MUNIVEST
FLORIDA FUND
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
STRATEGIC
Performance
Annual Report
October 31, 1999
<PAGE>
MUNIVEST FLORIDA FUND
The Benefits and
Risks of
Leveraging
MuniVest Florida Fund utilizes leveraging to seek to enhance the yield and net
asset value of its Common Shares. However, these objectives cannot be achieved
in all interest rate environments. To leverage, the Fund issues Preferred
Shares, which pay 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 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 Shares. However, in order to benefit Common 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 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 Share capitalization of
$100 million and the issuance of Preferred Shares 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
Shares 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 Shares.
In this case, the dividends paid to Preferred Shareholders are significantly
lower than the income earned on the fund's long-term investments, and therefore
the Common 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 Shares
will be reduced or eliminated completely. At the same time, the market value of
the fund's Common Shares (that is, their price as listed on the New York Stock
Exchange) may, as a result, decline. Furthermore, if long-term interest rates
rise, the Common Shares' net asset value will reflect the full decline in the
price of the portfolio's investments, since the value of the fund's Preferred
Shares does not fluctuate. In addition to the decline in net asset value, the
market value of the fund's Common Shares may also decline.
As a part of its investment strategy, the Fund may invest in certain securities
whose potential income return is inversely related to changes in a floating
interest rate ("inverse floaters"). In general, income on inverse floaters will
decrease when short-term interest rates increase and increase when short-term
interest rates decrease. Investments in inverse floaters may be characterized as
derivative securities and may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or
eliminated interest payments and losses of invested principal. In addition,
inverse floaters have the effect of providing investment leverage and, as a
result, the market value of such securities will generally be more volatile than
that of fixed-rate, tax-exempt securities. To the extent the Fund invests in
inverse floaters, the market value of the Fund's portfolio and the net asset
value of the Fund's shares may also be more volatile than if the Fund did not
invest in these securities.
<PAGE>
MuniVest Florida Fund, October 31, 1999
DEAR SHAREHOLDER
For the year ended October 31, 1999, the Common Shares of MuniVest Florida Fund
earned $0.719 per share income dividends, which included earned and unpaid
dividends of $0.057. This represents a net annualized yield of 5.82%, based on a
month-end net asset value of $12.36 per share. Over the same period, the total
investment return on the Fund's Common Shares was -7.88%, based on a change in
per share net asset value from $14.20 to $12.36, and assuming reinvestment of
$0.727 per share income dividends.
For the six-month period ended October 31, 1999, the total investment return on
the Fund's Common Shares was -8.32%, based on a change in per share net asset
value from $13.89 to $12.36, and assuming reinvestment of $0.354 per share
income dividends.
For the six-month period ended October 31, 1999, the Fund's Auction Market
Preferred Shares had an average yield of 3.31%.
The Municipal Market Environment
The combination of steady strong domestic economic growth, improvement in
foreign economies (most notably in Japan) and increasing investor concerns
regarding potential increases in US inflation put upward pressure on bond yields
throughout the 12-month period ended October 31, 1999. Continued strong US
employment growth, particularly the decline in the US unemployment rate to 4.2%
in early June, was among the reasons the Federal Reserve Board cited for raising
short-term interest rates in late June and again in late August. US Treasury
bond yields reacted by climbing above 6.375% by late October. However, by
October 31, 1999, economic indicators were released suggesting that despite
strong economic and employment growth in the third fiscal quarter of 1999,
inflationary pressures have remained extremely well-contained. This resulted in
a significant rally in the US Treasury bond market, pushing US Treasury bond
yields downward to approximately 6.15% by October 31, 1999. During the last six
months, yields on 30-year US Treasury bonds increased more than 50 basis points
(0.50%).
