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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-3615
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
550 Science Drive, Madison, WI 53711
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip code)
W. Richard Mason
Madison/Mosaic Legal and Compliance Department
8777 N. Gainey Center Drive, Suite 220
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 608-274-0300
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: June 30, 2008
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspoection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. s 3507.
Semi-Annual Report (unaudited)
June 30, 2008
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust
- Investors Fund
- Balanced Fund
- Mid-Cap Fund
- Foresight Fund
Madison Mosaic Funds
(Madison Mosaic Logo)
www.mosaicfunds.com
Contents
Portfolio Manager Review | |
Review of Period | 1 |
Market in Review | 1 |
Outlook | 1 |
Interview with lead equity manager Jay Sekelsky | 2 |
Investors Fund | 2 |
Balanced Fund | 4 |
Disciplined Equity Fund | 6 |
Mid-Cap Fund | 7 |
Portfolio of Investments | |
Investors Fund | 10 |
Balanced Fund | 11 |
Disciplined Equity Fund | 13 |
Mid-Cap Fund | 15 |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities | 16 |
Statements of Operations | 17 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 18 |
Financial Highlights | 20 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 22 |
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust June 30, 2008
Portfolio Manager Review
Review of Period
The six-month period ended June 30, 2008 showed losses for all the funds in the face of broad declines in the stock market. Our primary benchmark indices were down sharply, with the large-cap S&P 500 falling -11.91% and the Russell Midcap(R) Index dropping -7.57%. Mosaic Investors was down -11.82% for the six-month period, while Mosaic Midcap fell -13.21%. Mosaic Balanced, helped by a positive return for intermediate bonds over the period, slipped -6.96%, while the all-sector Diversified Equity Fund also lost ground, but beat its S&P 500 benchmark with a -9.94% return.
Market in Review
The general trend for stocks during the first half of 2008 was illustrated by the fate of the widely watched Dow Jones Industrial Average. The index hit its high for this six-month period on the first day of trading in 2008, and its closing low for the first half of the year was on June 27th. For many Americans this may have felt like a straight-line decline, since that’s the path of consumer confidence, which sunk steadily to hit a 15-year low by the end of the period. In actuality, the stock market had a major rally during the period, with the S&P 500 rising double-digits between March 10 to May 19, before dropping 10% to end the period.
The source of this high volatility could be pinned to three key problem areas: high commodity prices, with gasoline leading the way; the continuing distress in the housing market; and the related progress of the already well-established credit crisis. The market sunk in March as one of the nation’s largest investment banks stumbled into what looked like dissolution, until the Federal Reserve and J.P. Morgan worked out a rescue. This gave hope to many that the credit crisis might have bottomed, but the subsequent rally rolled over in June in the face of surging oil prices, concerns over inflation, and a recognition that credit problems would continue to emerge. Higher energy and ramping inflation at a time when the economy was slowing brought the term “stagflation” back into circulation. Stagflation is generally a poor environment for stock investors.
The stock decline was broad, hitting domestic stocks of all sizes and even extending to international markets, with the broad international indices also showing double-digit losses. Within the stocks of the S&P 500, only the Energy Sector showed significant upside for the period, as it rose 8.1% for the period. The Materials Sector was up fractionally, while every other S&P sector was down, with the Financial Sector dropping -30.9% and Consumer Discretionary down -13.9%.
Outlook
As is usually the case in volatile markets, the market was rife with conflicting signals. On the negative side was a weak economy and declining corporate profits. On the positive side, valuations of many high-quality companies reached levels we haven’t seen in years and interest rates remained low. The slide in consumer confidence and cash flows out of stock funds were both potential contrary-indicators, suggesting that the market might be oversold. By the end of the period, we were more positive about the prospects of our stock portfolios than we have been for a number of reports, with the recognition that the realization of these prospects may take time.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 1
Portfolio Manager Review (continued)
Interview with lead equity manager Jay Sekelsky
(photograph of Jay Sekelsky)
Can you summarize the performance of the funds in Equity Trust for the first six months of 2008?
We’ve just completed one of those rare six-month periods where every broad market index suffered significant losses—small to large, domestic and international. Within the domestic market, the only sector with a substantial gain was energy. As you can see from the results of Mosaic Diversified Equity, which has broad sector diversification, our stock-picking was solid, and we outperformed our S&P 500 benchmark in that fund. With Mosaic Investors, which had no direct energy exposure during the period, we had a lot of ground to make up through stock selection, and we managed to do just that, just beating the return of the overall market as measured by the S&P 500 for the period. In Mid-Cap, however, the market’s positive concentration in the Materials and Energy Sectors was just too great a hurdle, and the fund was not able to keep up with its benchmark for the period. All in all, it was a mixed showing and, in relative terms, not as bad as we’d have expected given that the market’s positive territory was limited to the Materials and Energy Sectors. But no one enjoys seeing values deteriorate and it was emotionally, if not quite statistically, as discouraging a bear market as we can remember. On the bright side, my colleague, Rich Eisinger, is fond of pointing out that stock pickers should love a broad bear market, because sellers tend to punish the good companies along with the troubled ones. We have been actively upgrading our portfolios and have every expectation that our long-term investors will find rewards going forward.
MADISON MOSAIC INVESTORS
How did the fund perform for the first six months of 2008?
Mosaic Investors lost -11.82% for the period ended June 30, 2008. This return was slightly better than the return of the S&P 500, which dipped -11.91%. The fund trailed its peer group, represented by the Lipper Large-Cap Core Index, which fell - -10.79%. This discrepancy was largely due to sector allocation and specifically, the positive performance of large-cap energy companies. The S&P 500 Energy Sector advanced 8.1% for the period, while Investors had no direct energy exposure over the period, reflecting our long-held investment discipline which tends to avoid companies in traditionally cyclical industries. We believe the relative strength in the energy sector is unlikely to continue in the months ahead.
Have you made any significant changes to the portfolio since December 31, 2007?
Sector allocation was relatively stable through the six-month period. In light of the continued credit problems, we did trim our financial holdings over the past few quarters, bringing them at mid-period to the lightest allocation we’ve had in many years. During the later half of the second quarter
2 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Portfolio Manager Review (continued)
of 2008 we added slightly to our financial allocation as we were able to buy what we feel were some of the highest quality financial names at historically low valuations, even as we navigated away from companies with significant credit risks.
A main objective of the trading we’ve done recently has been to upgrade the portfolio. We often have a wish list of companies that we believe are industry leaders, but whose valuation has been outside of our comfort zone. Broad market declines can bring these valuations down to attractive levels. For instance, we bought American Express and sold Capital One, which we felt was a step up in quality within the credit card industry. Another example was the sale of Citigroup and the purchase of State Street, which allowed us to add a company with great diversification, a significant international position and relatively less credit exposure, which has been the chief cause of damage within the finance sector. Late in the quarter we added specialty insurer Markel, a company we’ve admired for some time, and which we have previously held to great benefit to our shareholders. Once again, the story was a market punishing all financial companies, bringing Markel into an attractive buying range.
We sold two technology holdings for a favorite reason: we felt full valuation had been reached. We sold Yahoo! in February following Microsoft’s offer to purchase the company, and we sold Linear Technology in May. In the Health Care Sector we sold Pharmaceutical Product Development after a significant gain, and bought shares of Quest Diagnostics, the domestic leader in diagnostic laboratory testing, information and services.
What holdings were the strongest contributors to fund performance?
In a down market like we’ve witnessed this period, strong performance is often a relative matter. For instance, the Financial Sector took a real beating, with the S&P Financials down more than 30%. Our financial stocks were down, but our emphasis on insurance companies was a plus, and this was our strongest relative sector. We also had relative positives from our Consumer Discretionary and Technology holdings. On an individual stock basis, we had our best result from Yahoo!, which we sold following Microsoft’s takeover bid, followed by Comcast, Novartis, and Linear Technology. Overall our stock picking had to be exceptionally strong to overcome the significant sector allocation headwinds.
TOP TEN STOCK HOLDINGS AS OF JUNE 30, 2008
FOR MADISON MOSAIC INVESTORS
% of net assets | |
Cisco Systems Inc. | 4.74% |
Microsoft Corp. | 4.63% |
Medtronic Inc. | 4.14% |
Walgreen Co. | 4.05% |
General Electric Co. | 3.99% |
Novartis AG - ADR | 3.81% |
Comcast Corp. Special-CL A | 3.75% |
3M Company | 3.57% |
Target Corp. | 3.49% |
The Coca-Cola Co. | 3.26% |
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 3
Portfolio Manager Review (continued)
What holdings were the largest constraints on performance?
As we’ve discussed in our overview, the market over the first half of 2008 showed a huge disparity between the one strong sector, energy, and all the others. As a result, our largest detractor was our lack of Energy exposure and, to a lesser extent, our lack of exposure to the Materials and Utilities Sectors.
Individual stocks which disappointed included UnitedHealth Group, Inc, which saw revenues slide and Best Buy, which suffered from the overall economic slowdown and investor concerns over the future of consumer spending.
What is your outlook for the remainder of 2008 and beyond?
We see a lot of clouds over the economy, but our outlook is cautiously optimistic. I feel better about the prospects of our individual holdings than I have for some time. The biggest barrier to our performance over the past period and few years has been sector related and these trends tend to be cyclical. If we have some sort of reversion to the mean in energy and materials and a market that begins to seek high-quality holdings, we could have very strong relative performance.
MADISON MOSAIC BALANCED
How did the Fund perform for the six-month period?
Mosaic Balanced fell -6.96% for the six months, with positive results from the bond holdings dampened by negative returns from stocks. As with our Investors Fund, we did fight the headwind of having no holdings in the top-performing Energy Sector. Over the course of the six months the Fund outperformed the Lipper Mixed Asset Allocation Growth Index, which showed a return of -7.32%.
4 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Portfolio Manager Review (continued)
Have you made any significant changes to the portfolio since December 31, 2007?
The stock holdings of Balanced mirror the holdings of Mosaic Investors as discussed above. These holdings continue to focus on solid, well-established domestic companies that have proven their earning ability through difficult times. One of the factors in our management of Balanced is the mix of stocks and bonds, with 70% being the highest allowable percentage of stocks. We began the period holding 60.2% stocks and finished the period with 61.3% in stocks. On the bond side, we have been gradually increasing corporate bonds and reducing Treasuries, based on our assessment of relative values. We have also decreased the duration of the bonds slightly, from 3.31years at the beginning of the period to 3.21 years at the end.
TOP FIVE STOCK AND FIXED INCOME HOLDINGS AS
OF JUNE 30, 2008 FOR MADISON MOSAIC BALANCED
% of net assets | |
Top Five Stock Holdings | |
Cisco Systems Inc. | 3.01% |
Microsoft Corp. | 2.83% |
Medtronic Inc. | 2.64% |
General Electric Co. | 2.54% |
Comcast Corp. Special-CL A | 2.40% |
% of net assets | |
Top Five Fixed Income Holdings | |
US Treasury Note, 5.125%, 6/30/11 | 4.10% |
Fannie Mae, 3.25%, 8/15/08 | 2.41% |
Fannie Mae, 6.625%, 11/15/10 | 1.73% |
Fed Home Loan Bank, 4.375%, 9/17/10 | 1.64% |
Comcast Cable, 6.2%, 11/15/08 | 1.61% |
How did the stock holdings in Balanced contribute to overall performance?
The stock holdings in Balanced were negative for the period as the stock market showed broad declines. The holdings mirror the stocks held in Mosaic Investors, discussed at some length above.
How did the bond holdings in Balanced contribute to overall performance?
Our bond holdings were positive for the period, benefiting from our position in the intermediate range of the bond curve. Our Treasury positions benefited from a flight to quality, while we actively reallocated towards high-quality corporate bonds as the period progressed, taking advantage of what we felt were exceptional valuations.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 5
Portfolio Manager Review (continued)
MADISON MOSAIC DISCIPLINED EQUITY
How would you characterize the performance of Disciplined Equity for the period?
