8/1/10 294,593
595,000 AAA Juneau City and Borough, AK Home Mortgage Revenue
Refunding, Mortgage Backed Securities Program,
FNMA-Collateralized, FHA-Insured, 8.000% due 2/1/09 635,906
500,000 A+ Lees Summit, MO Individual Development Authority Health
Refunding and Improvement Revenue, (John Knox
Village Project), 7.125% due 8/15/12, Sinking Fund
Average Life 8/15/05 528,125
145,000 Aa* Montgomery County, MD Housing Opportunities
Commission Mortgage Revenue, Series A,
7.200% due 7/1/04 152,431
1,000,000 AAA Pima County, AZ Individual Development Authority,
Single-Family Mortgage Revenue, Series A,
GNMA/FNMA-Collateralized, step bond to yield
6.245% due 11/1/29 1,066,850
960,000 AAA Utah State Housing Finance Agency, Single-Family
Mortgage Revenue, Series C-2, 6.000% due 7/1/17 970,800
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3,648,705
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Industrial Development -- 16.9%
500,000 A* Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority Revenue,
6.100% due 4/1/06(a) 530,000
535,000 Ba3* Bourbonnais, IL Industrial Development Revenue Refunding,
(K mart Corp. Project), 6.600% due 10/1/06 547,706
1,000,000 Aaa* Cohoes, NY IDA, (Norlite Corp. Project), LOC Dresdner Bank,
6.750% due 5/1/09, Sinking Fund Average Life 1/8/07(a) 1,105,000
1,500,000 AA Des Moines, IA Industrial Development Refunding Revenue
Bonds, (The Printer Project 1992), LOC Norwest Bank,
6.375% due 9/1/09 1,524,375
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
6
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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) June 30, 1997
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FACE
AMOUNT RATING SECURITY VALUE
================================================================================================
<C> <C> <S> <C>
Industrial Development -- 16.9% (continued)
$1,500,000 Baa1* Dickinson County, MI Economic Development Corp., Solid
Waste Disposal Refunding Revenue, Champion
International, 6.550% due 3/1/07 $ 1,584,375
1,000,000 AA- LaCrosse, WI Resource Recovery Revenue, (Northern
States Power Co. Project), 6.000% due 11/1/21 1,043,750
1,250,000 AA Noblesville, IN Economic Development Revenue Refunding,
(Lions Creek Association Limited Project), Asset
Guaranty-Insured, 6.500% due 11/1/04 1,357,813
1,000,000 AAA Salt Lake City, UT Individual Development Refunding
Revenue, (Plaza 5400 Project), Mass Mutual Life-Insured,
Series A, 6.050% due 9/1/07 1,035,000
600,000 NR Sussex County, DE Economic Development Refunding
Revenue Bonds, (Rehoboth Mall Project), Series 1992,
7.250% due 10/15/12 612,000
1,000,000 BBB+ Toole County, UT Hazardous Waste Disposal Revenue,
Laidlaw Incineration, Series A, 6.750% due 8/1/10(a) 1,051,250
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10,391,269
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Miscellaneous -- 4.5%
1,000,000 BBB- Clarksville, TN Natural Gas Acquisition Corp., Gas Revenue,
Series A, 7.500% due 11/1/04 1,055,000
1,000,000 A- Illinois Development Finance Authority Revenue, City of
East St. Louis, 6.875% due 11/15/05, Sinking Fund
Average Life 11/15/00 1,062,500
645,000 Baa1* Indianapolis, IN Economic Development Refunding and
Improvement Revenue, National Benevolent Association,
(Robin Run Village Project), 6.900% due 10/1/04 678,863
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2,796,363
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Pollution Control -- 3.9%
1,000,000 Aa3* Brazos River, TX Navigation Harbor District, Brazonia
County PCR, (BASF Corp. Project), 6.750% due 2/1/10
1,151,250 Broward County, FL Resource Recovery PCR:
695,000 A North Project, 7.950% due 12/1/08 757,550
440,000 A* South Project, 7.950% due 12/1/08 479,600
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2,388,400
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Pre-Refunded(e) -- 2.4%
595,000 AAA Philadelphia, PA Hospital Revenue (United Hospitals Inc.
