SCHWARTZ INVESTMENT TRUST
N-30D, 1998-08-26
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  Shareholder Accounts                                    Corporate Offices
  c/o Countrywide Fund                                    3707 W. Maple Road
     Services, Inc.                                   Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
     P.O. Box 5354                                          (248) 644-8500
Cincinnati, OH 45201-5354                                 Fax (248) 644-4250
    1-800-543-0407
                             Schwartz Value Fund

Dear Fellow Shareowner:

     Last year at this time,  mergers and acquisitions were favorably  impacting
Schwartz Value Fund.  Several of our small-cap  companies were being acquired at
substantial premiums. So far this year, however, the action has shifted to large
companies,  in terms  of M&A  activity  as well as  general  investor  interest.
Indeed,  small and  micro-cap  value  issues  are  again  unloved  and  ignored.
Consequently,  for the first six months of 1998, Schwartz Value Fund was up 1.3%
versus 4.7% for the Russell  2000.  Reflective  of the investor  enthusiasm  for
large-caps,  especially  technology  issues,  the NASDAQ  Composite Index was up
20.7%  during the same period,  even though  almost half the stocks in the Index
were down more than 30% from their highs,  as of June 30, 1998. This bull market
has become increasingly  concentrated and narrow. Market technicians call it bad
breadth.

     On July 17, 1995,  the Nasdaq index  reached  1,000 for the first time.  By
July 17, 1998, exactly three years later, it had doubled to 2,000. But only five
stocks -- Microsoft,  Dell, Intel,  Cisco Systems and WorldCom accounted for 66%
of the advance.  Similarly,  the S&P 500 was up 17.7% in the first half of 1998.
But the 50 largest  issues were up over 30% while the remaining 450 were up less
than  10%.   This  apparent   anomaly  is  possible   because  the  indices  are
capitalization-weighted.  The biggest  stocks  dominate the  performance  of the
average.  Index Funds and the large-cap mutual funds,  chasing past performance,
have created a virtuous and self-fulfilling  cycle of higher stock prices. (This
may  now be in the  process  of  unwinding.)  In the  S&P  500,  the 50  largest
companies are selling at P-Es equal to three times their growth rates;  they are
clearly fully priced or  over-priced.  Contrariwise,  small-caps  are selling at
P-Es on average of only 1-1/2 times their growth rates.  The value is clearly in
the neglected small-capitalization companies.
The risk is in the big ones.

     Obviously,   there  has  been  a  massive   divergence  between  the  price
performance  of a handful of very large  companies  and that of most  stocks.  A
friend asked me last week,  "Why should I invest in Schwartz Value Fund when the
large  stocks in  recent  years  have  outperformed  small  ones by such a large
margin?" The answer is precisely that! The  over-performance of a few big stocks
has so  stretched  valuations  that  their  future  under-performance  is almost
assured.  One  good  reason  to own  Schwartz  Value  Fund,  or buy more at this
juncture,  is that the past is not  prologue.  The  divergence  is not likely to
continue. History is on our side. Incidentally,  in 10 of the past 14 years, the
Russell 2000 was up less than 22%. In 8 of those 10 years,  Schwartz  Value Fund
beat the Russell  2000.  In other words,  Schwartz  Value Fund usually beats its
benchmark,  except  when the  market is  streaking  skyward  (up more than 22%).
Therefore,  if you believe the market will be up more than 22% per year,  in the
future -- don't invest in Schwartz  Value Fund. If however,  you believe that in
most  years  the  market  will  produce  more  moderate  results,  closer to its
historical  average,  then you ought to be in  Schwartz  Value  Fund.  It should
continue to provide very good risk-adjusted returns.

     This  diatribe  is not a  forecast  of an  impending  market  collapse  for
large-cap issues,  but merely an application of our valuation  discipline.  Bear
markets are  inevitable  but their timing  cannot be  predicted,  since they are
caused by unpredictable  events. But individual stock performances over the long
term will match closely the underlying progress of those businesses.  That's why
I  remain  confident  that  our  research-driven,  bottom-up  approach  to stock
selection  will again bear  fruit,  even  though  the recent  results  have been
disappointing.  The basic value investment approach still represents a safe path
to sustained capital appreciation.