While we handily beat our S&P 500 benchmark, which lost -11.91% for the six months, we take no pleasure in reporting a -9.94% decrease in the fund’s value. The fund also was ahead of its peer group, represented by the Lipper Large-Cap Core Index, which fell -10.79%.
Have you made any significant changes to the portfolio since December 31, 2007?
As shareholders are aware, we changed the name of the fund during this period from Foresight to Disciplined Equity, to better reflect the fund’s all-sector, fully-invested strategy. The fund’s equity positions are concentrated in large-cap companies which retain a leadership position in their industries and have shown the ability to produce predictable earnings over time. The volatility in the market over the six months of 2008 was one which generated fairly heavy trading for us.
As with our other portfolios, we looked at the broad market decline as an opportunity to add great companies at reasonable valuations. For instance, we sold Citigroup and Capital One, over concerns of lingering credit problems, and purchased State Street, which we felt exhibited stronger domestic and international business fundamentals. Among our other notable additions were Marshall & Ilsley, Millipore Corporation, National Grid PLC, Quest Diagnostics, Unilever, Valero Energy and Valspar Corporation. We sold ATP Oil & Gas, Affiliated Managers Group, Genzyme, Linear Technology, O’Reilly Automative, Pepsico, Pharmaceutical Product Development, Synovus, Total System Services, Unit Corporation and Yahoo! Inc.
What holdings had the largest impact on this period’s performance?
Energy was by far the strongest sector in the market over the first six months of 2008, with Materials the only other sector posting a gain, and just a slight one, for the period. Although we lagged the S&P 500’s Energy Sector’s returns, we did have a net positive from our energy holdings, led by Unit Corporation, which we sold in April, feeling that valuation was full. Every other sector in the portfolio, other than our cash holdings, were negative for the period. However, on a relative basis, we had positive stock selection from our financial stocks, followed by health care, consumer discretionary and industrials. Most of our relative outperformance to our benchmark came from the positive impact of cash in a declining market and our financial picks. In terms of individual stocks, we had our best results from Yahoo!, which we sold following Microsoft’s buyout offer, while UnitedHealth Group was the largest negative in the portfolio.
6 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Portfolio Manager Review (continued)
TOP TEN STOCK HOLDINGS AS OF JUNE 30, 2008
FOR MADISON MOSAIC DISCIPLINED EQUITY
% of net assets | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 4.32% |
ConocoPhillips Inc. | 3.83% |
Cisco Systems Inc. | 3.50% |
General Electric Co. | 3.13% |
Microsoft Corp. | 3.03% |
Chevron Corp. | 2.96% |
Medtronic Inc. | 2.77% |
Schlumberger Limited | 2.75% |
Integrys Energy Group | 2.62% |
Google Inc.-CL A | 2.31% |
MADISON MOSAIC MID-CAP
An interview with Rich Eisinger, co-manager of Madison Mosaic Mid-Cap.
(photograph of Rich Eisinger)
How would you characterize the performance of Mosaic Mid-Cap so far in 2008?
I am disappointed with the performance thus far this year. Mosaic Mid-Cap had a negative return of -13.21% for the first half of 2008 compared to the Russell Midcap(R) Index, which fell – 7.57%. When we look at attribution for the second quarter in particular, sector allocation was more detractive from performance than I can ever remember during my tenure as portfolio manager. The top-performing sectors within our benchmark were the Energy Sector, which was up 35% for the quarter, followed by the Materials and Utility Sectors. We have little exposure to these areas. On the flip side, the two worst sectors in the index were Consumer Discretionary and Financials, respectively, two areas where we have traditionally had significant exposure. Not coincidentally, these two sectors are where we are finding significant value today. We believe the patient, selective investor will ultimately be rewarded in these areas as some very high-quality companies are on sale.
Did you make any significant changes to the portfolio since December 31, 2007?
As much as we share the disappointment of lost shareholder value, there is a flip side to market declines. As stock pickers we get
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 7
Portfolio Manager Review (continued)
excited at the opportunities a broad market decline presents. As a result, we were fairly active traders during the first half of 2008. We established a position in Brown-Forman Corporation, the maker of Jack Daniels whiskey and other leading spirits brands. Brown-Forman now derives half of its revenue from international markets and the prospects for continued global expansion for its brands are promising.
Covanta is a new purchase with bright prospects for continued growth. The company converts waste to energy and should benefit from the push to make alternative energy more mainstream as traditional energy prices are high. Another purchase near the end of the period was Leucadia, which is a diversified financial concern run by Joseph Steinberg and Ian Cumming. We’ve admired their business acumen for years, and were pleased to be able to add the company at what we felt was a reasonable valuation. Leucadia has interests in a variety of businesses including an Australian iron ore mining company, Idaho timber, investment banking, California wineries and gaming.
Inconsistent results and disappointment in management led to the sale of Patterson Companies in May. We sold two companies during the period which we continue to admire: Expeditors International was bought and sold during the first half of the year. Expeditors, a company we owned in the past for many years, was purchased early in the first half when it fell to our “buy” target. However, it was sold shortly thereafter, at a nice profit, when valuation again became full in our estimation.
It may be worth mentioning to readers interested in staying up-to-date on trades that we provide detailed information monthly on our website, typically seven business days into each new month.
What holdings were the strongest contributors to fund performance?
This past six months have been one of the toughest relative and real return periods in the fund since I began managing at Mosaic some eleven years ago. Not only was the market down virtually across the board, but the market’s strengths were in the areas where we traditionally have the lightest allocations. We had relatively strong results in the Industrial Sector, where five of our nine holdings moved against the market’s tide. Waste Management, which provides waste management services, has benefited from higher pricing for its services. IDEX Corporation, a well-managed company that sells pumps and dispensing equipment, has benefited from strong international demand.
Techne Corporation, a health care company with an impeccable reputation among its customers, sells biotechnology products (proteins) to the research market. It has been a strong consistent performer for us. We also had positive returns from energy holding Unit Corporation which benefited significantly from higher natural gas prices.
What holdings were the largest constraints on performance?
Our underweighting in the leading Energy Sector was the biggest detractor to relative performance this period, in a period in which energy stocks showed a huge performance gap against the rest of the market. At the
8 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Portfolio Manager Review (concluded)
same time investors seemed quick to retreat from Consumer Discretionary stocks, as higher energy prices and a slowing economy put a cloud over this sector. For example, casino traffic was down, and so were casino capital expenditures, which hurt the fortunes of International Game Technology. Still, we are optimistic they will benefit when the gaming industry begins to switch over to the next generation of server-based slot machines. Not surprisingly, Wynn Resorts had a tough first half as well, with the stock retreating -27.4% over this period, although our results were much better, as we added this industry leader in the first quarter following the softening of its price. Wynn is one of a handful of casino companies with a license to operate in Macau, an Asian gambling destination that has now eclipsed Las Vegas as the world’s largest. Coventry Health Care was the stock that hurt us the most when investors reacted to the company’s weaker earnings and forecasts as the managed care sector appeared to be hit harder by the effects of the weak economy than expected.
TOP TEN STOCK HOLDINGS AS OF JUNE 30, 2008
FOR MADISON MOSAIC MID-CAP
% of net assets | |
Markel Corp. | 3.72% |
Charles River Laboratories | 3.67% |
Brookfield Asset Management | 3.63% |
Iron Mountain | 3.50% |
Liberty Global Inc.-CL C | 3.31% |
Mohawk Industries Inc. | 3.22% |
SEI Investments Co. | 3.20% |
Fiserv Inc. | 3.17% |
Brown & Brown Inc. | 3.12% |
Laboratory Corp. of America | 3.08% |
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 9
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust June 30, 2008
Investors Fund - Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
NUMBER OF SHARES |
| |
COMMON STOCKS: 99.1% of net assets | ||
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 14.5% | ||
Best Buy Co., Inc. | 28,790 | $1,140,084 |
Johnson Controls, Inc. | 32,440 | 930,379 |
Kohl’s Corp.* | 21,931 | 878,117 |
McDonald’s Corp. | 16,402 | 922,121 |
Staples Inc. | 33,214 | 788,833 |
Target Corp. | 31,880 | 1,482,101 |
CONSUMER STAPLES: 7.3% | ||
Coca-Cola Co. | 26,658 | 1,385,683 |
Walgreen Co. | 52,982 | 1,722,445 |
FINANCIAL SERVICES: 9.7% | ||
American Express Co. | 23,310 | 878,088 |
Franklin Resources | 9,630 | 882,589 |
State Street Corp. | 16,900 | 1,081,431 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | 53,703 | 1,275,446 |
HEALTH CARE: 23.3% | ||
Charles River Laboratories, Inc.* | 15,163 | 969,219 |
Johnson & Johnson | 19,389 | 1,247,488 |
Medtronic Inc. | 33,994 | 1,759,190 |
Millipore Corp.* | 14,968 | 1,015,729 |
Novartis AG - ADR | 29,458 | 1,621,368 |
Quest Diagnostics Inc. | 24,330 | 1,179,275 |
UnitedHealth Group | 44,655 | 1,172,194 |
Zimmer Holdings Inc.* | 14,126 | 961,274 |
INDUSTRIAL: 13.2% | ||
3M Company | 21,831 | 1,519,219 |
Dover Corp. | 24,123 | 1,166,830 |
General Electric Co. | 63,557 | 1,696,336 |
United Parcel Service - Class B | 20,124 | 1,237,022 |
INSURANCE: 6.5% | ||
Aflac Inc. | 8,891 | 558,355 |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.- Class B* | 340 | 1,364,080 |
Markel Corp. | 2,299 | 843,733 |
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT: 3.8% | ||
Comcast Corp. - Special Class A* | 84,970 | 1,594,037 |
TECHNOLOGY: 20.8% | ||
Cisco Systems, Inc.* | 86,599 | 2,014,293 |
eBay Inc.* | 48,816 | 1,334,141 |
EMC Corp. | 58,890 | 865,094 |
Fiserv Inc.* | 28,471 | 1,291,729 |
Google Inc.- Class A* | 2,608 | 1,372,903 |
Microsoft Corp. | 71,599 | 1,969,689 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $45,662,370) | $42,120,515 | |
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT: 0.9% of net assets | ||
With Morgan Stanley and Company issued 6/30/08 at 1.5%, due 7/1/08, collateralized by | 377,000.00 | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 100% of net assets (Cost $46,039,370) | $42,497,515 | |
CASH AND RECEIVABLES LESS LIABILITIES: 0.0% of net assets | 17,489 | |
NET ASSETS: 100% | $42,515,004 |
