MUNIVEST
MICHIGAN
INSURED
FUND, INC.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
STRATEGIC
Performance
Semi-Annual Report
April 30, 1998
<PAGE>
MUNIVEST MICHIGAN INSURED FUND, INC.
The Benefits and
Risks of
Leveraging
MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc. utilizes leveraging to seek to enhance the
yield and net asset value of its Common Stock. However, these objectives cannot
be achieved in all interest rate environments. To leverage, the Fund issues
Preferred Stock, which pays dividends at prevailing short-term interest rates,
and invests the proceeds in long-term municipal bonds. The interest earned on
these investments is paid to Common Stock shareholders in the form of dividends,
and the value of these portfolio holdings is reflected in the per share net
asset value of the Fund's Common Stock. However, in order to benefit Common
Stock shareholders, the yield curve must be positively sloped; that is,
short-term interest rates must be lower than long-term interest rates. At the
same time, a period of generally declining interest rates will benefit Common
Stock shareholders. If either of these conditions change, then the risks of
leveraging will begin to outweigh the benefits.
To illustrate these concepts, assume a fund's Common Stock capitalization of
$100 million and the issuance of Preferred Stock for an additional $50 million,
creating a total value of $150 million available for investment in long-term
municipal bonds. If prevailing short-term interest rates are approximately 3%
and long-term interest rates are approximately 6%, the yield curve has a
strongly positive slope. The fund pays dividends on the $50 million of Preferred
Stock based on the lower short-term interest rates. At the same time, the fund's
total portfolio of $150 million earns the income based on long-term interest
rates. Of course, increases in short-term interest rates would reduce (and even
eliminate) the dividends on the Common Stock.
In this case, the dividends paid to Preferred Stock shareholders are
significantly lower than the income earned on the fund's long-term investments,
and therefore the Common Stock shareholders are the beneficiaries of the
incremental yield. However, if short-term interest rates rise, narrowing the
differential between short-term and long-term interest rates, the incremental
yield pickup on the Common Stock will be reduced or eliminated completely. At
the same time, the market value on the fund's Common Stock (that is, its price
as listed on the New York Stock Exchange) may, as a result, decline.
Furthermore, if long-term interest rates rise, the Common Stock's net asset
value will reflect the full decline in the price of the portfolio's investments,
since the value of the fund's Preferred Stock does not fluctuate. In addition to
the decline in net asset value, the market value of the fund's Common Stock may
also decline.
Managed Dividend
Policy
The Fund's dividend policy is to distribute substantially all of its net
investment income to its shareholders on a monthly basis. However, in order to
provide shareholders with a more consistent yield to the current trading price
of shares of Common Stock of the Fund, the Fund may at times pay out less than
the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular month and
may at times in any particular month pay out such accumulated but undistributed
income in addition to net investment income earned in that month. As a result,
the dividends paid by the Fund for any particular month may be more or less than
the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such month. The
Fund's current accumulated but undistributed net investment income, if any, is
disclosed in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Capital, which comprises
part of the financial information included in this report.
<PAGE>
MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., April 30, 1998
DEAR SHAREHOLDER
For the six months ended April 30, 1998, the Common Stock of MuniVest Michigan
Insured Fund, Inc. earned $0.375 per share income dividends, which included
earned and unpaid dividends of $0.061. This represents a net annualized yield of
5.45%, based on a month-end net asset value of $13.89 per share. Over the same
period, the total investment return on the Fund's Common Stock was +2.44%, based
on a change in per share net asset value from $13.95 to $13.89, and assuming
reinvestment of $0.380 per share income dividends.
For the six months ended April 30, 1998, the Fund's Auction Market Preferred
Stock had an average yield of 3.53%.
The Municipal Market Environment
During the six months ended April 30, 1998, bond yields generally moved lower,
and by mid-January 1998 had declined to recent historic lows. Long-term US
Treasury bond yields declined 20 basis points (0.20%) during the same period and
stood at 5.95% by April 30, 1998. Similarly, long-term uninsured tax-exempt bond
yields, as measured by the Bond Buyer Revenue Bond Index, fell approximately 35
basis points to 5.25%, a level not seen since the mid-1970s. While low inflation
has supported lower interest rates, much of the decline in bond yields in late
1997 and early 1998 was driven more by the turmoil in Asian financial markets
than by domestic economic fundamentals. Weak economic conditions in Asia were
expected to negatively impact US growth through reduced export demand.
