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Growth
Flag Investors Emerging Growth Fund
Flag Investors Equity Partners Fund
Flag Investors International Fund
Equity Income
Flag Investors Real Estate Securities Fund
Flag Investors Telephone Income Fund
Balanced
Flag Investors Value Builder Fund
Income
Flag Investors Short-Intermediate Income Fund
Flag Investors Total Return U.S. Treasury Fund Shares
Tax-Free Income
Flag Investors Managed Municipal Fund Shares
Flag Investors Maryland Intermediate Tax-Free Income Fund
Current Income
Flag Investors Cash Reserve Prime Shares
P.O. Box 515
Baltimore, Maryland 21203
800-767-FLAG
Distributed by:
ALEX. BROWN & SONS
INCORPORATED
[FLAG INVESTORS LOGO]
[PHOTOGRAPH APPEARS HERE]
FLAG
INVESTORS
REAL ESTATE
SECURITIES
FUND
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
JUNE 30, 1997
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o The total return for the Fund's Class A Shares was 6.9% for the first half of
1997 and 33.6% for the past 12 months.
o Hotel and regional mall companies were the best performing Real Estate
Investment Trusts (REITs) in the first half of 1997, with total returns of
11.8% and 7.6%, respectively.
o With the huge run-up in prices in the broader equity market, REITs are now
trading at a relatively low earnings multiple versus the Standard & Poor's
500 Index.
<PAGE>
FUND PERFORMANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Class A Shares*
January 3, 1995-June 30, 1997
$10,000 invested in the Real Estate Securities Fund Class A Shares at inception
on January 3, 1995 was worth $16,764 on June 30, 1997.
[Graph appears here--see plot points below]
1/95 10,000
3/95 10,142
6/95 10,638
9/95 11,274
12/95 11,819
3/96 12,021
6/96 12,551
9/96 13,317
12/96 15,684
3/97 16,207
6/97 16,764
* These figures assume the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions and exclude the impact of any sales charge. If the sales charge
were reflected, the quoted performance would be lower. Since investment
return and principal value will fluctuate, an investor's shares may be worth
more or less than their original cost when redeemed. Past performance is not
an indicator of future results.
1
<PAGE>
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Shareholders:
We are pleased to submit to you the report of the Flag Investors Real
Estate Securities Fund for the first six months of 1997.
The Fund's Class A and Class B Shares commenced operations on January 3,
1995, with a net asset value (NAV) of $10.00 per share. On June 30, 1997, the
NAV was $14.53 per Class A Share and $14.47 per Class B Share. For the first six
months of 1997, monthly distributions totaled $0.30 for Class A Shares and $0.26
for Class B Shares.
The Fund's total return performance for the first six months of 1997, the
year ended June 30, 1997 and since inception are set forth below.
Total Return Performance*
For the periods ended 6/30/97 Class A Shares Class B Shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six Months 6.9% 6.5%
................................................................................
One Year 33.6% 32.6%
................................................................................
Since Inception** (1/3/95) 23.1% 22.2%
................................................................................
Market Commentary
After significantly outperforming the broader equity markets in 1996 with
total returns of more than 35% as measured by the NAREIT Equity Index, real
estate securities predictably had much more modest results in the first half of
1997. For the first six months of 1997, the NAREIT Equity Index returned 5.7%
versus 20.6% for the S&P 500 Index.
- ----------
* These figures assume the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions and exclude the impact of any sales charge. If the sales charge
were reflected, the quoted performance would be lower. Performance figures
for the classes differ because each class maintains a distinct expense
structure. For further details on expense structures, please refer to the
fund's prospectus. Since investment return and principal value will
fluctuate, an investor's shares may be worth more or less than their original
cost when redeemed. Past performance is not an indicator of future results.
Please review the additional performance information on page 6.
** Annualized.
2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within the REIT universe, there were winners and losers in virtually every
property sector, and the variance in performance among the companies was
generally more noteworthy than among the sectors. In the aggregate, the
companies in the hotel and regional mall sectors posted the best results for the
first half with total returns of 11.8% and 7.6%, respectively. The companies in
the apartment sector also performed well (up 6.2%), reversing a two-year trend
of modest underperformance. The worst returns in the first half came from the
companies in the factory outlets sector (down 4.2%) and the self-storage sector
(down 1.2%).