*Non-income producing
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
10 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust June 30, 2008
Balanced Fund - Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
NUMBER |
| |
COMMON STOCKS: 61.3% of net assets | ||
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 9.0% | ||
Best Buy Co., Inc. | 5,340 | $211,464 |
Johnson Controls, Inc. | 5,935 | 170,216 |
Kohl’s Corp. * | 3,895 | 155,956 |
McDonald’s Corp. | 3,035 | 170,627 |
Staples Inc. | 6,265 | 148,794 |
Target Corp. | 5,525 | 256,857 |
CONSUMER STAPLES: 4.3% | ||
Coca-Cola Co. | 4,775 | 248,205 |
Walgreen Co. | 8,850 | 287,713 |
FINANCIAL SERVICES: 5.9% | ||
American Express Co. | 3,795 | 142,958 |
Franklin Resources | 1,820 | 166,803 |
State Street Corp. | 3,090 | 197,729 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | 9,260 | 219,925 |
HEALTH CARE: 14.5% | ||
Charles River Laboratories, Inc.* | 2,960 | 189,203 |
Johnson & Johnson | 3,530 | 227,120 |
Medtronic Inc. | 6,350 | 328,612 |
Millipore Corp.* | 2,760 | 187,294 |
Novartis AG - ADR | 5,130 | 282,355 |
Quest Diagnostics Inc. | 4,345 | 210,602 |
UnitedHealth Group | 7,790 | 204,487 |
Zimmer Holdings Inc.* | 2,631 | 179,040 |
INDUSTRIAL: 8.2% | ||
3M Company | 3,695 | 257,135 |
Dover Corp. | 4,610 | 222,986 |
General Electric Co. | 11,827 | 315,663 |
United Parcel Service - Class B | 3,625 | 222,829 |
INSURANCE: 4.1% | ||
Aflac Inc. | 1,590 | 99,852 |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.- Class B* | 64 | 256,768 |
Markel Corp. | 423 | 155,241 |
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT: 2.4% | ||
Comcast Corp. - Special Class A* | 15,937 | 298,978 |
TECHNOLOGY: 12.9% | ||
Cisco Systems, Inc.* | 16,085 | 374,137 |
eBay Inc.* | 8,990 | 245,697 |
EMC Corp. | 11,095 | 162,985 |
Fiserv Inc.* | 4,840 | 219,591 |
Google Inc. Class A* | 485 | 255,314 |
Microsoft Corp. | 12,805 | 352,265 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $7,833,672) | $7,625,401 | |
PRINCIPAL |
| |
DEBT INSTRUMENTS: | ||
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS: 19.0% | ||
BANKS: 0.9% | ||
Wachovia Corp., 5.25%, 8/1/14 | $125,000 | $116,534 |
CONSUMER GOODS: 2.1% | ||
Costco Wholesale Corp., 5.3%, 3/15/12 | 100,000 | 103,516 |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 4.75%, 8/15/10 | 150,000 | 153,973 |
CONSUMER STAPLES: 1.6% | ||
Kraft Foods, Inc., 5.625%, 11/1/11 | 100,000 | 100,971 |
Sysco Corp. 5.25%, 2/12/18 | 100,000 | 100,434 |
ENERGY: 1.3% | ||
Valero Energy Corp., 6.875%, 4/15/12 | 150,000 | 155,835 |
FINANCIALS: 4.2% | ||
American Express, 4.875%, 7/15/13 | 150,000 | 144,598 |
Goldman Sachs, 7.35%, 10/1/09 | 180,000 | 184,913 |
International Lease Finance, 4.875%, 9/1/10 | 200,000 | 193,110 |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 11
Balanced Fund • Portfolio of Investments • June 30, 2008 (concluded)
PRINCIPAL |
| |
HEALTH CARE: 2.3% | ||
Abbot Laboratories, 5.6%, 11/30/17 | 125,000 | 126,313 |
UnitedHealth Group, 5%, 8/15/14 | 175,000 | 165,561 |
INDUSTRIAL: 0.8% | ||
United Parcel, 5.5%, 1/15/18 | 100,000 | 101,442 |
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT: 1.6% | ||
Comcast Cable, 6.2%, 11/15/08 | 200,000 | 200,751 |
TECHNOLOGY: 1.6% | ||
Cisco Systems, Inc., 5.25%, 2/22/11 | 100,000 | 103,022 |
Oracle Corp., 4.95%, 4/15/13 | 100,000 | 101,073 |
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: 2.6% | ||
AT & T Broadband, 8.375%, 3/15/13 | 150,000 | 165,277 |
Verizon New England, 6.5%, 9/15/11 | 150,000 | 154,282 |
US TREASURY & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS: 16.9% | ||
Fannie Mae, 3.25%, 8/15/08 | 300,000 | 299,881 |
Fannie Mae, 6.625%, 11/15/10 | 200,000 | 214,911 |
Fannie Mae, 4.875%, 5/18/12 | 150,000 | 155,221 |
Fannie Mae, 4.625%, 10/15/13 | 125,000 | 127,573 |
Federal Home Loan Bank, 4.375% 9/17/10 | 200,000 | 204,548 |
Federal Home Loan Bank, 5.5% 8/13/14 | 150,000 | 159,560 |
Freddie Mac, 4.875%, 11/15/13 | 150,000 | 154,533 |
US Treasury Note, 3.125%, 10/15/08 | 75,000 | 75,316 |
US Treasury Note, 4%, 3/15/10 | 50,000 | 51,293 |
US Treasury Note, 5.125%, 6/30/11 | 480,000 | 510,300 |
US Treasury Note, 4.25%, 11/15/17 | 150,000 | 153,270 |
TOTAL DEBT INSTRUMENTS (Cost $4,434,345) | $4,478,011 | |
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT: 2.3% of net assets | ||
With Morgan Stanley and Company issued 6/30/08 at 1.5%, due 7/1/08, collateralized by | 285,000 | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 99.5% of net assets (Cost $12,553,017) | $12,388,412 | |
CASH AND RECEIVABLES LESS LIABILITIES: 0.5% of net assets | 59,216 | |
NET ASSETS: 100% | $12,447,628 |
*Non-income producing
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
12 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust June 30, 2008
Disciplined Equity Fund - Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
NUMBER |
| |
COMMON STOCKS: | ||
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 8.8% | ||
Best Buy Co., Inc. | 1,475 | $58,410 |
Brown-Forman Corp. Class B | 650 | 49,120 |
Johnson Controls, Inc. | 1,800 | 51,624 |
Kohl’s Corp.* | 1,195 | 47,848 |
McDonald’s Corp. | 850 | 47,787 |
Staples Inc. | 2,000 | 47,500 |
Target Corp. | 1,400 | 65,086 |
CONSUMER STAPLES: 9.9% | ||
Clorox Co. | 1,275 | 66,555 |
Coca-Cola Co. | 1,345 | 69,913 |
Energizer Holdings Inc. | 610 | 44,585 |
Procter & Gamble | 1,100 | 66,891 |
Unilever NV | 1,360 | 38,624 |
Walgreen Co. | 2,325 | 75,586 |
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. | 900 | 50,580 |
ENERGY: 15.3% | ||
Chevron Corp. | 1,250 | 123,912 |
ConocoPhillips Inc. | 1,700 | 160,463 |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 2,050 | 180,667 |
Schlumberger Ltd | 1,070 | 114,950 |
Valero Energy Corp. | 1,505 | 61,976 |
FINANCIAL SERVICES: 10.3% | ||
American Express Co. | 1,680 | 63,286 |
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. | 1,500 | 48,810 |
Franklin Resources | 700 | 64,155 |
Goldmans Sachs Group Inc. | 400 | 69,960 |
Marshall & Isley Corp. | 2,745 | 42,081 |
State Street Corp. | 1,150 | 73,588 |
Wells Fargo & Co. | 2,925 | 69,469 |
HEALTH CARE: 12.0% | ||
Charles River Laboratories, Inc.* | 850 | 54,332 |
Johnson & Johnson | 700 | 45,038 |
Medtronic, Inc. | 2,240 | 115,920 |
Millipore Corp.* | 650 | 44,109 |
Novartis AG - ADR | 1,600 | 88,064 |
Quest Diagnostics Inc. | 1,350 | 65,434 |
UnitedHealth Group | 1,650 | 43,313 |
Zimmer Holdings Inc.* | 672 | 45,730 |
INDUSTRIAL: 9.0% | ||
3M Company | 1,325 | 92,207 |
Dover Corp. | 1,780 | 86,098 |
General Electric Co. | 4,905 | 130,914 |
United Parcel Service - Class B | 1,125 | 69,154 |
INSURANCE: 4.6% | ||
Aflac Inc. | 665 | 41,762 |
American International Group, Inc. | 1,600 | 42,336 |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.- Class B* | 15 | 60,180 |
Markel Corp.* | 135 | 49,545 |
MATERIALS: 4.7% | ||
Ball Corp. | 1,225 | 58,481 |
IDEX Corp. | 2,120 | 78,101 |
Valspar Corp. | 3,260 | 61,647 |
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT: 1.5% | ||
Comcast Corp. - Special Class A* | 3,232 | 60,632 |
TECHNOLOGY: 15.6% | ||
Cisco Systems, Inc.* | 6,300 | 146,538 |
eBay Inc.* | 2,735 | 74,748 |
EMC Corp. | 4,095 | 60,155 |
Fiserv Inc.* | 1,830 | 83,027 |
Google Inc. - Class A* | 184 | 96,861 |
International Business Machines Corp. | 550 | 65,192 |
Microsoft Corp. | 4,615 | 126,959 |
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: 3.2% | ||
AT & T | 2,000 | 67,380 |
America Movil-ADR | 1,280 | 67,520 |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 13
Disciplined Equity Fund • Portfolio of Investments • June 30, 2008 (concluded)
NUMBER |
| |
UTILITIES: 3.5% | ||
Integrys Energy Group, Inc. | 2,155 | 109,539 |
National Grid PLC - ADR | 555 | 36,613 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $4,181,475) | $4,120,955 | |
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT: 1.5% of net assets | ||
With Morgan Stanley and Company issued 6/30/08 at 1.5%, due 7/1/08, collateralized by | 61,000 | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 99.9% of net assets (Cost $4,242,475) | $4,181,955 | |
CASH AND RECEIVABLES LESS LIABILITIES: 0.1% of net assets | 2,818 | |
NET ASSETS: 100% | $4,184,773 |
*Non-income producing
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
14 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust June 30, 2008
Mid-Cap Fund - Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
NUMBER |
| |
COMMON STOCKS: 93.5% of net assets | ||
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 13.8% | ||
Brown-Forman Corp. - Class B | 43,840 | $3,312,989 |
CarMax Inc.* | 197,439 | 2,801,659 |
Mohawk Industries Inc.* | 64,045 | 4,105,284 |
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.* | 70,508 | 1,575,854 |
Tiffany & Company | 72,863 | 2,969,167 |
Wynn Resorts Ltd* | 34,747 | 2,826,668 |
CONSUMER STAPLES: 5.0% | ||
Clorox Co. | 74,859 | 3,907,640 |
Energizer Holdings, Inc.* | 34,132 | 2,494,708 |
ENERGY: 3.0% | ||
Unit Corp.* | 46,270 | 3,839,022 |
FINANCIAL SERVICES: 10.5% | ||
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. | 142,591 | 4,639,911 |
Leucadia National Corp. | 40,710 | 1,910,927 |
SEI Investments Co. | 173,929 | 4,090,810 |
Synovus Financial Corp. | 322,809 | 2,818,123 |
HEALTH CARE: 12.9% | ||
Charles River Laboratories, Inc.* | 73,385 | 4,690,769 |
Coventry Health Care, Inc.* | 76,333 | 2,322,050 |
Laboratory Corp of America Holdings* | 56,559 | 3,938,203 |
Millipore Corp.* | 42,670 | 2,895,586 |
Techne Corp.* | 33,969 | 2,628,861 |
INDUSTRIAL: 13.4% | ||
Autoliv Inc. | 74,409 | 3,468,948 |
Dun & Bradstreet Corp. | 39,645 | 3,474,488 |
General Cable Corp.* | 39,585 | 2,408,747 |
Iron Mountain* | 168,392 | 4,470,808 |
Waste Management, Inc. | 88,265 | 3,328,473 |
INSURANCE: 9.0% | ||
Brown & Brown, Inc. | 228,772 | 3,978,345 |
Markel Corp.* | 12,950 | 4,752,650 |
OdysseyRe Holdings Corp. | 75,765 | 2,689,657 |
MATERIALS: 5.2% | ||
IDEX Corp. | 96,864 | 3,568,470 |
Martin Marietta Materials | 29,553 | 3,061,395 |
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT: 5.6% | ||
International Game Technology | 116,329 | 2,905,898 |
Liberty Global Inc. - Series C* | 139,300 | 4,229,148 |
TECHNOLOGY: 9.7% | ||
Fiserv Inc.* | 89,186 | 4,046,369 |
FLIR Systems Inc.* | 44,742 | 1,815,183 |
Total System Services Inc. | 138,507 | 3,077,626 |
Zebra Technologies Corp. - Class A* | 107,073 | 3,494,863 |
UTILITIES: 5.4% | ||
Covanta Holding Corp.* | 125,369 | 3,346,099 |
Mirant Corp.* | 89,758 | 3,514,026 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $121,527,789) | $119,399,424 | |
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT: 6.3% of net assets | ||
With Morgan Stanley and Company issued 6/30/08 at 1.5%, due 7/1/08, collateralized by | 8,063,000 | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 99.8% of net assets (Cost $129,590,789) | $127,462,424 | |
CASH AND RECEIVABLES LESS LIABILITIES: 0.2% of net assets | 206,976 | |
NET ASSETS: 100.00% | $127,669,400 |
*Non-income producing
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 15
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust June 30, 2008
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)
Investors Fund | Balanced Fund | Disciplined Equity Fund | Mid-Cap Fund | |
ASSETS | ||||
Investments, at value (Notes 1 and 2) | ||||
Investment securities | $42,120,515 | $12,103,412 | $4,120,955 | $119,399,424 |
Repurchase agreements | 377,000 | 285,000 | 61,000 | 8,063,000 |
Total investments* | 42,497,515 | 12,388,412 | 4,181,955 | 127,462,424 |
Cash | 384 | 620 | 161 | 377 |
Receivables | ||||
Dividends and interest | 40,048 | 63,084 | 4,724 | 108,488 |
Capital shares sold | 6,439 | 3,824 | 943 | 197,616 |