Additionally, inflation in the United States was also expected to decline in
response to lower prices on goods imported from Asian manufacturers.
However, in recent months, many investors have become increasingly concerned
that most of the downturn in Asia, especially in Japan, has already occurred and
any future deterioration will not be severe enough to constrain US economic
growth and inflationary pressures. These concerns served to push interest rates
higher in the latter part of the period, causing fixed-income yields to retrace
much of their earlier gains.
Thus far in 1998, the municipal bond market has experienced unexpectedly strong
supply pressures. These supply pressures have prevented tax-exempt bond yields
from declining as much as US Treasury bond yields. Over the last six months,
more than $135 billion in new tax-exempt bonds were underwritten, an increase of
over 40% compared to the same period a year ago. During the last three months,
municipalities issued over $72 billion in new securities, an increase of more
than 60% compared to the same three-month period in 1997. Additionally,
corporate issuers have also viewed current interest rate levels as an
opportunity to issue significant amounts of taxable securities. Thus far in
1998, over $100 billion in investment-grade corporate bonds have been
underwritten, an increase of more than 60% relative to the comparable period a
year ago. This sizeable corporate bond issuance has tended to support generally
higher fixed-income yields and reduce the demand for tax-exempt bonds.
However, the recent pace of new municipal bond issuance is unlikely to be
maintained. Continued increases in bond issuance will require lower and lower
tax-exempt bond yields to generate the economic savings necessary for additional
municipal bond refinancings. Preliminary estimates for 1998 total municipal bond
issuance are presently in the $200 billion-$225 billion range. These estimates
suggest that recent supply pressures are likely to abate later in the year.
Municipal bond investors received approximately $30 billion earlier this year in
coupon payments, bond maturities and proceeds from early redemptions. The demand
generated by these assets has helped offset the increase in supply seen thus far
this year. Furthermore, looking ahead, June and July have also tended to be
periods of strong investor demand as seasonal factors are likely to generate
strong income flows similar to those seen earlier this year.
It is also possible that at least some of the recent economic strength seen in
the United States will be reversed in the coming months. A particularly mild
winter has been partially responsible for a strong housing sector, as well as
other construction industries. This recent strong trend may not be sustained and
may lead to weaker construction growth later this year. Additionally, strong
economic growth in 1997 and the increased use of electronic tax filing have
resulted in larger and earlier Federal and state income tax refunds to many
individuals. These refunds appear to have supported strong consumer spending in
recent months, but may be borrowing against weaker spending later this year. In
addition, the continued impact of the Asian financial crisis on the US domestic
economy's future growth remains unclear. Barring a dramatic and unexpected
resurgence of domestic inflation, we do not believe that the Federal Reserve
Board will be willing to raise interest rates until the full impact of the Asian
situation can be established.
All these factors suggest that over the near term, tax-exempt as well as taxable
bond yields are unlikely to rise by any appreciable amount. Recent supply
pressures have caused municipal bond yield ratios to rise relative to US
Treasury bond yields. At April 30, 1998, long-term tax-exempt bond yields were
at attractive yield ratios relative to comparable US Treasury securities (over
90%), and well in excess of their expected range of 85%-88%. Any further
pressure upon the municipal market may well represent a very attractive
investment opportunity.
Portfolio Strategy
During the six months ended April 30, 1998, we gradually adopted a more
constructive investment outlook. We believe that the current absence of
inflationary pressures will continue, and further slowing of US economic growth
is likely as a result of the ongoing Asian financial crisis. In our opinion,
slower economic growth, coupled with minimal inflation, should result in
interest rate declines. Therefore, we have used recent periods of interest rate
volatility to add higher-yielding issues to the Fund's holdings. The Fund has
remained fully invested in order to seek to enhance shareholder income and
participate in improving fixed-income markets that we expect in the coming
months.
During the period, short-term tax-exempt interest rates traded in a relatively
narrow range centered around 3.50%. Recently, these interest rates rose slightly
in response to temporary seasonal tax factors that should abate quickly in the
coming weeks. Despite the recent moderate increase in short-term interest rates,
throughout the period the leveraging of the Fund's Preferred Stock continued to
generate a significant yield enhancement to Common Stock shareholders. However,
should the spread between short-term and long-term interest rates narrow, the
benefits of the leverage will decline and the yield on the Common Stock will be
reduced. (For a complete explanation of the benefits and risks of leveraging,
see page 1 of this report to shareholders.)
