NATIONAL LIMITED MATURITY MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO
N-30D, 1996-05-21
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The Eaton Vance Investment Trust 
For the National Limited Maturity Tax Free Portfolio 

[LOGO] 

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report 
March 31, 1996 

Investment Adviser of National Limited Maturity Municipals Portfolio 
Boston Management and Research 
24 Federal Street 
Boston, MA 02110 

Administrator 
Eaton Vance Management 
24 Federal Street 
Boston, MA 02110 
(617) 482-8260 

Principal Underwriter 
Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. 
24 Federal Street 
Boston, MA 02110 
(617) 482-8260 

Custodian 
Investors Bank & Trust Company 
89 South Street 
PO Box 1537 
Boston, MA 02205-1537 

Transfer Agent 
First Data Investor Services Group, Inc. 
BOS725 
P.O. Box 1559 
Boston, MA 02104 

Auditors 
Deloitte & Touche LLP 
125 Summer Street 
Boston, MA 02110 

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          National Limited Maturity Municipals Portfolio
                                                   Portfolio of Investments 
                                                       March 31, 1996 

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                                      Tax-Exempt Investments--100%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Ratings (unaudited) 
- -------------------- 
                        Principal 
            Standard    Amount 
Moody's     & Poor's    (000 omitted)                               Security                                   Value 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
<S>           <C>           <C>          <C>                                                                 <C>
                                         Education Revenue--11.1% 
Aa            NR            $1,500       Arizona Educational Loan Marketing Corporation, (AMT), 6.00%, 
                                           9/1/01                                                            $ 1,550,175 
NR            NR             1,885       Arizona Educational Loan Marketing Corporation, (AMT), 6.25%, 
                                           6/1/06                                                              1,894,651 
A             NR             1,000       Arizona Student Loan Acquisition Authority, (AMT), 7.625%, 
                                           5/1/10                                                              1,083,000 
A             NR             1,970       Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Student Loan Revenue Bonds, 
                                           (AMT), 7.00%, 9/1/06                                                2,071,928 
A             NR             1,500       Maine Educational Loan Marketing Corporation, (AMT), 6.90%, 
                                           11/1/03                                                             1,583,940 
A             A-             1,275       Massachusetts Industrial Financing Agency, Clark University, 6.80%, 
                                           7/1/06                                                              1,347,076 
A1            A+             1,730       Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Tufts 
                                           University Issue, 7.40%, 8/1/18                                     1,870,338 
A             NR             1,495       The State of Texas, Texas College Student Loan Senior Lien, 7.45%, 
                                           10/1/06                                                             1,549,538 
Aa1           AA             2,000       University of Texas Financing System, 7.00%, 8/15/07                  2,224,780 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                                                                                             $15,175,426 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                         Escrowed--4.4% 
Aaa           AAA           $1,720       Corpus Christi TX, (FGIC), Prerefunded to 3/1/02, 6.70%, 3/1/08     $ 1,891,002 
Aaa           AAA            1,500       Grand Ledge, Michigan, Public School District, (MBIA), 
                                         Prerefunded to 5/1/04, 7.875%, 5/1/11                                 1,820,565 
Aaa           A+             2,000       The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Prerefunded to 8/1/01, 
                                           6.75%, 8/1/06                                                       2,232,360 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                                                                                             $ 5,943,927 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                         General Obligations--15.9% 
Aa            AA            $1,295       Arkansas State Capital Appreciation Bonds, 0.00%, 6/1/06            $   755,076 
Aa            AA               595       Arkansas State Capital Appreciation Bonds, 0.00%, 6/1/07                325,429 
Aa            AA               660       Arkansas State Capital Appreciation Bonds, 0.00%, 6/1/08                339,966 
Aa            AA             1,035       Arkansas State Capital Appreciation Bonds, 0.00%, 6/1/11                433,065 
Aaa           AA+            1,500       Baltimore County, Maryland, 6.00%, 7/1/05                             1,611,555 
NR            NR             1,000       Cleveland, Ohio, City School District, 6.50%, 6/15/97                 1,002,840 
Aaa           AAA            1,000       Dallas County, Texas, Unlimited Tax (Road Improvement), 6.50%, 
                                           8/15/08                                                             1,065,410 
Aa1           AAA            2,750       City of Dallas, Texas, 5.00%, 2/15/15                                 2,541,000 
Ba1           BBB            5,000       City of Detroit, Michigan, 6.50%, 4/1/02 (2)                          5,226,450 
Ba1           BBB              460       City of Detroit, Michigan, 6.75%, 4/1/03                                487,540 
Aaa           AA+            1,000       State of Georgia, 6.00%, 3/1/04                                       1,082,270 