Operating results in the first half generally exceeded analysts'
expectations. For 1997 as a whole, we are currently projecting earnings growth
of just over 10% for the overall REIT universe and close to 15% for the
companies currently held by the Fund. By property type, the best operating
results continue to be generated by the companies in the hotel and office
sectors. The better companies in these sectors are generating strong growth in
earnings from acquisitions, as well as strong and/or improving growth in
earnings from their existing properties.
The movement of real estate ownership from the private market to the public
market continues to be the most pervasive trend in the real estate industry. The
level of debt and equity securitization has gathered pace in recent months, and
1997 could prove to be a record year of capital-raising activity for new and
existing real estate companies. Most of the activity for the year to date has
been in the form of secondary offerings for existing companies raising capital
to finance new acquisitions. There have also been a handful of large,
highprofile initial public offerings that have been favorably received by
investors. As of the end of June, the market capitalization of the REIT sector
had expanded to $94.5 billion versus $78.3 billion at the end of 1996. While
capital-raising activity will ebb and flow with the passage of time, we expect
continued dramatic growth in the public real estate market.
Record levels of capital-raising activity have been a short-term deterrent
to stock price gains. On the plus side, the companies that are raising capital
are generally showing stronger growth as a result of attractive acquisition
opportunities. Additionally, the companies are rapidly becoming much larger and
more diverse in terms of their holdings. Over time this will translate into
lower property risk and greater liquidity for shareholders.
3
<PAGE>
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS (CONCLUDED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio
The Fund's portfolio composition as of June 30, 1997 is illustrated below.
[PIE CHART APPEARS HERE--SEE PERCENTAGES BELOW]
Factory Outlets............................ 2%
Health Care................................ 3%
Manufactured Housing....................... 4%
Self-Storage............................... 6%
Regional Malls............................. 8%
Retail/Neighborhood and
Community Centers........................ 8%
Hotels..................................... 20%
Apartments................................. 22%
Office/Industrial.......................... 27%
Compared with the year-end 1996 portfolio, there has been an increase in
the weightings for the hotel and office/industrial sectors and a decrease in the
weightings for the apartments, health care, factory outlets and
retail/neighborhood and community centers sectors.
Outlook
As we move into the second half of 1997 and begin to look ahead toward
1998, we continue to believe that the outlook for investing in real estate
securities remains favorable. Real estate fundamentals have continued to improve
for most property types and markets. This is particularly true for office
properties and full-service hotels, where rents and occupancies have staged a
dramatic rebound and further improvement is anticipated.
Many markets across the U.S. have now reached a point of equilibrium, with
new supply roughly equal to increased demand, rental rates rising as fast or
faster than the general rate of inflation and values approaching replacement
costs. Barring a significant economic downturn, we are cautiously optimistic
that real estate fundamentals will remain in balance into the foreseeable future
due to the enhanced linkage between capital flows and operating performance that
now exists as a result of the growth in securitization.
4
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We expect continued strong growth in earnings from the better companies in
1998, albeit at slightly reduced levels from the current year. Many of the high
flyers of the past two years have reached the point where the accretive effect
of acquisition activity should gradually diminish due to greater competition
(higher prices) and the fact that they are now much larger. We think that a
reasonable earnings growth target for the next three years is 7% to 9%. With
current yields of 6% to 7%, we think that attractive total returns are still
likely from current valuation levels.
With the huge run-up in prices in the broader equity market in recent
months, the relative valuation of REITs now appears attractive based on
historical valuation norms. At the end of June, the forward funds from
operations (FFO) earnings multiple for equity REITs was 65% of the S&P 500
Index's earnings multiple, well below the average of 87% over the past 12 years.
Just as noteworthy, the current FFO earnings multiple for REITs, at 12.2 times,
is modestly below the historical average multiple of 13.2 times, despite the
current favorable operating environment and our expectation for continued above
historical trend growth in earnings.
We thank you for your participation in the Fund.