In Conclusion
We appreciate your ongoing interest in MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., and
we look forward to assisting you with your financial needs in the months and
years ahead.
Sincerely,
/s/ Arthur Zeikel
Arthur Zeikel
President
/s/ Vincent R. Giordano
Vincent R. Giordano
Senior Vice President
/s/ Fred K. Stuebe
Fred K. Stuebe
Vice President and
Portfolio Manager
May 29, 1998
2 & 3
<PAGE>
MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., April 30, 1998
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P Moody's Face Value
STATE Ratings Ratings Amount Issue (Note 1a)
====================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michigan
- --96.2% AAA Aaa $ 1,000 Belding, Michigan, Area Schools, Refunding, UT, 6.05% due 5/01/2021 (c) $ 1,097
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,000 Brandon, Michigan, School District, Refunding, UT, 5% due 5/01/2026 (b) 951
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,000 Byron Center, Michigan, Public Schools, Refunding, UT, 5% due 5/01/2024 (d) 952
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,000 Caledonia, Michigan, Community Schools, Refunding, UT, 6.625% due 5/01/2014 (b) 1,088
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,625 Central Michigan University Revenue Bonds, 5.50% due 10/01/2026 (c) 1,643
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coldwater, Michigan, Community Schools, UT (e):
AAA Aaa 1,000 6.30% due 5/01/2004 (f) 1,112
AAA Aaa 2,310 Refunding, 5.125% due 5/01/2023 2,236
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delta County, Michigan, Economic Development Corporation, Environmental
Improvement Revenue Bonds (Mead Escanaba Paper), DATES (a):
NR* P1 100 Series E, 4.15% due 12/01/2023 100
NR* P1 400 Series F, 4.15% due 12/01/2013 400
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detroit, Michigan, Sewage Disposal Revenue Bonds:
AAA Aaa 4,100 6.625% due 7/01/2001 (c)(f) 4,459
AAA Aaa 3,000 Series A, 5% due 7/01/2027 (e) 2,850
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 3,200 Detroit, Michigan, Water Supply System Revenue Bonds, Series A, 5% due 7/01/2021 (e) 3,056
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 5,250 Eastern Michigan University, General Revenue Bonds, 5.50% due 6/01/2027 (c) 5,313
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,000 Ferris State University, Michigan, General Revenue Refunding Bonds,
5% due 10/01/2023 (b) 1,906
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Ledge, Michigan, Public Schools District, UT (e):
AAA Aaa 8,000 6.60% due 5/01/2004 (f) 9,025
AAA Aaa 1,000 6.45% due 5/01/2014 1,103
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand Rapids, Michigan, Water Supply System, Revenue Refunding Bonds (c):
AAA Aaa 7,000 6.50% due 1/01/2015 7,463
A1+ VMIG1+ 400 VRDN, 4% due 1/01/2020 (a) 400
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 5,250 Grand Traverse County, Michigan, Hospital Finance Authority, Hospital Revenue
Refunding Bonds (Munson Healthcare), Series A, 6.25% due 7/01/2022 (b) 5,641
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,570 Grandville, Michigan, Public Schools District, Refunding, UT,
6.60% due 5/01/2005 (c)(f) 1,779
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,250 Greenville, Michigan, Public Schools Building, UT, 5.75% due 5/01/2019 (e) 2,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kalamazoo, Michigan, Hospital Finance Authority, Hospital Facility, Revenue
Refunding and Improvement Bonds (Bronson Methodist) (e):
AAA Aaa 1,435 5.75% due 5/15/2016 1,493
AAA Aaa 1,000 5.875% due 5/15/2026 1,039
AAA Aaa 1,180 Series A, 6.375% due 5/15/2017 1,281
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,000 Kent County, Michigan, Airport Facility Revenue Bonds
(Kent County International Airport), AMT, 5% due 1/01/2028 (e) 938
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,660 Kent, Michigan, Hospital Finance Authority, Health Care Revenue Bonds (Butterworth
