| | OMB APPROVAL |
| | OMB Number: | 3235-0570 |
| | Expires: | September 30, 2007 |
| UNITED STATES | Estimated average burden hours per response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.4 |
| SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | |
| Washington, D.C. 20549 | |
| | | | |
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number | 811-03826 |
|
AIM Sector Funds |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
|
11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100 Houston, Texas | | 77046 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip code) |
|
Philip A. Taylor 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77046 |
(Name and address of agent for service) |
|
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: | (713) 626-1919 | |
|
Date of fiscal year end: | 3/31 | |
|
Date of reporting period: | 09/30/06 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ITEM 1. SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
AIM Energy Fund
Semiannual Report to Shareholders • September 30, 2006
[COVER GLOBE IMAGE]
SECTOR EQUITY
Commodities
Table of Contents
Supplemental Information | 2 |
Letters to Shareholders | 3 |
Performance Summary | 5 |
Management Discussion | 5 |
Long-term Fund Performance | 7 |
Fund Expenses | 8 |
Approval of Advisory Agreement | 9 |
Schedule of Investments | F-1 |
Financial Statements | F-3 |
Notes to Financial Statements | F-6 |
Financial Highlights | F-12 |
Trustees and Officers | F-16 |
[AIM investment solutions]
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Domestic | [International/ | [Sector |
Equity] | Global Equity] | Equity] |
| | |
| | |
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Fixed | [Allocation | [Diversified |
Income] | Solutions] | Portfolios] |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Energy Fund
AIM ENERGY FUND seeks capital growth.
• Unless otherwise stated, information presented in this report is as of September 30, 2006, and is based on total net assets.
About share classes
• Class B shares are not available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, including 401(k) plans, money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that had existing accounts prior to September 30, 2003, invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
• Investor Class shares are closed to most investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in Investor Class shares, please see the prospectus.
Principal risks of investing in the Fund
• Investing in a fund that invests in smaller companies involved risks not associated with investing in more established companies, such as business risk, stock price fluctuations and illiquidity.
• Equity stocks are subject to market risk, meaning equity stock prices vary and may fall, thus reducing the value of the Fund’s investments. Certain stocks selected for the Fund’s portfolio may decline in value more than the overall stock market.
• Prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
• There is no guarantee that the investment techniques and risk analyses used by the Fund’s portfolio managers will produce the desired results.
• Because a large percentage of the Fund’s assets may be invested in a limited number of securities, a change in the value of these securities could significantly affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
• The Fund’s investments are concentrated in a comparatively narrow segment of the economy. Consequently, the Fund may tend to be more volatile than other mutual funds, and the value of the Fund’s investments may tend to rise and fall more rapidly.
• The businesses in which the Fund invests may be adversely affected by foreign government, federal or state regulations on energy production, distribution and sale. Short term fluctuations in commodity prices may influence Fund returns and increase price fluctuations in the Fund’s shares.
About indexes used in this report
• The unmanaged Dow Jones Industrial Average (the Dow) is a price-weighted average of 30 actively traded blue chip stocks.
• The Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index measures the performance of energy companies within the United States. The index maintains an approximate weighting of 95% in U.S. coal, oil and drilling, and pipeline companies.
• The unmanaged Lipper Natural Resource Funds Index represents an average of the 30 largest natural resources funds tracked by Lipper Inc., an independent mutual fund performance monitor, and is considered representative of natural resources stocks.
• The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks (the S&P 500 —registered trademark— Index) is an index of common stocks frequently used as a general measure of U.S. stock market performance.
• The Fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indexes defined here, and consequently, the performance of the Fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the index.
• A direct investment cannot be made in an index. Unless otherwise indicated, index results include reinvested dividends, and they do not reflect sales charges. Performance of an index of funds reflects fund expenses; performance of a market index does not.
Other information
• The returns shown in the management’s discussion of Fund performance are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes, and as such, the net asset values for shareholder transactions and the returns based on those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns reported in the Financial Highlights.
• Industry classifications used in this report are generally according to the Global Industry Classification Standard, which was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. and Standard & Poor’s.
The Fund provides a complete list of its holdings four times in each fiscal year, at the quarter-ends. For the second and fourth quarters, the lists appear in the Fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third quarters, the Fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-Q. The most recent list of portfolio holdings is available at AIMinvestments.com. From our home page, click on Products & Performance, then Mutual Funds, then Fund Overview. Select your Fund from the drop-down menu and click on Complete Quarterly Holdings. Shareholders can also look up the Fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC Web site at sec.gov. Copies of the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, including information
Continued on page 7
This report must be accompanied or preceded by a currently effective Fund prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales charges and expenses. Investors should read it carefully before investing.
Fund NASDAQ Symbols
Class A Shares | | IENAX |
Class B Shares | | IENBX |
Class C Shares | | IEFCX |
Investor Class Shares | | FSTEX |
Not FDIC Insured May lose value No bank guarantee
AIMinvestments.com
2
AIM Energy Fund
[TAYLOR
PHOTO]
Philip Taylor
Dear Shareholders of The AIM Family of Funds —registered trademark—:
We’re pleased to provide you with this report, which includes a discussion of how your Fund was managed during the period under review in this report, and what factors affected its performance.
It’s been said nothing is certain but death and taxes. We would venture to add that one other thing is certain: Markets change—and change often—in the short term, in response to constantly changing economic, geopolitical and other factors. For example, from April to July, U.S. equity markets demonstrated weakness and volatility as economic data suggested that inflation might be higher than previously estimated. But in August, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, for the first time in more than two years, chose not to raise short-term interest rates, suggesting that it believed inflation was contained. Together with continuing strong corporate profits and declining oil prices, this caused U.S. equity markets to surge, and as the reporting period drew to a close, major market averages neared multi-year highs. Despite fears about a slowing global economy, most foreign markets demonstrated strength during the reporting period.
While we can’t do anything about the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding death and taxes, we can suggest an alternative to reacting to fluctuating short-term market conditions: Maintain a diversified portfolio. AIM Investments
—registered trademark— can help by offering a broad product line that gives your financial advisor the necessary tools to build a portfolio that’s right for you regardless of market conditions. AIM offers a comprehensive range of retail mutual funds, including domestic, global and international equity funds, taxable and tax-exempt fixed-income funds, and a variety of allocation portfolios—with varied risk and return characteristics to match your needs. We maintain this extensive set of product solutions for one reason: We believe in the value of comprehensive, diversified investment portfolios.
We’ve changed the look of our annual reports to reflect that belief. In our marketing and now our shareholder literature, we represent a fully diversified portfolio graphically as an allocation pie chart and assign each asset class a color—green for domestic equity, blue for international, orange for sector and purple for fixed income. A legend in the left column illustrates the methodology. Your report cover now shows your Fund’s asset class color, plus the asset class and sub-asset class name are shown in the upper-left corner. The reason for these changes is to help you better understand where your Fund fits into your overall portfolio.
AIM has a variety of investment solutions, and knowing which ones are right for your portfolio is complex. That’s why we also believe in the value of a trusted financial advisor who will work with you to create an investment plan you can stick with for the long term. Your financial advisor can help allocate your portfolio appropriately and review your investments regularly to ensure they remain suitable as your financial situation changes. While there are no guarantees with any investment program, a long-term plan that’s based on your financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon is more likely to keep you and your investments on track.
At a recent meeting of the AIM Funds board, Robert H. Graham relinquished his position as president of AIM Funds, a post customarily held by the chief executive officer of AIM Investments. Bob—one of three founders of AIM Investments in 1976—has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most knowledgeable leaders in the mutual fund industry. As I assume Bob’s previous responsibilities, I’m pleased that he’ll remain actively involved as the vice chair of AIM Funds.
Our commitment to you
In the short term, the one sure thing about markets is their unpredictability. While past performance cannot guarantee comparable future results, we believe that staying invested for the long term with a thoughtful plan offers the best opportunity for weathering that unpredictability. We at AIM Investments remain committed to building enduring solutions to help you achieve your investment goals, and we’re pleased you’ve placed your trust in us.
Information about investing, the markets and your Fund is always available on our Web site, AIMinvestments.com. If you have questions about your individual account, we invite you to contact one of our highly trained client services representatives at 800-959-4246.
Sincerely,
Philip Taylor
President – AIM Funds
CEO, AIM Investments
November 15, 2006
AIM Investments is a registered service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. A I M Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc. are the investment advisors. A I M Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the retail funds represented by AIM Investments.
3
AIM Energy Fund
[CROCKETT
PHOTO]
Bruce L. Crockett
Dear Fellow AIM Fund Shareholders:
At our meeting at the end of June, your Board completed its comprehensive review* of each fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (AIM) to make certain your interests are being served in terms of fees, performance and operations.
Looking ahead, your Board finds many reasons to be positive about AIM’s management and strategic direction. Most importantly, AIM’s investment management discipline is paying off in terms of improved overall performance. While work remains to be done, AIM’s complex-wide, asset-weighted mutual fund performance for the trailing one-, three- and five-year periods is at its highest since 2000 for the periods ended September 30, 2006. We are also pleased with AIM’s efforts to seek more cost-effective ways of delivering superior service.
In addition, AIM is realizing the benefits of belonging to a leading independent global investment management organization in its parent company, AMVESCAP PLC, which is dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. AMVESCAP managed approximately $441 billion globally as of September 30, 2006, operating under the AIM, INVESCO, AIM Trimark, INVESCO PERPETUAL and Atlantic Trust brands. These companies are home to an abundance of investment talent that is gradually being integrated and leveraged into centers of excellence, each focusing on a given market segment or asset class. Over the next few years, your Board will be meeting at these various centers of excellence to learn about their progress and how they may serve you through our goal of enhancing performance and reducing costs.
The seven new AIM funds—which include Asian funds, structured U.S. equity funds and specialized bond funds—are an early example of the kind of opportunities the AMVESCAP organization can provide AIM clients. More information on these funds can be found on AIM’s Web site.
Your Board is very pleased with the overall direction and progress of the AIM Funds. We’re working closely and effectively with AIM’s management to continue this momentum. As always, your Board is eager to hear your views on how we might better serve you. Please send your comments in a letter addressed to me at AIM Investments, AIM Investments Tower, 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston TX 77046.
Sincerely,
Bruce L. Crockett
Independent Chair
AIM Funds Board
November 15, 2006
* To learn more about all the factors we considered before approving each fund’s advisory agreement, go to the “Products & Performance” tab at the AIM Web site (AIMinvestments.com) and click on “Investment Advisory Agreement Renewals.” The approval of advisory agreement information for your Fund is also included in this semiannual report on pages 9–10.
4
AIM Energy Fund
Management’s discussion of Fund performance
Performance summary
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, Class A shares of AIM Energy Fund, excluding applicable sales charges, underperformed the Fund’s broad market index and style-specific index. The Fund underperformed the broad market because the energy sector was one of the weakest sectors of the S&P 500 Index for the reporting period.
The Fund’s underweight position in more defensive and less leveraged integrated oil companies such as Chevron and ExxonMobil hurt the Fund’s performance relative to its style-specific index, or benchmark. Integrated oil and gas companies, which comprise approximately 50% of the Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index, are generally not as dependent on commodity prices as other industries in this sector.
Your Fund’s long-term performance appears on page 7.
Fund vs. Indexes
Cumulative total returns, 3/31/06–9/30/06, excluding applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included, returns would be lower.
Class A Shares | | -3.71 | % |
Class B Shares | | -4.08 | |
Class C Shares | | -4.08 | |
Investor Class Shares | | -3.71 | |
S&P 500 Index (Broad Market Index) | | 4.14 | |
Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index (Style-specific Index) | | 1.41 | |
Lipper Natural Resource Funds Index (Peer Group Index) | | -6.07 | |
Source: Lipper Inc.
How we invest
Your Fund invests in companies involved in the exploration, production, transportation, refining and marketing of oil, natural gas and other forms of energy. We seek to own firms that have the potential to increase production through exploration or innovation. We believe companies with an increasing production profile that can control costs may earn a high rate of return, enabling them to grow earnings independent of oil and natural gas prices.
We select stocks based on quantitative and fundamental analysis of individual companies. Quantitative analysis focuses on free cash flow, return on capital, and output. Fundamental analysis focuses on reviewing the management team and the competitive environment.
Typically, we hold 30 to 40 stocks. The limited number of positions allows us to get to know company management, the business structure and how the company’s products and services fit into the energy value change—the process that moves oil and natural gas from the ground to the consumer.
We seek to control risk by:
• Diversifying across most industries and sub-industries within the energy sector.
• Avoiding concentration of assets in a small number of stocks.
We may sell or reduce our position in a stock when:
• Its valuation, in our opinion, becomes excessive in comparison to similar investment opportunities.
• The company reports disappointing earnings or its fundamentals deteriorate.
• We identify a more attractive opportunity.
Market conditions and your Fund
U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), the broadest measure of the nation’s economic activity, grew at an annualized rate of 2.6% in the second quarter of 2006, down from an unusually robust 5.6% annualized rate in the first quarter. Early estimates pegged GDP growth at a weaker-than-expected annualized rate of 1.6% in the third quarter.
(continued)
Portfolio composition
By industry | | | |
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | | 26.5 | % |
Integrated Oil & Gas | | 24.0 | |
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | | 21.0 | |
Oil & Gas Drilling | | 10.0 | |
Coal & Consumable Fuels | | 5.3 | |
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation | | 3.5 | |
Gas Utilities | | 3.2 | |
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing | | 2.8 | |
Construction & Engineering | | 1.9 | |
Money Market Funds Plus Other Assets Less Liabilities | | 1.8 | |
Top 10 equity holdings*
1. | | Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | 4.4 | % |
2. | | Murphy Oil Corp. | | 4.2 | |
3. | | Weatherford International Ltd. | | 3.8 | |
4. | | Talisman Energy Inc. (Canada) | | 3.6 | |
5. | | Chevron Corp. | | 3.6 | |
6. | | Cameron International Corp. | | 3.6 | |
7. | | National-Oilwell Varco Inc. | | 3.5 | |
8. | | Williams Cos., Inc. (The) | | 3.5 | |
9. | | Total S.A.-ADR (France) | | 3.5 | |
10. | | Exxon Mobil Corp. | | 3.3 | |
Total net assets and holdings
Total Net Assets | | | | $ | 1.4 billion |
| | | | |
Total Number of Holdings* | | | | 36 |
The Fund’s holdings are subject to change, and there is no assurance that the Fund will continue to hold any particular security.
*Excluding money market fund holdings.
5
AIM Energy Fund
The once-hot housing market cooled as price appreciation stalled and new and existing home sales slowed. Domestic equity markets were mixed during the reporting period, with major market indexes, including the S&P 500 Index, approaching new highs in May before retreating over concerns of how a slowing economy and rising inflation might negatively affect consumer spending and corporate profits.
The price of West Texas Intermediate Crude reached a record high of $77 per barrel in July but declined to $60 per barrel in September. This drop in oil prices, and the decline of some energy stocks, is attributable to seasonally-driven fundamentals and the recent mild hurricane season. Travel often slows after children return to school, and temperatures are often mild enough to make a sharp rise in natural gas usage unnecessary. This year, the U.S. experienced a relatively mild hurricane season with storms bypassing oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and refineries along the Gulf coast.
As a result of the decline in oil prices, and other factors, the S&P 500 Index rallied during the second half of the reporting period, reaching a five-year high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the reporting period just short of its all-time record high set in early 2000.
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund’s oil and gas storage and transportation holdings and gas utility stocks contributed to performance. Top contributors to Fund performance included Kerr-McGee and Kinder Morgan. There has been considerable consolidation in energy-related industries of late—a sign that many energy-related firms consider their competitors to be undervalued and, in the case of Kinder Morgan, that it considers its own stock to be undervalued.
During the reporting period, Kerr-McGee was bought—at a 40% premium to its stock price—by rival exploration and production company Anadarko Petroleum (not a Fund holding). In May, storage and transportation giant Kinder Morgan announced a management-led offer to take the company private in a $22 billion deal—the second-largest leveraged buyout in U.S. history. We sold both stocks and took our profits after the deals were announced.
Fund holdings Peabody Energy and Hess detracted from Fund performance during the period. Coal provider Peabody Energy was affected by weather-related factors such as an unusually warm winter that caused coal demand to be less than anticipated. Hess, an integrated oil and gas company, also was affected by an unusually warm winter that reduced demand for home heating oil and natural gas. Hess is highly leveraged to home heating fuel in the Northeast and retail gas stations along the East coast. We continue to own these stocks and view their recent weakness as a buying opportunity as we believe their long-term fundamentals have not changed.