Total assets | 42,544,386 | 12,455,940 | 4,187,783 | 127,768,905 |
LIABILITIES | ||||
Payables | ||||
Capital shares redeemed | 17,393 | 1,074 | 885 | 86,004 |
Independent trustee fees | 3,875 | 875 | 375 | 3,875 |
Auditor fees | 8,114 | 2,712 | 1,750 | 9,626 |
Total liabilities | 29,382 | 8,312 | 3,010 | 99,505 |
NET ASSETS | $42,515,004 | $12,447,628 | $4,184,773 | $127,669,400 |
Net assets consists of: | ||||
Paid in capital | 44,710,836 | 12,240,443 | 4,218,579 | 124,728,205 |
Undistributed net investment income (loss) | 123,687 | -- | 15,384 | (196,113) |
Accumulated net realized gains | 1,222,336 | 371,790 | 11,330 | 5,265,673 |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments | (3,541,855) | (164,605) | (60,520) | (2,128,365) |
Net Assets | $42,515,004 | $12,447,628 | $4,184,773 | $127,669,400 |
CAPITAL SHARES OUTSTANDING | ||||
An unlimited number of capital shares, | 2,614,192 | 765,120 | 337,148 | 11,424,737 |
NET ASSETS VALUE PER SHARE | $16.26 | $16.27 | $12.41 | $11.17 |
*INVESTMENT SECURITIES, AT COST | $46,039,370 | $12,553,017 | $4,242,475 | $129,590,789 |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
16 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust
Statements of Operations (unaudited)
For the six-months ended June 30, 2008
Investors Fund | Balanced Fund | Disciplined Equity Fund | Mid-Cap Fund | |
INVESTMENT INCOME (Note 1) | ||||
Interest income | $ 13,566 | $ 117,337 | $ 2,230 | $ 116,500 |
Dividend income | 364,352 | 61,157 | 37,469 | 537,732 |
Other income | 144 | -- | -- | -- |
Total investment income | 378,062 | 178,494 | 39,699 | 654,232 |
EXPENSES (Notes 3 and 5) | ||||
Investment advisory fees | 182,523 | 49,376 | 16,272 | 507,908 |
Other expenses: | ||||
Service agreement fees | 55,974 | 26,993 | 6,764 | 325,061 |
Independent trustee fees | 7,750 | 1,750 | 750 | 7,750 |
Auditor fees | 8,099 | 2,712 | 1,750 | 9,626 |
Line of credit interest and fees | 29 | -- | -- | -- |
Expenses waived | -- | -- | (1,221) | -- |
Total other expenses | 71,852 | 31,455 | 8,043 | 342,437 |
Total expenses | 254,375 | 80,831 | 24,315 | 850,345 |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS) | 123,687 | 97,663 | 15,384 | (196,113) |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | (624,468) | (69,341) | (44,282) | 151,028 |
Change in net unrealized depreciation of investments | (5,595,342) | (970,086) | (421,885) | (19,209,767) |
NET GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS | (6,219,810) | (1,039,427) | (466,167) | (19,058,739) |
TOTAL DECREASE IN NET ASSETS | $(6,096,123) | $(941,764) | $(450,783) | $(19,254,852) |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 17
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
For the period indicated
Investors Fund | Balanced Fund | |||
(unaudited) | Year Ended | (unaudited) | Year Ended | |
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | ||||
Net investment income | $ 123,687 | $ 1,241,405 | $ 97,663 | $ 220,474 |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | (624,468) | 13,032,510 | (69,341) | 1,004,513 |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments | (5,595,342) | (17,737,016) | (970,086) | (903,900) |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (6,096,123) | (3,463,101) | (941,764) | 321,087 |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS | ||||
From net investment income | -- | (1,241,405) | (97,663) | (220,474) |
From net capital gains | -- | (11,698,835) | -- | (670,949) |
Total distributions | -- | (12,940,240) | (97,663) | (891,423) |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 7) | (7,379,950) | (104,467,045) | (312,576) | (1,896,987) |
TOTAL DECREASE IN NET ASSETS | (13,476,073) | (120,870,386) | (1,352,003) | (2,467,323) |
NET ASSETS | ||||
Beginning of period | $55,991,077 | $176,861,463 | $13,799,631 | $16,266,954 |
End of period | $42,515,004 | $ 55,991,077 | $12,447,628 | $13,799,631 |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
18 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (concluded)
Disciplined Equity Fund | Mid-Cap Fund | |||
(unaudited) | Year Ended Dec. 31, | (unaudited) | Year Ended Dec. 31, | |
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | ||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ 15,384 | $ 18,188 | $ (196,113) | $ (269,776) |
Net realized gain (loss) on investments | (44,282) | 472,074 | 151,028 | 17,415,605 |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments | (421,885) | (103,795) | (19,209,767) | (6,395,270) |
Total increase (decrease) in | (450,783) | 386,467 | (19,254,852) | 10,750,559 |
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS | ||||
From net investment income | -- | (18,188) | -- | -- |
From net capital gains | -- | (439,180) | -- | (13,693,126) |
Total distributions | -- | (457,368) | -- | (13,693,126) |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 7) | 136,340 | 488,661 | 546,622 | 2,198,400 |
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | (314,443) | 417,760 | (18,708,230) | (744,167) |
NET ASSETS | ||||
Beginning of period | $4,499,216 | $4,081,456 | $146,377,630 | $147,121,797 |
End of period | $4,184,773 | $4,499,216 | $127,669,400 | $146,377,630 |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 19
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust
Financial Highlights
Selected data for a share outstanding for the periods indicated.
INVESTORS FUND
(unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, | ||||
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $18.44 | $20.57 | $18.81 | $20.82 | $18.79 |
Investment operations: | |||||
Net investment income | 0.04 | 0.20 | 0.09 | 0.06 | 0.13 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (2.22) | (0.21) | 3.02 | (0.62) | 2.03 |
Total from investment operations | (2.18) | (0.01) | 3.11 | (0.56) | 2.16 |
Less distributions: | |||||
From net investment income | -- | (0.20) | (0.09) | (0.06) | (0.13) |
From net capital gains | -- | (1.92) | (1.26) | (1.39) | -- |
Total distributions | -- | (2.12) | (1.35) | (1.45) | (0.13) |
Net asset value, end of year | $16.26 | $18.44 | $20.57 | $18.81 | $20.82 |
Total return (%) | (11.82) | (0.18) | 16.55 | (2.81) | 11.49 |
Ratios and supplemental data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (in thousands) | $42,515 | $55,991 | $176,861 | $130,339 | $164,121 |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) | 1.04-1 | 0.94 | 0.95 | 0.94 | 0.88 |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) | 0.51-1 | 0.78 | 0.55 | 0.29 | 0.70 |
Portfolio turnover (%) | 20 | 51 | 52 | 41 | 40 |
BALANCED FUND
(unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, | ||||
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $17.62 | $18.39 | $17.40 | $19.51 | $18.22 |
Investment operations: | |||||
Net investment income | 0.13 | 0.28 | 0.23 | 0.18 | 0.20 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (1.35) | 0.13 | 1.84 | (0.60) | 1.29 |
Total from investment operations | (1.22) | 0.41 | 2.07 | (0.42) | 1.49 |
Less distributions: | |||||
From net investment income | (0.13) | (0.28) | (0.23) | (0.18) | (0.20) |
From net capital gains | -- | (0.90) | (0.85) | (1.51) | -- |
Total distributions | (0.13) | (1.18) | (1.08) | (1.69) | (0.20) |
Net asset value, end of year | $16.27 | $17.62 | $18.39 | $17.40 | $19.51 |
Total return (%) | (6.96) | 2.24 | 11.96 | (2.16) | 8.19 |
Ratios and supplemental data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (in thousands) | $12,448 | $13,800 | $16,267 | $17,514 | $26,398 |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) | 1.22-1 | 1.22 | 1.22 | 1.21 | 1.20 |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) | 1.48-1 | 1.47 | 1.24 | 0.88 | 1.06 |
Portfolio turnover (%) | 23 | 42 | 35 | 34 | 38 |
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
20 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Financial Highlights (concluded)
Selected data for a share outstanding for the periods indicated.
DISCIPLINED EQUITY FUND
(unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, | ||||
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $13.78 | $14.07 | $12.61 | $13.38 | $12.59 |
Investment operations: | |||||
Net investment income | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.03 | 0.07 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (1.42) | 1.21 | 2.05 | (0.35) | 0.79 |
Total from investment operations | (1.37) | 1.27 | 2.12 | (0.32) | 0.86 |
Less distributions: | |||||
From net investment income | -- | (0.06) | (0.07) | (0.03) | (0.07) |
From net capital gains | -- | (1.50) | (0.59) | (0.42) | -- |
Total distributions | -- | (1.56) | (0.66) | (0.45) | (0.07) |
Net asset value, end of year | $12.41 | $13.78 | $14.07 | $12.61 | $13.38 |
Total return (%) | (9.94) | 9.05 | 16.83 | (2.34) | 6.83 |
Ratios and supplemental data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (in thousands) | $4,185 | $4,499 | $4,081 | $3,608 | $4,789 |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before fee waiver (%) | 1.17-1 | 1.26 | 1.27 | 1.25 | 1.25 |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after fee waiver (%) | 1.12-1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 0.65-1 | 0.41 | 0.54 | 0.24 | 0.54 |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | 0.71-1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Portfolio turnover (%) | 24 | 70 | 54 | 122 | 39 |
MID-CAP FUND
(unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, | ||||
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $12.87 | $13.04 | $11.99 | $12.52 | $11.06 |
Investment operations: | |||||
Net investment income (loss) | (0.02) | (0.02) | (0.02) | (0.05) | (0.01) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (1.68) | 1.15 | 1.98 | 0.12 | 2.10 |
Total from investment operations | (1.70) | 1.13 | 1.96 | 0.07 | 2.09 |
Less distributions from net investment income | -- | (1.30) | (0.91) | (0.60) | (0.63) |
Net asset value, end of year | $11.17 | $12.87 | $13.04 | $11.99 | $12.52 |
Total return (%) | (13.21) | 8.62 | 16.32 | 0.55 | 18.90 |
Ratios and supplemental data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (in thousands) | $127,669 | $146,378 | $147,122 | $146,266 | $115,809 |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) | 1.25-1 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.24 |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (%) | (0.29)-1 | (0.18) | (0.18) | (0.37) | (0.09) |
Portfolio turnover (%) | 36 | 43 | 47 | 46 | 38 |
1-Annualized.
The Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 21
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust June 30, 2008
Notes to Financial Statements
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Madison Mosaic Equity Trust (the “Trust”) is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, investment management company. This report contains information about four separate funds (the “Funds”): the Investors Fund, Balanced Fund, Mid-Cap Fund and Disciplined Equity Fund whose objectives and strategies are described in the Trust’s prospectus for the Funds. A fifth Trust portfolio, available to certain institutional investors (as defined in the portfolio’s prospectus) presents its financial information in a separate report.
Securities Valuation: Securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at their closing sale price. Repurchase agreements and other securities having maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Securities having longer maturities, for which quotations are readily available, are valued at the mean between their closing bid and ask prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.