Project), 10.875% due 7/1/08, (Call 7/1/05 @ 100),
Sinking Fund Average Life 6/1/02(e) 769,781
300,000 AAA++ San Leandro, CA Redevelopment Agency Residential
Mortgage Revenue, 11.250% due 4/1/13, (Call 10/1/04
@ 100), Sinking Fund Average Life 4/13/04(c) 398,625
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
7
<PAGE>
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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) June 30, 1997
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FACE
AMOUNT RATING SECURITY VALUE
================================================================================================
<C> <C> <S> <C>
Pre-Refunded(e) -- 2.4% (continued)
$ 275,000 AAA Texas National Research Lab Community Finance Corp.,
Lease Revenue, (Superconducting Supercollider Project),
6.850% due 12/1/05, (Call 12/1/02 @ 102) $ 305,594
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1,474,000
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Public Facilities -- 3.1%
500,000 A Dallas, TX Civic Center Convention Complex Revenue,
6.100% due 1/1/08, Sinking Fund Average Life 7/31/03 501,995
1,000,000 A- Dekalb County, IN Redevelopment Authority Revenue,
(Mini-Mill LOC Public Improvement Project), Series A,
6.250% due 1/15/08 1,063,750
2,000,000 AAA Southeast, WI Professional Baseball Park District, Sales Tax
Revenue, MBIA-Insured, zero coupon due 12/15/29 312,500
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1,878,245
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Tax Allocation -- 0.4%
250,000 Baa* Lemon Grove, CA Community Development Agency Tax
Allocation Revenue, (Lemon Grove Redevelopment
Project), 6.650% due 8/1/06 265,000
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Transportation -- 6.2%
500,000 AAA Dade County, FL Aviation Revenue Refunding, Miami
International Airport, Series A, FSA-Insured,
5.375% due 10/1/10 498,125
Denver, CO City and County Airport Revenue:
500,000 BBB Series B, 7.000% due 11/15/03(a) 540,000
1,000,000 BBB Series C, 6.650% due 11/15/05(a) 1,076,250
575,000 A Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway & Transportation
Authority Highway Revenue, Series Y, 5.000% due 7/1/36 521,094
500,000 Baa3* Raleigh-Durham, NC Airport Authority Special Facilities
Revenue, (American Airlines Inc. Project),
9.400% due 11/1/00 559,375
595,000 NR Sanford, FL Airport Authority Industrial Development
Revenue, (Central Florida Terminals Project), Series B,
7.500% due 5/1/06(a) 616,569
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3,811,413
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Utilities -- 2.0%
1,250,000 A- Union City, NJ Utility Authority Solid Waste Revenue,
Series A, 6.850% due 6/15/02(a) 1,253,125
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</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8
<PAGE>
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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) June 30, 1997
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FACE
AMOUNT RATING SECURITY VALUE
================================================================================================
<C> <C> <S> <C>
Water & Sewer -- 0.8%
$ 500,000 AAA Rockdale County, GA Water & Sewer Authority Revenue,
FSA-Insured, 5.000% due 7/1/22 $ 463,125
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TOTAL INVESTMENTS -- 100%
(Cost -- $59,083,676**) $61,534,265
================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(a) Income from these issues is considered a preference item for purposes of
calculating the alternative minimum tax.
(b) Bonds are escrowed to maturity with U.S. Government securities and are
considered by the Manager to be triple-A rated even if the issuer has not
applied for new ratings.
(c) Security segregated by custodian for open purchase committment.
(d) Inverse floating rate security-coupon varies inversely with level of
short-term tax-exempt interest rates.
(e) Bonds are escrowed with U.S. Government securities and are considered by
the Manager to be triple-A rated even if the issuer has not applied for
new ratings.
+ Fitch Investor Services, Inc.
++ Issue has not been rated. Manager has determined that this is an
equivalent rating.
** Aggregate cost for Federal income tax purposes is substantially the same.
See pages 10 and 11 for definition of ratings and certain security descriptions.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
9
<PAGE>
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Bond Ratings
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All ratings are by Standard & Poor's Ratings Service ("Standard & Poor's"),
except those identified by an asterisk (*) are rated by Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's"). The definitions of the applicable rating symbols are
set forth below:
Standard & Poor's -- Ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by the addition
of a plus (+) or a minus (-) sign to show relative standings within the major
rating categories.
AAA -- Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely
strong.
AA -- Debt rated "AA" has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the highest rated issue only in
small degree.
A -- Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt
in higher rated categories.
BBB -- Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay
interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher
rated categories.
BB -- Debt rated "BB" has less near-term vulnerability to default than
other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic
conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely
interest and principal payments.
Moody's -- Numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 may be applied to each generic rating
from "Aa" to "Ba," where 1 is the highest and 3 the lowest rating within its
generic category.