Long-term tax-exempt bond yields also rose during the six months ended October
31, 1999. Until early May, the municipal bond market was able to withstand much
of the upward pressure on bond yields. However, investor concerns of additional
moves by the Federal Reserve Board to moderate US economic growth and, more
importantly, the loss of the strong technical support that the tax-exempt market
enjoyed in early 1999 helped push municipal bond yields significantly higher for
the remainder of the period. The yields on long-term tax-exempt revenue bonds
rose almost 90 basis points to 6.18% by October 31, 1999, as measured by the
Bond Buyer Revenue Bond Index.
In recent months, the significant decline in new tax-exempt bond issuance has
remained a positive factor within the municipal bond market, as it had been for
much of the past year. During the last six months, more than $110 billion in
long-term municipal bonds was issued, a decline of almost 20% compared to the
same period a year ago. During the past three months, $55 billion in municipal
bonds was underwritten, representing a decline of nearly 10% compared to the
corresponding period in 1998. Additionally, in June and July, investors received
more than $40 billion in coupon income and proceeds from bond maturities and
early bond redemptions. These proceeds have generated considerable retail
investor interest, which has helped absorb the recent diminished supply.
Although tax-exempt bond yields are at their highest level in over two years and
have attracted significant retail investor interest, institutional demand has
declined sharply. Long-term municipal mutual funds have seen consistent outflows
in recent months as the yields of individual securities have risen faster than
those of larger, more diverse mutual funds. In addition, the demand from
property/casualty insurance companies has weakened as a result of the losses,
and anticipated losses, incurred as a result of the series of damaging storms
across much of the eastern United States. Additionally, many institutional
investors who were attracted to the municipal bond market in recent years by
historically attractive tax-exempt bond yield ratios of over 90% have found
other asset classes even more attractive. Even with a reduced supply position,
tax-exempt issuers have been forced to repeatedly raise municipal bond yields in
the attempt to attract adequate demand.
The recent relative underperformance of the municipal bond market has resulted
in an opportunity for long-term investors to purchase tax-exempt issues whose
yields are nearly identical to taxable US Treasury securities. At October 31,
1999, long-term uninsured municipal revenue bond yields were 100% of comparable
US Treasury securities. In recent months, many taxable asset classes, such as
corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities and US agency debt, have all
accelerated debt issuance. This acceleration was initiated largely to avoid
issuing securities at year-end and to minimize any associated Year 2000 (Y2K)
problems that may develop. However, this increased issuance has also resulted in
higher yield levels in the various asset classes as lower bond prices became
necessary to attract sufficient investor demand. Going forward, it is believed
that the pace of non-US Government debt issuance is likely to slow
significantly. As the supply of this debt declines, we would expect many
institutional investors to return to the municipal bond market and the
attractive yield ratios available.
Looking ahead, it appears to us that long-term municipal bond yields will remain
under pressure, trading in a broad range centered near current levels. Investors
are likely to remain concerned about future action by the Federal Reserve Board.
Y2K considerations may prohibit any further Federal Reserve Board moves through
the end of the year and the beginning of 2000. Any improvement in bond prices
will probably be contingent upon weakening in both US employment growth and
consumer spending. The 100 basis point rise in US Treasury bond yields seen thus
far this year may negatively affect US economic growth. The US housing market
will be among the first sectors likely to be affected, as some declines have
already been evidenced in response to higher mortgage rates. We believe that it
is also unrealistic to expect double-digit returns in US equity markets to
continue indefinitely. Much of the US consumer's wealth is tied to recent stock
market appreciation. Any slowing in these incredible growth rates is likely to
reduce consumer spending. We believe that these factors suggest that the worst
of the recent increase in bond yields has passed and stable, if not slightly
improving, bond prices may be expected.
In Conclusion
On September 21, 1999, MuniVest Florida Fund's Board of Trustees approved a plan
of reorganization, subject to shareholder approval and certain other conditions,
whereby MuniYield Florida Fund would acquire substantially all of the assets and
liabilities of the Fund in exchange for newly issued shares of MuniYield Florida
Fund. These funds are registered, non-diversified, closed-end management
investment companies. Both entities have similar investment objectives and are
managed by Fund Asset Management, L.P.