Health Systems), Series A, 5.625% due 1/15/2026 (e) 2,696
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,000 Kent, Michigan, Hospital Finance Authority, Hospital Facility,
Revenue Refunding Bonds (Butterworth Hospital), Series A, 7.25% due 1/15/2013 (e) 2,407
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,000 Leslie, Michigan, Public Schools (Ingham and Jackson Counties), Refunding, UT, 4.875%
due 5/01/2025 (c) 928
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 3,235 Lincoln Park, Michigan, School District, UT, 7% due 5/01/2006 (c)(f) 3,782
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,900 Lowell, Michigan, Area Schools, Refunding, UT, 4.91%** due 5/01/2016 (c) 729
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1 VMIG1+ 500 Michigan Higher Education Student Loan Authority Revenue Bonds, VRDN, AMT,
Series XII-D, 4.10% due 10/01/2015 (a)(b) 500
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan Municipal Bond Authority Revenue Bonds (Local Government Loan Program),
Series A (c):
AAA Aaa 1,000 6% due 12/01/2013 1,070
AAA Aaa 2,000 6.125% due 12/01/2018 2,148
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,425 Michigan Municipal Bond Authority Revenue Bonds (Local Government Loan Program--
Marquette Building), Series D, 6.75% due 5/01/2021 (b) 1,537
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 4,550 Michigan State, HDA, Rental Housing Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
6.50% due 4/01/2023 (d) 4,811
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority Revenue Bonds (b):
AAA Aaa 1,500 (Mercy Health Services), Series Q, 5.375% due 8/15/2026 1,486
AAA Aaa 1,225 (Mercy Health Services), Series R, 5.375% due 8/15/2026 1,213
AAA Aaa 1,360 (Saint John Hospital and Medical Center), Series A, 5.25% due 5/15/2026 1,323
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds:
AAA Aaa 2,930 (Detroit Medical Center Group), Series A, 5.25% due 8/15/2027 (b) 2,853
AAA Aaa 2,305 (Mercy Health Services), Series T, 6.50% due 8/15/2013 (e) 2,552
AAA Aaa 3,000 (Saint John Hospital), Series A, 6% due 5/15/2013 (b) 3,176
AAA Aaa 1,460 (Sparrow Obligation Group), 6.50% due 11/15/2011 (e) 1,569
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 5,000 Michigan State Strategic Fund, Limited Obligation, Revenue Refunding Bonds
(Detroit Edison Co. Project), Series CC, 6.95% due 9/01/2021 (c) 5,421
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 6,500 Monroe County, Michigan, Economic Development Corporation, Limited Obligation Revenue
Refunding Bonds (Detroit Edison Co. Project), Series AA, 6.95% due 9/01/2022 (c) 8,009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 4,500 Monroe County, Michigan, PCR (Detroit Edison Co. Project), AMT, Series CC, 6.55%
due 6/01/2024 (e) 4,875
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,000 Montrose, Michigan, School District, UT, 5.60% due 5/01/2026 (e) 2,037
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern Michigan University, Revenue Bonds (e):
AAA Aaa 2,000 5% due 12/01/2025 1,902
AAA Aaa 3,000 Refunding, 5.125% due 12/01/2020 2,916
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,500 Northview, Michigan, Public School District, Refunding, UT, 5.80% due 5/01/2021 (e) 2,607
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,600 Novi, Michigan, Community School District, UT, 6.125% due 5/01/2003 (c)(f) 2,844
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,000 Oakland University, Michigan, General Revenue Bonds, 5.75% due 5/15/2026 (e) 1,036
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,000 Reeths-Puffer, Michigan, School District, Refunding, UT, 6% due 5/01/2025 (c) 1,061
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
Portfolio
Abbreviations
To simplify the listings of MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc.'s portfolio
holdings in the Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the names of some
of the securities according to the list at right.