Valuation Measurements: Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ investments and other financial instruments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
- Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
- Level 2: Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
- Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ assets as of June 30, 2008 (unaudited):
Investments in Securities | ||
Valuation Inputs | Investors Fund | Balanced Fund |
Level 1: Quoted prices | $42,120,515 | $7,625,401 |
Level 2: Other significant observable inputs | 377,000 | 4,763,011 |
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs | -- | -- |
Total | $42,497,515 | $12,388,412 |
Investments in Securities | ||
Valuation Inputs | Disciplined | Mid-Cap Fund |
Level 1: Quoted prices | $4,120,955 | $119,399,424 |
Level 2: Other significant observable inputs | 61,000 | 8,063,000 |
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs | -- | -- |
Total | $4,181,955 | $127,462,424 |
Investment Transactions: Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. The cost of investments sold is determined on the identified cost basis for financial statement and federal income tax purposes.
Investment Income: Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Bond premium is amortized and original issue discount and market discount are accreted over the expected life of each applicable security using the effective interest method. Dividend income is recorded net of applicable withholding taxes on the ex-dividend date. Other income is accrued as earned.
Distribution of Income and Gains: Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net investment income, determined as gross investment income less total expenses, is declared as a regular dividend and distributed to shareholders at year-end for
22 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
the Investors, Mid-Cap and Disciplined Equity Funds. The Trust intends to declare and pay regular dividends quarterly on the Balanced Fund. Capital gain distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually at year-end.
The tax character of distributions paid during 2007 and 2006 were as follows:
2007 | 2006 | |
Investors Fund: | ||
Distributions paid from: | ||
Ordinary income | $ 1,241,405 | $ 779,092 |
Short-term capital gains | 577,431 | 39,328 |
Long-term capital gains | 11,121,404 | 10,280,970 |
Balanced Fund: | ||
Distributions paid from: | ||
Ordinary income | $ 220,474 | $ 203,858 |
Short-term capital gains | 109,880 | -- |
Long-term capital gains | 561,069 | 717,960 |
Disciplined Equity Fund: | ||
Distributions paid from: | ||
Ordinary income | $ 18,188 | $ 20,281 |
Short-term capital gains | 193,322 | 69,201 |
Long-term capital gains | 245,858 | 94,052 |
Mid-Cap Fund: | ||
Distributions paid from: | ||
Short-term capital gains | $2,056,124 | $2,809,939 |
Long-term capital gains | 11,637,002 | 6,773,736 |
The Investors Fund, Balanced Fund, Mid-Cap Fund and Disciplined Equity Fund designate 100%, 48%, 26% and 36%, respectively, of dividends declared from net investment income and short-term capital gains during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as qualified income under the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
As of June 30, 2008, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows (unaudited):
Investors Fund: | |
Undistributed net investment income | $ 123,687 |
Accumulated net realized gains | 1,222,336 |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments | (3,541,855) |
$(2,195,832) | |
Balanced Fund: | |
Accumulated net realized gains | $ 372,737 |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments | (165,552) |
$ 207,185 | |
Disciplined Equity Fund: | |
Undistributed net investment income | $ 15,384 |
Accumulated net realized gains | $ 11,330 |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments | (60,520) |
$ (33,806) | |
Mid-Cap Fund: | |
Undistributed net investment loss | $ (196,113) |
Accumulated net realized gains | 5,265,673 |
Net unrealized appreciation on investments | (2,128,365) |
$ 2,941,195 |
Net realized gains or losses may differ for financial and tax reporting purposes as a result of loss deferrals related to wash sales and post-October transactions.
Income Tax: No provision is made for federal income taxes since it is the intention of the Trust to comply with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code available to investment companies and to make the requisite distribution to shareholders of taxable income which will be sufficient to relieve it from all or substantially all federal income taxes.
The Funds adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” on June 29, 2007. The implementation of FIN 48 resulted in no material liability for unrecognized tax benefits and no material change to the beginning net asset value of the fund.
As of and during the six-months ended June 30, 2008, the Funds did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.
As of December 31, 2007, capital loss carryovers available to offset future capital gains for federal income tax purposes is $130,741 for the Investors Fund expiring December 31, 2010. This loss was acquired through its merger with Mosaic Focus Fund on July 1, 2002 and is subject to certain limitations.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 23
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Use of Estimates: The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Such estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
2. Investments in Repurchase Agreements. When the Funds purchase securities under agreements to resell, the securities are held for safekeeping by the custodian bank as collateral. Should the market value of the securities purchased under such an agreement decrease below the principal amount to be received at the termination of the agreement plus accrued interest, the counterparty is required to place an equivalent amount of additional securities in safekeeping with the Trust’s custodian bank. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds, along with other registered investment companies having Advisory and Services Agreements with the same advisor, transfers uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. The aggregate balance in this joint trading account is invested in one or more consolidated repurchase agreements whose underlying securities are U.S. Treasury or federal agency obligations. As of June 30, 2008, the Investors Fund had approximately a 3.7% interest, the Balanced Fund approximately a 2.8% interest, the Disciplined Equity Fund approximately a 0.6% interest and the Mid-Cap Fund approximately a 80.1% interest in the consolidated repurchase agreement of $10,063,000 collateralized by $10,317,966 in United States Treasury Notes. Proceeds at maturity were $10,063,419.
3. Investment Advisory Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates. The investment advisor to the Trust, Madison Mosaic, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Madison Investment Advisors, Inc. (collectively “the Advisor”), earns an advisory fee equal to 0.75% per annum of the average net assets of the Balanced, Mid-Cap and Disciplined Equity Funds and the first $100 million in the Investors Fund. The advisory fee paid by the Investors Fund is reduced to 0.60% per annum on assets over $100 million. The fees are accrued daily and are paid monthly.
4. Investment Transactions. Purchases and sales of securities (excluding short-term securities) for the six-months ended June 30, 2008 were as follows (unaudited):
Purchases | Sales | |
Investors Fund: | ||
U. S. Gov’t Securities | -- | -- |
Other | $9,829,395 | $16,813,735 |
Balanced Fund: | ||
U. S. Gov’t Securities | $377,458 | $1,320,633 |
Other | $2,516,866 | $1,872,174 |
Disciplined Equity Fund: | ||
U. S. Gov’t Securities | -- | -- |
Other | $1,312,513 | $1,019,702 |
Mid-Cap Fund: | ||
U. S. Gov’t Securities | -- | -- |
Other | $45,618,007 | $47,952,289 |
5. Other Expenses. Under a separate Services Agreement, the Advisor will provide or arrange for each Fund to have all other necessary operational and support services for a fee based on a percentage of average net assets. These fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. This percentage is 0.41% for the Balanced Fund and 0.39% for the Disciplined Equity Fund through April 30, 2008. Effective May 1, 2008, this fee was reduced to 0.35% for the Disciplined Equity Fund. Additionally, the Advisor has agreed to waive 0.11% of this fee. This waiver may end at any time. The direct expenses paid by the Fund and referenced below come out of this fee. For the Investors Fund, this fee is 0.23% on the first $100 million and 0.20% on all assets greater than $100 million. For the Mid-Cap Fund, this fee is 0.48% on the first $150 million and 0.45% on all assets greater than $150 million.
The Funds pay the expenses of the Funds’ Independent Trustees directly. For the six-months ended June 30, 2008, these fees were $7,750, $1,750, $750 and $7,750 for the Investors, Balanced, Disciplined Equity and Mid-Cap Funds, respectively.
The Funds also pay the expenses of the Funds’ Independent auditors directly. For the six-months
24 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
ended June 30, 2008, the amounts accrued for these fees were $8,099, $2,712, $1,750 and $9,626 for the Investors, Balanced, Disciplined Equity and Mid-Cap Funds, respectively.
6. Aggregate Cost and Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation). The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes and the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) are as follows as of June 30, 2008 (unaudited):
Investors Fund | Balanced | |
Aggregate Cost | $46,039,370 | $12,553,017 |
Gross unrealized appreciation | 1,430,105 | 615,531 |
Gross unrealized depreciation | (4,971,960) | (781,083) |
Net unrealized depreciation | $ (3,541,855 | $ (165,552) |
Disciplined Equity Fund | Mid-Cap Fund | |
Aggregate Cost | $4,242,475 | $129,590,789 |
Gross unrealized appreciation | 323,345 | 10,022,149 |
Gross unrealized depreciation | (383,865) | (12,150,514) |
Net unrealized depreciation | $ (60,520) | $ (2,128,365) |
7. Capital Share Transactions. An unlimited number of capital shares, without par value, are authorized. Transactions in capital shares were as follows:
(unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, | |
Investors Fund | 2008 | 2007 |
In Dollars | ||
Shares purchased | $ 1,020,928 | $ 31,582,221 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | -- | 12,701,345 |
Total shares issued | 1,020,928 | 44,283,566 |
Shares redeemed | (8,400,878) | (152,505,320) |
Net decrease | $(7,379,950) | $(108,221,754) |
In Shares | ||
Shares purchased | 58,492 | 1,538,636 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | -- | 681,403 |
Total shares issued | 58,492 | 2,220,039 |
Shares redeemed | (480,508) | (7,783,321) |
Net decrease | (422,016) | (5,563,282) |
(unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, | |
Balanced Fund | 2008 | 2007 |
In Dollars | ||
Shares purchased | $ 202,838 | $ 555,770 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 88,690 | 824,152 |
Total shares issued | 291,528 | 1,379,922 |
Shares redeemed | (604,104) | (3,276,909) |
Net decrease | $(312,576) | $(1,896,987) |
In Shares | ||
Shares purchased | 11,835 | 30,207 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 5,310 | 46,433 |
Total shares issued | 17,145 | 76,640 |
Shares redeemed | (35,269) | (177,745) |
Net decrease | (18,124) | (101,105) |
(unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, | |
Disciplined Equity Fund | 2008 | 2007 |
In Dollars | ||
Shares purchased | $191,895 | $482,409 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | -- | 451,618 |
Total shares issued | 191,895 | 934,027 |
Shares redeemed | (55,555) | (445,366) |
Net increase | $136,340 | $488,661 |
In Shares | ||
Shares purchased | 14,971 | 33,375 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | - | 32,773 |
Total shares issued | 14,971 | 66,148 |
Shares redeemed | (4,249) | (29,752) |
Net increase | 10,722 | 36,396 |
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 25
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
(unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, | |
Mid-Cap Fund | 2008 | 2007 |
In Dollars | ||
Shares purchased | $20,400,047 | $35,218,979 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | -- | 13,100,835 |
Total shares issued | 20,400,047 | 48,319,814 |
Shares redeemed | (19,853,425) | (48,138,841) |
Net increase | $ 546,622 | $ 180,973 |
In Shares | ||
Shares purchased | 1,718,292 | 2,563,622 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | - | 1,013,996 |
Total shares issued | 1,718,292 | 3,577,618 |
Shares redeemed | (1,670,518) | (3,483,433) |
Net increase | 47,774 | 94,185 |
8. Line of Credit. The Investors Fund, Balanced Fund, Disciplined Equity Fund and Mid-Cap Fund have lines of credit of $35 million, $4 million, $1 million and $35 million, respectively. Each line is a revolving credit facility with a bank to be used for temporary emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The interest rate on the outstanding principal amount is equal to the prime rate less 1/2%. During the six-months ended June 30, 2008, the Balanced, Disciplined Equity and Mid-Cap Funds did not borrow on their respective lines of credit. The Investors Fund had total draws during the year of $144,000 with interest paid on those draws of $29. All draws have been repaid to the bank.
Fund Expenses (unaudited)
Example: As a shareholder of one of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including Investment advisory fees and Other expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in any Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. See footnotes 3 and 5 above for an explanation of the types of costs charged by the Funds. This Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on January 1, 2008 and held for the six-months ended June 30, 2008.