We appreciate your interest in MuniVest Florida Fund.
Sincerely,
/s/ Terry K. Glenn
Terry K. Glenn
President and Trustee
/s/ Vincent R. Giordano
Vincent R. Giordano
Senior Vice President
/s/ William R. Bock
William R. Bock
Vice President and Portfolio Manager
December 2, 1999
2 & 3
<PAGE>
MuniVest Florida Fund, October 31, 1999
PROXY RESULTS
During the six-month period ended October 31, 1999, MuniVest Florida Fund's
Common Shareholders voted on the following proposal. Proposal 1 was not approved
at a shareholders' meeting on August 18, 1999. A description of the proposal and
number of shares voted are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Voted Shares Voted Shares Voted
For Against Abstain
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1. To approve an amendment to the Certificate of Designation of the Fund. 3,417,993 179,199 147,066
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
During the six-month period ended October 31, 1999, MuniVest Florida Fund's
Preferred Shareholders voted on the following proposal. Proposal 1 was not
approved at a shareholders' meeting on August 18, 1999. A description of the
proposal and number of shares voted are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Voted Shares Voted Shares Voted
For Against Abstain
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1. To approve an amendment to the Certificate of Designation of the Fund. 466 240 73
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
Terry K. Glenn, President and Trustee
Donald Cecil, Trustee
M. Colyer Crum, Trustee
Edward H. Meyer, Trustee
Jack B. Sunderland, Trustee
J. Thomas Touchton, Trustee
Fred G. Weiss, Trustee
Arthur Zeikel, Trustee
Vincent R. Giordano, Senior Vice President
William R. Bock, Vice President
Kenneth A. Jacob, Vice President
Donald C. Burke, Vice President and Treasurer
Alice A. Pellegrino, Secretary
Custodian
The Bank of New York
90 Washington Street
New York, NY 10286
Transfer Agents
Common Shares:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10286
Preferred Shares:
The Bank of New York
100 Church Street
New York, NY 10286
NYSE Symbol
MVS
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>
Florida--98.6% AAA Aaa $1,000 Bay Medical Center, Florida, Hospital Revenue Bonds
(Bay Medical Center Project), 5% due 10/01/2027 (b) $ 854
AAA Aaa 5,000 Brevard County, Florida, IDR (NUI Corporation Project),
AMT, 6.40% due 10/01/2024 (b) 5,123
AAA NR* 1,025 Broward County, Florida, HFA, Revenue Refunding Bonds
(Home Mortgage), AMT, Series A, 7.35% due 3/01/2023 (e)(f) 1,057
AAA Aaa 8,200 Citrus County, Florida, PCR, Refunding (Florida Power
Company--Crystal River), Series B, 6.35% due 2/01/2022 (c) 8,436
AAA Aaa 1,125 Dade County, Florida, Educational Facilities Authority
Revenue Bonds (University of Miami), 7.65% due 4/01/2010 (c) 1,163
AA- Aa3 2,250 Dade County, Florida, IDA, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds
(Florida Power and Light Company Project), AMT, 7.15% due 2/01/2023 2,351
A1+ VMIG1+ 200 Dade County, Florida, Water and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, VRDN,
3.45% due 10/05/2022 (a)(d) 200
Escambia County, Florida, HFA, S/F Mortgage Revenue Refunding
Bonds, AMT (f):
NR* Aaa 3,000 7% due 4/01/2028 (e) 3,172
NR* Aaa 2,075 Series A, 7.40% due 10/01/2023 (j) 2,138
BBB Baa1 4,045 Escambia County, Florida, PCR (Champion International Corporation
Project), AMT, 6.90% due 8/01/2022 4,219
NR* Aaa 975 Florida HFA, Home Ownership Revenue Refunding Bonds, AMT, 7.90%
due 3/01/2022 (f) 1,009
Florida Ports Financing Commission Revenue Bonds, State
Transportation Trust Fund, AMT:
AAA Aaa 1,155 5.375% due 6/01/2027 (c) 1,051
AAA Aaa 2,600 (Intermodal Program), AMT, 5.50% due 10/01/2029 (d) 2,410
Florida State Board of Education, Capital Outlay, GO, Series C:
AAA Aaa 5,000 5.85% due 6/01/2003 (g) 5,267
AA+ Aa2 3,565 Refunding (Public Education), 5.25% due 6/01/2007 3,636
AAA Aaa 1,000 Florida State, GO (Department of Transportation--Right of Way),
5.875% due 7/01/2005 (c)(g) 1,063
NR* Aaa 4,700 Florida State Mid-Bay Bridge Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A,
5.95% due 10/01/2022 (b) 4,707
AAA Aaa 5,000 Fort Myers, Florida, Improvement Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5% due 12/01/2022 (b) 4,396
A- Baa1 1,500 Highlands County, Florida, Health Facilities Authority Revenue
Bonds (Adventist Hospital Health System), 5.25% due 11/15/2020 1,267
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
Portfolio
Abbreviations
To simplify the listings of MuniVest Florida Fund's portfolio holdings in the
Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the names of many of the securities
according to the list below and at right.