Although oil and gas inventories were larger than expected at the close of the reporting period, oil prices remained high by historical standards. Throughout the reporting period, we observed constrained energy supplies and growing global demand for oil and gas due to continued global industrialization. We also observed that new supplies of oil were, for the most part, simply replacing those being lost to depletion. These trends caused us to make few changes to the Fund’s portfolio and positioning during the reporting period.
In closing
As always, we thank you for your continued investment in AIM Energy Fund.
The views and opinions expressed in management’s discussion of Fund performance are those of A I M Advisors, Inc. These views and opinions are subject to change at any time based on factors such as market and economic conditions. These views and opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, or as an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but A I M Advisors, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
See important Fund and index
disclosures on the inside front cover.
[SEGNER
PHOTO]
John S. Segner
Senior portfolio manager, lead manager of AIM Energy Fund. He has more than 20 years of experience in the energy and investment industries. Before joining the Fund’s advisor in 1997, he was a managing director and principal with an investment management company that focused exclusively on publicly-traded energy stocks. Prior to that, he held positions with several energy companies. Mr. Segner earned a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Alabama and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from The University of Texas at Austin.
Assisted by the Energy/Gold/Utilities Team
For a presentation of your Fund’s long-term performance, please see page 7.
6
AIM Energy Fund
Your Fund’s long-term performance
Average Annual Total Returns
As of 9/30/06, including applicable sales charges
Class A Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 18.58 | % |
1 Year | | -4.08 | |
| | | |
Class B Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 18.98 | % |
1 Year | | -4.00 | |
| | | |
Class C Shares | | | |
Inception (2/14/00) | | 19.02 | % |
5 Years | | 22.37 | |
1 Year | | -0.19 | |
| | | |
Investor Class Shares | | | |
Inception (1/19/84) | | 10.77 | % |
10 Years | | 16.28 | |
5 Years | | 23.22 | |
1 Year | | 1.49 | |
The performance data quoted represent past performance and cannot guarantee comparable future results; current performance may be lower or higher. Please visit AIMinvestments.com for the most recent month-end performance. Performance figures reflect reinvested distributions, changes in net asset value and the effect of the maximum sales charge unless otherwise stated. Performance figures do not reflect deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or sale of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares.
Class A share performance reflects the maximum 5.50% sales charge, and Class B and Class C share performance reflects the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for the period involved. The CDSC on Class B shares declines from 5% beginning at the time of purchase to 0% at the beginning of the seventh year. The CDSC on Class C shares is 1% for the first year after purchase. Investor Class shares do not have a front-end sales charge or a CDSC; therefore, performance is at net asset value.
The performance of the Fund’s share classes will differ primarily due to different sales charge structures and class expenses.
Had the advisor not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses on Class B and Class C shares in the past, performance would have been lower.
Continued from inside front cover
about duplicating fee charges, by calling 202-942-8090 or 800-732-0330, or by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. The SEC file numbers for the Fund are 811-03826 and 002-85905.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, from our Client Services department at 800-959-4246 or on the AIM Web site, AIMinvestments.com. On the home page, scroll down and click on AIM Funds Proxy Policy. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 months ended June 30, 2006, is available at our Web site. Go to AIMinvestments.com, access the About Us tab, click on Required Notices and then click on Proxy Voting Activity. Next, select the Fund from the drop-down menu. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
7
AIM Energy Fund
Calculating your ongoing Fund expenses
Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions; and redemption fees, if any; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees (12b-1); and other Fund 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 ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006.
Actual expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Actual Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions, and redemption fees, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| | | | ACTUAL | | HYPOTHETICAL | | | |
| | | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | |
| | Beginning | | Ending | | Expenses | | Ending | | Expenses | | Annualized | |
Share | | Account Value | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Expense | |
Class | | (4/1/06) | | (9/30/06)(1) | | Period(2) | | (9/30/06) | | Period(2) | | Ratio | |
A | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 962.90 | | $ | 5.71 | | $ | 1,019.25 | | $ | 5.87 | | 1.16 | % |
B | | | 1,000.00 | | 959.20 | | 9.38 | | 1,015.49 | | 9.65 | | 1.91 | |
C | | | 1,000.00 | | 959.20 | | 9.38 | | 1,015.49 | | 9.65 | | 1.91 | |
Investor | | | 1,000.00 | | 962.90 | | 5.71 | | 1,019.25 | | 5.87 | | 1.16 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) The actual ending account value is based on the actual total return of the Fund for the period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006, after actual expenses and will differ from the hypothetical ending account value which is based on the Fund’s expense ratio and a hypothetical annual return of 5% before expenses. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
(2) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio as indicated above multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the most recent fiscal half year.
8
AIM Energy Fund
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
The Board of Trustees of AIM Sector Funds (the “Board”) oversees the management of AIM Energy Fund (the “Fund”) and, as required by law, determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (“AIM”). Based upon the recommendation of the Investments Committee of the Board, at a meeting held on June 27, 2006, the Board, including all of the independent trustees, approved the continuance of the advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and AIM for another year, effective July 1, 2006.
The Board considered the factors discussed below in evaluating the fairness and reasonableness of the Advisory Agreement at the meeting on June 27, 2006 and as part of the Board’s ongoing oversight of the Fund. In their deliberations, the Board and the independent trustees did not identify any particular factor that was controlling, and each trustee attributed different weights to the various factors.
One responsibility of the independent Senior Officer of the Fund is to manage the process by which the Fund’s proposed management fees are negotiated to ensure that they are negotiated in a manner which is at arms’ length and reasonable. To that end, the Senior Officer must either supervise a competitive biding process or prepare an independent written evaluation. The Senior Officer has recommended an independent written evaluation in lieu of a competitive bidding process and, upon the direction of the Board, has prepared such an independent written evaluation. Such written evaluation also considered certain of the factors discussed below.
The discussion below serves as a summary of the Senior Officer’s independent written evaluation, as well as a discussion of the material factors and the conclusions with respect thereto that formed the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement. After consideration of all of the factors below and based on its informed business judgment, the Board determined that the Advisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and that the compensation to AIM under the Advisory Agreement is fair and reasonable and would have been obtained through arm’s length negotiations.
Unless otherwise stated, information presented below is as of June 27, 2006 and does not reflect any changes that may have occurred since June 27, 2006, including but not limited to changes to the Fund’s performance, advisory fees, expense limitations and/or fee waivers.
• The nature and extent of the advisory services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement. Based on such review, the Board concluded that the range of services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The quality of services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of AIM who will provide investment advisory services to the Fund. In reviewing the qualifications of AIM to provide investment advisory services, the Board considered such issues as AIM’s portfolio and product review process, various back office support functions provided by AIM and AIM’s equity and fixed income trading operations. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that the quality of services to be provided by AIM was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing satisfactory services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The performance of the Fund relative to comparable funds. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance was above the median performance of such comparable funds for the one year period and comparable to such median performance for the three and five year periods. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• The performance of the Fund relative to indices. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of the Lipper Natural Resources Fund Index. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance was above the performance of such Index for the one year period and comparable to such Index for the three and five year periods. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• Meetings with the Fund’s portfolio managers and investment personnel. With respect to the Fund, the Board is meeting periodically with such Fund’s portfolio managers and/or other investment personnel and believes that such individuals are competent and able to continue to carry out their responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement.
• Overall performance of AIM. The Board considered the overall performance of AIM in providing investment advisory and portfolio administrative services to the Fund and concluded that such performance was satisfactory.
• Fees relative to those of clients of AIM with comparable investment strategies. The Board reviewed the effective advisory fee rate (before waivers) for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board noted that this rate was (i) above the effective sub-advisory fee rate for one offshore fund advised and sub-advised by AIM affiliates with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund, although the total advisory fees for such offshore fund were above those for the Fund; and (ii) below the total advisory fee rates for two separately managed accounts/wrap accounts managed by an AIM affiliate with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Fees relative to those of comparable funds with other advisors. The Board reviewed the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board compared effective contractual advisory fee rates at a common asset level at the end of the past calendar year and noted that the Fund’s rate was below the median rate of the funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund that the Board reviewed. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Expense limitations and fee waivers. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board considered the contractual nature of this fee waiver and noted that it remains in effect through June 30, 2007. The Board noted that AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive fees and/or limit expenses of the Fund in an amount necessary to limit total annual operating expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets for
(continued)
9
AIM Energy Fund
each class of the Fund. The Board considered the voluntary nature of this fee waiver/expense limitation and noted that it can be terminated at any time by AIM without further notice to investors. The Board considered the effect these fee waivers/expense limitations would have on the Fund’s estimated expenses and concluded that the levels of fee waivers/expense limitations for the Fund were fair and reasonable.
• Breakpoints and economies of scale. The Board reviewed the structure of the Fund’s advisory fee under the Advisory Agreement, noting that it includes six breakpoints. The Board reviewed the level of the Fund’s advisory fees, and noted that such fees, as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets, have decreased as net assets increased because the Advisory Agreement includes breakpoints. The Board noted that, due to the Fund’s asset levels at the end of the past calendar year and the way in which the advisory fee breakpoints have been structured, the Fund has yet to fully benefit from the breakpoints. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee levels under the Advisory Agreement therefore reflect economies of scale and that it was not necessary to change the advisory fee breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory fee schedule.
• Investments in affiliated money market funds. The Board also took into account the fact that uninvested cash and cash collateral from securities lending arrangements, if any (collectively, “cash balances”) of the Fund may be invested in money market funds advised by AIM pursuant to the terms of an SEC exemptive order. The Board found that the Fund may realize certain benefits upon investing cash balances in AIM advised money market funds, including a higher net return, increased liquidity, increased diversification or decreased transaction costs. The Board also found that the Fund will not receive reduced services if it invests its cash balances in such money market funds. The Board noted that, to the extent the Fund invests uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds, AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund attributable to such investment. The Board further determined that the proposed securities lending program and related procedures with respect to the lending Fund is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders. The Board therefore concluded that the investment of cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program in the money market funds according to the procedures is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders.
• Independent written evaluation and recommendations of the Fund’s Senior Officer. The Board noted that, upon their direction, the Senior Officer of the Fund, who is independent of AIM and AIM’s affiliates, had prepared an independent written evaluation in order to assist the Board in determining the reasonableness of the proposed management fees of the AIM Funds, including the Fund. The Board noted that the Senior Officer’s written evaluation had been relied upon by the Board in this regard in lieu of a competitive bidding process. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board considered the Senior Officer’s written evaluation and the recommendation made by the Senior Officer to the Board that the Board consider whether the advisory fee waivers for certain equity AIM Funds, including the Fund, should be simplified. The Board concluded that it would be advisable to consider this issue and reach a decision prior to the expiration date of such advisory fee waivers.
• Profitability of AIM and its affiliates. The Board reviewed information concerning the profitability of AIM’s (and its affiliates’) investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition. The Board considered the overall profitability of AIM, as well as the profitability of AIM in connection with managing the Fund. The Board noted that AIM’s operations remain profitable, although increased expenses in recent years have reduced AIM’s profitability. Based on the review of the profitability of AIM’s and its affiliates’ investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition, the Board concluded that the compensation to be paid by the Fund to AIM under its Advisory Agreement was not excessive.
• Benefits of soft dollars to AIM. The Board considered the benefits realized by AIM as a result of brokerage transactions executed through “soft dollar” arrangements. Under these arrangements, brokerage commissions paid by the Fund and/or other funds advised by AIM are used to pay for research and execution services. This research may be used by AIM in making investment decisions for the Fund. The Board concluded that such arrangements were appropriate.
• AIM’s financial soundness in light of the Fund’s needs. The Board considered whether AIM is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement, and concluded that AIM has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
• Historical relationship between the Fund and AIM. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board also considered the prior relationship between AIM and the Fund, as well as the Board’s knowledge of AIM’s operations, and concluded that it was beneficial to maintain the current relationship, in part, because of such knowledge. The Board also reviewed the general nature of the non-investment advisory services currently performed by AIM and its affiliates, such as administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and the fees received by AIM and its affiliates for performing such services. In addition to reviewing such services, the trustees also considered the organizational structure employed by AIM and its affiliates to provide those services. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that AIM and its affiliates were qualified to continue to provide non-investment advisory services to the Fund, including administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and that AIM and its affiliates currently are providing satisfactory non-investment advisory services.
• Other factors and current trends. The Board considered the steps that AIM and its affiliates have taken over the last several years, and continue to take, in order to improve the quality and efficiency of the services they provide to the Funds in the areas of investment performance, product line diversification, distribution, fund operations, shareholder services and compliance. The Board concluded that these steps taken by AIM have improved, and are likely to continue to improve, the quality and efficiency of the services AIM and its affiliates provide to the Fund in each of these areas, and support the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.
10
Supplement to Semiannual Report dated 9/30/06
AIM Energy Fund
Institutional Class Shares
The following information has been prepared to provide Institutional Class shareholders with a performance overview specific to their holdings. Institutional Class shares are offered exclusively to institutional investors, including defined contribution plans that meet certain criteria.
Cumulative Total Returns
For periods ended 9/30/06
Inception (1/31/06) | | -10.29 | % |
6 Months | | -3.52 | |
Institutional Class shares have no sales charge; therefore, performance is at net asset value (NAV). Performance of Institutional Class shares will differ from performance of other share classes primarily due to differing sales charges and class expenses.
Please note that past performance is not indicative of future results. More recent returns may be more or less than those shown. All returns assume reinvestment of distributions at NAV. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. See full report for information on comparative benchmarks. Please consult your Fund prospectus for more information. For the most current month-end performance, please call 800-451-4246 or visit AIMinvestments.com.
Over for information on your Fund’s expenses.
This report must be accompanied or preceded by a currently effective Fund prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales charges and expenses. Investors should read it carefully before investing.
FOR INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR USE ONLY
This material is for institutional investor use only and may not be quoted, reproduced or shown to the public, nor used in written form as sales literature for public use.
[Your goals.
Our solutions.]
– registered trademark –
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIMinvestments.com | I-ENE-INS-2 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
Information about your Fund’s expenses
Calculating your ongoing Fund expenses
Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund 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 ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006.
Actual expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Actual Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The Fund’s actual cumulative total return after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appears in the table on the front of this supplement.
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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
| | | | ACTUAL | | HYPOTHETICAL | | | |
| | | | | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | |
| | Beginning | | Ending | | Expenses | | Ending | | Expenses | | Annualized | |
Share | | Account Value | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Expense | |
Class | | (4/1/06) | | (9/30/06)(1) | | Period(2) | | (9/30/06) | | Period(2) | | Ratio | |
Institutional | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 964.80 | | $ | 3.69 | | $ | 1,021.31 | | $ | 3.80 | | 0.75 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) The actual ending account value is based on the actual total return of the Fund for the period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006, after actual expenses and will differ from the hypothetical ending account value which is based on the Fund’s expense ratio and a hypothetical annual return of 5% before expenses. The Fund’s actual cumulative total return after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appears in the table on the front of this supplement.
(2) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio as indicated above multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the most recent fiscal half year.