                                                              14 
<PAGE>
 
<CAPTION>
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                   Tax-Exempt Investments (Continued)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Ratings (unaudited) 
- -------------------- 
                        Principal 
            Standard    Amount 
Moody's     & Poor's    (000 omitted)                               Security                                   Value 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
<S>           <C>           <C>          <C>                                                                <C>
                                         General Obligations--(Continued)
Aa            AA             2,225       Harris County, Texas, 0.00%, 10/1/08                                 1,125,450 
Aaa           AAA            4,170       Katy, Texas, Independent School District, (PSFG), 0.00%, 8/15/11     1,724,337 
NR            NR             3,950       Youngstown, Ohio County School District, 6.40%, 7/1/00               4,079,481 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                                                                                            $21,799,869 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                         Health Care--3.9% 
NR            BBB           $1,250       Alexander City, Alabama, Special Care Facilities Financing 
                                           Authority, (Russell Hospital Corp.), 5.75%, 12/1/08              $ 1,180,100 
NR            BBB            1,250       Alexander City, Alabama, Special Care Facilities Financing 
                                           Authority, (Russell Hospital Corp.), 6.00%, 12/1/14                1,172,600 
Baa           BBB            1,500       Colorado Health Facilities Authority, (Rocky Mountain Adventist 
                                           Project), 6.00%, 2/1/98                                            1,512,210 
NR            BBB-           1,000       Lufkin, Texas, Health Facilities Development Corporation, 
                                           (Memorial Health System of East Texas), 6.50%, 2/15/06               974,380 
NR            NR               475       Vermont State Industrial Development Authority, (Wake Robins 
                                           Project), 8.00%, 4/1/09                                              486,661 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                                                                                            $ 5,325,951 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                         Hospitals--5.3% 
A1            AA-           $1,500       Anchorage, Alaska, Hospital Revenue Bonds, (Sisters of Providence 
                                         Project), 6.75%, 10/1/00                                           $ 1,617,615 
A1            AA-            1,400       California Health Facilities Financing Authority, (Sisters of 
                                           Providence), 7.50%, 10/1/10                                        1,533,266 
Baa           NR             1,355       Flint, Michigan, Hospital Authority, (Hurley Medical Center), 
                                           5.75%, 7/1/03                                                      1,325,854 
Aa            AA-            2,500       Greenville, South Carolina, Hospital System, (Board of Trustees), 
                                           5.25%, 5/1/17                                                      2,288,400 
Baa1          BBB              500       Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority,
                                           (Sisters of Providence Health System), 6.00%, 11/15/00               506,785 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                                                                                            $ 7,271,920 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                         Housing--5.4% 
Baa            NR           $1,125       Illinois Development Finance Authority, Elderly Housing, (Rome 
                                           Meadows Project), 6.40%, 2/1/03                                  $ 1,125,484 
Baa            NR            1,005       Illinois Development Finance Authority, Elderly Housing, (Mattoon 
                                           Tower Project--Section 8), 6.35%, 7/1/10                             988,257 
Baa            NR            1,145       Illinois Development Finance Authority, Elderly Housing, (Rome 
                                           Meadows Project), 6.65%, 2/1/06                                    1,145,676 
NR             A+            1,000       New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, 6.40%, 11/1/02       1,054,690 
Aa             AA            2,895       Wyoming Community Development Agency, (Single Family Mortgage 
                                           Bonds), (FHA/VA Mortgages), (AMT), 7.20%, 6/1/10                   3,105,032 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                                                                                            $ 7,419,139 
                                                                                                            -----------
 