     Your continued support is sincerely appreciated.


                              SCHWARTZ VALUE FUND

                             /s/ George P. Schwartz

                            George P. Schwartz, CFA
                                   President
July 31, 1998

<PAGE>

SCHWARTZ VALUE FUND
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
================================================================================
Shares         COMMON STOCK -- 87.9%                                   Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

               APPAREL & TEXTILES -- 4.5%
    89,600       Charming Shoppes, Inc.* ......................    $    425,600
   125,000       K-Swiss Inc. -- Class A ......................       2,453,125
    15,000       Nautica Enterprises, Inc.* ...................         402,187
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,280,912
                                                                   ------------

               BUILDING MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION -- 3.2%
    20,000       ABT Building Products Corporation* ...........         343,750
    50,000       Gardner Denver, Inc.* ........................       1,381,250
    24,000       Industrial Acoustics Company, Inc. ...........         253,500
    40,000       Schuler Homes, Inc.* .........................         350,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,328,500
                                                                   ------------

               CONSUMER PRODUCTS -- DURABLES -- 6.4%
    35,000       Craftmade International, Inc. ................         612,500
   250,000       Griffon Corporation* .........................       3,203,125
    70,000       HMI Industries Inc. ..........................         253,750
    40,000       Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. .................         670,000
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,739,375
                                                                   ------------

               CONSUMER PRODUCTS -- NONDURABLES -- 7.9%
    25,000       Helen of Troy Limited* .......................         550,000
   418,000       Pentech International, Inc.* .................         574,750
    20,000       Standex International Corporation ............         592,500
    75,000       Tupperware Corp. .............................       2,109,375
    10,000       Velcro Industries N.V ........................       1,392,500
    24,200       Weyco Group, Inc. ............................         632,225
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      5,851,350
                                                                   ------------

               ENERGY & MINING -- 5.1%
    70,000       Forest Oil Corporation* ......................       1,001,875
   200,000       Golden Star Resources, Ltd.* .................         425,000
   165,000       Inco, Ltd. -- Class VBN ......................       1,185,938
    35,000       Newmont Mining Corp. .........................         826,875
    35,000       Patterson Energy, Inc.* ......................         342,344
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,782,032
                                                                   ------------

                                        2
<PAGE>

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
================================================================================
Shares         COMMON STOCK -- 87.9%                                   Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

               ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES -- 0.9%
    12,400       GZA GeoEnvironmental Technologies, Inc.* .....    $     61,225
    73,800       Sevenson Environmental Services, Inc. ........         618,075
                                                                   ------------
                                                                        679,300
                                                                   ------------

               FINANCE -- BANKING & THRIFTS -- 6.8%
    15,000       Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. .......................         365,625
   150,000       Ottawa Financial Corporation .................       4,331,250
    12,150       Peoples Bancorp ..............................         276,412
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      4,973,287
                                                                   ------------

               FINANCE -- INSURANCE -- 11.8%
    35,000       The Commerce Group, Inc. .....................       1,356,250
   100,000       Danielson Holding Corp.* .....................         737,500
    75,000       Leucadia National Corporation ................       2,479,687
     5,000       Loews Corp. ..................................         435,625
    50,000       MMI Companies, Inc. ..........................       1,156,250
   165,000       Unico American Corporation ...................       2,495,625
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      8,660,937
                                                                   ------------

               FOOD & TABACCO -- 2.7%
    85,000       RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. ...................       2,018,750
                                                                   ------------

               HEALTHCARE -- 3.4%
    80,000       America Service Group, Inc.* .................         980,000
    15,000       Health Care & Retirement Corporation* ........         591,562
    50,000       Hologic, Inc.* ...............................         909,375
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      2,480,937
                                                                   ------------

               HOLDING COMPANY -- 2.3%
    30,000       Maxxam Inc.* .................................       1,702,500
                                                                   ------------

               INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES -- 4.3%
    30,000       Greif Brothers Corporation -- Class A ........       1,121,250
    50,000       Maritrans Inc. ...............................         453,125
    10,055       M.H. Rhodes, Inc.* ...........................         143,284
    30,000       Perceptron, Inc.* ............................         360,000

                                        3

<PAGE>

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
================================================================================
Shares         COMMON STOCK -- 87.9%                                   Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    50,000       Rohn Industries, Inc. ........................    $    234,375
    25,000       United Dominion Industries, Ltd. .............         834,375
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,146,409
                                                                   ------------

               PRINTING & PUBLISHING -- 4.1%
       465       The Detroit Legal News Company* ..............          63,240
   200,000       Thomas Nelson, Inc. ..........................       2,675,000
     7,200       Value Line, Inc. .............................         275,400
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,013,640
                                                                   ------------

               REAL ESTATE -- 0.5%
    16,499       I. Gordon Corporation* .......................         148,491
        15       LaFourche Realty Company, Inc. ...............          78,000
    10,000       Malan Realty Investors, Inc. .................         176,875
                                                                   ------------
                                                                        403,366
                                                                   ------------

               RETAIL -- 1.0%
   100,000       Ellett Brothers, Inc. ........................         475,000
    20,000       The Good Guys, Inc.* .........................         269,375
                                                                   ------------
                                                                        744,375
                                                                   ------------

               TECHNOLOGY & ELECTRONICS -- 17.1%
    33,500       Astrosystems, Inc.* ..........................          78,516
   238,200       Data Research Associates, Inc. ...............       4,525,800
   100,000       Nematron Corporation* ........................         550,000
    90,000       Rainbow Technologies, Inc.* ..................       1,845,000
   142,300       SPSS Inc.* ...................................       3,308,475
    35,000       Transition Systems, Inc.* ....................         371,875
    60,000       Universal Electronics, Inc.* .................         750,000
    85,000       X-Rite, Incorporated .........................       1,163,438
                                                                   ------------
                                                                     12,593,104
                                                                   ------------

               TRANSPORTATION -- 0.8%
    58,800       The Morgan Group, Inc. .......................         588,000
                                                                   ------------

               MISCELLANEOUS -- 0.1%
    12,500       Bull & Bear Group, Inc. -- Class A* ..........          28,125
                                                                   ------------

                                        4
<PAGE>

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
================================================================================
Shares         COMMON STOCK -- 87.9%                                   Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

               CLOSED-END FUNDS -- 5.0%
   256,400       Royce Global Trust, Inc. .....................    $  1,410,200
    38,700       Royce Micro-Cap Trust, Inc.* .................         399,094
    60,000       Scudder New Europe Fund, Inc. ................       1,260,000
    75,000       Templeton Dragon Fund ........................         628,125
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      3,697,419
                                                                   ------------

               TOTAL COMMON STOCK (COST $51,979,126)                 64,712,318
                                                                   ------------

               PREFERRED STOCK -- 0.2% (COST $132,739)
    35,000       Telos Corporation, 12% Cumulative
                   Exchangable Preferred*                               166,250
                                                                   ------------

               U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY BONDS -- 8.6%
$2,000,000       Federal National Mortgage Association,
                   5.87%, 9/25/98                                     2,002,862
$2,000,000       Federal National Mortgage Association, 0%, 11/6/98   1,961,244
$2,500,000       Federal Farm Credit Bank Discount Note, 5/21/99      2,378,500
                                                                   ------------

               TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY BONDS
                   (COST $6,262,322)                                  6,342,606
                                                                   ------------

               CORPORATE BONDS -- 1.4% (COST $1,052,500)
                   Whittaker Corp., 7.00%, 5/1/05                     1,050,000
                                                                   ------------

               REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (1) -- 2.4% (COST $1,767,000)
$1,767,000       Fifth Third Bank, 5.15%, dated 6/30/98, due
                   07/01/98 repurchase proceeds: ($1,767,253)         1,767,000
                                                                   ------------

               TOTAL INVESTMENTS -- 100.5% (COST $61,193,687)        74,038,174
                                                                   ------------

               LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS -- (0.5)%         (458,777)
                                                                   ------------

               NET ASSETS -- 100.0%                                $ 73,579,397
                                                                   ============

 *  Non-income producing securities.