AMT Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
COP Certificates of Participation
DATES Daily Adjustable Tax-Exempt Securities
GO General Obligation Bonds
HFA Housing Finance Agency
IDA Industrial Development Authority
IDR Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
PCR Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
RITR Residual Interest Trust Receipts
S/F Single-Family
VRDN Variable Rate Demand Notes
4 & 5
<PAGE>
MuniVest Florida Fund, October 31, 1999
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>
Florida A A $1,500 Hillsborough County, Florida, Capital Improvement Revenue
(concluded) Refunding Bonds (County Center (concluded) Project) Second
Series, 6.75% due 7/01/2002 (g) $ 1,615
AAA Aaa 2,000 Hillsborough County, Florida, Utility Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series B, 6.50% due 8/01/2016 (c) 2,097
Jacksonville, Florida, Health Facilities Authority, Hospital
Revenue Refunding Bonds:
NR* VMIG1++ 5,000 (Genesis Rehabilitation Hospital), VRDN, 3.55% due
5/01/2021 (a) 5,000
AA+ NR* 2,000 (Saint Luke's Hospital Association Project), 7.125%
due 11/15/2020 2,116
NR* Baa2 345 Jacksonville, Florida, Health Facilities Authority, IDR (National
Benevolent-Cypress Village), Series A, 6.125% due 12/01/2016 331
Lakeland, Florida, Electric and Water Revenue Refunding Bonds:
AAA Aaa 2,000 First Lien, Series C, 6.05% due 10/01/2010 (h) 2,132
AAA Aaa 1,230 Series A, 5% due 10/01/2028 (c) 1,060
AAA Aaa 1,500 Lakeland, Florida, Hospital System Revenue Bonds (Lakeland
Regional Health System), Series A, 5.50% due 11/15/2026 (c) 1,398
NR* Aaa 2,415 Manatee County, Florida, HFA, S/F Mortgage Revenue Bonds, AMT,
Sub-Series 2, 7.75% due 5/01/2026 (f)(k) 2,572
A1+ VMIG1++ 1,000 Martin County, Florida, PCR, Refunding (Florida Power & Light Co.
Project), VRDN, 3.50% due 9/01/2024 (a) 1,000
BBB- Baa2 2,890 Nassau County, Florida, PCR, Refunding (ITT Rayonier Inc.