                                                              15
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                                   Tax-Exempt Investments (Continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Ratings (unaudited) 
- -------------------- 
                        Principal 
            Standard    Amount 
Moody's     & Poor's    (000 omitted)                               Security                                   Value 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
<S>           <C>           <C>          <C>                                                                 <C>
                                         Industrial Development Revenue--10.2% 
Ba2           BB            $1,500       Farmington, New Mexico, Pollution Control Revenue, (Public
                                           Service of New Mexico--San Juan Project), 6.00%, 3/1/08           $ 1,447,995 
Baa2          BBB            1,750       Indianapolis, Indiana, Airport Facilities, (Federal Express), 
                                           6.85%, 4/1/17                                                       1,835,400 
NR            NR             5,300       Jackson, Tennessee, Industrial Development Board, Solid Waste 
                                           Disposal (Owens-Corning Fiberglass), (AMT), 6.25%, 3/31/04 (2)      5,339,379 
Baa2          BBB            2,000       Memphis-Shelby County, Tennessee, Airport, (Federal Express), 
                                           6.75%, 9/1/12                                                       2,079,060 
B1            BB+            2,075       Polk County, Florida, Industrial Development Authority, (IMC 
                                           Fertilizer), (AMT), 7.525%, 1/1/15                                  2,162,939 
A1            A-             1,000       Richland County, South Carolina, Pollution Control Revenue (Union 
                                           Camp Corporation Project), 5.875%, 11/1/02                          1,053,060 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                                                                                             $13,917,833 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                         Insured General Obligations--9.0% 
Aaa           AAA           $4,800       Clark County, Nevada, School District, (FGIC), 0.00%, 3/1/09        $ 2,352,576 
Aaa           NR             4,410       Cook & Dupage Counties Combined School District, (#113-- Lemont), 
                                           (FGIC), 0.00%, 12/1/14                                              1,455,300 
Aaa           AAA            1,280       Corpus Christi, Texas, (FGIC), 6.70%, 3/1/08                          1,385,344 
Aaa           AAA            1,300       El Paso, Texas, (AMBAC), 5.00%, 8/15/12                               1,218,347 
Aaa                                      Florida Board of Education Capital Outlay, (FGIC), 4.75%, 
              AAA            2,500         6/1/18                                                              2,166,275 
Aaa                                      Iron Mountain, Michigan, City School District, (AMBAC), 5.125%, 
              AAA            2,000         5/1/16                                                              1,845,440 
Aaa                                      LaPorte County, Indiana, Multi School Building Corporation, (MBIA), 
              AAA            2,835         0.00%, 7/1/13                                                       1,020,487 
Aaa                                      LaPorte County, Indiana, Multi School Building Corporation, (MBIA), 
              AAA            2,500         0.00%, 1/15/14                                                        873,700 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                                                                                             $12,317,469 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                         Insured Hospitals--1.6% 
Aaa           AAA           $1,000       Kentucky Development Finance Authority, (St. Luke's Hospital) 
                                           (MBIA), 7.30%, 10/1/03                                            $ 1,098,530 
Aaa           AAA            1,000       Massachusetts Health & Education Facilities Authority, (Metro West 
                             1,000         Health Inc.), (AMBAC), 5.70%, 11/15/01                              1,053,340 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                                                                                             $ 2,151,870 
                                                                                                             ----------- 
                                         Insured Housing--2.3% 
Aaa           AAA           $2,115       Massachusetts State Housing Finance Authority, (Harborpoint         $ 2,121,937 
                                           Project), (AMBAC), (AMT), 6.20%, 12/1/10 (1) 