(1) Repurchase   agreements  are  fully   collateralized   by  U.S.   Government
    obligations.

See notes to financial statements.

                                        5
<PAGE>

SCHWARTZ VALUE FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
================================================================================

ASSETS
Investments, at market value (cost of $61,193,687) (Note 1) ...    $ 74,038,174
Cash ..........................................................           3,899
Dividends receivable ..........................................          72,802
Interest receivable ...........................................          43,226
Other assets ..................................................          19,157
                                                                   ------------
    TOTAL ASSETS ..............................................      74,177,258
                                                                   ------------

LIABILITIES
Payable for capital shares redeemed ...........................          26,741
Payable for securities purchased ..............................         286,554
Accrued investment advisory fees (Note 2) .....................         281,090
Other accrued expenses and liabilities ........................           3,476
                                                                   ------------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES .........................................         597,861
                                                                   ------------
NET ASSETS ....................................................    $ 73,579,397
                                                                   ============

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid-in capital ...............................................    $ 56,247,698
Accumulated net realized gains from security
  transactions ................................................       4,639,243
Undistributed net investment loss .............................        (152,031)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments ....................      12,844,487
                                                                   ------------

NET ASSETS ....................................................    $ 73,579,397
                                                                   ============
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited
  number of shares authorized, no par value) ..................       3,028,550
                                                                   ============
Net asset value, redemption price, and offering price
  per share ...................................................    $      24.30
                                                                   ============
See notes to financial statements.

                                        6
<PAGE>

SCHWARTZ VALUE FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
================================================================================

INVESTMENT INCOME
  Dividends ..................................................      $   301,930
  Interest ...................................................          222,082
                                                                    -----------
    TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME ..................................          524,012
                                                                    ===========

EXPENSES
  Investment advisory fees (Note 2) ..........................          543,863
  Administration, accounting and transfer agent fees
    (Note 2) .................................................           75,597
  Trustees' fees and expenses ................................           31,660
  Legal and audit fees .......................................           11,894
  Insurance expense ..........................................            9,088
  Other expenses .............................................            3,941
                                                                    -----------
    TOTAL EXPENSES ...........................................          676,043
                                                                    -----------

NET INVESTMENT LOSS ..........................................         (152,031)
                                                                    -----------

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS
  Net realized gains on investments ..........................        4,776,216
  Net change in unrealized appreciation on
    investments ..............................................       (3,861,794)
                                                                    -----------

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS ON INVESTMENTS .............          914,422
                                                                    -----------

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS ...................      $   762,391
                                                                    ===========

See notes to financial statements.

                                        7
<PAGE>

SCHWARTZ VALUE FUND
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the Periods Ended June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Six Months Ended    Year Ended
                                                          June 30, 1998    December 31,
                                                           (Unaudited)         1997
                                                        ----------------   ------------
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>
FROM OPERATIONS
  Net investment income (loss) ......................     $   (152,031)    $    148,105
  Net realized gains on investments .................        4,776,216        7,830,848
  Net change in unrealized appreciation on
    investments .....................................       (3,861,794)       7,620,060
                                                          ------------     ------------
Net increase in net assets from operations ..........          762,391       15,599,013
                                                          ------------     ------------

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:
  From net investment income ........................               --         (148,105)
  From net realized gains on investments ............               --       (7,879,894)
  In excess of net realized gains on investments ....               --         (136,973)
                                                          ------------     ------------
Net decrease in net assets from distributions to
  shareholders ......................................               --       (8,164,972)
                                                          ------------     ------------

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS(A):
  Proceeds from shares sold .........................        6,233,879        7,555,701
  Reinvestment of distributions to shareholders .....               --        7,588,008
  Payments for shares redeemed ......................       (3,383,433)      (7,716,318)
                                                          ------------     ------------
Net increase in net assets from capital share
  transactions ......................................        2,850,446        7,427,391
                                                          ------------     ------------

TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS ........................        3,612,837       14,861,432

NET ASSETS:
  Beginning of period ...............................       69,966,560       55,105,128
                                                          ------------     ------------
  End of period .....................................     $ 73,579,397     $ 69,966,560
                                                          ============     ============

UNDISTRIBUTED NET INVESTMENT LOSS ...................     $   (152,030)    $         --
                                                          ============     ============

(A) SUMMARY OF CAPITAL SHARE ACTIVITY:
   Shares sold ......................................          249,771          324,868
   Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions to
   shareholders .....................................               --          316,298
   Shares redeemed ..................................         (137,211)        (326,230)
                                                          ------------     ------------
   Net increase in shares outstanding ...............          112,560          314,936
   Shares outstanding, beginning of period ..........        2,915,990        2,601,054
                                                          ------------     ------------
   Shares outstanding, end of period ................        3,028,550        2,915,990
                                                          ============     ============
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.

                                        8
<PAGE>

SCHWARTZ VALUE FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Per Share Data for a Share Outstanding
Throughout Each Period
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Six Months      Year       Year       Year       Year      July 20,(A)
                                                   Ended        Ended      Ended      Ended      Ended          To
                                               June 30, 1998   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,
                                                (Unaudited)      1997       1996       1995       1994          1993
                                               -------------   --------   --------   --------   --------   -------------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
Net asset value at beginning of period .....     $  23.99      $  21.19   $  19.66   $  18.12   $  20.97     $  19.71
                                                 --------      --------   --------   --------   --------     --------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income (loss) .............        (0.05)         0.06      (0.02)     (0.03)     (0.05)       (0.06)
  Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)
    on investments .........................         0.36          5.88       3.61       3.09      (1.37)        1.95
                                                 --------      --------   --------   --------   --------     --------
Total from investment operations ...........         0.31          5.94       3.59       3.06      (1.42)        1.89
                                                 --------      --------   --------   --------   --------     --------
Less distributions:
  From net investment income ...............           --         (0.06)        --         --         --           --
  From net realized gains on investments ...           --         (3.03)     (2.06)     (1.52)     (1.36)       (0.63)
  In excess of net realized gains on
    investments ............................           --         (0.05)        --         --      (0.07)          --
                                                 --------      --------   --------   --------   --------     --------
Total distributions ........................           --         (3.14)     (2.06)     (1.52)     (1.43)       (0.63)
                                                 --------      --------   --------   --------   --------     --------
Net asset value at end of period ...........     $  24.30      $  23.99   $  21.19   $  19.66      18.12     $  20.97
                                                 ========      ========   ========   ========    =======     ========
Total return ...............................          1.3%(B)      28.0%      18.3%      16.9%      (6.8)%        9.6%(B)
                                                 ========      ========   ========   ========    =======     ========
Ratios/Supplementary Data:
Ratio of expenses to average net assets ....         1.86%(C)      1.91%      1.97%      2.00%      2.01%        2.13%(C)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
  average net assets .......................        (0.42)%(C)     0.24%     (0.08)%    (0.18)%    (0.36)%      (0.63)%(C)
Portfolio turnover rate ....................           42 %(C)       47%        50%        70%        78%          65 %(C)
Average commission rate ....................     $ 0.0474      $ 0.0468   $ 0.0454         --         --           --
Net assets at end of period (000's) ........     $ 73,579      $ 69,967   $ 55,105   $ 53,137   $ 45,097     $ 40,704

- ----------------
(A) Commencement of operations. 
(B) Not annualized.
(C) Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                        9
<PAGE>

SCHWARTZ VALUE FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 1998 (Unaudited)
================================================================================

1.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Schwartz  Value  Fund (the Fund) is a series of  Schwartz  Investment  Trust,  a
diversified  open-end  management  investment  company  established  as an  Ohio
Business  Trust under a Declaration  of Trust dated August 31, 1992. The Fund is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and commenced  operations on
July 20, 1993. The Fund  determines and makes  available for publication the net
asset value of its shares on a daily basis.