Aaa -- Bonds that are rated "Aaa" are judged to be of the best quality.
They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a
large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure.
While the various protective elements are likely to change, such
changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa -- Bonds that are rated "Aa" are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are
generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the
best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in
Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of
greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A -- Bonds that are rated "A" possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade
obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are
considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a
susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa -- Bonds that are rated "Baa" are considered as medium grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly
secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for
the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be
characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such
bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have
speculative characteristics as well.
Ba -- Bonds that are rated "Ba" are judged to have speculative elements;
their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate
and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over
the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this
class.
NR -- Indicates that the bond is not rated by Standard & Poor's or
Moody's.
10
<PAGE>
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Security Descriptions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMBAC -- AMBAC Indemnity Corporation
CGIC -- Capital Guaranty Insurance Company
CONNIE LEE -- College Construction Loan Insurance Association
COP -- Certificate of Participation
FGIC -- Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
FHA -- Federal Housing Administration
FLAIRS -- Floating Adjustable Interest Rate Securities
FNMA -- Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA -- Financial Security Assurance
GNMA -- Government National Mortgage Association
GO -- General Obligation
IDA -- Industrial Development Agency
IDR -- Industrial Development Revenue
LOC -- Letter of Credit
MBIA -- Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation
NBA -- National Benevolent Association
PCR -- Pollution Control Revenue
PSFG -- Permanent School Fund Guaranty
RIBS -- Residual Interest Bonds
11
<PAGE>
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS:
Investments, at value (Cost-- $59,083,676) $ 61,534,265
Cash 191,505
Interest receivable 1,130,822
Receivable for securities sold 46,496
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Total Assets 62,903,088
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LIABILITIES:
Payable for securities purchased 492,297
Dividends payable 113,280
Management fees payable 35,150
Accrued expenses 41,643
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Total Liabilities 682,370
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Total Net Assets $ 62,220,718
===============================================================================
NET ASSETS:
Par value of capital shares $ 4,021
Capital paid in excess of par value 60,192,643
Undistributed net investment income 20,368
Accumulated net realized loss on security transactions (446,903)
Net unrealized appreciation of investments 2,450,589
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Total Net Assets
(Equivalent to $15.47 a share on 4,021,162
shares of $0.001 par value
outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized) $ 62,220,718
===============================================================================
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12
<PAGE>
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Statement of Operations (unaudited)
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For the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest $1,920,626
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EXPENSES:
Management fees (Note 3) 214,153
Shareholder and system servicing fees 17,702
Shareholder communications 15,372
Audit and legal 5,949
Pricing service fees 4,215
Directors' fees 1,734
Custody 1,240
Registration fees 1,041
Other 552
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Total Expenses 261,958
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Investment Income 1,658,668
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON
INVESTMENTS (NOTE 4):
Realized Gain From Security Transactions
(excluding short-term securities):
Proceeds from sales 9,534,056
Cost of securities sold 9,488,473
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Net Realized Gain 45,583
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Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation of Investments:
Beginning of period 2,233,131
End of period 2,450,589
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Increase in Net Unrealized Appreciation 217,458
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Gain on Investments 263,041
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in Net Assets From Operations $1,921,709
================================================================================
See Notes to Financial Statements.
13
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 (unaudited)
and the Year Ended December 31, 1996
1997 1996
================================================================================
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income $ 1,658,668 $ 3,365,406
Net realized gain 45,583 21,389
Increase (decrease) in net unrealized appreciation 217,458 (1,289,439)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in Net Assets From Operations 1,921,709 2,097,356
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
FROM (NOTE 2):
Net investment income (1,713,015) (3,426,030)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in Net Assets From
Distributions to Shareholders (1,713,015) (3,426,030)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets 208,694 (1,328,674)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period 62,012,024 63,340,698
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of period* $62,220,718 $62,012,024
================================================================================
* Includes undistributed net investment income of: $ 20,368 $ 74,715
================================================================================
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Smith Barney Municipal Fund, Inc. ("Fund"), a Maryland corporation, is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a
diversified, closed-end management investment company.
The significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund are:
(a) security transactions are accounted for on the trade date; (b) securities
are valued at the mean between bid and ask prices provided by an independent
pricing service that are based on transactions in municipal obligations,
quotations from municipal bond dealers, market transactions in comparable
securities and various relationships between securities; (c) securities maturing
within 60 days are valued at cost plus accreted discount or minus amortized
premium, which approximates value; (d) gains or losses on the sale of securities
are calculated by using the specific identification method; (e) interest income,
adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue discount,
is recorded on the accrual basis; market discount is recognized upon the
disposition of the security; (f) dividends and distributions to shareholders are
recorded on the ex-dividend date; (g) the Fund intends to comply with the
applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
pertaining to regulated investment companies and to make distributions of
taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all Federal income
and excise taxes; (h) the character of income and gains to be distributed are
determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from
generally accepted accounting principles; and (i) estimates and assumptions are
required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets
resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the
economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in
determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ.
2. EXEMPT-INTEREST DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund intends to satisfy conditions that will enable interest from
municipal securities, which is exempt from regular Federal income tax and from
designated state income taxes, to retain such tax-exempt status when distributed
to the shareholders of the Fund.
Capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable to shareholders, and are
declared and paid at least annually.
15
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED PERSONS
Smith Barney Mutual Funds Management Inc. ("SBMFM"), a subsidiary of Smith
Barney Holdings Inc., acts as investment manager to the Fund. As compensation
for its services, the Fund pays SBMFM a fee calculated at the annual rate of
0.70% of the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee is calculated daily and
paid monthly.
All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Smith Barney
Inc.
4. INVESTMENTS
For the six months ended June 30, 1997, the aggregate cost of purchases
and proceeds from sales of investments (including maturities, but excluding
short-term securities) were as follows:
================================================================================
Purchases $10,065,771
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales 9,534,056
================================================================================
At June 30, 1997, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and
depreciation of investments for Federal income tax purposes were substantially
as follows:
================================================================================
Gross unrealized appreciation $ 2,567,952
Gross unrealized depreciation (117,363)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation $ 2,450,589
================================================================================
5. CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARD
At December 31, 1996, the Fund had, for Federal income tax purposes,
approximately $492,000 of capital loss carryforwards available to offset future
realized capital gains through 2002. To the extent that these carryforward
losses can be used to offset net realized capital gains, such gains, if any,
will not be distributed.
16
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. FUTURES CONTRACTS
Initial margin deposits made upon entering into futures contracts are
recognized as assets. The initial margin is segregated by the custodian and is
noted in the schedule of investments. During the period the futures contract is
open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or
losses by "marking to market" on a daily basis to reflect the market value of
the contract at the end of each day's trading. Variation margin payments are
made or received and recognized as assets due from or liabilities due to broker,
depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the
contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the
difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transactions and
the Fund's basis in the contract. The Fund enters into such contracts to hedge a
portion of its portfolio. The Fund bears the market risk that arises from
changes in the value of the financial instruments and securities indices
(futures contracts) and the credit risk should a counterparty fail to perform
under such contracts.
At June 30, 1997, there were no open futures contracts.
7. OPTIONS CONTRACTS
Premiums paid when put or call options are purchased by the Fund represent
investments, which are marked-to-market daily. When a purchased option expires,
the Fund will realize a loss in the amount of the premium paid. When the Fund
enters into a closing sales transaction, the Fund will realize a gain or loss
depending on whether the proceeds from the closing sales transaction are greater
or less than the premium paid for the option. When the Fund exercises a put
option, it will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security
and the proceeds from such sale will be decreased by the premium originally
paid. When the Fund exercises a call option, the cost of the security which the
Fund purchases upon exercise will be increased by the premium originally paid.
At June 30, 1997, there were no open purchased call or put options
contracts.
When a Fund writes a covered call or put option, an amount equal to the
premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability, the value of which is
marked-to-market daily. When a written option expires, the Fund realizes a gain
equal to the amount of the premium received. When the Fund enters into a closing
purchase transaction, the Fund realizes a gain (or loss if the cost of the
closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the option
17
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
was sold) without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying
security, and the liability related to such option is eliminated. When a written
call option is exercised, the cost of the security sold will be decreased by the
premium originally received. When a put option is exercised, the amount of the
premium originally received will reduce the cost of the security which the Fund
purchased upon exercise. When written index options are exercised, settlement is
made in cash.
The risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium
originally paid. The Fund enters into options for hedging purposes. The risk in
writing a call option is that the Fund gives up the opportunity to participate
in any increase in the price of the underlying security beyond the exercise
price. The risk in writing a put option is that the Fund is exposed to the risk
of a loss if the market price of the underlying security declines.
At June 30, 1997, the Fund had no open written options contracts.