                                                              16
<PAGE>
 
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                                   Tax-Exempt Investments (Continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Ratings (unaudited) 
- -------------------- 
                        Principal 
            Standard    Amount 
Moody's     & Poor's    (000 omitted)                               Security                                   Value 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
<S>           <C>           <C>          <C>                                                                <C>
                                         Insured Housing--(Continued) 
Aaa           AAA           1,460        Massachusetts State Housing Finance Authority, (AMBAC), 
                                           (AMT), 6.00%, 1/1/04                                              1,043,890 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                                                                                            $3,165,827 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                         Insured Industrial Development Revenue--2.0% 
Aaa           AAA           $1,500       Alabama Water Pollution Control Authority, Revolving Fund
                                           (AMBAC), 6.50%, 8/15/04                                          $1,562,670 
Aaa           AAA            1,000       Illinois Development Finance Authority, Pollution Control
                                           Revenue, (Commonwealth Edison), (MBIA), 7.25%, 6/1/11             1,110,840 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                                                                                            $2,673,510 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                         Insured Lease Revenue/Certificate of Participation--1.1% 
Aaa           AAA           $1,500       Texas State Public Finance Authority, (AMBAC), 5.60%, 2/1/00       $1,555,710 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                         Insured Transportation--3.7% 
Aaa           AAA           $1,100       Metropolitan Washington D.C. Airport Authority, (MBIA), 
                                           7.60%, 10/1/14                                                   $1,209,043 
Aaa           AAA            1,500       Port of Houston Authority of Harris County, Texas, (MBIA) 
                                           5.75%, 5/1/02                                                     1,538,280 
Aaa           AAA            2,270       Texas Turnpike Authority, (FGIC), 6.00%, 1/1/03 (1)                 2,320,190 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                                                                                            $5,067,513 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                         Insured Utility--1.3% 
Aaa           AAA           $3,460       Austin, Texas, Utility System, (MBIA), 0.00%, 11/15/08             $1,734,256 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                         Insured Water & Sewer--0.9% 
Aaa           AAA           $1,170       City of Vallejo, California, (Water Improvement Project),
                                           (FGIC), 6.00%, 11/1/00                                           $1,242,821 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                         Lease Revenue/Certificate of Participation--1.0% 
NR            NR            $1,405       Los Angeles, California, Regional Airports Improvement
                                           Corporation, (Trans World Airlines Inc.), 6.125%, 5/15/00        $1,398,031 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                         Miscellaneous--0.8% 
Aa            AA            $1,000       Virginia State Public School Authority, 6.00%, 8/1/01              $1,070,770 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                         Nursing Homes--5.9% 
NR            NR            $1,105       Arizona Health Facilities Authority, Assisted Living,
                                          (Mesa Project), 7.625%, 1/1/06                                    $1,085,508 
NR            A+             4,000       California Statewide Nursing Homes, (Pacific Homes),
                                           5.90%, 4/1/09                                                     4,005,480 
NR            NR             1,500       Massachusetts State Industrial Finance Agency, Health Care 
                                         Facilities, (Age Institute of MA Project), 7.60%, 11/1/05           1,501,875 
NR            NR             1,550       St. Tammany Public Trust Finance Authority, Louisiana,
                                           (Christwood Project), 8.75%, 11/15/05                             1,527,076 
                                                                                                            ---------- 
                                                                                                            $8,119,939 
                                                                                                            ----------