The investment  objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital  appreciation
through  investment  primarily in basic value common stocks.  This investment in
common  stocks,  by  definition,   entails  the  risk  of  loss  of  capital  to
shareholders.  See the  Prospectus for more detailed  information  regarding the
investment objectives of the Fund.

The following is a summary of significant  accounting  policies  followed by the
Fund.

     (a)  VALUATION  OF  INVESTMENTS  --  Securities  which are  traded on stock
     exchanges  or are  quoted by NASDAQ are  valued at the last  reported  sale
     price as of the  close of  business  on the day of  valuation,  or,  if not
     traded  on a  particular  day,  at  the  average  of  the  highest  current
     independent bid and lowest current independent offer;  securities traded in
     the  over-the-counter  market,  not  quoted by  NASDAQ,  are  valued at the
     average  of  the  highest  current   independent  bid  and  lowest  current
     independent offer as of the close of trading on the day of valuation,  and;
     securities  (and other assets) for which market  quotations are not readily
     available are valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith
     pursuant to  procedures  established  by the Board of Trustees.  Short-term
     securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

     (b) INCOME TAXES -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements
     of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated  investment  companies
     and to distribute  substantially  all taxable  income to the  shareholders.
     Therefore, no provision for income taxes is necessary.

     The Fund files a tax return annually using tax accounting  methods required
     under  provisions  of the Code which may  differ  from  generally  accepted
     accounting principles (GAAP), the basis on which these financial statements
     are prepared.  The differences arise primarily from the deferral of certain
     losses under Federal income tax regulations. Accordingly, the amount of net
     investment income or loss and net realized capital gain or loss reported in
     the  financial  statements  may differ from that reported in the Fund's tax
     return and,  consequently,  the character of  distributions to shareholders
     reported  in the  financial  highlights  may differ  from that  reported to
     shareholders  for Federal income tax purposes.  Distributions  which exceed
     net  realized  gains  for  financial  reporting  purposes  but  not for tax
     purposes,  if any,  are shown as  distributions  in excess of net  realized
     gains in the accompanying statements.

     (c) SECURITY  TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT  INCOME -- Security  transactions
     are  accounted  for on the trade date.  Dividend  income is recorded on the
     ex-dividend  date.  Interest  income is  recognized  on the accrual  basis.
     Realized  gains and losses on security  transactions  are determined on the
     identified cost basis.

                                       10
<PAGE>

     (d) DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS -- Dividends from net investment income and
     net capital  gains,  if any, are  declared  and paid  annually in December.
     Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend
     date.

     (e)   REPURCHASE   AGREEMENTS  --  The  Fund  may  enter  into   repurchase
     agreements(agreements  to  purchase  securities  subject  to  the  seller's
     agreement  to  repurchase   them  at  a  specified  time  and  price)  with
     well-established   registered  securities  dealers  or  banks.   Repurchase
     agreements  are the  equivalent  of loans by the Fund.  With respect to the
     Fund's policy to take  possession of the  underlying  securities  and, on a
     daily  basis,  mark to market  such  securities  to ensure  that the value,
     accrued interest,  is at least equal to the amount to be repaid to the Fund
     under the agreement.

     (f) ESTIMATES -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
     GAAP requires  management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
     reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and  disclosure of contingent
     assets and  liabilities  at the date of the  financial  statements  and the
     reported  amounts of revenues and  expenses  during the  reporting  period.
     Actual results could differ from those estimates.

2.   INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

The President of the Fund is also the President and Chief Investment  Officer of
Schwartz  Investment Counsel,  Inc. (the Adviser).  The Chairman of the Board of
the Fund is also the  President  and CEO of Gregory J. Schwartz & Co., Inc. (the
Distributor).  Certain  other  trustees and officers of the Fund are officers of
the Adviser or of Countrywide  Fund Services,  Inc. (CFS),  the  administrative,
accounting and transfer agent for the Fund.