Very truly yours,
/s/ William K. Morrill, Jr. /s/ Keith R. Pauley
- ------------------------------- -------------------------------
William K. Morrill, Jr. Keith R. Pauley
President Executive Vice President
July 18, 1997
5
<PAGE>
FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Performance Information
The shareholder letter included in this report contains statistics designed
to help you evaluate the performance of your Fund's management. The Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that when we report such figures, we also
include the Fund's total return, according to a standardized formula, for
various time periods through the end of the most recent calendar quarter. The
SEC total return figures differ from those we reported because the time periods
may be different and because the SEC calculation includes the impact of the
currently effective 4.50% maximum sales charge for the Fund's Class A Shares and
4.00% maximum contingent deferred sales charge for the Fund's Class B Shares.
Average Annual Total Return
For the periods ended 6/30/97 1 Year 5 Years Since Inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Shares 27.55% -- 20.79%
................................................................................
Class B Shares 28.61% -- 20.97%
................................................................................
*Inception dates: Class A and Class B 1/3/95.
The Fund's total returns correspond to those experienced by individual
shareholders only if their shares were purchased on the first day of each time
period and the maximum sales charge was paid. Any performance figures shown
are for the full period indicated. Since investment return and principal value
will fluctuate, an investor's shares may be worth more or less than their
original cost when redeemed. Past performance is not an indicator of future
results.
6
<PAGE>
FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Net Assets June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Market Percent Unrealized
Market Value of Net Gain/
Shares Security Price (Note 1) Assets (Loss)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
COMMON STOCKS: 97.8%
Real Estate Investment Trusts: 91.9%
Apartments: 21.6%
45,300 Avalon Properties, Inc. $28.63 $ 1,296,712 3.4% $ 259,920
32,900 Bay Apartment
Communities, Inc. 37.00 1,217,300 3.1 326,084
21,900 Columbus Realty Trust 22.75 498,225 1.3 23,525
23,400 Equity Residential
Properties Trust 47.50 1,111,500 2.9 332,307
36,300 Evans Withycombe
Residential, Inc. 20.75 753,225 1.9 7,078
29,500 Irvine Apartment
Communities, Inc. 29.38 866,563 2.2 207,772
28,200 Oasis Residential, Inc. 23.50 662,700 1.7 29,218
24,200 Post Properties, Inc. 40.56 981,613 2.5 160,194
69,900 United Dominion Realty Trust 14.19 991,706 2.6 (21,176)
----------- ---- ----------
8,379,544 21.6 1,324,922
Factory Outlets: 2.2%
22,100 Chelsea GCA Realty, Inc. 38.00 839,800 2.2 192,209
----------- ---- ----------
Health Care: 2.7%
47,000 Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. 22.00 1,034,000 2.7 53,426
----------- ---- ----------
Hotels: 14.5%
30,700 American General
Hospitality Corp. 24.75 759,825 2.0 11,946
34,400 FelCor Suite Hotels, Inc. 37.25 1,281,400 3.3 216,071
84,600 Patriot American Hospitality, Inc. 25.50 2,157,300 5.6 704,280
32,900 Starwood Lodging Trust 42.69 1,404,418 3.6 484,391
----------- ---- ----------
5,602,943 14.5 1,416,688
Manufactured Housing: 4.1%
33,900 Manufactured Home