AIMinvestments.com | I-ENE-INS-2 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
AIM Energy Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | Shares | | Value | |
Domestic Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests–82.70% | |
Coal & Consumable Fuels–2.84% | |
Peabody Energy Corp. | | | 1,050,000 | | | $ | 38,619,000 | | |
Construction & Engineering–1.86% | |
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V.-New York Shares | | | 1,050,000 | | | | 25,263,000 | | |
Gas Utilities–3.15% | |
Questar Corp. | | | 525,000 | | | | 42,929,250 | | |
Integrated Oil & Gas–18.62% | |
Chevron Corp. | | | 750,000 | | | | 48,645,000 | | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 675,000 | | | | 45,292,500 | | |
Hess Corp. | | | 1,000,000 | | | | 41,420,000 | | |
Murphy Oil Corp.(a) | | | 1,215,000 | | | | 57,773,250 | | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 1,250,000 | | | | 60,137,500 | | |
| | | | | | | 253,268,250 | | |
Oil & Gas Drilling–10.00% | |
GlobalSantaFe Corp. | | | 750,000 | | | | 37,492,500 | | |
Hercules Offshore, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 1,100,000 | | | | 34,155,000 | | |
Nabors Industries Ltd.(b) | | | 400,000 | | | | 11,900,000 | | |
Todco(b) | | | 450,000 | | | | 15,570,000 | | |
Transocean Inc.(a)(b) | | | 505,000 | | | | 36,981,150 | | |
| | | | | | | 136,098,650 | | |
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services–21.04% | |
Baker Hughes Inc. | | | 650,000 | | | | 44,330,000 | | |
Cameron International Corp.(b) | | | 1,000,000 | | | | 48,310,000 | | |
FMC Technologies, Inc.(b) | | | 225,000 | | | | 12,082,500 | | |
Grant Prideco, Inc.(b) | | | 1,000,000 | | | | 38,030,000 | | |
Halliburton Co. | | | 500,000 | | | | 14,225,000 | | |
National-Oilwell Varco Inc.(b) | | | 820,000 | | | | 48,011,000 | | |
Smith International, Inc.(a) | | | 765,000 | | | | 29,682,000 | | |
Weatherford International Ltd.(b) | | | 1,235,000 | | | | 51,524,200 | | |
| | | | | | | 286,194,700 | | |
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production–18.84% | |
Apache Corp. | | | 580,000 | | | | 36,656,000 | | |
Bill Barrett Corp.(a)(b) | | | 1,650,000 | | | | 40,524,000 | | |
Cheniere Energy, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 900,000 | | | | 26,739,000 | | |
| | Shares | | Value | |
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production–(continued) | |
Devon Energy Corp. | | | 650,000 | | | $ | 41,047,500 | | |
EOG Resources, Inc. | | | 400,000 | | | | 26,020,000 | | |
Plains Exploration & Production Co.(b) | | | 1,050,000 | | | | 45,055,500 | | |
Southwestern Energy Co.(b) | | | 1,350,000 | | | | 40,324,500 | | |
| | | | | | | 256,366,500 | | |
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing–2.84% | |
Valero Energy Corp. | | | 750,000 | | | | 38,602,500 | | |
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation–3.51% | |
Williams Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 2,000,000 | | | | 47,740,000 | | |
Total Domestic Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $993,292,198) | | | | | | | 1,125,081,850 | | |
Foreign Stocks & Other Equity Interests–15.48% | |
Brazil–1.85% | |
Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. -ADR (Integrated Oil & Gas) | | | 300,000 | | | | 25,149,000 | | |
Canada–10.14% | |
Cameco Corp. (Coal & Consumable Fuels) | | | 910,000 | | | | 33,278,700 | | |
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (Oil & Gas Exploration & Production) | | | 575,000 | | | | 26,208,500 | | |
Nexen Inc. (Oil & Gas Exploration & Production) | | | 550,000 | | | | 29,403,000 | | |
Talisman Energy Inc. (Oil & Gas Exploration & Production) | | | 3,000,000 | | | | 49,140,000 | | |
| | | | | | | 138,030,200 | | |
France–3.49% | |
Total S.A. -ADR (Integrated Oil & Gas) | | | 720,000 | | | | 47,476,800 | | |
Total Foreign Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $170,201,007) | | | | | | | 210,656,000 | | |
Money Market Funds–2.25% | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio-Institutional Class(c) | | | 15,286,996 | | | | 15,286,996 | | |
Premier Portfolio-Institutional Class(c) | | | 15,286,997 | | | | 15,286,997 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (Cost $30,573,993) | | | | | | | 30,573,993 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned)–100.43% (Cost $1,194,067,198) | | | | | | | 1,366,311,843 | | |
F-1
AIM Energy Fund
| | Shares | | Value | |
Investments Purchased with Cash Collateral from Securities Loaned | |
Money Market Funds–2.69% | |
Premier Portfolio-Institutional Class(c)(d) | | | 36,648,369 | | | $ | 36,648,369 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $36,648,369) | | | | | 36,648,369 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–103.12% (Cost $1,230,715,567) | | | | | 1,402,960,212 | | |
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES–(3.12)% | | | | | (42,437,815 | ) | |
NET ASSETS–100.00% | | | | $ | 1,360,522,397 | | |
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR | | | – | | | American Depositary Receipt | |
|
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) All or a portion of this security was out on loan at September 30, 2006.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same investment advisor. See Note 3.
(d) The security has been segregated to satisfy the commitment to return the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the borrower's return of the securities loaned. See Note 7.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-2
AIM Energy Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Assets: | |
Investments, at value (cost $1,163,493,205)* | | $ | 1,335,737,850 | | |
Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $67,222,362) | | | 67,222,362 | | |
Total investments (cost $1,230,715,567) | | | 1,402,960,212 | | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $380) | | | 394 | | |
Receivables for: | |
Investments sold | | | 1,084,144 | | |
Fund shares sold | | | 2,748,681 | | |
Dividends | | | 700,990 | | |
Investment for trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 62,803 | | |
Other assets | | | 71,693 | | |
Total assets | | | 1,407,628,917 | | |
Liabilities: | |
Payables for: | |
Investments purchased | | | 4,198,770 | | |
Fund shares reacquired | | | 5,014,354 | | |
Trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 94,979 | | |
Collateral upon return of securities loaned | | | 36,648,369 | | |
Accrued distribution fees | | | 483,508 | | |
Accrued trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 663 | | |
Accrued transfer agent fees | | | 530,491 | | |
Accrued operating expenses | | | 135,386 | | |
Total liabilities | | | 47,106,520 | | |
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding | | $ | 1,360,522,397 | | |
Net assets consist of: | |
Shares of beneficial interest | | $ | 981,828,738 | | |
Undistributed net investment income (loss) | | | (1,633,113 | ) | |
Undistributed net realized gain from investment securities | | | 208,082,112 | | |
Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 172,244,660 | | |
| | $ | 1,360,522,397 | | |
Net Assets: | |
Class A | | $ | 541,439,312 | | |
Class B | | $ | 137,435,866 | | |
Class C | | $ | 164,075,151 | | |
Investor Class | | $ | 517,488,711 | | |
Institutional Class | | $ | 83,357 | | |
Shares outstanding, $0.01 par value per share, unlimited number of shares authorized: | |
Class A | | | 13,024,736 | | |
Class B | | | 3,419,629 | | |
Class C | | | 4,150,014 | | |
Investor Class | | | 12,477,575 | | |
Institutional Class | | | 2,000 | | |
Class A: | |
Net asset value per share | | $ | 41.57 | | |
Offering price per share (Net asset value of $41.57 ÷ 94.50%) | | $ | 43.99 | | |
Class B: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 40.19 | | |
Class C: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 39.54 | | |
Investor Class: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 41.47 | | |
Institutional Class: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 41.68 | | |
* At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $35,867,495 were on loan to brokers.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-3
AIM Energy Fund
Statement of Operations
For the six months ended September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Investment income: | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $166,486) | | $ | 7,249,709 | | |
Dividends from affiliated money market funds (includes securities lending income of $65,351) | | | 1,069,421 | | |
Total investment income | | | 8,319,130 | | |
Expenses: | |
Advisory fees | | | 4,633,000 | | |
Administrative services fees | | | 191,784 | | |
Custodian fees | | | 72,029 | | |
Distribution fees: | |
Class A | | | 721,621 | | |
Class B | | | 759,065 | | |
Class C | | | 907,488 | | |
Investor Class | | | 728,267 | | |
Transfer agent fees — A, B, C and Investor | | | 1,606,516 | | |
Transfer agent fees — Institutional | | | 17 | | |
Trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 26,530 | | |
Other | | | 302,007 | | |
Total expenses | | | 9,948,324 | | |
Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangements | | | (46,995 | ) | |
Net expenses | | | 9,901,329 | | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (1,582,199 | ) | |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies: | |
Net realized gain from investment securities | | | 85,750,978 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: | |
Investment securities | | | (147,424,651 | ) | |
Foreign currencies | | | 29 | | |
| | | (147,424,622 | ) | |
Net gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | (61,673,644 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | (63,255,843 | ) | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-4
AIM Energy Fund
Statement of Changes In Net Assets
For the six months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended March 31, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | September 30, 2006 | | March 31, 2006 | |
Operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | $ | (1,582,199 | ) | | $ | (3,260,358 | ) | |
Net realized gain from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 85,750,978 | | | | 194,697,947 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities and foreign currencies | | | (147,424,622 | ) | | | 123,957,553 | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | (63,255,843 | ) | | | 315,395,142 | | |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains: | |
Class A | | | — | | | | (24,689,490 | ) | |
Class B | | | — | | | | (7,145,820 | ) | |
Class C | | | — | | | | (8,319,692 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | — | | | | (28,931,461 | ) | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions | | | — | | | | (69,086,463 | ) | |
Share transactions—net: | |
Class A | | | 41,257,815 | | | | 287,836,340 | | |
Class B | | | (3,317,586 | ) | | | 68,595,281 | | |
Class C | | | 997,542 | | | | 88,393,139 | | |
Class K | | | — | | | | (3,496,411 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (28,214,656 | ) | | | 67,743,047 | | |
Institutional Class | | | 20,000 | | | | 67,000 | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from share transactions | | | 10,743,115 | | | | 509,138,396 | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | (52,512,728 | ) | | | 755,447,075 | | |
Net assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 1,413,035,125 | | | | 657,588,050 | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of $(1,633,113) and $(50,914), respectively) | | $ | 1,360,522,397 | | | $ | 1,413,035,125 | | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-5
AIM Energy Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies
AIM Energy Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM Sector Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of six separate portfolios, each authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The Fund currently consists of multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund.
The Fund's investment objective is to provide capital growth.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. Security Valuations — Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy.
A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange) are valued based on the prices furnished by independent pricing services, in which case the securities may be considered fair valued, or by market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price.
Futures contracts are valued at the final settlement price set by an exchange on which they are principally traded. Listed options are valued at the mean between the last bid and the ask prices from the exchange on which they are principally traded. Options not listed on an exchange are valued by an independent source at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally are valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Investments in open-end registered investment companies and closed-end registered investment companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day net asset value per share. Investments in closed-end registered investment companies that trade on an exchange are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded.
Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to specific securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are recorded at amortized cost which approximates value.
Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices.
Foreign securities (including foreign exchange contracts) are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using the applicable exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If the event is likely to have affected the closing price of the security, the security will be valued at fair value in good faith using procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value may also be based on a screening process of an independent pricing service to indicate the degree of certainty, based on historical data, that the closing price in the principal market where a foreign security trades is not the current value as of the close of the NYSE. Foreign securities meeting the approved degree of certainty that the price is not reflective of current value will be priced at the indication of fair value from the independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, ADRs and domestic and foreign index futures.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust's officers following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Issuer specific events, market trends, bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers and other market data may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value.
B. Securities Transactions and Investment Income — Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Brokerage commissions and mark ups are considered transaction costs and are recorded as an increase to the cost basis of securities purchased and/or a reduction of proceeds on a sale of securities. Such transaction costs are included in the determination of realized and unrealized gain
F-6
AIM Energy Fund
(loss) from investment securities reported in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and the realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on securities per share in the Financial Highlights. Transaction costs are included in the calculation of the Fund's net asset value and, accordingly, they reduce the Fund's total returns. These transaction costs are not considered operating expenses and are not reflected in net investment income reported in the Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets, or the net investment income per share and ratios of expenses and net investment income reported in the Financial Highlights, nor are they limited by any expense limitation arrangements between the Fund and the advisor.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. Country Determination — For the purposes of making investment selection decisions and presentation in the Schedule of Investments, AIM may determine the country in which an issuer is located and/or credit risk exposure based on various factors. These factors include the laws of the country under which the issuer is organized, where the issuer maintains a principal office, the country in which the issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenues and the country that has the primary market for the issuer's securities, as well as other criteria. Among the other criteria that may be evaluated for making this determination are the country in which the issuer maintains 50% or more of its assets, the type of security, financial guarantees and enhancements, the nature of the collateral and the sponsor organization. Country of issuer and/or credit risk exposure has been determined to be the United States of America unless otherwise noted.
D. Distributions — Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to treat a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
E. Federal Income Taxes — The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and to distribute substantially all of the Fund's taxable earnings to shareholders. As such, the Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements.
F. Expenses — Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund are charged to the operations of such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses and other shareholder recordkeeping fees and expenses attributable to the Institutional Class are charged to such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses and other shareholder recordkeeping fees and expenses relating to all other classes are allocated among those classes based on relative net assets. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
G. Accounting Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including estimates and assumptions related to taxation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
H. Indemnifications — Under the Trust's organizational documents, each Trustee, officer, employee or other agent of the Trust (including the Trust's investment manager) is indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss as a result of such indemnification claims is considered remote.
I. Foreign Currency Translations — Foreign currency is valued at the close of the NYSE based on quotations posted by banks and major currency dealers. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (net of foreign taxes withheld on disposition) and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market price s on investments (net of estimated foreign tax withholding) are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from (i) sales of foreign currencies, (ii) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and (iii) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
J. Foreign Currency Contracts — A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the Statement of Operations. The Fund could be exposed to risk, which may be in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the f oreign currency changes unfavorably.
F-7
AIM Energy Fund
NOTE 2—Advisory Fees and Other Fees Paid to Affiliates
The Trust has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM based on the annual rate of the Fund's average daily net assets as follows:
Average Net Assets | | Rate | |
First $350 million | | | 0.75 | % | |
Next $350 million | | | 0.65 | % | |
Next $1.3 billion | | | 0.55 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.45 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.40 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.375 | % | |
Over $8 billion | | | 0.35 | % | |
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds on investments by the Fund in such affiliated money market funds (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the fund). AIM is also voluntarily waiving a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Fund equal to the difference between the income earned from investing in the affiliated money market fund and the hypothetical income earned from investing in an appropriate comparative benchmark. Voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements may be modified or discontinued at any time upon consultation with the Board of Trustees without further notice to investors.
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM waived advisory fees of $6,495.
At the request of the Trustees of the Trust, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP") agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with market timing matters in the AIM Funds, which may include legal, audit, shareholder reporting, communications and trustee expenses. These expenses along with the related expense reimbursement are included in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AMVESCAP reimbursed expenses of the Fund in the amount of $1,194.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. Pursuant to such agreement, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM was paid $191,784.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AIS") a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund and reimburse AIS for certain expenses incurred by AIS in the course of providing such services. AIS may make payments to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services, sub-accounting services and/or networking services. All fees payable by AIS to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services or sub-accounting are charged back to the Fund, subject to certain limitations approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid AIS $1,606,516 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares and $17 for Institutional Class shares.
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Investor Class and Institutional Class shares of the Fund. The Trust has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays ADI compensation at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Investor Class shares. Of the Rule 12b-1 payments, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C or Investor Class shares may be paid to furnish continuing personal shareholder services to customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not pa id as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") Rules impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares paid $721,621, $759,065, $907,488 and $728,267, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the six months ended September 30, 2006, ADI advised the Fund that it retained $315,469 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $1,128, $142,788 and $50,359 from Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed on redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are officers and directors of AIM, AIS and/or ADI.
F-8
AIM Energy Fund
NOTE 3—Investments in Affiliates
The Fund is permitted, pursuant to an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, to invest daily available cash balances and cash collateral from securities lending transactions in affiliated money market funds. The Fund and the money market funds below have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The tables below show the transactions in and earnings from investments in affiliated money market funds for the six months ended September 30, 2006.
Investments of Daily Available Cash Balances:
Fund | |
Value 03/31/06 | |
Purchases at Cost | |
Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Value 09/30/06 | |
Dividend Income | | Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | — | | | $ | 115,120,505 | | | $ | (99,833,509 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 15,286,996 | | | $ | 208,303 | | | $ | — | | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | | 62,590,664 | | | | 212,625,293 | | | | (259,928,960 | ) | | | — | | | | 15,286,997 | | | | 795,767 | | | | — | | |
Subtotal | | $ | 62,590,664 | | | $ | 327,745,798 | | | $ | (359,762,469 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 30,573,993 | | | $ | 1,004,070 | | | $ | — | | |
Investments of Cash Collateral from Securities Lending Transactions:
Fund | |
Value 03/31/06 | |
Purchases at Cost | |
Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Value 09/30/06 | |
Dividend Income* | | Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | 24,025,815 | | | $ | 468,232,899 | | | $ | (455,610,345 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 36,648,369 | | | $ | 65,351 | | | $ | — | | |
Total Investments in Affiliates | | $ | 86,616,479 | | | $ | 795,978,697 | | | $ | (815,372,814 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 67,222,362 | | | $ | 1,069,421 | | | $ | — | | |
* Net of compensation to counterparties.
NOTE 4—Expense Offset Arrangements
The expense offset arrangements are comprised of (i) transfer agency credits which result from balances in Demand Deposit Accounts (DDA) used by the transfer agent for clearing shareholder transactions and (ii) custodian credits which result from periodic overnight cash balances at the custodian. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received credits from these arrangements, which resulted in the reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $39,306.