AMT Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
DATES Daily Adjustable Tax-Exempt Securities
HDA Housing Development Authority
PCR Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
RITR Residual Interest Trust Receipts
UT Unlimited Tax
VRDN Variable Rate Demand Notes
4 & 5
<PAGE>
MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., April 30, 1998
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded) (in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
S&P Moody's Face Value
STATE Ratings Ratings Amount Issue (Note 1a)
====================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Michigan Royal Oak, Michigan, Hospital Finance Authority, Hospital Revenue Bonds
(concluded) (William Beaumont Hospital):
AA Aaa $ 2,500 Series D, 6.75% due 1/01/2001 (f) $ 2,703
A1+ VMIG1+ 600 VRDN, Series L, 4.15% due 1/01/2027 (a) 600
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,400 Three Rivers, Michigan, Community Schools (Building and Site),
UT, 6% due 5/01/2006 (e)(f) 2,650
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,000 Three Rivers, Michigan, Community Schools, Refunding, UT, 5% due 5/01/2023 (d) 1,907
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
University of Michigan, University Hospital Revenue Bonds, VRDN, Series A (a):
A1+ VMIG1+ 3,000 (Medical Service Plan), 4.10% due 12/01/2027 3,000
A1+ VMIG1+ 400 Refunding, 4.10% due 12/01/2019 400
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,500 Waterford, Michigan, School District, UT, 6.25% due 6/01/2004 (c)(f) 1,655
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,450 Wayne Charter County, Michigan, Airport Revenue Bonds (Detroit Metropolitan Airport),
Sub-Lien, Series A, 6.50% due 12/01/2001 (e)(f) 1,583
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,625 Western Michigan University, General Revenue Refunding Bonds, 5.125% due 11/15/2022 (c) 1,573
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 2,000 Western Michigan University, Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series B, 6.50% due 7/15/2021 (b) 2,150
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA Aaa 1,300 Ypsilanti, Michigan, School District, Refunding, UT, 5.75% due 5/01/2020 (c) 1,345
====================================================================================================================================
Puerto Rico
- --2.3% AAA Aaa 3,485 Puerto Rico, RITR, Series 14, 6.37% due 7/01/2027 (e)(g) 3,555
====================================================================================================================================
Total Investments (Cost--$142,034)--98.5% 150,257
Other Assets Less Liabilities--1.5% 2,222
--------
Net Assets--100.0% $152,479
========
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(a) The interest rate is subject to change periodically based upon prevailing
market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at April 30,
1998.
(b) AMBAC Insured.
(c) FGIC Insured.
(d) FSA Insured.
(e) MBIA Insured.
(f) Prerefunded.
(g) The interest rate is subject to change periodically and inversely based
upon prevailing market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in
effect at April 30, 1998.
* Not Rated.
** Represents a zero coupon bond; the interest rate shown is the effective
yield at the time of purchase by the Fund.
+ Highest short-term rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
================================================================================
Quality Profile
The quality ratings of securities in the Fund as of April 30, 1998 were as
follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of
S&P Rating/Moody's Rating Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA/Aaa ............................................................ 95.0%
Other+ ............................................................. 3.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Temporary investments in short-term municipal securities.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of April 30, 1998
=============================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Assets: Investments, at value (identified cost--$142,034,210) (Note 1a). $150,256,909
Cash........................................................................ 17,107
Receivables:
Interest.................................................................. $ 2,888,180
Securities sold........................................................... 1,467,991 4,356,171
------------
Deferred organization expenses (Note 1e).................................... 1,784
Prepaid expenses and other assets........................................... 8,243
------------
Total assets................................................................ 154,640,214
------------
=============================================================================================================================
Liabilities: Payables:
Securities purchased...................................................... 1,899,110
Dividends to shareholders (Note 1f)....................................... 162,203
Investment adviser (Note 2)............................................... 63,431 2,124,744
------------
Accrued expenses and other liabilities...................................... 36,164
------------
Total liabilities........................................................... 2,160,908
------------
=============================================================================================================================
Net Assets: Net assets.................................................................. $152,479,306
============
=============================================================================================================================
Capital: Capital Stock (200,000,000 shares authorized) (Note 4):
Preferred Stock, par value $.05 per share (2,000 shares
of AMPS* issued and outstanding at $25,000
per share liquidation preference)......................................... $ 50,000,000
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share
(7,379,969 shares issued and outstanding) ................................ $ 737,997
Paid-in capital in excess of par............................................ 102,717,370
Undistributed investment income--net........................................ 447,812
Accumulated realized capital losses on investments--net (Note 5) (9,646,572)
Unrealized appreciation on investments--net................................. 8,222,699
------------
Total--Equivalent to $13.89 net asset value per share of
Common Stock (market price--$13.625) ..................................... 102,479,306
------------
Total capital............................................................... $152,479,306
============
=============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Auction Market Preferred Stock.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
6 & 7
<PAGE>
MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., April 30, 1998
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 1998