                                                              17
<PAGE>
 

<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                                   Tax-Exempt Investments (Continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Ratings (unaudited) 
- -------------------- 
                        Principal 
            Standard    Amount 
Moody's     & Poor's    (000 omitted)                               Security                                   Value 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
<S>          <C>            <C>          <C>                                                                <C>
                                         Solid Waste--3.0% 
NR           BBB-           $1,120       New Jersey Economic Development Authority Heating & Cooling, 
                                           (Trigen-Trenton Project), (AMT), 6.10%, 12/1/05                  $ 1,119,283 
NR           NR              1,800        Pennsylvania Economic Development Authority, Resource Recovery, 
                                           (Northampton), 6.75%, 1/1/07                                       1,814,778 
NR           NR              1,225       Pima County, Arizona, Industrial Development Authority, Solid
                                           Waste Disposal, (Browning Ferris Industries), (AMT), 5.00%, 
                                           2/1/06                                                             1,169,924 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                                                                                            $ 4,103,985 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                         Transportation--2.6% 
Baa          BBB            $2,000       Denver, Colorado, City & County Airport, (AMT), 7.00%, 11/15/09    $ 2,107,040 
Baa          BBB             1,500       Tulsa, Oklahoma, Municipal Airport, (American Airlines Project), 
                                           6.25%, 6/1/20                                                      1,496,130 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                                                                                            $ 3,603,170 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                         Utility Revenue--7.8% 
Aa           AA             $1,545       Conservation and Renewable Energy System, Washington 
                                           Conservation Project, 5.55%, 10/1/02                             $ 1,606,367 
Aa3          AA-             1,000       Chicago, Illinois, Gas Supply Revenue Bonds, (The Peoples Gas
                                           Light and Coke Company Project), 7.50%, 3/1/15                     1,101,980 
Aa1          AA              1,000       Jacksonville Electric Authority, St. John's River Power System, 
                                           6.75%, 10/1/05                                                     1,099,050 
Aa2          AA              2,500       Jefferson County, Kentucky, Louisville Gas and Electric Company 
                                           Project, 7.75%, 2/1/19                                             2,680,925 
Aa           AA-             1,500       Southern California Public Power Authority, 5.50%, 7/1/12            1,442,235 
Aa           AA              1,000       Washington Public Power Supply System, Nuclear Project No. 3,
                                           7.375%, 7/1/04                                                     1,102,690 
Aa           AA              1,500       Washington Public Power Supply System, Nuclear Project No. 1,
                                           7.50%, 7/1/15                                                      1,623,255 
                                                                                                            ----------- 
                                                                                                            $10,656,502 
                                                                                                            -----------

                                                              18 
<PAGE>
 

<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                                   Tax-Exempt Investments (Continued)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Ratings (unaudited) 
- -------------------- 
                        Principal 
            Standard    Amount 
Moody's     & Poor's    (000 omitted)                               Security                                   Value 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
<S>           <C>           <C>          <C>                                                                <C>
                                         Water & Sewer Revenue--0.8% 
Aa            AA+           $1,000       Harris County, Texas, Flood Control District, 7.125%, 10/1/00      $  1,105,727 
                                                                                                            ------------ 
                                         Total Investments (identified cost, $135,711,069)                  $136,821,165 
                                                                                                            ============ 
</TABLE>

(1) When-Issued Security. 
(2) Security has been segregated to cover when-issued securities. 

The Portfolio invests primarily in debt securities issued by municipalities. 
The ability of the issuers of the debt securities to meet their obligations 
may be affected by economic developments in a specific industry or 
municipality. In order to reduce the risk associated with such economic 
developments, at March 31, 1996, 23.8% of the securities in the portfolio of 
investments are backed by bond insurance of various financial institutions 
and financial guaranty assurance agencies. The aggregate percentage by 
financial institution range from 1.3% to 9.4% of total investments. 
At March 31, 1996, the concentration of the Portfolio's investments in the 
various states, determined as a percentage of total investments, is as 
follows: 

Texas                                                                      16%
Others, representing less than 10% individually                            84%
                                                                           

                       See notes to financial statements


                                      19 
<PAGE>

                                    Financial Statements

                             Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 <TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        March 31, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>
Assets: 
 Investments, at value (Note 1A) (identified cost, $135,711,069)                 $136,821,165 
 Cash                                                                                     223 
 Receivable for investments sold                                                    1,684,395 
 Interest receivable                                                                2,625,016 
 Deferred organization expenses (Note 1D)                                               5,154 
                                                                                 ------------ 
      Total assets                                                               $141,135,953 
Liabilities: 
 Payable for investments purchased                                 $6,219,119 
 Demand note payable (Note 3)                                         130,000 
 Payable to affiliate -- 
  Trustees' fees                                                        2,188 
 Accrued expenses                                                       8,278 
                                                                   ---------- 
      Total liabilities                                                             6,359,585 
                                                                                 ------------ 
Net Assets applicable to investors' interest in Portfolio                        $134,776,368 
                                                                                 ============ 
Sources of Net Assets: 
 Net proceeds from capital contributions and withdrawals                         $133,666,272 
 Unrealized appreciation of investments (computed 
   on the basis of identified cost)                                                 1,110,096 
                                                                                 ------------ 
      Total                                                                      $134,776,368 
                                                                                 ============ 