NOTE 5—Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits
"Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to pay remuneration to each Trustee and Officer of the Fund who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Trustees have the option to defer compensation payable by the Fund, and "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" also include amounts accrued by the Fund to fund such deferred compensation amounts. Those Trustees who defer compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested. Finally, current Trustees are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Trustees over a period of time based on the number of years of service. The Fund may have certain former Trustees who also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan. "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to fun d such retirement benefits. Obligations under the deferred compensation and retirement plans represent unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid legal fees of $3,113 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Trustees. A member of that firm is a Trustee of the Trust.
NOTE 6—Borrowings
Pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC, the Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. A loan will be secured by collateral if the Fund's aggregate borrowings from all sources exceeds 10% of the Fund's total assets. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
The Fund is a participant in an uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000, or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which are
F-9
AIM Energy Fund
parties to the credit facility can borrow on a first come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under the uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility.
Additionally, the Fund is permitted to temporarily carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with SSB, the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds as a compensating balance in the account so the custodian bank can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank at a rate agreed upon by the custodian bank and AIM, not to exceed the rate contractually agreed upon.
NOTE 7—Portfolio Securities Loaned
The Fund may lend portfolio securities having a market value up to one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral received in connection with these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrowe r did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the collateral available for return to the borrower due to any loss on the collateral invested.
At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $35,867,495 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $36,648,369 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received dividends on cash collateral investments of $65,351 for securities lending transactions, which are net of compensation to counterparties.
NOTE 8—Tax Information
The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforward) under income tax regulations. The tax character of distributions paid during the year and the tax components of net assets will be reported at the Fund's fiscal year-end.
Capital loss carryforward is calculated and reported as of a specific date. Results of transactions and other activity after that date may affect the amount of capital loss carryforward actually available for the Fund to utilize. The ability to utilize capital loss carryforward in the future may be limited under the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions. Under these limitation rules, the Fund is limited as of March 31, 2006 to utilizing $1,577,866 of capital loss carryforward in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
The Fund had a capital loss carryforward as of March 31, 2006 which expires as follows:
Expiration | | Capital Loss Carryforward* | |
March 31, 2007 | | $ | 211,135 | | |
March 31, 2009 | | | 4,180,954 | | |
Total capital loss carryforward | | $ | 4,392,089 | | |
* Capital loss carryforward as of the date listed above is reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
NOTE 9—Investment Securities
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2006 was $547,281,719 and $496,789,986, respectively. For interim reporting periods, the cost of investments for tax purposes includes reversals of certain tax items, such as, wash sales that have occurred since the prior fiscal year-end.
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities on a Tax Basis
Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 209,126,364 | | |
Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities | | | (40,936,417 | ) | |
Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 168,189,947 | | |
Cost of investments for tax purposes is $1,234,770,265.
F-10
AIM Energy Fund
NOTE 10—Share Information
The Fund currently consists of five different classes of shares: Class A, Class B, Class C, Investor Class and Institutional Class. The Fund formerly offered Class K shares; however, as of the close of business October 21, 2005, the Class K shares were converted to Class A shares. Investor Class shares of the Fund are offered only to certain grandfathered investors.
Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge unless certain waiver criteria are met. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Investor Class and Institutional Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under certain circumstances, Class A shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on or about the month-end which is at least eight years after the date of purchase.
Changes in Shares Outstanding
| | Six months ended Septemeber 30, 2006(a) | | Year ended March 31, 2006 | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Sold: | |
Class A | | | 3,411,115 | | | $ | 151,765,059 | | | | 10,675,411 | | | $ | 420,923,874 | | |
Class B | | | 629,336 | | | | 27,177,292 | | | | 2,808,969 | | | | 106,378,368 | | |
Class C | | | 858,951 | | | | 36,569,854 | | | | 3,253,143 | | | | 123,432,977 | | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 205,037 | | | | 6,909,826 | | |
Investor Class | | | 2,107,919 | | | | 93,961,944 | | | | 6,101,345 | | | | 238,432,579 | | |
Institutional Class(c) | | | 447 | | | | 20,000 | | | | 1,553 | | | | 67,000 | | |
Issued as reinvestment of dividends: | |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | 551,786 | | | | 22,761,178 | | |
Class B | | | — | | | | — | | | | 166,321 | | | | 6,672,814 | | |
Class C | | | — | | | | — | | | | 197,609 | | | | 7,799,607 | | |
Investor Class | | | — | | | | — | | | | 686,106 | | | | 28,240,142 | | |
Conversion of Class K shares to Class A shares:(d) | |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | 209,627 | | | | 7,810,718 | | |
Class K | | | — | | | | — | | | | (227,851 | ) | | | (7,810,718 | ) | |
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: | |
Class A | | | 84,637 | | | | 3,770,923 | | | | 118,767 | | | | 4,630,254 | | |
Class B | | | (87,370 | ) | | | (3,770,923 | ) | | | (121,850 | ) | | | (4,630,254 | ) | |
Reacquired: | |
Class A | | | (2,645,255 | ) | | | (114,278,167 | ) | | | (4,296,793 | ) | | | (168,289,684 | ) | |
Class B | | | (637,199 | ) | | | (26,723,955 | ) | | | (1,065,740 | ) | | | (39,825,647 | ) | |
Class C | | | (869,745 | ) | | | (35,572,312 | ) | | | (1,140,790 | ) | | | (42,839,445 | ) | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (74,961 | ) | | | (2,595,519 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (2,830,323 | ) | | | (122,176,600 | ) | | | (5,145,565 | ) | | | (198,929,674 | ) | |
| | | 22,513 | | | $ | 10,743,115 | | | | 12,902,124 | | | $ | 509,138,396 | | |
(a) There are four entities that are each record owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and in the aggreagate own 29% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. ADI has an agreement with these entities to sell Fund shares. The Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates may make payments to these entities, which are considered to be related to the Fund, for providing services such as, securities brokerage, distribution, third party record keeping and account servicing. The trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record by these entities is also owned beneficially.
(b) Class K shares activity for the period April 1, 2005 through October 21, 2005 (date of conversion).
(c) Institutional Class shares commenced operations on January 31, 2006.
(d) Effective as of close of business October 21, 2005, all outstanding Class K shares were converted to Class A shares of the Fund.
NOTE 11—New Accounting Standard
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions for FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management is currently assessing the impact of FIN 48, if any, on the Fund's financial statements and intends for the Fund to adopt the FIN 48 provisions during 2007.
F-11
AIM Energy Fund
NOTE 12—Financial Highlights
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
| | Class A | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 43.17 | | | $ | 32.86 | | | $ | 22.27 | | | $ | 16.85 | | | $ | 19.26 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss)(b) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (1.59 | ) | | | 12.73 | | | | 10.68 | | | | 5.47 | | | | (2.36 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (1.60 | ) | | | 12.67 | | | | 10.59 | | | | 5.42 | | | | (2.41 | ) | |
Less distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (2.36 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 41.57 | | | $ | 43.17 | | | $ | 32.86 | | | $ | 22.27 | | | $ | 16.85 | | |
Total return(c) | | | (3.71 | )% | | | 38.90 | % | | | 47.55 | % | | | 32.17 | % | | | (12.51 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 541,439 | | | $ | 525,619 | | | $ | 161,529 | | | $ | 40,847 | | | $ | 9,131 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.16 | %(d) | | | 1.19 | % | | | 1.47 | % | | | 1.66 | % | | | 1.46 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.16 | %(d) | | | 1.19 | % | | | 1.48 | % | | | 1.74 | % | | | 1.46 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.04 | )%(d) | | | (0.16 | )% | | | (0.32 | )% | | | (0.25 | )% | | | (0.33 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 34 | % | | | 72 | % | | | 45 | % | | | 123 | % | | | 144 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $575,719,617.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Class B | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 41.90 | | | $ | 32.17 | | | $ | 21.94 | | | $ | 16.71 | | | $ | 19.26 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss)(b) | | | (0.17 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) | | | (0.25 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.17 | ) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (1.54 | ) | | | 12.44 | | | | 10.48 | | | | 5.41 | | | | (2.38 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (1.71 | ) | | | 12.09 | | | | 10.23 | | | | 5.23 | | | | (2.55 | ) | |
Less distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (2.36 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 40.19 | | | $ | 41.90 | | | $ | 32.17 | | | $ | 21.94 | | | $ | 16.71 | | |
Total return(c) | | | (4.08 | )% | | | 37.92 | % | | | 46.63 | % | | | 31.30 | % | | | (13.24 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 137,436 | | | $ | 147,270 | | | $ | 55,559 | | | $ | 20,164 | | | $ | 1,502 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.91 | %(d) | | | 1.93 | % | | | 2.12 | % | | | 2.31 | % | | | 2.33 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.91 | %(d) | | | 1.93 | % | | | 2.13 | % | | | 2.59 | % | | | 2.41 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.79 | )%(d) | | | (0.90 | )% | | | (0.97 | )% | | | (0.90 | )% | | | (1.16 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 34 | % | | | 72 | % | | | 45 | % | | | 123 | % | | | 144 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $151,398,301.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-12
AIM Energy Fund
NOTE 12—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Class C | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 41.22 | | | $ | 31.68 | | | $ | 21.60 | | | $ | 16.45 | | | $ | 18.98 | | | | 19.58 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.17 | )(a) | | | (0.35 | )(a) | | | (0.25 | )(a) | | | (0.17 | )(a) | | | (0.11 | )(a) | | | (0.07 | )(b) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (1.51 | ) | | | 12.25 | | | | 10.33 | | | | 5.32 | | | | (2.42 | ) | | | (0.53 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (1.68 | ) | | | 11.90 | | | | 10.08 | | | | 5.15 | | | | (2.53 | ) | | | (0.60 | ) | |
Less distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (2.36 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 39.54 | | | $ | 41.22 | | | $ | 31.68 | | | $ | 21.60 | | | $ | 16.45 | | | $ | 18.98 | | |
Total return(c) | | | (4.08 | )% | | | 37.91 | % | | | 46.67 | % | | | 31.31 | % | | | (13.33 | )% | | | (3.06 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 164,075 | | | $ | 171,500 | | | $ | 58,626 | | | $ | 16,383 | | | $ | 9,566 | | | $ | 12,324 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.91 | %(d) | | | 1.93 | %) | | | 2.12 | % | | | 2.31 | % | | | 2.33 | % | | | 2.27 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.91 | %(d) | | | 1.93 | % | | | 2.13 | % | | | 2.59 | % | | | 2.53 | % | | | 2.27 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.79 | )%(d) | | | (0.90 | )% | | | (0.97 | )% | | | (0.90 | )% | | | (1.22 | )% | | | (1.08 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 34 | % | | | 72 | % | | | 45 | % | | | 123 | % | | | 144 | % | | | 144 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) The net investment income (loss) per share was calculated after permanent book tax differences, such as net operating losses, which were reclassified from accumulated net investment income (loss) to paid in capital. Had net investment income (loss) per share been calculated using the current method, which is before reclassification of net operating losses, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.16) for the year ended March 31, 2002.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $181,001,731.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Investor Class | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 43.07 | | | $ | 32.78 | | | $ | 22.19 | | | $ | 16.81 | | | $ | 19.26 | | | $ | 19.73 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss)(a) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (1.59 | ) | | | 12.71 | | | | 10.65 | | | | 5.45 | | | | (2.35 | ) | | | (0.40 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (1.60 | ) | | | 12.65 | | | | 10.59 | | | | 5.38 | | | | (2.45 | ) | | | (0.47 | ) | |
Less distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (2.36 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 41.47 | | | $ | 43.07 | | | $ | 32.78 | | | $ | 22.19 | | | $ | 16.81 | | | $ | 19.26 | | |
Total return(b) | | | (3.71 | )% | | | 38.94 | % | | | 47.72 | % | | | 32.00 | % | | | (12.72 | )% | | | (2.38 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 517,489 | | | $ | 568,579 | | | $ | 378,915 | | | $ | 230,148 | | | $ | 231,023 | | | $ | 358,439 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 1.16 | %(c) | | | 1.18 | % | | | 1.37 | %(d) | | | 1.76 | % | | | 1.69 | % | | | 1.53 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.04 | )%(c) | | | (0.15 | )% | | | (0.22 | )% | | | (0.35 | )% | | | (0.57 | )% | | | (0.34 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 34 | % | | | 72 | % | | | 45 | % | | | 123 | % | | | 144 | % | | | 144 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $581,021,845.
(d) After fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.38% for the year ended March 31, 2005.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
F-13
AIM Energy Fund
NOTE 12—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Institutional Class | |
| | Six months ended September 30, 2006 | | January 31, 2006 (Date sales commenced) to March 31, 2006 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 43.20 | | | $ | 46.46 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.08 | | | | 0.02 | | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (1.60 | ) | | | (3.28 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (1.52 | ) | | | (3.26 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 41.68 | | | $ | 43.20 | | |
Total return(b) | | | (3.52 | )% | | | (7.02 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 83 | | | $ | 67 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.75 | %(c) | | | 0.80 | %(d) | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 0.37 | %(c) | | | 0.23 | %(d) | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 34 | % | | | 72 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $73,414.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
NOTE 13—Legal Proceedings
Terms used in the Legal Proceedings Note are defined terms solely for the purpose of this note.
Settled Enforcement Actions and Investigations Related to Market Timing
On October 8, 2004, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("IFG") (the former investment advisor to certain AIM Funds), AIM and A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") (the distributor of the retail AIM Funds) reached final settlements with certain regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the New York Attorney General and the Colorado Attorney General, to resolve civil enforcement actions and/or investigations related to market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds, including those formerly advised by IFG. As part of the settlements, a $325 million fair fund ($110 million of which is civil penalties) has been created to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds formerly advised by IFG. Additionally, AIM and ADI created a $50 million fair fund ($30 million of which is civil penalties) to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds advised by AI M, which was done pursuant to the terms of the settlement. These two fair funds may increase as a result of contributions from third parties who reach final settlements with the SEC or other regulators to resolve allegations of market timing and/or late trading that also may have harmed applicable AIM Funds. These two fair funds will be distributed in accordance with a methodology to be determined by AIM's independent distribution consultant, in consultation with AIM and the independent trustees of the AIM Funds and acceptable to the staff of the SEC. Management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the distribution of these two fair funds may have on the Fund or whether such distribution will have an impact on the Fund's financial statements in the future.
At the request of the trustees of the AIM Funds, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"), the parent company of IFG and AIM, has agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the AIM Funds related to market timing matters.
Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries
On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Office of the State Auditor — Securities Commission ("WVASC") issued a Summary Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Right to Hearing to AIM and ADI (Order No. 05-1318). The WVASC makes findings of fact that AIM and ADI entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the AIM Funds and failed to disclose these arrangements in the prospectuses for such Funds, and conclusions of law to the effect that AIM and ADI violated the West Virginia securities laws. The WVASC orders AIM and ADI to cease any further violations and seeks to impose monetary sanctions, including restitution to affected investors, disgorgement of fees, reimbursement of investigatory, administrative and legal costs and an "administrative assessment," to be determined by the Commissioner. Initial research indicates that these damages could be limited or capped by statute.
F-14
AIM Energy Fund
NOTE 13—Legal Proceedings—(continued)
Civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against certain of the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals, depending on the lawsuit, alleging:
• that the defendants permitted improper market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds;
• that certain AIM Funds inadequately employed fair value pricing;
• that the defendants charged excessive advisory and/or distribution fees and failed to pass on to shareholders the perceived savings generated by economies of scale and that the defendants adopted unlawful distribution plans; and
• that the defendants improperly used the assets of the AIM Funds to pay brokers to aggressively promote the sale of the AIM Funds over other mutual funds and that the defendants concealed such payments from investors by disguising them as brokerage commissions (all the claims in this category of lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice by the court on September 29, 2006, except for the Section 36(b) claim which was dismissed with leave to amend to plead it properly as a derivative claim).
These lawsuits allege as theories of recovery, depending on the lawsuit, violations of various provisions of the Federal and state securities laws and ERISA, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and/or breach of contract. These lawsuits seek remedies that include, depending on the lawsuit, damages, restitution, injunctive relief, imposition of a constructive trust, removal of certain directors and/or employees, various corrective measures under ERISA, rescission of certain AIM Funds' advisory agreements and/or distribution plans and recovery of all fees paid, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, restitution of all commissions and fees paid, and prospective relief in the form of reduced fees.