==================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Investment Interest and amortization of premium and discount earned....... $ 4,149,434
Income (Note 1d):
==================================================================================================================
Expenses: Investment advisory fees (Note 2).............................. $ 378,839
Commission fees (Note 4)....................................... 62,835
Professional fees.............................................. 36,195
Accounting services (Note 2)................................... 26,092
Transfer agent fees............................................ 14,623
Directors' fees and expenses................................... 12,857
Listing fees................................................... 8,009
Custodian fees................................................. 5,989
Pricing fees................................................... 3,807
Printing and shareholder reports............................... 3,053
Amortization of organization expenses (Note 1e)................ 289
Other.......................................................... 7,918
-----------
Total expenses................................................. 560,506
-----------
Investment income--net......................................... 3,588,928
-----------
==================================================================================================================
Realized & Realized gain on investments--net.............................. 1,153,831
Unrealized Gain Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net.......... (1,516,924)
(Loss) on -----------
Investments Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations........... $ 3,225,835
- --Net (Notes ===========
1b, 1d & 3):
==================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Six For the
Months Ended Year Ended
April 30, October 31,
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: 1998 1997
===============================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operations: Investment income--net................................................ $ 3,588,928 $ 7,429,850
Realized gain (loss) on investments--net.............................. 1,153,831 (380,050)
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments--net................. (1,516,924) 2,564,434
------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations.................. 3,225,835 9,614,234
------------ ------------
===============================================================================================================================
Dividends to Investment income--net:
Shareholders Common Stock........................................................ (2,804,632) (5,721,912)
(Note 1f): Preferred Stock..................................................... (865,980) (1,669,740)
------------ ------------
Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders .. (3,670,612) (7,391,652)
------------ ------------
===============================================================================================================================
Net Assets: Total increase (decrease) in net assets............................... (444,777) 2,222,582
Beginning of period................................................... 152,924,083 150,701,501
------------ ------------
End of period*........................................................ $152,479,306 $152,924,083
============ ============
===============================================================================================================================
* Undistributed investment income--net................................ $ 447,812 $ 529,496
============ ============
===============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following per share data and ratios have been derived For the Six
from information provided in the financial statements. Months Ended For the Year Ended October 31,
April 30, ------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value: 1998 1997 1996
=====================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Net asset value, beginning of period ........... $ 13.95 $ 13.65 $ 13.65
Operating ------------ ------------ ------------
Performance
Investment income--net ......................... .49 1.01 1.01
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments--net .......................... (.05) .30 --++++
------------ ------------ ------------
Total from investment operations ............... .44 1.31 1.01
------------ ------------ ------------
Less dividends to Common Stock shareholders:
Investment income--net ........................ (.38) (.78) (.77)
------------ ------------ ------------
Effect of Preferred Stock activity:
Dividends to Preferred Stock shareholders:
Investment income--net ....................... (.12) (.23) (.24)
------------ ------------ ------------
Total effect of Preferred Stock activity ....... (.12) (.23) (.24)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net asset value, end of period ................. $ 13.89 $ 13.95 $ 13.65
============ ============ ============
Market price per share, end of period .......... $ 13.625 $ 13.313 $ 12.375
============ ============ ============
=====================================================================================================================
Total Investment Based on market price per share ................ 5.29%++ 14.32% 7.40%
Return:** ============ ============ ============
Based on net asset value per share ............. 2.44%++ 8.60% 6.32%
============ ============ ============
=====================================================================================================================
Ratios to Expenses ........................................ .74%* .75% .77%
Average Net ============ ============ ============
Assets:*** Investment income--net ......................... 4.74%* 4.89% 4.91%
============ ============ ============
=====================================================================================================================
Supplemental Net assets, net of Preferred Stock,
Data: end of period (in thousands) .................. $ 102,479 $ 102,924 $ 100,702
============ ============ ============
Preferred Stock outstanding, end of
period (in thousands) ......................... $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000
============ ============ ============
Portfolio turnover ............................. 19.76% 22.43% 47.10%
============ ============ ============
=====================================================================================================================
Leverage: Asset coverage per $1,000 ...................... $ 3,050 $ 3,058 $ 3,014
============ ============ ============
=====================================================================================================================
Dividends Investment income--net ......................... $ 433 $ 835 $ 886
Per Share on ============ ============ ============
Preferred Stock
Outstanding:+
=====================================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