Communities, Inc. 23.06 781,818 2.0 130,187
23,500 Sun Communities, Inc. 33.56 788,719 2.1 127,805
----------- ---- ----------
1,570,537 4.1 257,992
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Net Assets (concluded) June 30, 1997
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Market Percent Unrealized
Market Value of Net Gain/
Shares Security Price (Note 1) Assets (Loss)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
COMMON STOCKS (continued)
Real Estate Investment Trusts (concluded)
Office/Industrial: 26.2%
5,400 Alexandria Real Estate
Equities, Inc. $21.94 $ 118,462 0.3% $ 8,393
34,700 Beacon Properties Corporation 33.31 1,155,944 3.0 40,239
6,300 Boston Properties, Inc. 27.25 171,675 0.5 14,175
23,200 Cali Realty Corporation 34.00 788,800 2.0 76,121
31,400 CarrAmerica Realty Corporation 28.75 902,750 2.3 14,771
43,600 Duke Realty Investments, Inc. 40.50 1,765,800 4.6 259,824
11,300 Great Lakes REIT, Inc. 16.44 185,743 0.5 9,058
55,200 Highwoods Properties, Inc. 32.00 1,766,400 4.6 125,195
24,400 Reckson Associates Realty Corp. 23.00 561,200 1.5 8,250
49,500 Spieker Properties, Inc. 35.19 1,741,781 4.5 280,315
30,300 Weeks Corporation 31.25 946,875 2.4 97,885
----------- ---- ----------
10,105,430 26.2 934,226
Regional Malls: 7.2%
30,500 Macerich Company 27.75 846,375 2.2 50,341
30,068 Simon DeBartolo Group, Inc. 32.00 962,176 2.5 150,021
73,100 Taubman Centers, Inc. 13.25 968,575 2.5 173,539
----------- ---- ----------
2,777,126 7.2 373,901
Retail/Neighborhood and
Community Centers: 8.2%
23,100 Developers Diversified Realty
Corporation 40.00 924,000 2.4 194,353
33,300 Federal Realty Investment Trust 27.00 899,100 2.3 87,043
18,900 Vornado Realty Trust 72.13 1,363,163 3.5 491,602
----------- ---- ----------
3,186,263 8.2 772,998
Self-Storage: 5.2%
30,900 Public Storage, Inc. 29.25 903,825 2.3 158,287
15,600 Shurgard Storage Centers,
Inc. - Class A 28.00 436,800 1.1 21,845
18,600 Storage USA, Inc. 38.25 711,450 1.8 76,655
----------- ---- ----------
2,052,075 5.2 256,787
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Market Percent Unrealized
Shares/ Market Value of Net Gain/
Par (000) Security Price (Note 1) Assets (Loss)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
COMMON STOCKS (concluded)
Real Estate Operating Companies: 5.9%
Hotels: 5.0%
2,500 Bristol Hotel Company * $38.50 $ 96,250 0.2% $ 6,250
105,000 Host Marriott Corp. * 17.81 1,870,313 4.8 187,191
---------- ---- ----------
1,966,563 5.0 193,441
Regional Malls: 0.9%
11,800 The Rouse Company 29.50 348,100 0.9 50,797
---------- ---- ----------
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $32,034,994) 37,862,381 97.8
---------- ----
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT: 1.8%
$690 Goldman Sachs & Co., 5.75%
Dated 6/30/97, to be repurchased
on 7/1/97, collateralized by U.S.
Treasury Notes with a market value
of $704,082.
(Cost $690,000) 690,000 1.8
---------- ----
Total Investment in Securities
(Cost $32,724,994)** 38,552,381 99.6
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities, Net 161,411 0.4
---------- ----
Net Assets $38,713,792 100.0%
========== =====
Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per:
Class A Share
($31,877,087 / 2,193,309 shares outstanding) $14.53
======
Class B Share
($6,836,705 / 472,394 shares outstanding) $14.47***
======
Maximum Offering Price Per:
Class A Share
($14.53 / .955) $15.21
======
Class B Share $14.47
======
</TABLE>
- ----------
* Non-income producing security.