Actual Expenses
The table below titled “Based on Actual Total Return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,500 ending account valued divided by $1,000 = 8.5), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”
Based on Actual Total Return1 | ||||
Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Annualized Expense Ratio | Expenses Paid During the Period2 | |
Investors Fund | $1,000.00 | $881.78 | 1.04% | $4.92 |
Balanced Fund | $1,000.00 | $930.43 | 1.22% | $5.92 |
Disciplined Equity Fund | $1,000.00 | $900.58 | 1.12% | $5.28 |
Mid-Cap Fund | $1,000.00 | $867.91 | 1.25% | $5.77 |
1For the six-months ended June 30, 2008. |
26 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The table on the next page titled “Based on Hypothetical Total Return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not any Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a fund offered by the Trust and other Funds. To do so, compare the 5.00% hypothetical example relating to the applicable Fund with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Based on Hypothetical Total Return1 | ||||
Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Annualized Expense Ratio | Expenses Paid | |
Investors Fund | $1,000.00 | $1,025.12 | 1.04% | $5.25 |
Balanced Fund | $1,000.00 | $1,025.12 | 1.22% | $6.15 |
Disciplined Equity Fund | $1,000.00 | $1,025.12 | 1.12% | $5.62 |
Mid-Cap Fund | $1,000.00 | $1,025.12 | 1.25% | $6.30 |
1For the six-months ended June 30, 2008. |
Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure. One of our most important responsibilities as mutual fund managers is to communicate with shareholders in an open and direct manner. Some of our comments in our letters to shareholders are based on current management expectations and are considered “forward-looking statements.” Actual future results, however, may prove to be different from our expectations. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan” and other similar terms. We cannot promise future returns. Our opinions are a reflection of our best judgment at the time this report is compiled, and we disclaim any obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Proxy Voting Information. The Trust adopted policies that provide guidance and set forth parameters for the voting of proxies relating to securities held in the Trust’s portfolios. Additionally, information regarding how the Trust voted proxies related to portfolio securities for the period ended June 30, 2008 is available. These policies and voting information are available to you upon request and free of charge by writing to Madison Mosaic Funds, 550 Science Drive, Madison, WI 53711 or by calling toll-free at 1-800-368-3195. The Trust’s proxy voting policies and voting information may also be obtained by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission web site at www.sec.gov. The Trust will respond to shareholder requests for copies of our policies and voting information within two business days of request by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure prompt delivery.
N-Q Disclosure. The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trust’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website. The Trust’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-202-551-8090. Form N-Q and other information about the Trust are available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may also be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. Finally, you may call Madison Mosaic at 800-368-3195 if you would like a copy of Form N-Q and we will mail one to you at no charge.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust 27
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28 Semi-annual Report • June 30, 2008
The Madison Mosaic Family of Mutual Funds
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust
Investors Fund
Balanced Fund
Mid-Cap Fund
Foresight Fund
Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
Madison Mosaic Income Trust
Government Fund
Intermediate Income Fund
Institutional Bond Fund
Corporate Income Shares (COINS)
Madison Mosaic Tax-Free Trust
Virginia Tax-Free Fund
Tax-Free National Fund
Madison Mosaic Government Money Market
For more complete information on any Madison Mosaic fund, including charges and expenses, request a prospectus by calling 1-800-368-3195. Read it carefully before you invest or send money. This document does not constitute an offering by the distributor in any jurisdiction in which such offering may not be lawfully made. Mosaic Funds Distributor, LLC.
TRANSER AGENT
Madison Mosaic Funds
c/o US Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Shareholder Service
Toll-free nationwide: 888-670-3600
550 Science Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53711
Madison Mosaic Funds
www.mosaicfunds.com
SEC File Number 811-3615
Semi-Annual Report (unaudited)
June 30, 2008
Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund (MADOX)
Active Equity Management combined with a Covered Call Option Strategy
Madison Investment Advisors, Inc.
www.madisonfunds.com
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
Table of Contents
Portfolio Manager Review | 1 |
Portfolio of Investments | 4 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 6 |
Statement of Operations | 7 |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets | 8 |
Financial Highlights | 9 |
Notes to Financial Statements | 10 |
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
Portfolio Manager Review
Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund (the “Fund”) commenced operations on March 31, 2006, offering institutional options writing management and personal service to its shareholders. The Fund’s objective is to achieve consistent long-term returns that compare favorably with stock market averages, but with downside protection, meaningful income production, and considerably less volatility.
The general trend for stocks during the first half of 2008 was illustrated by the fate of the widely watched Dow Jones Industrial Average. The index hit its high for this six-month period on the first day of trading in 2008, and its closing low for the first half of the year was on June 27th. For many Americans this may have felt like a straight-line decline, since that’s the path of consumer confidence, which sunk steadily to hit a 15-year low by the end of the period. In actuality, the stock market had a major rally during the period, with the S&P 500 rising double-digits between March 10 to May 19, before dropping 10% to end the period.
The source of this high volatility could be pinned to three key problem areas: high commodity prices, with gasoline leading the way; the continuing distress in the housing market; and the related progress of the already well-established credit crisis. The market sunk in March as one of the nation’s largest investment banks, Bear Stearns, stumbled into what looked like dissolution, until the Federal Reserve and J.P. Morgan worked out a rescue. This gave hope to many that the credit crisis might have bottomed, but the subsequent rally rolled over in June in the face of surging oil prices, concerns over inflation, and a recognition that credit problems would continue to emerge. Higher energy and ramping inflation at a time when the economy was slowing brought the term “stagflation” back into circulation. Stagflation is generally a poor environment for stock investors.
The stock decline was broad, hitting domestic stocks of all sizes and even extending to international markets, with the broad international indices also showing double-digit losses. Within the stocks of the S&P 500, only the Energy Sector showed significant upside for the period, as it rose 8.1% over the six months. The Materials Sector was up fractionally, while every other S&P sector was down, with the Financial Sector dropping -30.9% and Consumer Discretionary down -13.9%.
As of June 30, 2008, MADOX held 41 common stocks and the Fund’s managers wrote options which resulted in $1,237,777 of premiums in the first six months. The Fund generally writes “out-of-the-money” options, and as of June 30, 2008, 85% of MADOX’s 40 outstanding written (sold) stock options were still “out-of-the-money.” This should allow the fund to appreciate in price should our equity positions rally.
We are pleased to report that MADOX generated sufficient income in the first half of 2008 to declare a $0.75 per share dividend in June.
The Fund’s NAV (net asset value per share) decreased $2.31 in the first half of the year from $18.13 to $15.82. This represented a total return of -8.8%, including the reinvestment of dividends versus -11.9% for the S&P 500 and -5.9% for the CBOE Buy Write (“BXM”) Index during the same period. We believe the main reason we were able to outperform the S&P 500 was significant income from the Fund’s call writing strategy. The main source for the performance gap with the BXM could be attributed to the fortunes of the underlying stocks. MADOX tends to concentrate its holdings in the Consumer, Financial, Technology and Health Care Sectors, all of which were strongly negative for the period, while the S&P 500’s Energy Sector, where the Fund has historically been underweighted, was up 8.1%. Secondly, a bifurcated
Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008 | 1
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund | Portfolio Manager Review | continued
market has hurt results because our “winners” get called away without us fully participating in their upside. Currently, we believe we have a portfolio of high-quality stocks trading at attractive prices on a number of valuation metrics.
From a sector perspective, MADOX’s largest exposure was in the Consumer Discretionary sector, followed by Health Care, Technology and Financials. We continue to remain absent from the Materials and Utilities Sectors.
Madison Asset Management’s stock picking strategy involves seeking a portfolio of common stocks that have favorable “PEG” ratios (price-earnings ratio to growth rate) as well as financial strength and industry leadership. As bottom-up investors, we focus on the fundamental businesses of our companies. Our stock selection philosophy strays away from the “beat the street” objective, as we look for companies that have sustainable competitive advantages, predictable cash flows, solid balance sheets and high-quality management teams. By concentrating on long-term prospects and circumventing the “instant gratification” school of thought, we believe we bring elements of consistency, stability and predictability to our shareholders.
Once we have selected attractive and solid names for the Fund, we employ our option writing strategy. This procedure entails selling calls that are primarily out-of the-money, meaning that the strike price is higher than the common stock price, so that the Fund can participate in some stock appreciation. By receiving option premiums, the Fund receives a high level of investment income and adds an element of downside protection. In addition, we believe that our concentration in the Consumer Discretionary and Retail, Technology, Medical Health and Pharmaceutical and Financial sectors provides opportunities for larger premiums than those that would come from other sectors or from writing index options. Call options may be written over a number of time periods and at differing strike prices in an effort to maximize the protective value to the strategy and spread income evenly throughout the year.
As is usually the case in volatile markets, the market was rife with conflicting signals. On the negative side was a weak economy and increasing inflation. Corporate profits were under pressure, and the Federal Reserve was in the difficult position of facing a slowing economy, which would normally promote lower rates, and serious inflation, which is typically treated with the opposite. On the positive side, valuations of many high-quality companies reached levels we haven’t seen for years and interest rates remained low. The slide in consumer confidence and cash flows out of stock funds were both potential contrary-indicators, suggesting that the market might be oversold. By the end of the period, we were more positive about the prospects of our stock portfolio than we have been for a number of reports, with the recognition that the realization of these prospects may take time.
2 | Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund | Portfolio Manager Review | concluded
On the option writing side, the VIX Index spiked upward at the end of 2007 from very low levels. This higher level of volatility has caused option premiums to increase and we look for this positive trend to continue into the second half of 2008.
TOP TEN STOCK HOLDINGS AS OF JUNE 30, 2008
FOR MADISON INSTITUTIONAL EQUITY OPTION FUND
% of net assets | |
Cisco Systems Inc. | 3.89% |
Kohl’s Corp. | 3.55% |
Varian Medical Systems | 3.52% |
Intuit Inc. | 3.34% |
Target Corp. | 3.16% |
Capital One Financial Corp. | 3.14% |
EMC Corp. | 3.11% |
Starbucks Corp. | 3.10% |
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. | 3.03% |
Amgen Inc. | 2.97% |
Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008 | 3
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
Portfolio of Investments - June 30, 2008 - unaudited
Number of Shares | Value | |
Common Stocks: 96.3% of net assets | ||
Consumer Discretionary: 24.4% | ||
22,600 | American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. | $ 308,038 |
4,900 | Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.* | 137,690 |
3,500 | Best Buy Co., Inc. | 138,600 |
9,600 | Coach Inc.* | 277,248 |
9,000 | Kohl’s Corp.* | 360,360 |
12,600 | Lowe’s Companies, Inc. | 261,450 |
15,000 | Office Depot, Inc.* | 164,100 |
20,000 | Starbucks Corp.* | 314,800 |
6,900 | Target Corp. | 320,781 |
10,000 | Williams-Sonoma, Inc. | 198,400 |
Consumer Services: 10.6% | ||
11,000 | eBay Inc.* | 300,630 |
4,000 | Garmin, Ltd | 171,360 |
500 | Google Inc.- Class A* | 263,210 |
12,300 | Intuit Inc.* | 339,111 |
Financials: 16.8% | ||
3,000 | Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.* | 270,180 |
8,400 | Capital One Financial Corp. | 319,284 |
9,500 | Citigroup, Inc. | 159,220 |
14,000 | Countrywide Financial Corp. | 59,500 |
11,100 | Marshall & Isley Corp. | 170,163 |
6,200 | Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | 196,602 |
8,000 | Morgan Stanley & Co. | 288,560 |
10,000 | Wells Fargo & Co. | 237,500 |
Health Care: 21.5% | ||
6,400 | Amgen Inc.* | 301,824 |
5,000 | Biogen Idec* | 279,450 |
3,500 | Genentech Inc.* | 265,650 |
3,600 | Genzyme Corp.* | 259,272 |
20,000 | Mylan Inc.* | 241,400 |
14,000 | Pfizer, Inc. | 244,580 |
8,900 | UnitedHealth Group | 233,625 |
6,900 | Varian Medical Systems, Inc. | 357,765 |
Insurance: 0.5% | ||
9,000 | MGIC Investment Corp. | 54,990 |
Software: 2.9% | ||
10,000 | Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.* | 236,700 |
3,000 | Symantec Corp.* | 58,050 |
Technology: 19.6% | ||
6,000 | Altera Corp. | 124,200 |
17,000 | Cisco Systems, Inc.* | 395,420 |
10,000 | Dell Inc.* | 218,800 |
21,500 | EMC Corp. | 315,835 |
29,000 | Flextronics International Ltd.* | 272,600 |
7,500 | Linear Technology Corp. | 244,275 |
9,000 | Xilinx, Inc. | 227,250 |
5,900 | Zebra Technologies Corp. - Class A* | 192,576 |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $13,604,865) | $9,781,049 | |
Short-Term Investments: | ||
Repurchase Agreement: 7.9% | 801,000 | |
Total Investments: 104.2% of net assets (Cost $14,405,865) | $10,582,049 | |
Liabilities less cash and other assets - (0.1%) | (6,362) | |
Total Call Options Written - (4.1%) | (412,153) | |
Net Assets: 100% | $10,163,534 |
*Non-income producing.