The following per share data and ratios have been derived For the Year Ended October 31,
from information provided in the financial statements. -------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value: 1995 1994
===================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Net asset value, beginning of period ........... $ 11.83 $ 14.89
Operating ------------ ------------
Performance
Investment income--net ......................... 1.01 1.01
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments--net .......................... 1.82 (3.06)
------------ ------------
Total from investment operations ............... 2.83 (2.05)
------------ ------------
Less dividends to Common Stock shareholders:
Investment income--net ........................ (.76) (.84)
------------ ------------
Effect of Preferred Stock activity:
Dividends to Preferred Stock shareholders:
Investment income--net ....................... (.25) (.17)
------------ ------------
Total effect of Preferred Stock activity ....... (.25) (.17)
------------ ------------
Net asset value, end of period ................. $ 13.65 $ 11.83
============ ============
Market price per share, end of period .......... $ 12.25 $ 10.25
============ ============
===================================================================================================
Total Investment Based on market price per share ................ 27.59% (27.71%)
Return:** ============ ============
Based on net asset value per share ............. 23.18% (15.25%)
============ ============
===================================================================================================
Ratios to Expenses ........................................ .77% .76%
Average Net ============ ============
Assets:*** Investment income--net ......................... 5.21% 4.98%
============ ============
===================================================================================================
Supplemental Net assets, net of Preferred Stock,
Data: end of period (in thousands) .................. $ 100,729 $ 87,313
============ ============
Preferred Stock outstanding, end of
period (in thousands) ......................... $ 50,000 $ 50,000
============ ============
Portfolio turnover ............................. 53.85% 49.03%
============ ============
===================================================================================================
Leverage: Asset coverage per $1,000 ...................... $ 3,015 $ 2,746
============ ============
===================================================================================================
Dividends Investment income--net ......................... $ 939 $ 615
Per Share on ============ ============
Preferred Stock
Outstanding:+
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Annualized.
** Total investment returns based on market value, which can be significantly
greater or lesser than the net asset value, may result in substantially
different returns. Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales
loads.
*** Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Stock shareholders.
+ Dividends per share have been adjusted to reflect a two-for-one stock
split that occurred on December 1, 1994.
++ Aggregate total investment return.
++++ Amount is less than $.01 per share.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8 & 9
<PAGE>
MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., April 30, 1998
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Significant Accounting Policies:
MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company. These unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments
which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the
results for the interim period presented. All such adjustments are of a normal
recurring nature. The Fund determines and makes available for publication the
net asset value of its Common Stock on a weekly basis. The Fund's Common Stock
is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MVM. The following is
a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.
(a) Valuation of investments--Municipal bonds are traded primarily in the
over-the-counter markets and are valued at the most recent bid price or yield
equivalent as obtained by the Fund's pricing service from dealers that make
markets in such securities. Financial futures contracts and options thereon,
which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their closing prices as of the
close of such exchanges. Options, which are traded on exchanges, are valued at
their last sale price as of the close of such exchanges or, lacking any sales,
at the last available bid price. Securities with remaining maturities of sixty
days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at
fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of
Directors of the Fund, including valuations furnished by a pricing service
retained by the Fund, which may utilize a matrix system for valuations. The
procedures of the pricing service and its valuations are reviewed by the
officers of the Fund under the general supervision of the Board of Directors.
(b) Derivative financial instrument--The Fund may engage in various portfolio
strategies to seek to increase its return by hedging its portfolio against
adverse movements in the debt markets. Losses may arise due to changes in the
value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the
contract.
o Financial futures contracts--The Fund may purchase or sell financial futures
contracts and options on such futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the
market risk on existing securities or the intended purchase of securities.
Futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of securities at a specific
future date and at a specific price or yield. Upon entering into a contract, the
Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the
exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the contract, the
Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the
daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known
as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses.
When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to
the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and
the value at the time it was closed.
o Options--The Fund is authorized to write covered call options and purchase put
options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received
by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of
the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market
value of the option written.
When a security is purchased or sold through an exercise of an option, the
related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the basis of
the security acquired or deducted from (or added to) the proceeds of the
security sold. When an option expires (or the Fund enters into a closing
transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss on the option to the extent of
the premiums received or paid (or gain or loss to the extent the cost of the
closing transaction exceeds the premium paid or received).