** Also aggregate cost for federal tax purposes.
*** Redemption value is $13.89 following a 4% maximum contingent deferred sales
charge.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
9
<PAGE>
FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Operations
For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997(1)
Investment Income (Note 1):
Dividends $ 838,152
Interest 10,804
---------
Total income 848,956
---------
Expenses:
Investment advisory fee (Note 2) 106,975
Distribution fees (Note 2) 63,997
Accounting fee (Note 2) 16,260
Registration fees 15,220
Legal 14,876
Organizational expense (Note 1) 13,490
Printing and postage 12,893
Audit 12,397
Transfer agent fee (Note 2) 9,593
Custodian fees 7,805
Miscellaneous 2,835
Directors' fees 595
---------
Total expenses 276,936
Less:Fees waived (Note 2) (49,293)
---------
Net expenses 227,643
---------
Net investment income 621,313
---------
Realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments:
Net realized gain from security transactions 875,988
Change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
investments 743,216
---------
Net gain on investments 1,619,204
---------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $2,240,517
=========
- ----------
(1) Unaudited.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10
<PAGE>
FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Six For the
Months Ended Year Ended
June 30, Dec. 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997(1) 1996
<S> <C>
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets:
Operations:
Net investment income $ 621,313 $ 832,831
Net realized gain from security transactions 875,988 489,391
Change in unrealized appreciation or
depreciation of investments 743,216 4,266,134
---------- ----------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 2,240,517 5,588,356
---------- ----------
Distributions to Shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A Shares (566,582) (600,459)
Class B Shares (110,926) (158,265)
Short-term capital gains:
Class A Shares -- (100,111)
Class B Shares -- (26,298)
Long-term capital gains:
Class A Shares -- (214,377)
Class B Shares -- (56,352)
Return of capital:
Class A Shares -- (21,539)
Class B Shares -- (5,650)
---------- ----------
Total distributions (677,508) (1,183,051)
---------- ----------
Capital Share Transactions (Note 3):
Proceeds from sale of shares 13,361,425 10,892,733
Value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends 548,922 974,878
Cost of shares repurchased (1,870,634) (1,349,523)
---------- ----------
Increase in net assets derived from
capital share transactions 12,039,713 10,518,088
---------- ----------
Total increase in net assets 13,602,722 14,923,393
Net Assets:
Beginning of period 25,111,070 10,187,677
---------- ----------
End of period $38,713,792 $25,111,070
========== ==========
- ----------
(1) Unaudited.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
11
<PAGE>
FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights--Class A Shares
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Six For the For the Period
Months Ended Year Ended Jan. 3, 1995(2)
June 30, Dec. 31, through Dec. 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997(1) 1996 1995
<S> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value at beginning of period $ 13.89 $ 11.20 $10.00
------- ------- ------
Income from Investment Operations:
Net investment income 0.22 0.61 0.56
Net realized and unrealized gain
on investments 0.72 2.90 1.21
------- ------- ------
Total from Investment Operations 0.94 3.51 1.77
------- ------- ------
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net investment income (0.30) (0.58) (0.49)(3)
Distributions from net realized
short-term gains -- (0.07) (0.05)
Distributions from net realized
long-term gains -- (0.15) --
Return of capital -- (0.02) (0.03)(3)
------- ------- ------
Total distributions (0.30) (0.82) (0.57)
------- ------- ------
Net asset value at end of period $ 14.53 $ 13.89 $11.20
======= ======= ======
Total Return(4) 6.89% 32.70% 18.19%
Ratios to Average Daily Net Assets:
Expenses(5) 1.25%(7) 1.25% 1.25%(7,8)
Net investment income(6) 3.92%(7) 5.29% 6.09%(7,8)
Supplemental Data:
Net assets at end of period (000) $31,844 $19,816 $7,171
Portfolio turnover rate 35%(7) 23% 28%
Average commissions per share(9) $ 0.0479 $ 0.0475 --
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Unaudited.
(2) Commencement of operations.
(3) Distributions per share have been reclassified to reflect the actual return
of capital amounts for 1995.
(4) Total return excludes the effect of sales charge.
(5) Without the waiver of advisory fees and reimbursement of expenses (Note 2),
the ratio of expenses to average daily net assets would have been 1.55%
(annualized), 2.28% and 3.25% (annualized) for the six months ended June
30, 1997, the year ended December 31, 1996 and the period ended December
31, 1995, respectively.
(6) Without the waiver of advisory fees and reimbursement of expenses (Note 2),
the ratio of net investment income to average daily net assets would have
been 3.62% (annualized), 4.26% and 3.89% (annualized) for the six months
ended June 30, 1997, the year ended December 31, 1996 and the period ended
December 31, 1995, respectively.
(7) Annualized.
(8) Effective January 1, 1996, the Fund's expense and net investment income
ratios have been based on average daily net assets. Prior to that date they
were based on average monthly net assets. Under the prior method, the ratio
of expenses to average net assets was 1.19% and the ratio of net investment
income to average net assets was 5.95%.