4 | Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund | Portfolio of Investments | concluded
Contracts | Call Options Written: | Expiration Date | Exercise Price | Market Value |
30 | Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. | January 2009 | 110.00 | $16,200 |
60 | Altera Corp. | January 2009 | 20.00 | 17,250 |
64 | Amgen Inc. | January 2009 | 50.00 | 19,840 |
49 | Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. | January 2009 | 30.00 | 13,230 |
35 | Best Buy Inc. | December 2008 | 50.00 | 4,025 |
50 | Biogen Idec | January 2009 | 60.00 | 21,750 |
36 | Capital One Financial Corp. | January 2009 | 45.00 | 15,660 |
100 | Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. | July 2008 | 22.50 | 14,750 |
170 | Cisco Systems, Inc. | January 2009 | 27.50 | 14,790 |
96 | Coach Inc. | August 2008 | 30.00 | 15,840 |
136 | Countrywide Financial Corp. | January 2009 | 10.00 | 476 |
100 | Dell Inc. | November 2008 | 25.00 | 8,700 |
50 | eBay Inc. | October 2008 | 30.00 | 6,650 |
60 | eBay Inc. | January 2009 | 35.00 | 5,100 |
215 | EMC Corp. | October 2008 | 17.00 | 10,857 |
90 | Flextronics International Ltd. | January 2009 | 12.50 | 3,420 |
35 | Genentech Inc. | January 2009 | 70.00 | 36,575 |
36 | Genzyme Corp. | January 2009 | 72.50 | 25,380 |
5 | Google, Inc. | September 2008 | 600.00 | 6,400 |
50 | Intuit Inc. | October 2008 | 30.00 | 5,750 |
73 | Intuit Inc. | January 2009 | 30.00 | 13,870 |
46 | Kohl’s Corp. | July 2008 | 45.00 | 1,380 |
44 | Kohl’s Corp. | July 2008 | 50.00 | 330 |
75 | Linear Technology Corp. | January 2009 | 30.00 | 34,500 |
126 | Lowe’s Companies, Inc. | July 2008 | 27.50 | 630 |
111 | Marshall & Ilsley Corp. | September 2008 | 25.00 | 555 |
62 | Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | January 2009 | 60.00 | 682 |
40 | Morgan Stanley & Co. | July 2008 | 50.00 | 200 |
40 | Morgan Stanley & Co. | January 2009 | 50.00 | 3,600 |
150 | Mylan Inc. | July 2008 | 15.00 | 750 |
50 | Mylan Inc. | January 2009 | 12.50 | 7,000 |
150 | Office Depot, Inc. | January 2009 | 15.00 | 9,000 |
84 | Starbucks Corp. | January 2009 | 17.50 | 11,172 |
116 | Starbucks Corp. | January 2009 | 22.50 | 3,364 |
30 | Symantec Corp. | July 2008 | 20.00 | 900 |
36 | Target Corp. | October 2008 | 55.00 | 6,552 |
69 | Varian Medical Systems, Inc. | November 2008 | 55.00 | 21,390 |
100 | Wells Fargo & Co. | July 2008 | 27.50 | 2,000 |
90 | Xilinx, Inc. | January 2009 | 25.00 | 26,325 |
59 | Zebra Technologies Corp. | August 2008 | 35.00 | 5,310 |
3,018 | Total Call Options Written (Premiums Received $887,258) | $412,153 |
Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008 | 5
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities - June 30, 2008 - unaudited
ASSETS | |
Investments, at value (Notes 1 and 2) | |
Investment securities | $9,781,049 |
Repurchase agreement | 801,000 |
Total investments (cost $14,405,865) | 10,582,049 |
Cash | 680 |
Dividends and interest | 40 |
Total assets | 10,582,769 |
LIABILITIES | |
Options written, at value (premiums received of $887,258) | 412,153 |
Payables | |
Independent trustee fees | 750 |
Auditor fees | 3,500 |
Other expenses | 2,832 |
Total liabilities | 419,235 |
NET ASSETS | $10,163,534 |
Net assets consists of: | |
Paid in capital | 12,839,486 |
Undistributed net investment income | 27,001 |
Accumulated net realized gain on investments and options transactions | 645,758 |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments and options transactions | (3,348,711) |
Net Assets | $10,163,534 |
CAPITAL SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING | |
An unlimited number of capital shares, $.01 par value per share (Note 7) | 642,258 |
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE | $15.82 |
6 | Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
Statement of Operations - For the six-months ended June, 30, 2008 - unaudited
INVESTMENT INCOME (Note 1) | |
Interest income | $11,334 |
Dividend income | 64,536 |
Other income | 301 |
Total investment income | 76,171 |
EXPENSES (Notes 3 and 5) | |
Investment advisory fees | 45,091 |
Performance fulcrum fee | (7,945) |
Other expenses: | |
Service agreement fees | 7,024 |
Independent trustee fees | 1,500 |
Auditor fees | 3,500 |
Total other expenses | 12,024 |
Total expenses | 49,170 |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | 27,001 |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | |
Investments | (147,207) |
Options | 931,476 |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | |
Investments | (1,805,258) |
Options | 2,041 |
NET LOSS ON INVESTMENTS AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS | (1,018,948) |
TOTAL DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | $(991,947) |
Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008 | 7
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
For the period indicated
(unaudited) | Year Ended | |
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | ||
Net investment income | $27,001 | $79,344 |
Net realized gain on investments and options transactions | 784,269 | 1,463,005 |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments and options transactions | (1,803,217) | (2,139,502) |
Total decrease in net assets resulting from operations | (991,947) | (597,153) |
DISTRIBUTION TO SHAREHOLDERS | ||
From net investment income | -- | (79,344) |
From net capital gains | (461,199) | (1,289,423) |
Total distributions | (461,199) | (1,368,767) |
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (Note 7) | (1,536,469) | 3,608,268 |
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS | (2,989,615) | 1,642,348 |
NET ASSETS | ||
Beginning of period | $13,153,149 | $11,510,801 |
End of period | $10,163,534 | $13,153,149 |
8 | Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
Financial Highlights
Per Share Operating Performance for One Share Outstanding Throughout the Period
(unaudited) Six-Months Ended June 30, | Year Ended Dec. 31, | For the period Mar. 31, 2006-1 through | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $18.13 | $21.18 | $20.00 |
Investment Operations | |||
Net investment income | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.10 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (1.60) | (0.84) | 1.44 |
Total from investment operations | (1.56) | (0.71) | 1.54 |
Less distributions from: | |||
Net investment income | -- | (0.13) | (0.10) |
Capital gains | (0.75) | (2.21) | (0.26) |
Total distributions | (0.75) | (2.34) | (0.36) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $15.82 | $18.13 | $21.18 |
Total Investment Return (%) | (8.78) | (3.98) | 7.74 |
Ratios and Supplemental Data | |||
Net assets, end of period (thousands) | $10,164 | $13,153 | $11,511 |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (%) | 0.82-2 | 0.95 | 0.94-2 |
Ratio of net investment Income to average net assets (%) | 0.45-2 | 0.65 | 0.83-2 |
Portfolio turnover (%) | 17 | 103 | 41 |
1 Commencement of operations.
2 Annualized.
Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008 | 9
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
Notes to Financial Statements - June 30, 2008
Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust (the “Trust”) is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, investment management company. The Trust currently offers five portfolios, each of which is a diversified mutual fund. This report contains information about one of these portfolios, the Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced operations March 31, 2006. Its objectives and strategies are detailed in its prospectus. The remaining four Trust portfolios present their financial information in a separate report.
Securities Valuation: Securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at their closing sale price. Repurchase agreements and other securities having maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Securities having longer maturities, for which quotations are readily available, are valued at the mean between their closing bid and ask prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the best bid and best ask prices across all option exchanges.
Valuation Measurements: Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments and other financial instruments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
- Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
- Level 2: Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
- Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets as of June 30, 2008 (unaudited):
Valuation Inputs | Investments in Securities | Other Financial Instruments* |
Level 1: Quoted prices | $9,781,049 | $(412,153) |
Level 2: Other significant observable inputs | 801,000 | -- |
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs | -- | -- |
Total | $10,582,049 | $(412,153) |
* Consists of call options written. |
Investment Transactions: Investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. The cost of investments sold is determined on the identified cost basis for financial statement and federal income tax purposes.
Investment Income: Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Bond premium is amortized and original issue discount and market discount are accreted over the expected life of each applicable security using the effective interest method. Dividend income is recorded net of applicable withholding taxes on the ex-dividend date. Other income is accrued as earned.
Distribution of Income and Gains: Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net investment income, determined as gross investment income less total expenses and short-term capital gain distributions are declared and paid at management’s discretion. Long-term capital gain distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually at year-end.
The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders was $79,344 of ordinary income, $1,270,316 of short-term gains and $19,107 of long-term gains in 2007 and $49,496 of ordinary income and $139,850 of short-term capital gains in 2006, respectively. The Fund designates 6.12% of dividends declared from net investment income and short-term capital gains during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as qualified income under the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
As of June 30, 2008, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows (unaudited):
Undistributed net investment income | $27,001 |
Accumulated net realized gains | 648,826 |
Net unrealized depreciation on investments | (3,351,779) |
$(2,675,952) |
Net realized gains or losses may differ for financial and tax reporting purposes as a result of loss deferrals related to wash sales and post-October transactions.
10 | Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund | Notes to Financial Statements | continued
Income Tax: No provision is made for federal income taxes since it is the intention of the Trust to comply with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code available to investment companies and to make the requisite distribution to shareholders of taxable income which will be sufficient to relieve it from all or substantially all federal income taxes.
The Fund adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” on June 29, 2007. The implementation of FIN 48 resulted in no material liability for unrecognized tax benefits and no material change to the beginning net asset value of the fund.
As of and during the six-months ended June 30, 2008, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.
Information on the tax components of investments, excluding option contracts, as of June 30, 2008 is as follows (unaudited):
Aggregate Cost | $14,405,865 |
Gross unrealized appreciation | 165,062 |
Gross unrealized depreciation | (3,988,878) |
Net unrealized depreciation | $(3,823,816) |
Use of Estimates: The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Such estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Note 2 – Investments in Repurchase Agreements.
When the Fund purchases securities under agreements to resell, the securities are held for safekeeping by the custodian bank as collateral. Should the market value of the securities purchased under such an agreement decrease below the principal amount to be received at the termination of the agreement plus accrued interest, the counterparty is required to place an equivalent amount of additional securities in safekeeping with the Trust’s custodian bank. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having Advisory and Services Agreements with the same advisor, transfers uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. The aggregate balance in this joint trading account is invested in one or more consolidated repurchase agreements whose underlying securities are U.S. Treasury or federal agency obligations. As of June 30, 2008, the Fund had approximately an 8.0% interest in the consolidated repurchase agreement of $10,063,000 collateralized by $10,317,966 in United States Treasury Notes. Proceeds at maturity were $10,063,419.
Note 3 –Investment Advisory Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates.
The investment advisor to the Fund, Madison Asset Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Madison Investment Advisors, Inc. (collectively “the Advisor”), earns an advisory fee equal to 0.75% per annum of the average net assets of the Fund. As of April 1, 2007, a fulcrum fee was added based on certain performance criteria. The fee is accrued daily and is paid monthly. The fulcrum fee may cause the advisory fee to be adjusted up or down by 0.15% if the Fund’s performance compared to the Chicago Board Options Exchange Buy Write Monthly Index (BXM) exceeds or trails the BXM by 1% or more.