Written and purchased options are non-income producing investments.
(c) 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 of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.
(d) Security transactions and investment income--Security transactions are
recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates).
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Discounts and market
premiums are amortized into interest income. Realized gains and losses on
security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis.
(e) Deferred organization expenses--Deferred organization expenses are amortized
on a straight-line basis over a five-year period.
(f) Dividends and distributions--Dividends from net investment income are
declared and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the
ex-dividend dates.
2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transactions with Affiliates:
The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM"). The general partner of FAM is Princeton Services, Inc.
("PSI"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML &
Co."), which is the limited partner.
FAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides the
necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary
to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee at
an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, including
proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Stock.
Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAM at cost.
Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of
FAM, PSI, and/or ML & Co.
3. Investments:
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six
months ended April 30, 1998 were $28,945,793 and $33,832,234, respectively.
Net realized gains for the six months ended April 30, 1998 and net unrealized
gains as of April 30, 1998 were as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized Unrealized
Gains Gains
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term investments ................... $ 1,153,831 $ 8,222,699
----------- -----------
Total ................................... $ 1,153,831 $ 8,222,699
=========== ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of April 30, 1998, net unrealized appreciation for Federal income tax
purposes aggregated $8,222,699, of which $8,636,269 related to appreciated
securities and $413,570 related to depreciated securities. The aggregate cost of
investments at April 30, 1998 for Federal income tax purposes was $142,034,210.
4. Capital Stock Transactions:
The Fund is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of capital stock, including
Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share, all of which were initially
classified as Common Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, however, to
reclassify any unissued shares of capital stock without approval of holders of
Common Stock.
Common Stock
Shares issued and outstanding during the six months ended April 30, 1998 and the
year ended October 31, 1997 remained constant.
Preferred Stock
Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS") are shares of Preferred Stock of the
Fund that entitle their holders to receive cash dividends at an annual rate that
may vary for the successive dividend periods. The yield in effect at April 30,
1998 was 3.79%.
As of April 30, 1998, there were 2,000 AMPS authorized, issued and outstanding
with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share.
The Fund pays commissions to certain broker-dealers at the end of each auction
at an annual rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.375%, calculated on the proceeds of
each auction. For the six months ended April 30, 1998, Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Inc., an affiliate of FAM, earned $46,337 as commissions.
5. Capital Loss Carryforward:
At October 31, 1997, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of
approximately $8,142,000, of which $4,333,000 expires in 2002, $3,063,000
expires in 2003 and $746,000 expires in 2004. This amount will be available to
offset like amounts of any future taxable gains.
6. Subsequent Event:
On May 7, 1998, the Fund's Board of Directors declared an ordinary income
dividend to Common Stock shareholders in the amount of $.060534 per share,
payable on May 28, 1998 to shareholders of record as of May 21, 1998.
10 & 11
<PAGE>
Officers and Directors
Arthur Zeikel, President and Director
Donald Cecil, Director
M. Colyer Crum, Director
Edward H. Meyer, Director
Jack B. Sunderland, Director
J. Thomas Touchton, Director
Fred G. Weiss, Director
Terry K. Glenn, Executive Vice President
Vincent R. Giordano, Senior Vice President
Donald C. Burke, Vice President
Kenneth A. Jacob, Vice President
Fred K. Stuebe, Vice President
Gerald M. Richard, Treasurer
Patrick D. Sweeney, Secretary
Transfer Agents
Common Stock:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10286
Preferred Stock:
IBJ Schroder Bank &Trust Company
One State Street
New York, NY 10004
Custodian
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, NY 10286
NYSE Symbol
MVM
This report, including the financial information herein, is transmitted to the
shareholders of MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc. for their information. It
is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase
of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in the report. Past
performance results shown in this report should not be considered a
representation of future performance. The Fund has leveraged its Common Stock by
issuing Preferred Stock to provide the Common Stock shareholders with a
potentially higher rate of return. Leverage creates risks for Common Stock
shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value
and market price of shares of the Common Stock, and the risk that fluctuations
in the short-term dividend rates of the Preferred Stock may affect the yield to
Common Stock shareholders. Statements and other information herein are as dated
and are subject to change.
MuniVest Michigan
Insured Fund, Inc.
Box 9011
Princeton, NJ
08543-9011 #16638--4/98
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