Project), 6.20% due 7/01/2015 2,818
Orange County, Florida, School Board, COP, Series A (c):
NR* Aaa 4,250 5.25% due 8/01/2023 3,844
NR* Aaa 2,500 5% due 8/01/2024 2,165
AAA Aaa 5,000 Orlando and Orange County Expressway Authority, Florida,
Expressway Revenue Refunding Bonds, Junior Lien, 5% due
7/01/2021 (d) 4,420
AAA Aaa 1,890 Palm Beach County, Florida, Criminal Justice Facilities Revenue
Bonds, 7.20% due 6/01/2015 (d) 2,180
A1+ VMIG1++ 1,250 Pinellas County, Florida, Health Facilities Authority, Revenue
Refunding Bonds (Pooled Hospital Loan Program), DATES, 3.55%
due 12/01/2015 (a)(b) 1,250
AAA Aaa 1,200 Port Everglades Authority, Florida, Port Revenue Bonds, 7.125%
due 11/01/2016 (l) 1,372
AA- Aa3 1,000 Saint Lucie County, Florida, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds
(Florida Power and Light Company Project), AMT, 6.70% due 5/01/2027 1,040
NR* Aaa 5,000 Sarasota County, Florida, Public Hospital Board Revenue Refunding
Bonds, RITR, Series 99, 7.145% due 7/01/2028 (c)(i) 4,371
AAA Aaa 2,500 Sunrise, Florida, Utility System Revenue Bonds, Series A, 5.75%
due 10/01/2006 (b)(g) 2,644
AAA Aaa 4,645 Tallahassee, Florida, Energy System Revenue Refunding Bonds,
Series A, 4.75% due 10/01/2026 (h) 3,837
AAA Aaa 5,000 Tampa Bay, Florida, Water Utility System Revenue Bonds, 5.75%
due 10/01/2029 (d) 4,888
AAA Aaa 2,500 Tampa, Florida, Sports Authority Revenue Bonds, Sales Tax Payments
(Stadium Project), 5.25% due 1/01/2027 (c) 2,253
AAA Aaa 1,500 Tampa, Florida, Sports Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds (County
Interlocal Payments), 5% due 10/01/2028 (b) 1,293
AAA Aaa 1,250 Volusia County, Florida, School Board, COP (Master Lease Program),
5.50% due 8/01/2024 (h) 1,174
====================================================================================================================================
Total Investments (Cost--$116,155)--98.6% 112,389
Other Assets Less Liabilities--1.4% 1,622
---------
Net Assets--100.0% $ 114,011
=========
====================================================================================================================================
</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 October 31,
1999.
(b) AMBAC Insured.
(c) MBIA Insured.
(d) FGIC Insured.
(e) FNMA Collateralized.
(f) GNMA Collateralized.
(g) Prerefunded.
(h) FSA Insured.
(i) 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 October 31, 1999.
(j) FHA Insured.
(k) FHLMC Collateralized.
(l) Escrowed to maturity.
* Not Rated.
++ Highest short-term rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
Ratings of issues shown have not been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Quality Profile
The quality ratings of securities in the Fund as of October 31, 1999 were as
follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of
S&P Rating/Moody's Rating Net Assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA/Aaa ............................................. 75.0%
AA/Aa ............................................... 8.0
A/A ................................................. 2.6
BBB/Baa ............................................. 6.5
Other* .............................................. 6.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Temporary investments in short-term municipal securities.