18
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Hightlights
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997(1) 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992(2)(3)
==============================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Perod $15.42 $15.75 $14.30 $15.85 $14.81 $15.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Loss) From Operations:
Net investment income 0.41 0.84 0.83 0.84 0.84 0.32*
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss) 0.07 (0.32) 1.47 (1.54) 1.00 (0.21)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Income (Loss)
From Operations 0.48 0.52 2.30 (0.70) 1.84 0.11
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less Distributions From:
Net investment income (0.43) (0.85) (0.85) (0.85) (0.80) (0.30)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Distributions (0.43) (0.85) (0.85) (0.85) (0.80) (0.30)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value,
End of Period $15.47 $15.42 $15.75 $14.30 $15.85 $14.81
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return, Based on
Market Value 5.70%++ 11.02% 15.83% (12.96)% 14.30% (3.47)%++
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return, Based on
Net Asset Value 3.35%++ 3.96% 17.11% (4.09)% 12.82% 0.81%++
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets, End of
Period (000s) $62,221 $62,012 $63,341 $57,508 $63,724 $59,561
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average
Net Assets:
Expenses 0.85%+ 0.90% 0.86% 0.86% 0.85% 0.56%+*
Net investment income 5.41+ 5.45 5.48 5.59 5.42 5.22+
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio Turnover Rate 16% 30% 21% 35% 23% 36%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Price, End of Period $14.75 $14.38 $13.75 $12.63 $15.38 $14.25
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) For the six months ended June 30, 1997 (unaudited).
(2) Based on the weighted average shares outstanding for the period.
(3) For the period from July 31, 1992 (commencement of operations) to December
31, 1992.
* The manager waived a portion of its fees for the period from July 31, 1992
to December 31, 1992. If such fees were not waived, the per share decrease
in net investment income would have been $0.014 and the ratio of expenses to
average net assets would have been 0.79% (annualized).
++ Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total
return for the year.
+ Annualized.
19
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Data (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each period:
AMEX Net Asset Income Reinvestment
Period Closing Price* Value* Declared Price
================================================================================
1995
January $13.13 $14.64 $0.071 $13.29
February 13.75 14.91 0.071 13.83
March 13.50 15.01 0.071 13.58
April 13.38 14.97 0.071 13.40
May 13.75 15.35 0.071 13.65
June 13.50 15.19 0.071 13.90
July 14.00 15.27 0.071 13.98
August 13.50 15.36 0.071 13.65
September 14.00 15.41 0.071 14.02
October 14.38 15.53 0.071 14.40
November 14.00 15.70 0.071 14.45
December 13.75 15.75 0.071 14.12
1996
January 14.75 15.72 0.071 14.55
February 14.63 15.57 0.071 14.59
March 14.38 15.35 0.071 14.46
April 14.25 15.24 0.071 14.13
May 14.25 15.18 0.071 14.24
June 13.88 15.22 0.071 13.82
July 13.75 15.25 0.071 13.76
August 14.00 15.19 0.071 14.02
September 14.25 15.30 0.071 14.32
October 13.75 15.37 0.071 13.89
November 14.50 15.53 0.071 14.51
December 14.38 15.42 0.071 14.38
1997
January 14.25 15.39 0.071 14.18
February 14.25 15.46 0.071 14.25
March 14.13 15.22 0.071 14.22
April 14.25 15.28 0.071 14.41
May 14.13 15.40 0.071 14.17
June 14.75 15.47 0.071 14.88
================================================================================
* On the last business day of the month.
20
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Shareholder Information (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On April 25, 1997, the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Fund was
held for the purpose of voting on the following matters:
1. To approve or disapprove for the Fund the election of Joseph H.
Fleiss and Heath B. McLendon as Directors; and
2. To approve or disapprove the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
the independent auditors for the current fiscal year of the Fund.
The results of the vote on Proposal 1 were as follows:
% of Votes % of
Directors* Votes For Shares Voted Against Shares Voted
================================================================================
Joseph H. Fleiss 3,637,015 98.94% 38,848 1.06%
Heath B. McLendon 3,638,415 98.98 37,448 1.02
================================================================================
The results of the vote on Proposal 2 were as follows:
% of Votes % of Votes % of
Votes For Shares Voted Against Shares Voted Abstained Shares Voted
================================================================================
3,641,760 99.08% 6,392 0.17% 27,711 0.75%
================================================================================
* The following Directors, representing the balance of the Board of Directors,
continue to serve: Donald R. Foley, Paul Hardin, Francis P. Martin, Roderick
C. Rasmussen and John P. Toolan. C. Richard Youngdahl will continue to serve
as a Director Emeritus.