All lawsuits based on allegations of market timing, late trading and related issues have been transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "MDL Court"). Pursuant to an Order of the MDL Court, plaintiffs in these lawsuits consolidated their claims for pre-trial purposes into three amended complaints against various AIM- and IFG-related parties: (i) a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of shareholders of the AIM Funds; (ii) a Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of the AIM Funds and fund registrants; and (iii) an Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act ("ERISA") purportedly brought on behalf of participants in AMVESCAP's 401(k) plan. Based on orders issued by the MDL Court, all claims asserted against the AIM Funds that have been transferred to the MDL Court have been dismissed, although certain Funds remain nominal defendants in the Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint. On September 15, 2006, the MDL Court granted the AMVESCAP defendants' motion to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of ERISA and dismissed such Complaint. The plaintiff has commenced an appeal from that decision.
IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals have received inquiries from numerous regulators in the form of subpoenas or other oral or written requests for information and/or documents related to one or more of the following issues, among others, some of which concern one or more AIM Funds: market timing activity, late trading, fair value pricing, excessive or improper advisory and/or distribution fees, mutual fund sales practices, including revenue sharing and directed-brokerage arrangements, investments in securities of other registered investment companies, contractual plans, issues related to Section 529 college savings plans and procedures for locating lost security holders. IFG, AIM and ADI have advised the Fund that they are providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries. Regulatory actions and/or additional civil lawsuits related to these or other issues may be filed against the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM and/or related entities and individuals in the future.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of the Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries described above may have on AIM, ADI or the Fund.
F-15
AIM Energy Fund
Trustees and Officers
Board of Trustees
Bob R. Baker
Frank S. Bayley
James T. Bunch
Bruce L. Crockett
Chair
Albert R. Dowden
Jack M. Fields
Carl Frischling
Robert H. Graham
Vice Chair
Prema Mathai-Davis
Lewis F. Pennock
Ruth H. Quigley
Larry Soll
Raymond Stickel Jr.
Philip A. Taylor
Officers
Philip A. Taylor
President and Principal
Executive Officer
Todd L. Spillane
Chief Compliance Officer
Russell C. Burk
Senior Vice President and Senior Officer
John M. Zerr
Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Sidney M. Dilgren
Vice President, Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer
Lisa O. Brinkley
Vice President
Kevin M. Carome
Vice President
J. Philip Ferguson
Vice President
Karen Dunn Kelley
Vice President
Office of the Fund
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Investment Advisor
A I M Advisors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Transfer Agent
AIM Investment Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 4739
Houston, TX 77210-4739
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110-2801
Counsel to the Fund
Ballard Spahr
Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
1735 Market Street, 51st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-2714
Distributor
A I M Distributors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
F-16
Domestic Equity
AIM Basic Balanced Fund*
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Dynamics Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM S&P 500 Index Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund(1)
AIM Structured Core Fund
AIM Structured Growth Fund
AIM Structured Value Fund
AIM Summit Fund
AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund
AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund
*Domestic equity and income fund
International/Global Equity
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM China Fund
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Equity Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM Japan Fund
AIM International Core Equity Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM International Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Trimark Fund
Sector Equity
AIM Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM Energy Fund
AIM Financial Services Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Global Real Estate Fund
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
AIM Leisure Fund
AIM Multi-Sector Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund(1)
AIM Technology Fund
AIM Utilities Fund
Fixed Income
TAXABLE
AIM Enhanced Short Bond Fund
AIM Floating Rate Fund
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM International Bond Fund
AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Short Term Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
Premier Portfolio
Premier U.S. Government Money Portfolio
TAX-FREE
AIM High Income Municipal Fund(1)
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund
AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund
Premier Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Allocation Solutions
AIM Conservative Allocation Fund
AIM Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderately Conservative Allocation Fund
Diversified Portfolios
AIM Income Allocation Fund
AIM International Allocation Fund
(1) This Fund has limited public sales of its shares to certain investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in the Fund, please see the appropriate prospectus.
If used after January 20, 2007, this report must be accompanied by a Fund Performance & Commentary or by an AIM Quarterly Performance Review for the most recent quarter-end. Mutual funds distributed by A I M Distributors, Inc.
A I M Management Group Inc. has provided leadership in the investment management industry since 1976. AIM is a subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC, one of the world’s largest independent financial services companies with $441 billion in assets under management. Data as of September 30, 2006.
Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully. For this and other information about AIM Funds, obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor and read it carefully before investing.
AIMinvestments.com | I-ENE-SAR-1 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
[Your goals. Our solutions.]
– registered trademark –
Mutual | Retirement | Annuities | College | Separately | Offshore | Cash |
Funds | Products | | Savings | Managed | Products | Management |
| | | Plans | Accounts | | |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Financial Services Fund
Semiannual Report to Shareholders • September 30, 2006
[COVER GLOBE IMAGE]
SECTOR EQUITY
Sectors
Table of Contents
Supplemental Information | 2 |
Letters to Shareholders | 3 |
Performance Summary | 5 |
Management Discussion | 5 |
Long-term Fund Performance | 7 |
Fund Expenses | 8 |
Approval of Advisory Agreement | 9 |
Schedule of Investments | F-1 |
Financial Statements | F-2 |
Notes to Financial Statements | F-5 |
Financial Highlights | F-10 |
Trustees and Officers | F-15 |
[AIM investment solutions]
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Domestic | [International/ | [Sector |
Equity] | Global Equity] | Equity] |
| | |
| | |
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Fixed | [Allocation | [Diversified |
Income] | Solutions] | Portfolios] |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Financial Services Fund
AIM FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND seeks to provide capital growth.
• Unless otherwise stated, information presented in this report is as of September 30, 2006, and is based on total net assets.
About share classes
• Class B shares are not available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, including 401(k) plans, money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that had existing accounts prior to September 30, 2003, invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
• Investor Class shares are closed to most investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in Investor Class shares, please see the prospectus.
Principal risks of investing in the Fund
• Foreign securities have additional risks, including exchange rate changes, political and economic upheaval, the relative lack of information about these companies, relatively low market liquidity and the potential lack of strict financial and accounting controls and standards.
• Investing in a fund that invests in smaller companies involves risks not associated with investing in more established companies, such as business risk, stock price fluctuations and illiquidity.
• Stocks are subject to market risk, meaning stock prices vary and may fall, thus reducing the value of the Fund’s investments. Certain stocks selected for the Fund’s portfolio may decline in value more than the overall stock market.
• Prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
• There is no guarantee that the investment techniques and risk analyses used by the Fund’s managers will produce the desired results.
• Because a large percentage of the Fund’s assets may be invested in a limited number of securities, a change in the value of these securities could significantly affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
• The Fund’s investments are concentrated in a comparatively narrow segment of the economy. Consequently, the Fund may be more volatile than other mutual funds, and the value of the Fund’s investments may rise and fall more rapidly.
• The financial services sector is subject to extensive government regulation, which may change frequently. The profitability of businesses in this sector depends heavily on the availability and cost of money and may fluctuate significantly in response to changes to interest rates and general economic conditions.
About indexes used in this report
• The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks (the S&P 500 —registered trademark— Index) is an index of common stocks frequently used as a general measure of U.S. stock market performance.
• The S&P 500 Financials Index is a market capitalization weighted index of companies involved in activities such as banking, consumer finance, investment banking and brokerage, asset management, insurance and investment, and real estate, including REITs.
• The unmanaged Lipper Financial Services Funds Index represents an average of the 10 largest financial-services funds tracked by Lipper Inc., an independent mutual fund performance monitor.
• The Fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indexes defined here, and consequently, the performance of the Fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indexes.
• A direct investment cannot be made in an index. Unless otherwise indicated, index results include reinvested dividends, and they do not reflect sales charges. Performance of an index of funds reflects fund expenses; performance of a market index does not.
Other information
• Industry classifications used in this report are generally according to the Global Industry Classification Standard, which was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. and Standard & Poor’s.
• The returns shown in management’s discussion of Fund performance are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes, and as such, the net asset values for shareholder transactions and the returns based on those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns reported in the Financial Highlights.
The Fund provides a complete list of its holdings four times in each fiscal year, at the quarter-ends. For the second and fourth quarters, the lists appear in the Fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third quarters, the Fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-Q. The most recent list of portfolio holdings is available at AIMinvestments.com. From our home page, click on Products & Performance, then Mutual Funds, then Fund Overview. Select your Fund from the drop-down menu and click on Complete Quarterly Holdings. Shareholders can also look up the Fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC Web site at sec.gov. Copies of the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public
Continued on page 7
This report must be accompanied or preceded by a currently effective Fund prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales charges and expenses. Investors should read it carefully before investing.
Fund NASDAQ Symbols
Class A Shares | | IFSAX |
Class B Shares | | IFSBX |
Class C Shares | | IFSCX |
Investor Class Shares | | FSFSX |
Not FDIC Insured May lose value No bank guarantee
AIMinvestments.com
2
AIM Financial Services Fund
[TAYLOR
PHOTO]
Philip Taylor
Dear Shareholders of The AIM Family of Funds —registered trademark—:
We’re pleased to provide you with this report, which includes a discussion of how your Fund was managed during the period under review in this report, and what factors affected its performance.
It’s been said nothing is certain but death and taxes. We would venture to add that one other thing is certain: Markets change—and change often—in the short term, in response to constantly changing economic, geopolitical and other factors. For example, from April to July, U.S. equity markets demonstrated weakness and volatility as economic data suggested that inflation might be higher than previously estimated. But in August, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, for the first time in more than two years, chose not to raise short-term interest rates, suggesting that it believed inflation was contained. Together with continuing strong corporate profits and declining oil prices, this caused U.S. equity markets to surge, and as the reporting period drew to a close, major market averages neared multi-year highs. Despite fears about a slowing global economy, most foreign markets demonstrated strength during the reporting period.
While we can’t do anything about the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding death and taxes, we can suggest an alternative to reacting to fluctuating short-term market conditions: Maintain a diversified portfolio. AIM Investments —registered trademark— can help by offering a broad product line that gives your financial advisor the necessary tools to build a portfolio that’s right for you regardless of market conditions. AIM offers a comprehensive range of retail mutual funds, including domestic, global and international equity funds, taxable and tax-exempt fixed-income funds, and a variety of allocation portfolios—with varied risk and return characteristics to match your needs. We maintain this extensive set of product solutions for one reason: We believe in the value of comprehensive, diversified investment portfolios.
We’ve changed the look of our annual reports to reflect that belief. In our marketing and now our shareholder literature, we represent a fully diversified portfolio graphically as an allocation pie chart and assign each asset class a color—green for domestic equity, blue for international, orange for sector and purple for fixed income. A legend in the left column illustrates the methodology. Your report cover now shows your Fund’s asset class color, plus the asset class and sub-asset class name are shown in the upper-left corner. The reason for these changes is to help you better understand where your Fund fits into your overall portfolio.
AIM has a variety of investment solutions, and knowing which ones are right for your portfolio is complex. That’s why we also believe in the value of a trusted financial advisor who will work with you to create an investment plan you can stick with for the long term. Your financial advisor can help allocate your portfolio appropriately and review your investments regularly to ensure they remain suitable as your financial situation changes. While there are no guarantees with any investment program, a long-term plan that’s based on your financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon is more likely to keep you and your investments on track.
At a recent meeting of the AIM Funds board, Robert H. Graham relinquished his position as president of AIM Funds, a post customarily held by the chief executive officer of AIM Investments. Bob—one of three founders of AIM Investments in 1976—has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most knowledgeable leaders in the mutual fund industry. As I assume Bob’s previous responsibilities, I’m pleased that he’ll remain actively involved as the vice chair of AIM Funds.
Our commitment to you
In the short term, the one sure thing about markets is their unpredictability. While past performance cannot guarantee comparable future results, we believe that staying invested for the long term with a thoughtful plan offers the best opportunity for weathering that unpredictability. We at AIM Investments remain committed to building enduring solutions to help you achieve your investment goals, and we’re pleased you’ve placed your trust in us.
Information about investing, the markets and your Fund is always available on our Web site, AIMinvestments.com. If you have questions about your individual account, we invite you to contact one of our highly trained client services representatives at 800-959-4246.
Sincerely,
Philip Taylor
President – AIM Funds
CEO, AIM Investments
November 15, 2006
AIM Investments is a registered service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. A I M Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc. are the investment advisors. A I M Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the retail funds represented by AIM Investments.
3
AIM Financial Services Fund
[CROCKETT
PHOTO]
Bruce L. Crockett
Dear Fellow AIM Fund Shareholders:
At our meeting at the end of June, your Board completed its comprehensive review* of each fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (AIM) to make certain your interests are being served in terms of fees, performance and operations.
Looking ahead, your Board finds many reasons to be positive about AIM’s management and strategic direction. Most importantly, AIM’s investment management discipline is paying off in terms of improved overall performance. While work remains to be done, AIM’s complex-wide, asset-weighted mutual fund performance for the trailing one-, three- and five-year periods is at its highest since 2000 for the periods ended September 30, 2006. We are also pleased with AIM’s efforts to seek more cost-effective ways of delivering superior service.
In addition, AIM is realizing the benefits of belonging to a leading independent global investment management organization in its parent company, AMVESCAP PLC, which is dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. AMVESCAP managed approximately $441 billion globally as of September 30, 2006, operating under the AIM, INVESCO, AIM Trimark, INVESCO PERPETUAL and Atlantic Trust brands. These companies are home to an abundance of investment talent that is gradually being integrated and leveraged into centers of excellence, each focusing on a given market segment or asset class. Over the next few years, your Board will be meeting at these various centers of excellence to learn about their progress and how they may serve you through our goal of enhancing performance and reducing costs.
The seven new AIM funds—which include Asian funds, structured U.S. equity funds and specialized bond funds—are an early example of the kind of opportunities the AMVESCAP organization can provide AIM clients. More information on these funds can be found on AIM’s Web site.
Your Board is very pleased with the overall direction and progress of the AIM Funds. We’re working closely and effectively with AIM’s management to continue this momentum. As always, your Board is eager to hear your views on how we might better serve you. Please send your comments in a letter addressed to me at AIM Investments, AIM Investments Tower, 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston TX 77046.
Sincerely,
Bruce L. Crockett
Independent Chair
AIM Funds Board
November 15, 2006
* To learn more about all the factors we considered before approving each fund’s advisory agreement, go to the “Products & Performance” tab at the AIM Web site (AIMinvestments.com) and click on “Investment Advisory Agreement Renewals.” The approval of advisory agreement information for your Fund is also included in this semiannual report on pages 9–10.
4
AIM Financial Services Fund
Management’s discussion of Fund performance
Performance summary
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM Financial Services Fund, excluding applicable sales charges, produced positive returns, outperforming the S&P 500 Index and the Fund’s peer group index while underperforming the S&P 500 Financials Index. Given the mandate of the Fund—to invest in the financials sector—the Fund’s performance relative to its broad market index was heavily influenced by the performance of the sector versus the overall market, which was strong during the period.
The Fund underperformed its style-specific index primarily due to declines in Fund holdings Aon and Federated Investors. Below average returns in regional bank holdings, as well as not owning any real estate investment trusts (REITs), which were strong performers during the period, also detracted from Fund performance.
Your Fund’s long-term performance appears on page 7.
Fund vs. Indexes
Cumulative total returns, 3/31/06–9/30/06, excluding applicable sales charges. If applicable sales charges were included, returns would be lower.
Class A Shares | | 5.07 | % |
Class B Shares | | 4.65 | |
Class C Shares | | 4.66 | |
Investor Class Shares | | 5.08 | |
S&P 500 Index (Broad Market Index) | | 4.14 | |
S&P 500 Financials Index (Style-Specific Index) | | 7.85 | |
Lipper Financial Services Funds Index (Peer Group Index) | | 3.68 | |
Source: Lipper Inc.
How we invest
Our goal is to create wealth for shareholders. We maintain a long-term investment horizon and invest in two primary opportunities we believe have historically resulted in superior investment returns within the financials sector:
• Financial companies trading at a significant discount to our estimate of intrinsic value because of excessive short-term investor pessimism. Estimated intrinsic value is a measure based primarily on the estimated future cash flows generated by the businesses.
• Reasonably valued financial companies that demonstrate superior capital discipline by returning excess capital to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases.
We maintain a proprietary database of intrinsic value estimates and screen financial companies for those of acceptable quality. Purchase candidates are subject to exhaustive fundamental analysis. We focus on the drivers of estimated intrinsic value such as normalized earnings power, marginal returns on economic equity (which adjusts for distortions present in accounting numbers) and sustainable growth. Additionally, we strive to understand a company’s ability and willingness to grow capital returned to shareholders in the future. Finally, we focus on quality, including competitive position, management and financial strength.