6 & 7
<PAGE>
MuniVest Florida Fund, October 31, 1999
STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of October 31, 1999
================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Assets: Investments, at value (identified cost--$116,155,110) (Note 1a) ........... $112,388,769
Cash ...................................................................... 25,774
Receivables:
Interest ................................................................ $ 1,734,273
Securities sold ......................................................... 10,000 1,744,273
-----------
Prepaid expenses and other assets ......................................... 6,611
------------
Total assets .............................................................. 114,165,427
------------
================================================================================================================================
Liabilities: Payables:
Investment adviser (Note 2) ............................................. 55,055
Dividends to shareholders (Note 1e) ..................................... 38,597 93,652
-----------
Accrued expenses and other liabilities .................................... 60,476
------------
Total liabilities ......................................................... 154,128
------------
================================================================================================================================
Net Assets: Net assets ................................................................ $114,011,299
============
================================================================================================================================
Capital: Capital Shares (unlimited number of shares authorized) (Note 4):
Preferred Shares, par value $.05 per share (1,600 shares of AMPS*
issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share liquidation preference)..... $ 40,000,000
Common Shares, par value $.10 per share (5,988,782 shares issued
and outstanding) ....................................................... $ 598,878
Paid-in capital in excess of par .......................................... 83,340,130
Undistributed investment income--net ...................................... 470,753
Accumulated realized capital losses on investments--net (Note 5) .......... (6,632,121)
Unrealized depreciation on investments--net ............................... (3,766,341)
-----------
Total--Equivalent to $12.36 net asset value per Common Share
(market price--$10.875) ................................................... 74,011,299
------------
Total capital ............................................................. $114,011,299
============
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Auction Market Preferred Shares.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended October 31, 1999
================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Investment Interest and amortization of premium and discount earned .................. $ 6,501,750
Income (Note 1d):
================================================================================================================================
Expenses: Investment advisory fees (Note 2) ......................................... $ 605,545
Commission fees (Note 4) .................................................. 101,472
Professional fees ......................................................... 75,646
Transfer agent fees ....................................................... 58,785
Accounting services (Note 2) .............................................. 30,706
Trustees' fees and expenses ............................................... 28,629
Printing and shareholder reports .......................................... 25,510
Listing fees .............................................................. 16,194
Custodian fees ............................................................ 10,850
Pricing fees .............................................................. 7,046
Other ..................................................................... 14,458
-----------
Total expenses ............................................................ 974,841
------------
Investment income--net .................................................... 5,526,909
------------
================================================================================================================================
Realized & Realized loss on investments--net ......................................... (1,850,161)
Unrealized Loss on Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments--net ........ (9,107,045)
Investments--Net ------------
(Notes 1b, 1d & 3): Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations ...................... $ (5,430,297)
============
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Year Ended October 31,
-----------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: 1999 1998
================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operations: Investment income--net .................................................... $ 5,526,909 $ 5,943,665
Realized gain (loss) on investments--net .................................. (1,850,161) 3,590,397
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments--net ........ (9,107,045) (1,665,313)
------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations ........... (5,430,297) 7,868,749
------------ ------------
================================================================================================================================
Dividends to Investment income--net:
Shareholders Common Shares ........................................................... (4,353,464) (4,560,158)
(Note 1e): Preferred Shares ........................................................ (1,247,616) (1,326,560)
------------ ------------
Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders ....... (5,601,080) (5,886,718)
------------ ------------
================================================================================================================================
Capital Share Value of shares issued to Common Shareholders in reinvestment of dividends. 93,863 49,203
Transactions ------------ ------------
(Note 4):
================================================================================================================================
Net Assets: Total increase (decrease) in net assets ................................... (10,937,514) 2,031,234
Beginning of year ......................................................... 124,948,813 122,917,579
------------ ------------
End of year* .............................................................. $114,011,299 $124,948,813
============ ============
================================================================================================================================
* Undistributed investment income--net ...................................... $ 470,753 $ 544,924
============ ============
==================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8 & 9
<PAGE>
MuniVest Florida Fund, October 31, 1999
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following per share data and ratios have been derived
from information provided in the financial statements. For the Year Ended October 31,
-----------------------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value: 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
===================================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share Net asset value, beginning of year ...................... $ 14.20 $ 13.87 $ 13.39 $ 13.16 $ 11.82