(9) Disclosure is required for fiscal years beginning on or after September 1,
1995. Represents average commission rate per share charged to the Fund on
purchases and sales of investments during the period.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12
<PAGE>
FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights--Class B Shares
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Six For the For the Period
Months Ended Year Ended Jan. 3, 1995(2)
June 30, Dec. 31, through Dec. 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997(1) 1996 1995
<S> <C>
Per Share Operating Performance:
Net asset value at beginning of period $13.84 $11.18 $10.00
------ ------ ------
Income from Investment Operations:
Net investment income 0.13 0.52 0.50
Net realized and unrealized gain
on investments 0.76 2.89 1.20
------ ------ ------
Total from Investment Operations 0.89 3.41 1.70
------ ------ ------
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net investment income (0.26) (0.51) (0.42)(3)
Distributions from net realized
short-term gains -- (0.07) (0.05)
Distributions from net realized
long-term gains -- (0.15) --
Return of capital -- (0.02) (0.05)(3)
------ ------ ------
Total distributions (0.26) (0.75) (0.52)
------ ------ ------
Net asset value at end of period $14.47 $13.84 $11.18
====== ====== ======
Total Return(4) 6.53% 31.67% 17.40%
Ratios to Average Daily Net Assets:
Expenses(5) 2.00%(7) 2.00% 2.00%(7,8)
Net investment income(6) 3.11%(7) 4.46% 5.39%(7,8)
Supplemental Data:
Net assets at end of period (000) $6,837 $5,295 $3,016
Portfolio turnover rate 35%(7) 23% 28%
Average commissions per share(9) $ 0.0479 $ 0.0475 --
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Unaudited.
(2) Commencement of operations.
(3) Distributions per share have been reclassified to reflect the actual return
of capital amounts for 1995.
(4) Total return excludes the effect of sales charge.
(5) Without the waiver of advisory fees and reimbursement of expenses (Note 2),
the ratio of expenses to average daily net assets would have been 2.29%
(annualized), 3.03% and 4.05% (annualized) for the six months ended June
30, 1997, the year ended December 31, 1996 and the period ended December
31, 1995, respectively.
(6) Without the waiver of advisory fees and reimbursement of expenses (Note 2),
the ratio of net investment income to average daily net assets would have
been 2.82% (annualized), 3.43% and 3.09% (annualized) for the six months
ended June 30, 1997, the year ended December 31, 1996 and the period ended
December 31, 1995, respectively.
(7) Annualized.
(8) Effective January 1, 1996, the Fund's expense and net investment income
ratios have been based on average daily net assets. Prior to that date they
were based on average monthly net assets. Under the prior method, the ratio
of expenses to average net assets was 1.90% and the ratio of net investment
income to average net assets was 5.25%.
(9) Disclosure is required for fiscal years beginning on or after September 1,
1995. Represents average commission rate per share charged to the Fund on
purchases and sales of investments during the period. Notes to Financial
Statements
See Notes to Financial Statements.
13
<PAGE>
FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 1--Significant Accounting Policies
Flag Investors Real Estate Securities Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), which was
organized as a Maryland Corporation on May 2, 1994 and commenced operations
January 3, 1995, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a
non-diversified, open-end Investment Management Company. Its objective is to
seek total return primarily through investments in equity securities of
companies that are principally engaged in the real estate industry.
The Fund consists of two share classes: Class A Shares and Class B Shares,
which both commenced January 3, 1995.
The Class A and Class B Shares are subject to different sales charges. The
Class A Shares have a 4.50% maximum front-end sales charge and the Class B
Shares have a 4.00% maximum contingent deferred sales charge. In addition, each
class has a different distribution fee.
When preparing the Fund's financial statements, management makes estimates
and assumptions to comply with generally accepted accounting principles. These
estimates affect 1) the assets and liabilities that we report at the date of the
financial statements; 2) the contingent assets and liabilities that we disclose
at the date of the financial statements; and 3) the revenues and expenses that
we report for the period. Our estimates could be different from the actual
results. The Fund's significant accounting policies are:
A. Security Valuation--The Fund values a portfolio security that is
primarily traded on a national exchange by using the last price
reported for the day. If there are no sales or the security is not
traded on a listed exchange, the Fund values the security at its last
bid price in the over-the-counter market. When a market quotation is
unavailable, the Investment Advisor determines a fair value using
procedures that the Board of Directors establishes and monitors. The
Fund values short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less
at amortized cost.