The result is normally a portfolio of 35–50 stocks which we believe are attractive from both a valuation and capital discipline perspective. In constructing a portfolio, we attempt to mitigate risk in multiple ways; one approach is by diversifying holdings across industries and businesses that react in different ways to changes in interest rates and economic cycles.
We believe a portfolio of undervalued and capital-disciplined quality financial companies that profitably grow cash flows over time provides the best opportunity for superior long-term investment results.
(continued)
Portfolio composition
By industry | | | |
Other Diversified Financial Services | | 23.0 | % |
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance | | 13.2 | |
Investment Banking & Brokerage | | 8.6 | |
Property & Casualty Insurance | | 8.3 | |
Regional Banks | | 8.3 | |
Asset Management & Custody Banks | | 7.8 | |
Diversified Banks | | 7.3 | |
Multi-Line Insurance | | 6.4 | |
Insurance Brokers | | 6.1 | |
Consumer Finance | | 3.0 | |
Diversified Capital Markets | | 2.1 | |
Specialized Consumer Services | | 1.1 | |
Life & Health Insurance | | 0.4 | |
Money Market Funds Plus Other Assets Less Liabilities | | 4.4 | |
Top 10 equity holdings*
1. | | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | 8.6 | % |
2. | | Citigroup Inc. | | 8.1 | |
3. | | Fannie Mae | | 6.6 | |
4. | | Bank of America Corp. | | 6.4 | |
5. | | Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | | 4.9 | |
6. | | Bank of New York Co., Inc. (The) | | 4.0 | |
7. | | Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) | | 4.0 | |
8. | | ACE Ltd. | | 3.8 | |
9. | | Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. | | 3.7 | |
10. | | Freddie Mac | | 3.7 | |
Total net assets and holdings
Total Net Assets | | $ | 674.9 million | |
Total Number of Holdings* | | 35 | |
The Fund’s holdings are subject to change, and there is no assurance that the Fund will continue to hold any particular security.
*Excluding money market fund holdings.
5
AIM Financial Services Fund
Market conditions and your Fund
The investment backdrop for the financials sector was heavily impacted by several factors including U.S. Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) policy, capital markets activity and the health of the economy, which drives credit losses. The macroeconomic environment has changed little as the Fed has been methodically raising interest rates over the past two years (since June 2004) while the economy has continued to grow at a moderate pace. Investor expectations regarding the end of interest rate increases by the Fed has varied over the last year, causing swings in financials stocks. The Fed’s pause in interest rate hikes, coupled with robust capital markets, allowed financials stocks to post gains during the reporting period.
The Fund’s largest contributors during the period were JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley. All benefited from a robust capital markets environment and rotation to large-cap financials as investors anticipated an end to Fed tightening. More importantly, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley, under the leadership of new chief executive officers, showed signs of improved operating and financial performance. Bank of America continued its top-notch performance in retail banking while progressing with the integration of recently acquired credit card issuer MBNA, as consumer credit losses remained at historic lows. A new chief financial officer has also brought new discipline to balance sheet management. The Fund continued to hold meaningful positions in all three companies at period end.
Detractors from performance included Aon and Federated Investors, both declining more than 10% during the period. Aon, the world’s second largest insurance broker, declined after earnings failed to meet analysts’ estimates. We believed this was a temporary setback for new management on the way to reinvigorating Aon’s under-appreciated global franchise. Federated Investors also declined after missing analysts’ estimates. We believe Federated Investors has an attractive position in the money market fund business and management comments support our expectation that the company can improve operating margins, which have been under pressure as the interest rate cycle has negatively impacted money market fund assets under management. The company raised its dividend 20% and continued to aggressively repurchase shares. We continued to hold both stocks at the end of the reporting period.
Consistent with our relatively low turnover approach, the composition of the portfolio did not change significantly during the reporting period. Based on valuation, we eliminated our remaining position in Lehman Brothers and reduced holdings in Hartford Financial, Prudential, Wells Fargo and Bank of New York. We initiated positions in Security Capital Assurance and National Financial Partners (NFP). The opportunity to buy established bond insurer Security Capital at an attractive price arose from the need of its former parent, XL Capital, to take the company public as part of a plan to fortify its balance sheet after last year’s devastating hurricanes. NFP’s stock price was down about 40% and we believe investors overreacted to margin pressure that could prove transitory. We believe NFP, a distributor of insurance products to high net worth individuals, is trading at a substantial discount to its estimated intrinsic value.
At the close of the reporting period, the portfolio continued to have significant holdings in the largest diversified U.S. financial companies which we presently believe to be among the most attractive investment opportunities in the sector. Given recent strong performance by financial stocks coupled with rising risks in the sector (an inverted yield curve and the sharp slowdown in residential housing activity), we believe valuation levels demand heightened selectivity when investing within the sector.
In closing
Regardless of the macroeconomic environment, we remain focused on identifying financial companies that are undervalued and exhibit capital discipline. Thank you for your investment in AIM Financial Services Fund.
The views and opinions expressed in management’s discussion of Fund performance are those of A I M Advisors, Inc. These views and opinions are subject to change at any time based on factors such as market and economic conditions. These views and opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, or as an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but A I M Advisors, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
See important Fund and index
disclosures on the inside front cover.
[SIMON
PHOTO]
Michael J. Simon
Chartered Financial Analyst, senior portfolio manager, is lead manager of AIM Financial Services Fund. He started his investment career in 1989 and joined AIM in 2001. Mr. Simon earned his B.B.A. in finance from Texas Christian University and an M.B.A. with high honors from the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago.
[WALSH
PHOTO]
Meggan M. Walsh
Chartered Financial Analyst, senior portfolio manager, is manager of AIM Financial Services Fund. She began her investment career in 1987 and joined AIM in 1991. Ms. Walsh earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Maryland and an M.B.A. from Loyola College.
Assisted by the Financial Services Team
For a presentation of your Fund’s long-term performance, please see page 7.
6
AIM Financial Services Fund
Your Fund’s long-term performance
Average Annual Total Returns
As of 9/30/06, including applicable sales charges
Class A Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 4.80 | % |
1 Year | | 11.88 | |
| | | |
Class B Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 5.14 | % |
1 Year | | 12.50 | |
| | | |
Class C Shares | | | |
Inception (2/14/00) | | 7.81 | % |
5 Years | | 6.84 | |
1 Year | | 16.52 | |
| | | |
Investor Class Shares | | | |
Inception (6/2/86) | | 13.89 | % |
10 Years | | 11.14 | |
5 Years | | 7.78 | |
1 Year | | 18.40 | |
The performance data quoted represent past performance and cannot guarantee comparable future results; current performance may be lower or higher. Please visit AIMinvestments.com for the most recent month-end performance. Performance figures reflect reinvested distributions, changes in net asset value and the effect of the maximum sales charge unless otherwise stated. Performance figures do not reflect deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or sale of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares.
Class A share performance reflects the maximum 5.50% sales charge, and Class B and Class C share performance reflects the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for the period involved. The CDSC on Class B shares declines from 5% beginning at the time of purchase to 0% at the beginning of the seventh year. The CDSC on Class C shares is 1% for the first year after purchase. Investor Class shares do not have a front-end sales charge or a CDSC; therefore, performance is at net asset value.
The performance of the Fund’s share classes will differ primarily due to different sales charge structures and class expenses.
Had the advisor not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses for the Fund’s Class A and Class B shares in the past, performance would have been lower.
Continued from inside front cover
Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, including information about duplicating fee charges, by calling 202-942-8090 or 800-732-0330, or by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. The SEC file numbers for the Fund are 811-03826 and 002-85905.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, from our Client Services department at 800-959-4246 or on the AIM Web site, AIMinvestments.com. On the home page, scroll down and click on AIM Funds Proxy Policy. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 months ended June 30, 2006, is available at our Web site. Go to AIMinvestments.com, access the About Us tab, click on Required Notices and then click on Proxy Voting Activity. Next, select the Fund from the drop-down menu. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
7
AIM Financial Services Fund
Calculating your ongoing Fund expenses
Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions; and redemption fees, if any; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees (12b-1); and other Fund 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 ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006.
Actual expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Actual Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions, and redemption fees, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| | | | ACTUAL | | HYPOTHETICAL | | | |
| | | | | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | |
| | Beginning | | Ending | | Expenses | | Ending | | Expenses | | Annualized | |
Share | | Account Value | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Expense | |
Class | | (4/1/06) | | (9/30/06)(1) | | Period(2) | | (9/30/06) | | Period(2) | | Ratio | |
A | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 1,050.70 | | $ | 6.68 | | $ | 1,018.55 | | $ | 6.58 | | 1.30 | % |
B | | | 1,000.00 | | 1,046.50 | | 10.52 | | 1,014.79 | | 10.35 | | 2.05 | |
C | | | 1,000.00 | | 1,046.60 | | 10.52 | | 1,014.79 | | 10.35 | | 2.05 | |
Investor | | | 1,000.00 | | 1,050.80 | | 6.68 | | 1,018.55 | | 6.58 | | 1.30 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) The actual ending account value is based on the actual total return of the Fund for the period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006, after actual expenses and will differ from the hypothetical ending account value which is based on the Fund’s expense ratio and a hypothetical annual return of 5% before expenses. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
(2) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio as indicated above multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the most recent fiscal half year.
8
AIM Financial Services Fund
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
The Board of Trustees of AIM Sector Funds (the “Board”) oversees the management of AIM Financial Services Fund (the “Fund”) and, as required by law, determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (“AIM”). Based upon the recommendation of the Investments Committee of the Board, at a meeting held on June 27, 2006, the Board, including all of the independent trustees, approved the continuance of the advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and AIM for another year, effective July 1, 2006.
The Board considered the factors discussed below in evaluating the fairness and reasonableness of the Advisory Agreement at the meeting on June 27, 2006 and as part of the Board’s ongoing oversight of the Fund. In their deliberations, the Board and the independent trustees did not identify any particular factor that was controlling, and each trustee attributed different weights to the various factors.
One responsibility of the independent Senior Officer of the Fund is to manage the process by which the Fund’s proposed management fees are negotiated to ensure that they are negotiated in a manner which is at arms’ length and reasonable. To that end, the Senior Officer must either supervise a competitive bidding process or prepare an independent written evaluation. The Senior Officer has recommended an independent written evaluation in lieu of a competitive bidding process and, upon the direction of the Board, has prepared such an independent written evaluation. Such written evaluation also considered certain of the factors discussed below.
The discussion below serves as a summary of the Senior Officer’s independent written evaluation, as well as a discussion of the material factors and the conclusions with respect thereto that formed the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement. After consideration of all of the factors below and based on its informed business judgment, the Board determined that the Advisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and that the compensation to AIM under the Advisory Agreement is fair and reasonable and would have been obtained through arm’s length negotiations.
Unless otherwise stated, information presented below is as of June 27, 2006 and does not reflect any changes that may have occurred since June 27, 2006, including but not limited to changes to the Fund’s performance, advisory fees, expense limitations and/or fee waivers.
• The nature and extent of the advisory services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement. Based on such review, the Board concluded that the range of services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The quality of services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of AIM who will provide investment advisory services to the Fund. In reviewing the qualifications of AIM to provide investment advisory services, the Board considered such issues as AIM’s portfolio and product review process, various back office support functions provided by AIM and AIM’s equity and fixed income trading operations. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that the quality of services to be provided by AIM was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing satisfactory services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The performance of the Fund relative to comparable funds. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance in such periods was below the median performance of such comparable funds. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. The Board noted that AIM has recently made changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team, which need more time to be evaluated before a conclusion can be made that the changes have addressed the Fund’s under-performance. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. However, due to the Fund’s under-performance, the Board also concluded that it would be appropriate for the Board to continue to closely monitor and review the performance of the Fund. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• The performance of the Fund relative to indices. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of the Lipper Financial Services Fund Index. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance in such periods was below the performance of such Index. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. The Board noted that AIM has recently made changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team, which need more time to be evaluated before a conclusion can be made that the changes have addressed the Fund’s under-performance. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. However, due to the Fund’s under-performance, the Board also concluded that it would be appropriate for the Board to continue to closely monitor and review the performance of the Fund. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• Meetings with the Fund’s portfolio managers and investment personnel. With respect to the Fund, the Board is meeting periodically with such Fund’s portfolio managers and/or other investment personnel and believes that such individuals are competent and able to continue to carry out their responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement.
• Overall performance of AIM. The Board considered the overall performance of AIM in providing investment advisory and portfolio administrative services to the Fund and concluded that such performance was satisfactory.
• Fees relative to those of clients of AIM with comparable investment strategies. The Board reviewed the effective advisory fee rate (before waivers) for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board noted that this rate was comparable to the effective sub-advisory fee rate for one variable insurance fund sub-advised by an AIM affiliate and offered to insurance company separate accounts with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund, although the total advisory fees for such variable insurance fund were above those for the Fund. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Fees relative to those of comparable funds with other advisors. The Board reviewed the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board compared effective contractual advisory fee rates at a common asset level at the end of the past calendar year and noted that the Fund’s rate was comparable to the median rate of the funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund that the Board reviewed. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
(continued)
9
AIM Financial Services Fund
• Expense limitations and fee waivers. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board considered the contractual nature of this fee waiver and noted that it remains in effect through June 30, 2007. The Board noted that AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive fees and/or limit expenses of the Fund in an amount necessary to limit total annual operating expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the Fund. The Board considered the voluntary nature of this fee waiver/expense limitation and noted that it can be terminated at any time by AIM without further notice to investors. The Board considered the effect these fee waivers/expense limitations would have on the Fund’s estimated expenses and concluded that the levels of fee waivers/expense limitations for the Fund were fair and reasonable.
• Breakpoints and economies of scale. The Board reviewed the structure of the Fund’s advisory fee under the Advisory Agreement, noting that it includes six breakpoints. The Board reviewed the level of the Fund’s advisory fees, and noted that such fees, as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets, have decreased as net assets increased because the Advisory Agreement includes breakpoints. The Board noted that, due to the Fund’s asset levels at the end of the past calendar year and the way in which the advisory fee breakpoints have been structured, the Fund has yet to fully benefit from the breakpoints. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee levels under the Advisory Agreement therefore reflect economies of scale and that it was not necessary to change the advisory fee breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory fee schedule.
• Investments in affiliated money market funds. The Board also took into account the fact that uninvested cash and cash collateral from securities lending arrangements, if any (collectively, “cash balances”) of the Fund may be invested in money market funds advised by AIM pursuant to the terms of an SEC exemptive order. The Board found that the Fund may realize certain benefits upon investing cash balances in AIM advised money market funds, including a higher net return, increased liquidity, increased diversification or decreased transaction costs. The Board also found that the Fund will not receive reduced services if it invests its cash balances in such money market funds. The Board noted that, to the extent the Fund invests uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds, AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund attributable to such investment. The Board further determined that the proposed securities lending program and related procedures with respect to the lending Fund is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders. The Board therefore concluded that the investment of cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program in the money market funds according to the procedures is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders.
• Independent written evaluation and recommendations of the Fund’s Senior Officer. The Board noted that, upon their direction, the Senior Officer of the Fund, who is independent of AIM and AIM’s affiliates, had prepared an independent written evaluation in order to assist the Board in determining the reasonableness of the proposed management fees of the AIM Funds, including the Fund. The Board noted that the Senior Officer’s written evaluation had been relied upon by the Board in this regard in lieu of a competitive bidding process. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board considered the Senior Officer’s written evaluation and the recommendation made by the Senior Officer to the Board that the Board consider whether the advisory fee waivers for certain equity AIM Funds, including the Fund, should be simplified. The Board concluded that it would be advisable to consider this issue and reach a decision prior to the expiration date of such advisory fee waivers.
• Profitability of AIM and its affiliates. The Board reviewed information concerning the profitability of AIM’s (and its affiliates’) investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition. The Board considered the overall profitability of AIM, as well as the profitability of AIM in connection with managing the Fund. The Board noted that AIM’s operations remain profitable, although increased expenses in recent years have reduced AIM’s profitability. Based on the review of the profitability of AIM’s and its affiliates’ investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition, the Board concluded that the compensation to be paid by the Fund to AIM under its Advisory Agreement was not excessive.
• Benefits of soft dollars to AIM. The Board considered the benefits realized by AIM as a result of brokerage transactions executed through “soft dollar” arrangements. Under these arrangements, brokerage commissions paid by the Fund and/or other funds advised by AIM are used to pay for research and execution services. This research may be used by AIM in making investment decisions for the Fund. The Board concluded that such arrangements were appropriate.