Pursuant to an Investment  Advisory  Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser,
the  Adviser  is  responsible  for  the  management  of the  Fund  and  provides
investment advice along with the necessary personnel,  facilities, equipment and
certain  other  services  necessary  to the  operations  of the  Fund.  For such
services,  the Fund pays the Adviser a quarterly fee equal to the annual rate of
1.5% of the  average  daily net assets up to $75  million;  1.25% of such assets
from $75  million  to $100  million;  and 1% of such  assets  in  excess of $100
million.

The  Distributor  is the  primary  agent  for the  distribution  of the Fund and
receives fees from the Adviser, not the Fund or its shareholders.

Pursuant to an Administration,  Accounting and Transfer Agency Agreement between
the Fund and CFS, CFS supplies  regulatory and compliance  services,  calculates
the daily net asset value per share,  maintains the financial  books and records
of the Fund, maintains the records of each shareholder's  account, and processes
purchases and  redemptions  of the Fund's shares.  For the  performance of these
services, the Fund pays CFS a fee, payable monthly, at an annual rate of .22% of
average daily net assets up to $25 million; .20% of such assets from $25 million
to $100 million; and .15% of such assets in excess of $100 million.

3.   INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

Purchases  and proceeds  from sales and  maturities  of  investments  other than
short-term investments,  for the six months ended June 30, 1998 were $16,521,925
and $13,552,865,  respectively. As of June 30, 1998, net unrealized appreciation
of  securities  was  $12,844,486  for  federal  income  tax  purposes  of  which
$17,155,629  related  to  appreciated   securities  and  $4,311,143  related  to
depreciated securities.  The aggregate cost of investments at June 30, 1998, for
federal income tax purposes was $61,193,687.

                                       11
<PAGE>

[back cover]

SCHWARTZ VALUE FUND
a series of
Schwartz Investment Trust
3707 W. Maple Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48301
(248) 644-8500

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Donald J. Dawson, Jr.
Fred A. Erb
John J. McHale
Sidney F. McKenna
George P. Schwartz, CFA
Gregory J. Schwartz

OFFICERS
Gregory J. Schwartz, Chairman of the Board
George P. Schwartz, CFA, President
Richard L. Platte, Jr., CFA, V.P./Secretary/Treasurer
Robert G. Dorsey, CPA, Assistant Vice President
John F. Splain, Assistant Secretary
Mark J. Seger, CPA, Assistant Treasurer

INVESTMENT ADVISER
SCHWARTZ INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.
3707 W. Maple Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48301

DISTRIBUTOR
GREGORY J. SCHWARTZ & CO., INC.
3707 W. Maple Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48301

CUSTODIAN
FIFTH THIRD BANK
38 Fountain Square Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45263

ADMINISTRATOR
COUNTRYWIDE FUND SERVICES, INC.
P.O. Box 5354
Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-5354

AUDITORS
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
1700 Courthouse Plaza Northeast
Dayton, Ohio 45402

LEGAL COUNSEL
SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP
1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036

SCHWARTZ VALUE FUND is a 100% no-load  diversified  investment company (a mutual
fund). The investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.


                                    SCHWARTZ
                                   VALUE FUND

                                   a series of

                                    SCHWARTZ
                                INVESTMENT TRUST

                                     [LOGO]


                               SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                            for the six months ended
                                  JUNE 30, 1998


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                            6
<CIK>                         0000891160
<NAME>                        SCHWARTZ INVESTMENT TRUST
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       61,193,687
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      74,038,174
<RECEIVABLES>                                  116,028
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                  19,157
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                             3,899
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              74,177,258
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                       286,554
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                      311,307
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            597,861
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    56,247,698
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                        3,028,550
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                        2,915,990
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                     (152,031)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                      4,639,243
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                    12,844,487
<NET-ASSETS>                                73,579,397
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              301,930
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              222,082
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 676,043
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       (152,031)
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                     4,776,216
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                   (3,861,794)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          762,391
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                        249,771
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    137,211
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       3,612,837
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                     136,973
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                          543,863
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                676,043
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        73,136,027
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            23.99
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   (.05)
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                            .36
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              24.30
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.86
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


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