</TABLE>


                       See notes to financial statements


                                      20
<PAGE>

Financial Statements (Continued) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Statement of Operations
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Year Ended March 31, 1996 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>           <C>
Investment Income: 
 Interest income                                                                    $8,620,881 
 Expenses -- 
  Investment adviser fee (Note 2)                                     $  717,356 
  Compensation of Trustees not members of the Investment Adviser's 
    organization                                                          11,064 
  Custodian fees (Note 2)                                                 73,801 
  Legal and accounting services                                           25,060 
  Amortization of organization expenses (Note 1D)                          2,474 
  Miscellaneous                                                           52,396 
                                                                      ---------- 
    Total expenses                                                    $  882,151 
  Deduct -- 
    Reduction of custodian fee (Note 2)                                   20,757 
                                                                      ---------- 
     Net expenses                                                                      861,394 
                                                                                    ---------- 
      Net investment income                                                         $7,759,487 
                                                                                    ---------- 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss): 
 Net realized gain (loss) -- 
  Investment transactions (identified cost basis)                     $2,292,919 
  Financial futures contracts                                           (838,327) 
                                                                      ---------- 
   Net realized gain                                                                $1,454,592 
 Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of -- 
  Investments                                                         $ (504,444) 
  Financial futures contracts                                            144,506 
                                                                      ---------- 
   Net change in unrealized depreciation                                              (359,938) 
                                                                                    ---------- 
    Net realized and unrealized gain                                                $1,094,654 
                                                                                    ---------- 
     Net increase in net assets from operations                                     $8,854,141 
                                                                                    ========== 
</TABLE>


                                   See notes to financial statements

                                                 21

<PAGE>

Financial Statements (Continued)
 
                                  Statements of Changes in Net Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year Ended March 31, 
                                                                     ------------------------------ 
                                                                         1996             1995 
                                                                      ------------   -------------- 
<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: 
 From operations -- 
  Net investment income                                              $  7,759,487     $  8,797,304 
  Net realized gain (loss) on investments                               1,454,592       (4,509,177) 
  Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments        (359,938)       4,668,165 
                                                                     ------------     ------------- 
   Net increase in net assets from operations                        $  8,854,141     $  8,956,292 
                                                                     ------------     ------------- 
 Capital transactions -- 
  Contributions                                                      $ 15,935,762     $ 53,163,573 
  Withdrawals                                                         (59,634,339)     (70,340,668) 
                                                                     ------------     ------------- 
   Decrease in net assets resulting from capital transactions        $(43,698,577)    $(17,177,095) 
                                                                     ------------     ------------- 
    Total decrease in net assets                                     $(34,844,436)    $ (8,220,803) 
Net Assets: 
 At beginning of year                                                 169,620,804      177,841,607 
                                                                     ------------     ------------- 
 At end of year                                                      $134,776,368     $169,620,804 
                                                                     ============     ============= 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Supplementary Data 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Year Ended March 31, 
                                                               ------------------------------ 
                                                                1996       1995        1994* 
                                                               -------    -------    -------- 
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>         <C>
Ratios (As a percentage of average daily net assets): 
 Expenses (1)                                                      0.57%       0.53%       0.52%+ 
 Expenses after custodian fee reduction                            0.56%         --          -- 
 Net investment income                                             5.08%       5.02%       4.74%+ 
Portfolio Turnover                                                   68%         56%         21% 
Net Assets, end of period (000 omitted)                        $134,776    $169,621    $177,842 
</TABLE>

+   Annualized. 

*   For the period from the start of business, May 3, 1993, to March 31, 1994. 

(1) The expense ratios for the year ended March 31, 1996 have been adjusted 
    to reflect a change in reporting requirements. The new reporting 
    guidelines require the Portfolio to increase its expense ratio by the 
    effect of any expense offset arrangements with its service providers. The 
    expense ratios for each of the periods ended on or before March 31, 1995 
    have not been adjusted to reflect this change. 