• AIM’s financial soundness in light of the Fund’s needs. The Board considered whether AIM is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement, and concluded that AIM has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
• Historical relationship between the Fund and AIM. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board also considered the prior relationship between AIM and the Fund, as well as the Board’s knowledge of AIM’s operations, and concluded that it was beneficial to maintain the current relationship, in part, because of such knowledge. The Board also reviewed the general nature of the non-investment advisory services currently performed by AIM and its affiliates, such as administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and the fees received by AIM and its affiliates for performing such services. In addition to reviewing such services, the trustees also considered the organizational structure employed by AIM and its affiliates to provide those services. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that AIM and its affiliates were qualified to continue to provide non-investment advisory services to the Fund, including administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and that AIM and its affiliates currently are providing satisfactory non-investment advisory services.
• Other factors and current trends. The Board considered the steps that AIM and its affiliates have taken over the last several years, and continue to take, in order to improve the quality and efficiency of the services they provide to the Funds in the areas of investment performance, product line diversification, distribution, fund operations, shareholder services and compliance. The Board concluded that these steps taken by AIM have improved, and are likely to continue to improve, the quality and efficiency of the services AIM and its affiliates provide to the Fund in each of these areas, and support the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.
10
AIM Financial Services Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | Shares | | Value | |
Common Stocks–95.57% | |
Asset Management & Custody Banks–7.81% | |
Bank of New York Co., Inc. (The) | | | 773,000 | | | $ | 27,255,980 | | |
Federated Investors, Inc.-Class B | | | 460,340 | | | | 15,564,095 | | |
State Street Corp. | | | 158,500 | | | | 9,890,400 | | |
| | | | | | | 52,710,475 | | |
Consumer Finance–2.96% | |
Capital One Financial Corp. | | | 253,900 | | | | 19,971,774 | | |
Diversified Banks–7.34% | |
Anglo Irish Bank Corp. PLC (Ireland)(a) | | | 468,600 | | | | 7,689,864 | | |
U.S. Bancorp | | | 506,700 | | | | 16,832,574 | | |
Wachovia Corp. | | | 371,200 | | | | 20,712,960 | | |
Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 118,400 | | | | 4,283,712 | | |
| | | | | | | 49,519,110 | | |
Diversified Capital Markets–2.09% | |
UBS A.G. (Switzerland) | | | 238,000 | | | | 14,115,780 | | |
Insurance Brokers–6.07% | |
Aon Corp. | | | 367,800 | | | | 12,457,386 | | |
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. | | | 881,300 | | | | 24,808,595 | | |
National Financial Partners Corp. | | | 90,689 | | | | 3,720,970 | | |
| | | | | | | 40,986,951 | | |
Investment Banking & Brokerage–8.57% | |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | | | 426,600 | | | | 33,368,652 | | |
Morgan Stanley | | | 335,800 | | | | 24,483,178 | | |
| | | | | | | 57,851,830 | | |
Life & Health Insurance–0.41% | |
Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | 36,657 | | | | 2,795,096 | | |
Multi-Line Insurance–6.37% | |
American International Group, Inc. | | | 112,352 | | | | 7,444,443 | | |
Genworth Financial Inc.-Class A | | | 237,000 | | | | 8,297,370 | | |
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The) | | | 313,700 | | | | 27,213,475 | | |
| | | | | | | 42,955,288 | | |
Other Diversified Financial Services–23.02% | |
Bank of America Corp. | | | 811,612 | | | | 43,478,055 | | |
Citigroup Inc. | | | 1,088,401 | | | | 54,060,878 | | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 1,231,972 | | | | 57,853,405 | | |
| | | | | | | 155,392,338 | | |
| | Shares | | Value | |
Property & Casualty Insurance–8.33% | |
ACE Ltd. | | | 463,300 | | | $ | 25,356,409 | | |
MBIA Inc. | | | 252,000 | | | | 15,482,880 | | |
Security Capital Assurance Ltd.(b) | | | 360,000 | | | | 8,622,000 | | |
St. Paul Travelers Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 144,067 | | | | 6,755,302 | | |
| | | | | | | 56,216,591 | | |
Regional Banks–8.28% | |
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. | | | 63,200 | | | | 3,654,224 | | |
Fifth Third Bancorp | | | 628,350 | | | | 23,927,568 | | |
North Fork Bancorp., Inc. | | | 438,500 | | | | 12,558,640 | | |
SunTrust Banks, Inc. | | | 120,500 | | | | 9,312,240 | | |
Zions Bancorp. | | | 80,200 | | | | 6,400,762 | | |
| | | | | | | 55,853,434 | | |
Specialized Consumer Services–1.11% | |
H&R Block, Inc. | | | 344,000 | | | | 7,478,560 | | |
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance–13.21% | |
Fannie Mae | | | 797,400 | | | | 44,582,634 | | |
Freddie Mac | | | 372,000 | | | | 24,674,760 | | |
Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. | | | 596,700 | | | | 7,906,275 | | |
PMI Group, Inc. (The) | | | 273,100 | | | | 11,964,511 | | |
| | | | | | | 89,128,180 | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $460,812,335) | | | | | | | 644,975,407 | | |
Money Market Funds–2.70% | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio-Institutional Class(c) | | | 9,120,983 | | | | 9,120,983 | | |
Premier Portfolio-Institutional Class(c) | | | 9,120,983 | | | | 9,120,983 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (Cost $18,241,966) | | | | | | | 18,241,966 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–98.27% (Cost $479,054,301) | | | | | | | 663,217,373 | | |
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES–1.73% | | | | | | | 11,702,650 | | |
NET ASSETS–100.00% | | | | | | $ | 674,920,023 | | |
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) In accordance with the procedures established by the Board of Trustees, the foreign security is fair valued using adjusted closing market prices. The value of this security at September 30, 2006 represented 1.14% of the Fund's Net Assets. See Note 1A.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same investment advisor. See Note 3.
F-1
AIM Financial Services Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Assets: | |
Investments, at value (cost $460,812,335) | | $ | 644,975,407 | | |
Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $18,241,966) | | | 18,241,966 | | |
Total investments (cost $479,054,301) | | | 663,217,373 | | |
Receivables for: | |
Investments sold | | | 15,396,380 | | |
Fund shares sold | | | 472,047 | | |
Dividends | | | 919,937 | | |
Fund expenses absorbed | | | 32,867 | | |
Investment for trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 153,289 | | |
Other assets | | | 19,315 | | |
Total assets | | | 680,211,208 | | |
Liabilities: | |
Payables for: | |
Investments purchased | | | 3,710,567 | | |
Fund shares reacquired | | | 781,644 | | |
Trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 203,986 | | |
Accrued distribution fees | | | 177,465 | | |
Accrued trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 449 | | |
Accrued transfer agent fees | | | 318,137 | | |
Accrued operating expenses | | | 98,937 | | |
Total liabilities | | | 5,291,185 | | |
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding | | $ | 674,920,023 | | |
Net assets consist of: | |
Shares of beneficial interest | | $ | 417,789,991 | | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 6,053,422 | | |
Undistributed net realized gain from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 66,913,538 | | |
Unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | | 184,163,072 | | |
| | $ | 674,920,023 | | |
Net Assets: | |
Class A | | $ | 70,823,726 | | |
Class B | | $ | 48,716,109 | | |
Class C | | $ | 18,297,654 | | |
Investor Class | | $ | 537,082,534 | | |
Shares outstanding, $0.01 par value per share, unlimited number of shares authorized: | |
Class A | | | 2,388,663 | | |
Class B | | | 1,653,503 | | |
Class C | | | 636,487 | | |
Investor Class | | | 18,018,311 | | |
Class A: | |
Net asset value per share | | $ | 29.65 | | |
Offering price per share (Net asset value of $29.65 ÷ 94.50%) | | $ | 31.38 | | |
Class B: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 29.46 | | |
Class C: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 28.75 | | |
Investor Class: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 29.81 | | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-2
AIM Financial Services Fund
Statement of Operations
For the six months ended September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Investment income: | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $104,780) | | $ | 8,397,978 | | |
Dividends from affiliated money market funds | | | 390,397 | | |
Total investment income | | | 8,788,375 | | |
Expenses: | |
Advisory fees | | | 2,361,589 | | |
Administrative services fees | | | 92,396 | | |
Custodian fees | | | 33,349 | | |
Distribution fees: | |
Class A | | | 86,029 | | |
Class B | | | 247,634 | | |
Class C | | | 89,980 | | |
Investor Class | | | 670,379 | | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 896,280 | | |
Trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 15,888 | | |
Other | | | 183,455 | | |
Total expenses | | | 4,676,979 | | |
Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangement | | | (53,761 | ) | |
Net expenses | | | 4,623,218 | | |
Net investment income | | | 4,165,157 | | |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies: | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | |
Investment securities (includes net gains from securities sold to affiliates of $349,952) | | | 32,064,280 | | |
Foreign currencies | | | (941 | ) | |
| | | 32,063,339 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities | | | (3,821,320 | ) | |
Net gain from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 28,242,019 | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 32,407,176 | | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-3
AIM Financial Services Fund
Statement of Changes In Net Assets
For the six months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended March 31, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | September 30, 2006 | | March 31, 2006 | |
Operations: | |
Net investment income | | $ | 4,165,157 | | | $ | 8,015,084 | | |
Net realized gain from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 32,063,339 | | | | 56,565,230 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities | | | (3,821,320 | ) | | | 48,823,021 | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 32,407,176 | | | | 113,403,335 | | |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income: | |
Class A | | | — | | | | (1,022,752 | ) | |
Class B | | | — | | | | (319,663 | ) | |
Class C | | | — | | | | (124,637 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | — | | | | (7,756,438 | ) | |
Total distributions from net investment income | | | — | | | | (9,223,490 | ) | |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains: | |
Class A | | | — | | | | (7,683,669 | ) | |
Class B | | | — | | | | (5,527,000 | ) | |
Class C | | | — | | | | (2,154,934 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | — | | | | (56,498,589 | ) | |
Total distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (71,864,192 | ) | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions | | | — | | | | (81,087,682 | ) | |
Share transactions-net: | |
Class A | | | (3,834,961 | ) | | | (13,572,042 | ) | |
Class B | | | (6,242,514 | ) | | | (15,144,190 | ) | |
Class C | | | (1,348,308 | ) | | | (5,844,666 | ) | |
Class K | | | — | | | | (1,167,127 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (52,297,915 | ) | | | (95,012,942 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions | | | (63,723,698 | ) | | | (130,740,967 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | (31,316,522 | ) | | | (98,425,314 | ) | |
Net assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 706,236,545 | | | | 804,661,859 | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $6,053,422 and $1,888,265, respectively) | | $ | 674,920,023 | | | $ | 706,236,545 | | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-4
AIM Financial Services Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies
AIM Financial Services Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM Sector Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of six separate portfolios, each authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The Fund currently consists of multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund.
The Fund's investment objective is to seek capital growth.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. Security Valuations — Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy.
A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange) are valued based on the prices furnished by independent pricing services, in which case the securities may be considered fair valued, or by market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price.
Futures contracts are valued at the final settlement price set by an exchange on which they are principally traded. Listed options are valued at the mean between the last bid and the ask prices from the exchange on which they are principally traded. Options not listed on an exchange are valued by an independent source at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally are valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Investments in open-end registered investment companies and closed-end registered investment companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day net asset value per share. Investments in closed-end registered investment companies that trade on an exchange are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded.
Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to specific securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are recorded at amortized cost which approximates value.
Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices.
Foreign securities (including foreign exchange contracts) are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using the applicable exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If the event is likely to have affected the closing price of the security, the security will be valued at fair value in good faith using procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value may also be based on a screening process of an independent pricing service to indicate the degree of certainty, based on historical data, that the closing price in the principal market where a foreign security trades is not the current value as of the close of the NYSE. Foreign securities meeting the approved degree of certainty that the price is not reflective of current value will be priced at the indication of fair value from the independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, ADRs and domestic and foreign index futures.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust's officers following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Issuer specific events, market trends, bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers and other market data may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value.
B. Securities Transactions and Investment Income — Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Brokerage commissions and mark ups are considered transaction costs and are recorded as an increase to the cost basis of securities purchased and/or a reduction of proceeds on a sale of securities. Such transaction costs are included in the determination of realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment securities reported in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and the realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on securities per share in the Financial Highlights. Transaction costs are included in the calculation of the Fund's net asset value and, accordingly, they reduce the Fund's total returns. These transaction costs are not considered operating expenses and are not reflected in net investment income reported in the Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets, or the net investment income per share and
F-5
AIM Financial Services Fund
ratios of expenses and net investment income reported in the Financial Highlights, nor are they limited by any expense limitation arrangements between the Fund and the advisor.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. Country Determination — For the purposes of making investment selection decisions and presentation in the Schedule of Investments, AIM may determine the country in which an issuer is located and/or credit risk exposure based on various factors. These factors include the laws of the country under which the issuer is organized, where the issuer maintains a principal office, the country in which the issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenues and the country that has the primary market for the issuer's securities, as well as other criteria. Among the other criteria that may be evaluated for making this determination are the country in which the issuer maintains 50% or more of its assets, the type of security, financial guarantees and enhancements, the nature of the collateral and the sponsor organization. Country of issuer and/or credit risk exposure has been determined to be the United States of America unless otherwise noted.
D. Distributions — Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to treat a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
E. Federal Income Taxes — The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and to distribute substantially all of the Fund's taxable earnings to shareholders. As such, the Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements.
F. Expenses — Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund and which are directly attributable to that class are charged to the operations of such class. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
G. Accounting Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including estimates and assumptions related to taxation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
H. Indemnifications — Under the Trust's organizational documents, each Trustee, officer, employee or other agent of the Trust (including the Trust's investment manager) is indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss as a result of such indemnification claims is considered remote.
I. Foreign Currency Translations — Foreign currency is valued at the close of the NYSE based on quotations posted by banks and major currency dealers. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (net of foreign taxes withheld on disposition) and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market price s on investments (net of estimated foreign tax withholding) are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from (i) sales of foreign currencies, (ii) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and (iii) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
J. Foreign Currency Contracts — A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the Statement of Operations. The Fund could be exposed to risk, which may be in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the f oreign currency changes unfavorably.
NOTE 2—Advisory Fees and Other Fees Paid to Affiliates
The Trust has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM based on the annual rate of the Fund's average daily net assets as follows:
Average Net Assets | | Rate | |
First $350 million | | | 0.75 | % | |
Next $350 million | | | 0.65 | % | |
Next $1.3 billion | | | 0.55 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.45 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.40 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.375 | % | |
Over $8 billion | | | 0.35 | % | |
F-6
AIM Financial Services Fund
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) of Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares to 1.30%, 2.05%, 2.05% and 1.30% of average daily net assets, respectively. In determining the advisor's obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account, and could cause the net annual operating expenses to exceed the numbers reflected above: (i) interest; (ii) taxes; (iii) dividend expense on short sales; (iv) extraordinary items; (v) expenses related to a merger or reorganization, as approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees; and (vi) expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement. Currently, in addition to the expense reimbursement arrangement with AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP") des cribed more fully below, the expense offset arrangements from which the Fund may benefit are in the form of credits that the Fund receives from banks where the Fund or its transfer agent has deposit accounts in which it holds uninvested cash. Those credits are used to pay certain expenses incurred by the Fund. To the extent that the annualized expense ratio does not exceed the expense limitation, AIM will retain its ability to be reimbursed for such fee waivers or reimbursements prior to the end of the fiscal year.
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds on investments by the Fund in such affiliated money market funds. AIM is also voluntarily waiving a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Fund equal to the difference between the income earned from investing in the affiliated money market fund and the hypothetical income earned from investing in an appropriate comparative benchmark. Voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements may be modified or discontinued at any time upon consultation with the Board of Trustees without further notice to investors.
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM waived advisory fees of $34,763.
At the request of the Trustees of the Trust, AMVESCAP agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with market timing matters in the AIM Funds, which may include legal, audit, shareholder reporting, communications and trustee expenses. These expenses along with the related expense reimbursement are included in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AMVESCAP reimbursed expenses of the Fund in the amount of $1,851.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. Pursuant to such agreement, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM was paid $92,396.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AIS") a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund and reimburse AIS for certain expenses incurred by AIS in the course of providing such services. AIS may make payments to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services, sub-accounting services and/or networking services. All fees payable by AIS to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services or sub-accounting are charged back to the Fund, subject to certain limitations approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid AIS $896,280.