Note 4 – Investment Transactions.
Purchases and sales, excluding short-term investments for the six-months ended June 30, 2008 were $2,585,048 and $1,944,193, respectively. No U.S. Government securities were purchased or sold during the period.
Note 5 – Other Expenses.
Under a separate Services Agreement, the Advisor will provide or arrange for the Fund to have all other necessary operational and support services for a fee based on a percentage of average net assets. These fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Fund also pays the expenses of the Fund’s Independent Trustees and auditors directly. For the six-months ended June 30, 2008, these fees amounted to $1,500 and $3,500, respectively. The combined Services Agreement fees paid to the Advisor and Independent Trustees and auditor fees may not exceed 0.20% of average net assets.
Note 6 – Covered Call Options.
The Fund will pursue its primary objective by employing an option strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on common stocks. The number of call options the Fund can write (sell) is limited by the amount of equity securities the Fund holds in its portfolio. The Fund will not write (sell) “naked” or uncovered call options. The Fund seeks to produce a high level of current income and gains generated from option writing premiums and, to a lesser extent, from dividends.
An option on a security is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the option at a specified exercise or “strike” price. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise
Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008 | 11
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund | Notes to Financial Statements | continued
of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price (in the case of a call) or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security (in the case of a put).
There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price.
Transactions in option contracts during the six-months ended June 30, 2008 were as follows (unaudited):
Number of Contracts | Premiums | |
Options outstanding, beginning of period | 3,047 | $817,346 |
Options written | 3,934 | 1,237,777 |
Options expired | (1,604) | (402,183) |
Options closed | (1,711) | (605,891) |
Options assigned | (648) | (159,791) |
Options outstanding at end of period | 3,018 | $887,258 |
Note 7 – Capital Share Transactions.
An unlimited number of capital shares, without par value, are authorized. Transactions in capital shares were as follow:
(unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, | Year Ended Dec. 31, | |
In Dollars | ||
Shares purchased | $-- | $3,532,271 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 451,677 | 1,368,770 |
Total shares issued | 451,677 | 4,901,041 |
Shares redeemed | (1,988,146) | (1,292,773) |
Net increase (decrease) | $(1,536,469) | $3,608,268 |
In Shares | ||
Shares purchased | -- | 174,406 |
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 27,325 | 69,604 |
Total shares issued | 27,325 | 244,010 |
Shares redeemed | (110,494) | (62,040) |
Net increase (decrease) | (83,169) | 181,970 |
Fund Expenses
Example: As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including Investment advisory fees and Other expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. See footnotes 3 and 5 above for an explanation of the types of costs charged by the Fund. This Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on January 1, 2008 and held for the six-months ended June 30, 2008.
Actual Expenses
The table below titled “Based on Actual Total Return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,500 ending account valued divided by $1,000 = 8.5), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”
Based on Actual Total Return1 | ||||
Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Annualized Expense Ratio | Expenses Paid | |
Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund | $1,000.00 | $912.18 | 0.82% | $3.95 |
1For the six-months ended June 30, 2008. |
12 | Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund | Notes to Financial Statements | concluded
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The table on the next page titled “Based on Hypothetical Total Return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare the 5.00% hypothetical example relating to the Fund with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Based on Hypothetical Total Return1 | ||||
Beginning Account Value | Ending Account Value | Annualized Expense Ratio | Expenses Paid | |
Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund | $1,000.00 | $1,025.12 | 0.82% | $4.11 |
1For the six-months ended June 30, 2008. |
Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure. One of our most important responsibilities as investment company managers is to communicate with shareholders in an open and direct manner. Some of our comments in our letters to shareholders are based on current management expectations and are considered “forward-looking statements.” Actual future results, however, may prove to be different from our expectations. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan” and other similar terms. We cannot promise future returns. Our opinions are a reflection of our best judgment at the time this report is compiled, and we disclaim any obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Proxy Voting Information. The Fund adopted policies that provide guidance and set forth parameters for the voting of proxies relating to securities held in the Fund. Additionally, information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to portfolio securities, if applicable, during the period ended June 30, 2008 is available to you upon request and free of charge, by writing to Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund, 550 Science Drive, Madison, WI 53711 or by calling toll-free at 1-800-368-3195. The Fund’s proxy voting policies and voting information may also be obtained by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission web site at www.sec.gov. The Fund will respond to shareholder requests for copies of our policies and voting information within two business days of request by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure prompt delivery.
N-Q Disclosure. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-202-551-8090. Form N-Q and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may also be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. Finally, you may call the Fund at 800-368-3195 if you would like a copy of Form N-Q and we will mail one to you at no charge.
Discussion of Contract Renewal. On February 4, 2008, the Trustees considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between the Fund and Madison Asset Management, LLC (the “Advisor”).
With regard to the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by the Advisor, the Board reviewed the biographies and tenure of the personnel involved in the Fund management and the experience of the Advisor and its affiliates as investment manager to two closed-end investment companies with similar investment strategies. They recognized the wide array of investment professionals employed by the firm. The Fund’s portfolio manager discussed the firm’s ongoing investment philosophies and strategies intended to provide superior performance consistent
Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008 | 13
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
with the Fund’s investment objectives under various market scenarios. The Trustees also noted their familiarity with the Advisor and its affiliates due to their history of providing advisory services to the Madison Mosaic organization.
The Board also discussed the quality of services provided to the Fund by its transfer agent and custodian.
With regard to the investment performance of the Fund and the investment advisor, the Board reviewed current performance information provided in the written Board materials. They discussed the reasons for both outperformance and underperformance compared with peer groups and applicable indices and benchmarks. In particular, the Board recognized that the Fund generated sufficient income in 2007 to return $2.34 per share to its shareholders in dividends by declaring a $1.00 per share dividend in June and a $1.34 per share dividend in November. The 2007 distributions did not include any return of capital.
The Board also recognized that, since inception, the Fund has paid a total $2.70 per share in dividends and produced a total cumulative return on NAV of 3.45%, compared to a 15.96% increase for the CBOE Buy Write (“BXM”) Index during the same period. Mr. Burgess explained to the Board that the Advisor believes the Fund lagged the BXM for two primary reasons. First, the Fund predominately invests in high-quality stocks which have been out of favor since the Fund’s inception. However, should investors become more risk adverse, the Advisor believes high-quality stocks and the Fund will outperform. Secondly, a bifurcated market like the one experienced in 2007 negatively impacted the Fund’s results. Although the Fund had its fair share of “winners” in 2007, because these stocks moved up so dramatically they were called away in accordance with the Fund’s investment policies and the Fund wasn’t able to fully participate in the upside. At the same time, a number of stocks held by the Fund posted significant declines. While writing options on these stocks mitigated some of the decline it wasn’t enough to avoid losses on these positions.
The Advisor’s stock picking strategy involves seeking a portfolio of common stocks that have favorable “PEG” ratios (price-earnings ratio to growth rate) as well as financial strength and industry leadership. As bottom-up investors, it focuses on the fundamental businesses of companies. As such, the Fund’s stock selection philosophy strays away from the “beat the street” objective, as the Advisor looks for companies that have sustainable competitive advantages, predictable cash flows, solid balance sheets and high-quality management teams. By concentrating on long-term prospects and circumventing the “instant gratification” school of thought, the Advisor explained that it believes it brings elements of consistency, stability and predictability to Fund shareholders.
A comprehensive discussion of Fund performance and market conditions followed. The Board recognized that because the Fund has a fulcrum fee, the Advisor is monetarily penalized for underperforming its market index (the BXM) and rewarded for material outperformance. As such, in colloquial terms, the Board recognized that the Advisor “puts its money where its mouth is.”
The officers of the Fund discussed with the Board the methodology for arriving at the peer groups and indices used for performance comparisons.
Finally, the Board noted, as of the date of the meeting, significant outperformance since the end of 2007, particularly against the BXM. The portfolio manager explained a variety of factors that had been contributing to advantageous performance since year end and, as of the time of the meeting, the Fund was materially outperforming the broader market indices. He added that market conditions had permitted the Advisor to complete a variety of desired actions in connection with the Fund’s portfolio in order to achieve its investment objectives. As such, he believed the Fund was positioned to perform well going forward.
With regard to the costs of the services to be provided and the profits to be realized by the investment advisor and its affiliates from the relationship with the Fund, the Board reviewed the expense ratios for a variety of other options funds in the Fund peer group with similar investment objectives. Based on peer group comparisons, the Board recognized that the Fund’s costs were low for the quality and extent of services provided.
The Trustees recognized that the Fund’s fee structure should be reviewed based on total fund expense ratio rather than simply comparing advisory fees to other advisory fees in light of the simple expense structure maintained by the Fund (i.e. an advisory, adjusted up or down by a fulcrum fee, with a cap on administrative expenses). As such, the Board focused its attention on the total expense ratios paid by other funds with similar investment objectives.
The Trustees sought to ensure that fees were adequate so that the Advisor (and its affiliates) did not neglect its management responsibilities to the Fund in favor of more “profitable” accounts. At the same time, the Trustees sought to ensure that compensation paid to the Advisor was not unreasonably high. With these considerations in mind, the Board recognized that the Advisor and the Madison organization provides vastly more services to the Fund than for separately managed accounts. The Board also reviewed materials demonstrating that although the Advisor is compensated for a variety of the administrative services it provides or arranges to provide pursuant to its Services Agreement with the Fund, such compensation generally does not cover all
14 | Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
costs due to the cap on administrative expenses. Administrative, operational, regulatory and compliance fees and costs in excess of the Services Agreement fees are paid by the Advisor and Madison from investment advisory fees earned. For these reasons, the Trustees recognized that examination of the Fund’s total expense ratio compared to those of other investment companies was more meaningful than a simple comparison of basic “investment management only” fee schedules.
In reviewing costs and profits, the Board recognized that the Fund is to a certain extent “subsidized” by the greater Madison organization because the salaries of all portfolio management personnel, trading desk personnel, corporate accounting personnel and employees of the Advisor who serve as Trust officers, as well as facility costs (rent), could not be supported by fees received from the Fund alone. However, the Board recognized that the Fund is profitable to the Advisor because such salaries and fixed costs are already paid in whole or in part from revenue generated by management of the remaining assets. The Trustees noted that total Advisor managed assets, including subsidiaries, approximated $10 billion at the time of the meeting. As a result, although the fees paid by the Fund at its present size might not be sufficient to profitably support a stand-alone fund, it is reasonably profitable to the Advisor as part of its larger, diversified organization. In sum, the Trustees recognized that the Fund is important to the Advisor, is managed with the attention given to other firm clients and is not treated as “loss leader.”
With regard to the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows, the Trustees recognized that at the Fund’s current size, it was premature to discuss any economies of scale.
After further discussion and analysis and reviewing the totality of the information presented, including the information set forth above and the other information considered by the Board of Trustees as required by applicable law and regulation, the Trustees concluded that the Fund’s advisory fee is fair and reasonable for the portfolio and that renewal of its investment advisory and services agreements without change are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008 | 15
MADOX | Madison Institutional Equity Option Fund
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16 | Semi-annual Report | June 30, 2008
Madison Investment Advisors, Inc.
550 SCIENCE DRIVE
MADISON, WI 53711
1-800-767-0300
www.madisonfunds.com
SEC File # 811-03615
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable in semi-annual report.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable in semi-annual report.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable in semi-annual report.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments
Included in report to shareholders (Item 1) above.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
No changes. The Trust does not normally hold shareholder meetings.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The Trust’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer determined that the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act")) are effective, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within 90 days of the date of this report. There were no significant changes in the Trust’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation. The officers identified no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses.
(b) There were no changes in the Trust's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust's internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) Code of ethics referred to in Item 2 (no change from the previously filed Code).
(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act.
(b) Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Madison Mosaic Equity Trust
By: (signature)
W. Richard Mason, Secretary
Date: August 15, 2008
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: (signature)
Katherine L. Frank, Chief Executive Officer
Date: August 15, 2008
By: (signature)
Greg Hoppe, Chief Financial Officer
Date: August 15, 2008