Operating -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Performance: Investment income--net .................................. .93 .99 1.01 .99 1.01
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments--net . (1.83) .32 .48 .23 1.34
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total from investment operations ........................ (.90) 1.31 1.49 1.22 2.35
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Less dividends to Common Shareholders:
Investment income--net ................................ (.73) (.76) (.78) (.76) (.76)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Effect of Preferred Share activity:
Dividends to Preferred Shareholders:
Investment income--net .............................. (.21) (.22) (.23) (.23) (.25)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total effect of Preferred Share activity ................ (.21) (.22) (.23) (.23) (.25)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of year ............................ $ 12.36 $ 14.20 $ 13.87 $ 13.39 $ 13.16
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Market price per share, end of year ..................... $ 10.875 $ 14.125 $ 13.00 $ 12.75 $ 11.50
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
===================================================================================================================================
Total Investment Based on market price per share ......................... (18.52%) 14.78% 8.21% 17.87% 22.93%
Return:* ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Based on net asset value per share ...................... (7.88%) 8.16% 9.93% 8.17% 19.02%
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
===================================================================================================================================
Ratios Based on Total expenses** ........................................ 1.20% 1.14% 1.16% 1.24% 1.32%
Average Net Assets ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Of Common Shares: Total investment income--net** .......................... 6.79% 7.11% 7.41% 7.53% 8.39%
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Amount of dividends to Preferred Shareholders ........... 1.53% 1.59% 1.66% 1.75% 2.10%
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Investment income--net, to Common Shareholders .......... 5.26% 5.52% 5.75% 5.78% 6.29%
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
===================================================================================================================================
Ratios Based on Total expenses .......................................... .80% .77% .78% .82% .85%
Total Average ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net Assets:++** Total investment income--net ............................ 4.56% 4.80% 4.96% 4.96% 5.38%
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
===================================================================================================================================
Ratios Based on Dividends to Preferred Shareholders ..................... 3.13% 3.32% 3.37% 3.45% 3.76%
Average Net Assets ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Of Preferred
Shares:
===================================================================================================================================
Supplemental Net assets, net of Preferred Shares, end of
Data: year (in thousands) ................................... $ 74,011 $ 84,949 $ 82,918 $ 80,058 $ 78,695
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Preferred Shares outstanding, end of year (in thousands) $ 40,000 $ 40,000 $ 40,000 $ 40,000 $ 40,000
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Portfolio turnover ...................................... 73.64% 92.75% 89.21% 116.82% 92.54%
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
===================================================================================================================================
Leverage: Asset coverage per $1,000 ............................... $ 2,850 $ 3,124 $ 3,073 $ 3,001 $ 2,967
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
===================================================================================================================================
Dividends Investment income--net .................................. $ 780 $ 829 $ 844 $ 861 $ 940
Per Share on ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Preferred Shares
Outstanding:
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
* 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 charges.
** Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Shareholders.
++ Includes Common and Preferred Shares average net assets.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Significant Accounting Policies:
MuniVest Florida Fund (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The
Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, which may require the use of management accruals and
estimates. The Fund determines and makes available for publication the net asset
value of its Common Shares on a weekly basis. The Fund's Common Shares are
listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MVS. 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 written or purchased are valued at the last
sale price in the case of exchange-traded options. In the case of options traded
in the over-the-counter market, val uation is the last asked price (options
written) or the last bid price (options purchased). Securities with remaining
maturities of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value. Securities and assets 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 Trustees 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 Trustees.
(b) Derivative financial instruments--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
10 & 11
<PAGE>
MuniVest Florida Fund, October 31, 1999
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)
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) 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 person nel, 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 .50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, including
proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Shares.
Accounting services are provided to the Fund by FAM at cost.
Certain officers and/or trustees 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
year ended October 31, 1999 were $83,416,051 and $89,261,430, respectively.
Net realized gains (losses) for the year ended October 31, 1999 and net
unrealized losses as of October 31, 1999 were as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized Unrealized
Gains (Losses) Losses
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term investments ................ $(2,084,798) $(3,766,341)
Financial futures contracts .......... 234,637 --
----------- -----------
Total ................................ $(1,850,161) $(3,766,341)
=========== ===========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of October 31, 1999, net unrealized depreciation for Federal income tax
purposes aggregated $3,767,968, of which $1,095,940 related to appreciated
securities and $4,863,908 related to depreciated securities. The aggregate cost
of investments at October 31, 1999 for Federal income tax purposes was
$116,156,737.
4. Capital Share Transactions:
The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest, including Preferred Shares, par value $.10 per share, all of which
were initially classified as Common Shares. The Board of Trustees is authorized,
however, to reclassify any unissued shares of beneficial interest without
approval of holders of Common Shares.