21
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("Plan"), all
distributions are automatically reinvested by First Data Investor Services
Group, Inc. as plan agent ("Plan Agent"), in additional shares of its Common
Stock ("Common Shares") as provided below unless a shareholder elects to receive
cash.
Distributions with respect to Common Shares registered in the name of a
broker-dealer or other nominee (i.e., in "street name") are reinvested by the
broker or nominee in additional Common Shares under the Plan, unless the service
is not provided by the broker or nominee. Investors who own Common Shares
registered in street name should consult their broker-dealer for details. All
distributions to shareholders who do not participate in the Plan are paid by
check mailed directly to the record holder by First Data Investor Services
Group, Inc., as dividend disbursing agent.
If the Fund declares a distribution payable either in Common Shares or in
cash, nonparticipants in the Plan receive cash, and Plan participants receive
the equivalent in Common Shares valued in the following manner: whenever the
market price is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share at the time
Common Shares are valued for the purpose of determining the number of Common
Shares equivalent to the cash distribution, participants are issued Common
Shares valued at the greater of (1) the net asset value most recently determined
or (2) 95% of the then current market price of the Common Shares.
If the net asset value of the Common Shares at the time of valuation
exceeds the market price of the Common Shares, or if the Fund declares a
distribution payable only in cash, the Plan Agent buys Common Shares in the open
market, on the American Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants'
accounts. If, following the commencement of purchases and before the Plan Agent
has completed its purchases the market price exceeds the net asset value of the
Common Shares, the average per Common Share purchase price paid by the Plan
Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Common Shares, resulting in the
acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the distribution had been paid in
Common Shares issued by the Fund at net asset value. The Plan Agent applies all
cash received as a distribution to purchase Common Shares on the open market as
soon as practicable after the record date of the distribution, but in no event
later than 30 days after such date, except when necessary to comply with
applicable provisions of the Federal securities laws.
22
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited) (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participants in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan upon written notice to
the Plan Agent which must be received at least ten business days prior to the
distribution record date to become effective for that distribution. Shares in
the account of each Plan participant are held by the Plan Agent in
non-certificated form in the name of the Plan Agent or participant. When a
participant withdraws from the Plan or upon termination of the Plan as provided
below, certificates for whole Fund shares credited to his or her account under
the Plan are issued and a cash payment is made for any fraction of a Fund share
credited to such account.
The automatic reinvestment of distributions does not relieve participants
to any Federal income tax that may be payable on such distributions.
The Fund does not charge participants for reinvesting distributions. Any
Plan Agent's fees for the handling of reinvestment of distributions under the
Plan are paid by the Fund. There are no brokerage charges with respect to Common
Shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of distributions payable either
in stock or in cash. However, each participant pays a pro rata share of
brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open market
purchases in connection with the reinvestment of distributions.
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable.
Accordingly, the Fund and the Plan Agent reserve the right to amend the Plan as
applied to any distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent
to all shareholders of the Fund at least 90 days before the record date for the
distribution. The Plan also may be terminated by the Fund or the Plan Agent by
at least 30 days' written notice to all shareholders of the Fund. All
correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at First
Data Investor Services Group, Inc., P.O. Box 1376, Boston, Massachussetts 02104.
23
<PAGE>
Smith Barney
- -------------------------------
Municipal Fund, Inc.
DIRECTORS
Joseph H. Fleiss
Donald R. Foley
Paul Hardin
Francis P. Martin, M.D.
Heath B. McLendon, Chairman
Roderick C. Rasmussen
John P. Toolan
C. Richard Youngdahl, Emeritus
OFFICERS
Heath B. McLendon
Chief Executive Officer
Lewis E. Daidone
Senior Vice President
and Treasurer
Peter M. Coffey
Vice President
Thomas M. Reynolds
Controller
Christina T. Sydor
Secretary
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Smith Barney Mutual Funds
Management Inc.
CUSTODIAN
PNC Bank, N.A.
SHAREHOLDER
SERVICING AGENT
First Data Investor Services Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 1376
Boston, MA 02104
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of
Smith Barney Municipal Fund, Inc. It is not authorized for distribution to
prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Prospectus for
the Fund, which contains information concerning the Fund's investment policies
and expenses as well as other pertinent information.
SMITH BARNEY
MUNICIPAL FUND, INC.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
FD0624 8/97