                        See notes to financial statements

                                       22

<PAGE>
 
                         Notes to Financial Statements

(1) Significant Accounting Policies 

National Limited Maturity Municipals Portfolio, formerly National Limited 
Maturity Tax Free Portfolio, (the Portfolio) is a mutual fund seeking to 
provide a high level of income exempt from regular federal income tax and 
limited principal fluctuation. The Portfolio is registered under the 
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified open-end management 
investment company which was organized as a trust under the laws of the State 
of New York on May 1, 1992. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to 
issue interests in the Portfolio. The following is a summary of significant 
accounting policies of the Portfolio. The policies are in conformity with 
generally accepted accounting principles. 

A. Investment Valuation--Municipal bonds are normally valued on the basis of 
valuations furnished by a pricing service. Taxable obligations, if any, for 
which price quotations are readily available are normally valued at the mean 
between the latest bid and asked prices. Futures contracts listed on 
commodity exchanges are valued at closing settlement prices. Short-term 
obligations, maturing in sixty days or less, are valued at amortized cost, 
which approximates value. Investments for which valuations or market 
quotations are unavailable are valued at fair value using methods determined 
in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees. 

B. Income--Interest income is determined on the basis of interest accrued, 
adjusted for amortization of premium or discount when required for federal 
income tax purposes. 

C. Income Taxes--The Portfolio is treated as a partnership for federal tax 
purposes. No provision is made by the Portfolio for federal or state taxes on 
any taxable income of the Portfolio because each investor in the Portfolio is 
ultimately responsible for the payment of any taxes. Since some of the 
Portfolio's investors are regulated investment companies that invest all or 
substantially all of their assets in the Portfolio, the Portfolio normally 
must satisfy the applicable source of income and diversification requirements 
(under the Internal Revenue Code) in order for its investors to satisfy them. 
The Portfolio will allocate at least annually among its investors each 
investor's distributive share of the Portfolio's net taxable (if any) and 
tax-exempt investment income, net realized capital gains, and any other items 
of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit. Interest income received by the 
Portfolio on investments in municipal bonds, which is excludable from gross 
income under the Internal Revenue Code, will retain its status as income 
exempt from federal income tax when allocated to the Portfolio's investors. 
The portion of such interest, if any, earned on private activity bonds issued 
after August 7, 1986 may be considered a tax preference item for investors. 

D. Deferred Organization Expenses--Costs incurred by the Portfolio in 
connection with its organization are being amortized on the straight-line 
basis over five years. 

E. Financial Futures Contracts--Upon the entering of a financial futures 
contract, the Portfolio is required to deposit ("initial margin") either in 
cash or securities an amount equal to a certain percentage of the purchase 
price indicated in the financial futures contract. Subsequent payments are 
made or received by the Portfolio ("margin maintenance") each day, dependent 
on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security, and are 
recorded for book purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Portfolio. 
The Portfolio's investment in financial futures contracts is designed only to 
hedge against anticipated future changes in interest rates. Should interest 
rates move unexpectedly, the Portfolio may not achieve the anticipated 
benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. 

F. Use of Estimates--The preparation of financial statements in conformity 
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make 
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and 
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts 
of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could 
differ from those estimates. 

G. Other--Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. 

                                       23

<PAGE>
 
 Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) 