Common Shares
Shares issued and outstanding during the years ended October 31, 1999 and
October 31, 1998 increased by 6,633 and 3,487, respectively, as a result of
dividend reinvestment.
Preferred Shares
Auction Market Preferred Shares ("AMPS") are Preferred Shares of the Fund, with
a par value of $.05 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share,
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 October 31,
1999 was 3.35%.
Shares issued and outstanding during the years ended October 31, 1999 and
October 31, 1998 remained constant.
The Fund pays commissions to certain broker-dealers at the end of each auction
at an annual rate ranging from .25% to .375%, calculated on the proceeds of each
auction. For the year ended October 31, 1999, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, an affiliate of FAM, earned $51,676 as commissions.
5. Capital Loss Carryforward:
At October 31, 1999, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately
$5,925,000, of which $472,000 expires in 2002, $2,254,000 expires in 2003 and
$3,199,000 expires in 2007. This amount will be available to offset like amounts
of any future taxable gains.
6. Reorganization Plan:
On September 21, 1999, the Fund's Board of Trustees approved a plan of
reorganization, subject to shareholder approval and certain other conditions,
whereby MuniYield Florida Fund would acquire substantially all of the assets and
liabilities of the Fund in exchange for newly issued shares of MuniYield Florida
Fund. These Funds are registered, non-diversified, closed-end management
investment companies. Both entities have a similar investment objective and are
managed by FAM.
7. Subsequent Event:
On November 8, 1999, the Fund's Board of Trustees declared an ordinary income
dividend to Common Shareholders in the amount of $.058000 per share, payable on
November 29, 1999 to shareholders of record as of November 22, 1999.
12 & 13
<PAGE>
MuniVest Florida Fund, October 31, 1999
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders,
MuniVest Florida Fund:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets, liabilities and capital,
including the schedule of investments, of MuniVest Florida Fund as of October
31, 1999, the related statements of operations for the year then ended and
changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended,
and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then
ended. These financial statements and the financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and the financial highlights 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 the financial
highlights 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 securities owned at October
31, 1999 by correspondence with the custodian. 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 financial high-lights present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MuniVest Florida
Fund as of October 31, 1999, the results of its operations, the changes in its
net assets, and the financial highlights for the respective stated periods in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
December 7, 1999
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)
All of the net investment income distributions paid by MuniVest Florida Fund
during its taxable year ended October 31, 1999 qualify as tax-exempt interest
dividends for Federal income tax purposes. Additionally, there were no capital
gains distributions paid by the Fund during the year.
Please retain this information for your records.
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 Common Shares 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.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
Many computer systems were designed using only two digits to designate years.
These systems may not be able to distinguish the Year 2000 from the Year 1900
(commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem"). The Fund could be adversely
affected if the computer systems used by the Fund's management or other Fund
service providers do not properly address this problem before January 1, 2000.
The Fund's management expects to have addressed this problem before then, and
does not anticipate that the services it provides will be adversely affected.
The Fund's other service providers have told the Fund's management that they
also expect to resolve the Year 2000 Problem, and the Fund's management will
continue to monitor the situation as the Year 2000 approaches. However, if the
problem has not been fully addressed, the Fund could be negatively affected. The
Year 2000 Problem could also have a negative impact on the securities in which
the Fund invests and this could hurt the Fund's investment returns.
14 & 15
<PAGE>
This report, including the financial information herein, is transmitted to the
shareholders of MuniVest Florida Fund 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 Shares by issuing Preferred
Shares to provide the Common Shareholders with a potentially higher rate of
return. Leverage creates risks for Common Shareholders, including the likelihood
of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the Common Shares,
and the risk that fluctuations in the short-term dividend rates of the Preferred
Shares may affect the yield to Common Shareholders. Statements and other
information herein are as dated and are subject to change.
MuniVest
Florida Fund
Box 9011
Princeton, NJ
08543-9011 #16636--10/99
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