B. Repurchase Agreements-- The Fund may enter into tri-party repurchase
agreements with broker-dealers and domestic banks. A repurchase
agreement is a short-term investment in which the Fund buys a debt
security that the broker agrees to repurchase at a set time and price.
The third party, which is the broker's custodial bank, holds the
collateral in a separate account until the repurchase agreement
matures. The agreement ensures that the collateral's market value,
including any accrued interest,
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FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
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NOTE 1--concluded
is sufficient if the broker defaults. The Fund's access to the
collateral may be delayed or limited if the broker defaults and the
value of the collateral declines or if the broker enters into an
insolvency proceeding.
C. Federal Income Tax -- The Fund determines its distributions according
to income tax regulations, which may be different from generally
accepted accounting principles. As a result, the Fund occasionally
makes reclassifications within its capital accounts to reflect income
and gains that are available for distribution under income tax
regulations.
The Fund is organized as a regulated investment company. As long as it
maintains this status and distributes to its shareholders
substantially all of its taxable net investment income and net
realized capital gains, it will be exempt from most, if not all,
federal income and excise taxes. As a result, the Fund has made no
provisions for federal income taxes.
D. Securities Transactions, Investment Income, Distributions and Other --
The Fund uses the trade date to account for security transactions and
the specific identification method for financial reporting and income
tax purposes to determine the cost of investments sold or redeemed.
Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the pro
rata amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts when
appropriate. Income and common expenses are allocated to each class
based on its respective average net assets. Class specific expenses
are charged directly to each class. Dividend income and distributions
to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund has
deferred the costs incurred by its organization and the initial public
offering of shares. These costs are being amortized on the
straight-line method over a five-year period, which began when the
Fund commenced operations.
Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs") provide a portion of the
dividend income that the Fund records. For income tax purposes, a
portion of these dividends consists of capital gains and return of
capital. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund records these
dividends as dividend income and records the investment in the REIT at
market value.
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FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
NOTE 2--Investment Advisory Fees, Transactions with Affiliates and Other Fees
Investment Company Capital Corp. ("ICC"), a subsidiary of Alex. Brown
Financial Corp., is the Fund's investment advisor and ABKB/LaSalle Securities
Limited Partnership ("ABKB/LaSalle") is the Fund's subadvisor. As compensation
for its advisory services, the Fund pays ICC an annual fee based on the Fund's
average daily net assets. This fee is calculated daily and paid monthly at the
following annual rates: 0.65% of the first $100 million, 0.55% of the next $100
million, 0.50% of the next $100 million and 0.45% of the amount over $300
million.
As compensation for its subadvisory services, ICC pays ABKB/LaSalle a fee
from its advisory fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets. This fee is
calculated daily and paid monthly at the following annual rates: 0.40% of the
first $100 million, 0.35% of the next $100 million, 0.30% of the next $100
million and 0.25% of the amount over $300 million.
ICC has agreed to waive its aggregate fees so that ordinary Fund expenses
for any fiscal year do not exceed 1.25% of the Class A Shares' average daily net
assets and 2.00% of the Class B Shares' average daily net assets. For the six
months ended June 30, 1997, ICC waived fees of $49,293.
As compensation for its accounting services, the Fund pays ICC an annual
fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly from the Fund's average daily net
assets. The Fund paid ICC $16,260 for accounting services for the six months
ended June 30, 1997.
As compensation for its transfer agent services, the Fund pays ICC a per
account fee that is calculated and paid monthly. The Fund paid ICC $9,593 for
transfer agent services for the six months ended June 30, 1997.
As compensation for providing distribution services, the Fund pays Alex.
Brown & Sons Incorporated ("Alex. Brown") an annual fee that is calculated daily
and paid monthly. This fee is paid at an annual rate equal to 0.25% of the Class
A Shares' average daily net assets and 1.00% (including a 0.25% shareholder
servicing fee) of the Class B Shares' average daily net assets. For the six
months ended June 30, 1997, distribution fees aggregated $63,997, of which
$33,923 was attributable to the Class A Shares and $30,074 was attributable to
the Class B Shares.