(2) Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions 
    with Affiliates 
The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), 
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Management (EVM), as compensation 
for management and investment advisory services rendered to the Portfolio. 
The fee is based upon a percentage of average daily net assets plus a 
percentage of gross income (i.e., income other than gains from the sale of 
securities). For the year ended March 31, 1996, the fee was equivalent to 
0.47% of the Portfolio's average net assets for such period and amounted to 
$717,356. Except as to Trustees of the Portfolio who are not members of EVM's 
or BMR's organization, officers and Trustees receive remuneration for their 
services to the Portfolio out of such investment adviser fee. Investors Bank 
& Trust Company (IBT) serves as custodian to the Portfolio. Prior to November 
10, 1995, IBT was an affiliate of EVM. Pursuant to the custodian agreement, 
IBT receives a fee reduced by credits which are determined based on the 
average cash balances the Portfolio maintains with IBT. All significant 
credit balances used to reduce the Portfolio's custody fees are reported as a 
reduction of expenses in the statement of operations. Certain of the officers 
and Trustees of the Portfolio are officers and directors/trustees of the 
above organizations. Trustees of the Portfolio may elect to defer receipt of 
all or a portion of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the 
Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended March 31, 1996, no 
significant amounts have been deferred. 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Line of Credit 
The Portfolio participates with other portfolios and funds managed by BMR and 
EVM in a $120 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a bank. The 
line of credit consists of a $20 million committed facility and a $100 
million discretionary facility. The Portfolio may temporarily borrow up to 5% 
of its total assets to satisfy redemption requests or settle transactions. 
Interest is charged to each portfolio or fund based on its borrowings at an 
amount above either the bank's adjusted certificate of deposit rate, a 
variable adjusted certificate of deposit rate, or a federal funds effective 
rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 1/4 of 1% on the $20 
million committed facility and on the daily unused portion of the $100 
million discretionary facility is allocated among the participating funds and 
portfolios at the end of each quarter. At March 31, 1996, the Portfolio had a 
balance outstanding pursuant to this line of credit of $130,000. The 
Portfolio did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during 
the year. 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Investments 
Purchases and sales of investments, other than U.S. Government securities and 
short-term obligations, aggregated $103,068,498 and $133,743,025, 
respectively. 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Federal Income Tax Basis of Investments 
The cost and unrealized appreciation/depreciation in value of the investments 
owned at March 31, 1996, as computed on a federal income tax basis, were as 
follows: 

Aggregate cost                                                    $135,711,069 
                                                                  ============ 
Gross unrealized appreciation                                     $  2,337,287 
Gross unrealized depreciation                                        1,227,191 
                                                                  ------------ 
  Net unrealized appreciation                                     $  1,110,096 
                                                                  ============ 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(6) Financial Instruments 
The Portfolio regularly trades in financial instruments with off-balance 
sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities to assist in 
managing exposure to various market risks. These financial instruments 
include written options and futures contracts and may involve, to a varying 
degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial 
statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments 
represent the investment the Portfolio has in particular classes of financial 
instruments and does not necessarily represent the amounts potentially 
subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these 
instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions 
are considered. The Portfolio had no such obligations outstanding at March 
31, 1996. 

                                       24

<PAGE>


Independent Auditors' Report 


To the Trustees and Investors of 
National Limited Maturity Municipals Portfolio: 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, 
including the portfolio of investments of National Limited Maturity 
Municipals Portfolio as of March 31, 1996, the related statement of 
operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets 
for the years ended March 31, 1996 and 1995, and the supplementary data for 
the years ended March 31, 1996 and 1995, and for the period from the start of 
business, May 3, 1993, to March 31, 1994. These financial statements and 
supplementary data are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and 
supplementary data based on our audits. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and 
supplementary data are free of material misstatement. An audit includes 
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures 
in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of the 
securities owned at March 31, 1996, by correspondence with the custodian and 
brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other 
audit procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles 
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide 
a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, such financial statements and supplementary data present 
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of National Limited 
Maturity Municipals Portfolio as of March 31, 1996, the results of its 
operations, changes in its net assets and its supplementary data for the 
respective stated periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting 
principles. 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP 


Boston, Massachusetts 
April 26, 1996 

                                      25


<PAGE>
 
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FOR NATIONAL LIMITED MATURITY 
MUNICIPALS PORTFOLIO 

OFFICERS 

M. DOZIER GARDNER 
President, Trustee 

JAMES B. HAWKES 
Vice President, Trustee 

ROBERT B. MACINTOSH 
Vice President

RAYMOND E. HENDER 
Vice President and 
Portfolio Manager 

JAMES L. O'CONNOR 
Treasurer 

THOMAS OTIS 
Secretary 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES 

DONALD R. DWIGHT 
President, Dwight Partners, Inc. 
Chairman, Newspapers of New England, Inc. 

SAMUEL L. HAYES, III 
Jacob H. Schiff Professor of 
Investment Banking, 
Harvard University Graduate School 
of Business Administration 

NORTON H. REAMER 
President and Director, United Asset 
Management Corporation 

John L. THORNDIKE 
Vice President and Director, 
Fiduciary Company Incorporated 

JACK L. TREYNOR 
Investment Adviser and Consultant 



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