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FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
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NOTE 2--concluded
The Fund's complex offers a retirement plan for eligible Directors. The
actuarially computed pension expense allocated to the Fund for the period
January 1, 1997 through June 30, 1997 was $269, and the accrued liability was
$981.
NOTE 3--Capital Share Transactions
The Fund is authorized to issue up to 15 million shares of $.001 par value
capital stock (7 million Class A, 2 million Class B, 5 million Institutional and
1 million undesignated). Transactions in shares of the Fund were as follows:
Class A Shares
-------------------------------
For the Six For the
Months Ended Year Ended
June 30, 1997* Dec. 31, 1996
-------------- -------------
Shares sold 824,321 807,325
Shares issued to shareholders on
reinvestment of dividends 33,326 63,818
Shares redeemed (91,470) (84,104)
----------- ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding 766,177 787,039
=========== ==========
Proceeds from sale of shares $11,600,338 $9,428,874
Value of reinvested dividends 463,243 787,477
Cost of shares redeemed (1,275,948) (1,047,300)
----------- ----------
Net increase from capital share transactions $10,787,633 $9,169,051
=========== ==========
Class B Shares
-------------------------------
For the Six For the
Months Ended Year Ended
June 30, 1997* Dec. 31, 1996
-------------- -------------
Shares sold 126,428 124,181
Shares issued to shareholders on
reinvestment of dividends 6,187 15,254
Shares redeemed (42,915) (26,509)
----------- ----------
Net increase in shares outstanding 89,700 112,926
=========== ==========
Proceeds from sale of shares $1,761,087 $1,463,859
Value of reinvested dividends 85,679 187,401
Cost of shares redeemed (594,686) (302,223)
----------- ----------
Net increase from capital share transactions $1,252,080 $1,349,037
=========== ==========
- ----------
*Unaudited.
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FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
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Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)
NOTE 4--Investment Transactions
Excluding short-term obligations, purchases of investment securities
aggregated $17,173,055 and sales of investment securities aggregated $5,597,180
for the six months ended June 30, 1997.
On June 30, 1997, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all
securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost was $5,848,563,
and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is
an excess of tax cost over value was $21,176.
NOTE 5--Net Assets
On June 30, 1997, net assets consisted of:
Paid-in capital:
Class A Shares $26,480,745
Class B Shares 5,310,383
Undistributed net investment income 219,289
Accumulated net realized gain from security transactions 875,988
Unrealized appreciation of investments 5,827,387
-----------
$38,713,792
===========
NOTE 6--Merger Agreement
On April 6, 1997, Bankers Trust New York Corporation and Alex. Brown
Incorporated announced that they had signed a definitive agreement to merge. The
merger, which is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 1997, is
subject to customary closing conditions, including certain regulatory and
shareholder approvals.
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FLAG INVESTORS REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
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Directors and Officers
RICHARD T. HALE
Chairman
CHARLES W. COLE, JR. CARL W. VOGT, ESQ.
Director Director
JAMES J. CUNNANE WILLIAM K. MORRILL, JR.
Director President
ROBERT S. KILLEBREW, JR. KEITH R. PAULEY
Director Executive Vice President
JOHN F. KROEGER GARY V. FEARNOW
Director Vice President
LOUIS E. LEVY EDWARD J. VEILLEUX
Director Vice President
EUGENE J. MCDONALD SCOTT J. LIOTTA
Director Vice President and Secretary
REBECCA W. RIMEL JOSEPH A. FINELLI
Director Treasurer
TRUMAN T. SEMANS LAURIE D. COLLIDGE
Director Assistant Secretary
Investment Objective
A mutual fund designed to seek total return primarily through investments in
equity securities of companies that are principally engaged in the real estate
industry.
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This report is prepared for the general information of shareholders. It is
authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or
accompanied by an effective prospectus.
For more complete information regarding any of the Flag Investors Funds,
including charges and expenses, obtain a prospectus from your investment
representative or directly from the Fund at 1-800-767-FLAG. Read it carefully
before you invest.
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