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares of the Fund. The Trust has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays ADI compensation at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Investor Class shares. Of the Rule 12b-1 payments, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C or Investor Class shares may be paid to furnish continuing personal shareholder services to customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not paid as a service fee u nder the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") Rules impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares paid $86,029, $247,634, $89,980 and $670,379, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the six months ended September 30, 2006, ADI advised the Fund that it retained $5,463 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $0, $10,415 and $1,283 from Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed on redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are officers and directors of AIM, AIS and/or ADI.
NOTE 3—Investments in Affiliates
The Fund is permitted, pursuant to an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, to invest daily available cash balances in affiliated money market funds. The Fund and the money market funds below have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The table below shows the transactions in and earnings from investments in affiliated money market funds for the six months ended September 30, 2006.
Fund | |
Value 03/31/06 | |
Purchases at Cost | |
Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Value 09/30/06 | |
Dividend Income | |
Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | — | | | $ | 22,240,579 | | | $ | (13,119,596 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 9,120,983 | | | $ | 108,611 | | | $ | — | | |
Premier Portfolio-Institutional Class | | | 15,636,790 | | | | 48,883,844 | | | | (55,399,651 | ) | | | — | | | | 9,120,983 | | | | 281,786 | | | | — | | |
Total | | $ | 15,636,790 | | | $ | 71,124,423 | | | $ | (68,519,247 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 18,241,966 | | | $ | 390,397 | | | $ | — | | |
F-7
AIM Financial Services Fund
NOTE 4—Security Transactions with Affiliated Funds
The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain other AIM Funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common Trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. Pursuant to these procedures, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund engaged in securities sales of $2,028,911, which resulted in net realized gains of $349,952 and securities purchases of $0.
NOTE 5—Expense Offset Arrangement
The expense offset arrangement is comprised of transfer agency credits which result from balances in Demand Deposit Accounts (DDA) used by the transfer agent for clearing shareholder transactions. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received credits from this arrangement, which resulted in the reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $17,147.
NOTE 6—Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits
"Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to pay remuneration to each Trustee and Officer of the Fund who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Trustees have the option to defer compensation payable by the Fund, and "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" also include amounts accrued by the Fund to fund such deferred compensation amounts. Those Trustees who defer compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested. Finally, current Trustees are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Trustees over a period of time based on the number of years of service. The Fund may have certain former Trustees who also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan. "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to fun d such retirement benefits. Obligations under the deferred compensation and retirement plans represent unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid legal fees of $2,236 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Trustees. A member of that firm is a Trustee of the Trust.
NOTE 7—Borrowings
Pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC, the Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. A loan will be secured by collateral if the Fund's aggregate borrowings from all sources exceeds 10% of the Fund's total assets. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
The Fund is a participant in an uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000, or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which are parties to the credit facility can borrow on a first come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under the uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility.
Additionally, the Fund is permitted to temporarily carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with SSB, the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds as a compensating balance in the account so the custodian bank can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank at a rate agreed upon by the custodian bank and AIM, not to exceed the rate contractually agreed upon.
NOTE 8—Tax Information
The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforward) under income tax regulations. The tax character of distributions paid during the year and the tax components of net assets will be reported at the Fund's fiscal year-end.
The Fund did not have a capital loss carryforward as of March 31, 2006.
F-8
AIM Financial Services Fund
NOTE 9—Investment Securities
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2006 was $16,455,949 and $90,850,007, respectively. For interim reporting periods, the cost of investments for tax purposes includes reversals of certain tax items, such as, wash sales that have occurred since the prior fiscal year-end.
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities on a Tax Basis
Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 207,613,879 | | |
Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities | | | (24,001,832 | ) | |
Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 183,612,047 | | |
Cost of investments for tax purposes is $479,605,326.
NOTE 10—Share Information
The Fund currently consists of four different classes of shares: Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class. The Fund formerly offered Class K shares; however, as of the close of business October 21, 2005, the Class K shares were converted to Class A shares. Investor Class shares of the Fund are offered only to certain grandfathered investors.
Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge unless certain waiver criteria are met. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Investor Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under certain circumstances, Class A shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on or about month-end which is at least eight years after the date of purchase.
Changes in Shares Outstanding
| | Six months ended September 30, 2006(a) | | Year ended March 31, 2006 | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Sold: | |
Class A | | | 207,256 | | | $ | 5,922,332 | | | | 716,557 | | | $ | 20,378,029 | | |
Class B | | | 72,142 | | | | 2,046,184 | | | | 115,738 | | | | 3,288,138 | | |
Class C | | | 73,750 | | | | 2,068,362 | | | | 135,095 | | | | 3,802,796 | | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,938 | | | | 134,706 | | |
Investor Class | | | 417,197 | | | | 11,919,427 | | | | 1,347,245 | | | | 38,588,249 | | |
Issued as reinvestment of dividends: | |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | 293,912 | | | | 8,111,992 | | |
Class B | | | — | | | | — | | | | 199,024 | | | | 5,491,059 | | |
Class C | | | — | | | | — | | | | 79,642 | | | | 2,143,962 | | |
Investor Class | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,249,021 | | | | 62,410,343 | | |
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares:(c) | |
Class A | | | 45,143 | | | | 1,285,571 | | | | 114,476 | | | | 3,199,620 | | |
Class B | | | (45,340 | ) | | | (1,285,571 | ) | | | (114,907 | ) | | | (3,199,620 | ) | |
Conversion of Class K shares to Class A shares: | |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | 35,449 | | | | 994,706 | | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (36,250 | ) | | | (994,706 | ) | |
Reacquired: | |
Class A | | | (390,053 | ) | | | (11,042,864 | ) | | | (1,644,381 | ) | | | (46,256,389 | ) | |
Class B | | | (248,092 | ) | | | (7,003,127 | ) | | | (738,274 | ) | | | (20,723,767 | ) | |
Class C | | | (124,360 | ) | | | (3,416,670 | ) | | | (430,546 | ) | | | (11,791,424 | ) | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (11,150 | ) | | | (307,127 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (2,252,820 | ) | | | (64,217,342 | ) | | | (6,912,773 | ) | | | (196,011,534 | ) | |
| | | (2,245,177 | ) | | $ | (63,723,698 | ) | | | (4,597,184 | ) | | $ | (130,740,967 | ) | |
(a) There is one entity that is a record owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and it owns 20% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. ADI has an agreement with this entity to sell Fund shares. The Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates may make payments to this entity, which is considered to be related to the Fund, for providing services to the Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates including but not limited to services such as, securities brokerage, distribution, third party record keeping and account servicing. The Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record by this entity are also owned beneficially.
(b) Class K shares activity for the period April 1, 2005 through October 21, 2005 (date of conversion).
(c) Effective as of close of business October 21, 2005, all outstanding Class K shares were converted to Class A shares of the Fund.
F-9
AIM Financial Services Fund
NOTE 11—New Accounting Standard
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions for FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management is currently assessing the impact of FIN 48, if any, on the Fund's financial statements and intends for the Fund to adopt the FIN 48 provisions during 2007.
NOTE 12—Financial Highlights
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
| | Class A | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 28.22 | | | $ | 27.16 | | | $ | 30.83 | | | $ | 21.68 | | | $ | 28.22 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income | | | 0.19 | (b) | | | 0.32 | (b) | | | 0.23 | (b) | | | 0.16 | (b) | | | 0.06 | | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.24 | | | | 4.05 | | | | (1.19 | ) | | | 9.10 | | | | (6.37 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.43 | | | | 4.37 | | | | (0.96 | ) | | | 9.26 | | | | (6.31 | ) | |
Less distributions: | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.39 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (2.92 | ) | | | (2.51 | ) | | | — | | | | (0.03 | ) | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (3.31 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 29.65 | | | $ | 28.22 | | | $ | 27.16 | | | $ | 30.83 | | | $ | 21.68 | | |
Total return(c) | | | 5.07 | % | | | 16.36 | % | | | (3.57 | )% | | | 42.78 | % | | | (22.36 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 70,824 | | | $ | 71,297 | | | $ | 81,761 | | | $ | 111,766 | | | $ | 5,311 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.30 | %(d) | | | 1.32 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.41 | % | | | 1.38 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.31 | %(d) | | | 1.32 | % | | | 1.39 | % | | | 1.66 | % | | | 1.51 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.31 | %(d) | | | 1.12 | % | | | 0.79 | % | | | 0.55 | % | | | 0.49 | % | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 3 | % | | | 3 | % | | | 53 | % | | | 57 | % | | | 60 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $68,634,718.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-10
AIM Financial Services Fund
NOTE 12—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Class B | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 28.15 | | | $ | 27.10 | | | $ | 30.82 | | | $ | 21.74 | | | $ | 28.22 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | 0.08 | (b) | | | 0.11 | (b) | | | 0.04 | (b) | | | (0.03 | )(b) | | | (0.03 | ) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.23 | | | | 4.03 | | | | (1.19 | ) | | | 9.11 | | | | (6.30 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.31 | | | | 4.14 | | | | (1.15 | ) | | | 9.08 | | | | (6.33 | ) | |
Less distributions: | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.17 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.00 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (2.92 | ) | | | (2.51 | ) | | | — | | | | (0.04 | ) | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (3.09 | ) | | | (2.57 | ) | | | (0.00 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 29.46 | | | $ | 28.15 | | | $ | 27.10 | | | $ | 30.82 | | | $ | 21.74 | | |
Total return(c) | | | 4.65 | % | | | 15.51 | % | | | (4.19 | )% | | | 41.78 | % | | | (22.48 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 48,716 | | | $ | 52,773 | | | $ | 65,390 | | | $ | 92,137 | | | $ | 990 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.05 | %(d) | | | 2.04 | % | | | 2.03 | % | | | 2.06 | % | | | 2.09 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.06 | %(d) | | | 2.04 | % | | | 2.04 | % | | | 2.34 | % | | | 2.40 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | 0.56 | %(d) | | | 0.40 | % | | | 0.14 | % | | | (0.10 | )% | | | (0.20 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 3 | % | | | 3 | % | | | 53 | % | | | 57 | % | | | 60 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $49,391,561.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Class C | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 27.47 | | | $ | 26.51 | | | $ | 30.20 | | | $ | 21.38 | | | $ | 27.89 | | | $ | 28.72 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | 0.08 | (a) | | | 0.11 | (a) | | | 0.04 | (a) | | | (0.12 | )(a) | | | (0.25 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.20 | | | | 3.94 | | | | (1.16 | ) | | | 8.94 | | | | (6.22 | ) | | | 0.87 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.28 | | | | 4.05 | | | | (1.12 | ) | | | 8.82 | | | | (6.47 | ) | | | 0.77 | | |
Less distributions: | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.17 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.00 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (2.92 | ) | | | (2.51 | ) | | | — | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (1.60 | ) | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (3.09 | ) | | | (2.57 | ) | | | (0.00 | ) | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (1.60 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 28.75 | | | $ | 27.47 | | | $ | 26.51 | | | $ | 30.20 | | | $ | 21.38 | | | $ | 27.89 | | |
Total return(b) | | | 4.66 | % | | | 15.51 | % | | | (4.18 | )% | | | 41.27 | % | | | (23.22 | )% | | | 2.98 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 18,298 | | | $ | 18,872 | | | $ | 23,932 | | | $ | 38,696 | | | $ | 10,026 | | | $ | 16,880 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.05 | %(c) | | | 2.04 | % | | | 2.03 | % | | | 2.38 | % | | | 2.45 | % | | | 2.07 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.06 | %(c) | | | 2.04 | % | | | 2.04 | % | | | 2.38 | % | | | 2.45 | % | | | 2.07 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | 0.56 | %(c) | | | 0.40 | % | | | 0.14 | % | | | (0.42 | )% | | | (0.68 | )% | | | (0.57 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 3 | % | | | 3 | % | | | 53 | % | | | 57 | % | | | 60 | % | | | 81 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $17,946,785.
(d) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-11
AIM Financial Services Fund
NOTE 12—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Investor Class | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 28.37 | | | $ | 27.30 | | | $ | 30.96 | | | $ | 21.77 | | | $ | 28.22 | | | $ | 28.88 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income | | | 0.19 | (a) | | | 0.33 | (a) | | | 0.27 | (a) | | | 0.15 | (a) | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.07 | | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.25 | | | | 4.06 | | | | (1.19 | ) | | | 9.14 | | | | (6.42 | ) | | | 0.94 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.44 | | | | 4.39 | | | | (0.92 | ) | | | 9.29 | | | | (6.32 | ) | | | 1.01 | | |
Less distributions: | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (2.92 | ) | | | (2.51 | ) | | | — | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (1.60 | ) | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (3.32 | ) | | | (2.74 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (1.67 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 29.81 | | | $ | 28.37 | | | $ | 27.30 | | | $ | 30.96 | | | $ | 21.77 | | | $ | 28.22 | | |
Total return(b) | | | 5.08 | % | | | 16.36 | % | | | (3.44 | )% | | | 42.73 | % | | | (22.39 | )% | | | 3.82 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 537,083 | | | $ | 563,294 | | | $ | 632,450 | | | $ | 846,933 | | | $ | 734,440 | | | $ | 1,234,230 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.30 | %(c) | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.28 | % | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.27 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.31 | %(c) | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.29 | % | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.27 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.31 | %(c) | | | 1.14 | % | | | 0.89 | % | | | 0.54 | % | | | 0.38 | % | | | 0.24 | % | |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 3 | % | | | 3 | % | | | 53 | % | | | 57 | % | | | 60 | % | | | 81 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $534,838,210.
(d) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-12
AIM Financial Services Fund
NOTE 13—Legal Proceedings
Terms used in the Legal Proceedings Note are defined terms solely for the purpose of this note.
Settled Enforcement Actions and Investigations Related to Market Timing
On October 8, 2004, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("IFG") (the former investment advisor to certain AIM Funds), AIM and A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") (the distributor of the retail AIM Funds) reached final settlements with certain regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the New York Attorney General and the Colorado Attorney General, to resolve civil enforcement actions and/or investigations related to market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds, including those formerly advised by IFG. As part of the settlements, a $325 million fair fund ($110 million of which is civil penalties) has been created to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds formerly advised by IFG. Additionally, AIM and ADI created a $50 million fair fund ($30 million of which is civil penalties) to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds advised by AI M, which was done pursuant to the terms of the settlement. These two fair funds may increase as a result of contributions from third parties who reach final settlements with the SEC or other regulators to resolve allegations of market timing and/or late trading that also may have harmed applicable AIM Funds. These two fair funds will be distributed in accordance with a methodology to be determined by AIM's independent distribution consultant, in consultation with AIM and the independent trustees of the AIM Funds and acceptable to the staff of the SEC. Management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the distribution of these two fair funds may have on the Fund or whether such distribution will have an impact on the Fund's financial statements in the future.
At the request of the trustees of the AIM Funds, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"), the parent company of IFG and AIM, has agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the AIM Funds related to market timing matters.
Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries
On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Office of the State Auditor - Securities Commission ("WVASC") issued a Summary Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Right to Hearing to AIM and ADI (Order No. 05-1318). The WVASC makes findings of fact that AIM and ADI entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the AIM Funds and failed to disclose these arrangements in the prospectuses for such Funds, and conclusions of law to the effect that AIM and ADI violated the West Virginia securities laws. The WVASC orders AIM and ADI to cease any further violations and seeks to impose monetary sanctions, including restitution to affected investors, disgorgement of fees, reimbursement of investigatory, administrative and legal costs and an "administrative assessment," to be determined by the Commissioner. Initial research indicates that these damages could be limited or capped by statute.
Civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against certain of the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals, depending on the lawsuit, alleging:
• that the defendants permitted improper market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds;
• that certain AIM Funds inadequately employed fair value pricing;
• that the defendants charged excessive advisory and/or distribution fees and failed to pass on to shareholders the perceived savings generated by economies of scale and that the defendants adopted unlawful distribution plans; and
• that the defendants improperly used the assets of the AIM Funds to pay brokers to aggressively promote the sale of the AIM Funds over other mutual funds and that the defendants concealed such payments from investors by disguising them as brokerage commissions (all the claims in this category of lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice by the court on September 29, 2006, except for the Section 36(b) claim which was dismissed with leave to amend to plead it properly as a derivative claim).
These lawsuits allege as theories of recovery, depending on the lawsuit, violations of various provisions of the Federal and state securities laws and ERISA, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and/or breach of contract. These lawsuits seek remedies that include, depending on the lawsuit, damages, restitution, injunctive relief, imposition of a constructive trust, removal of certain directors and/or employees, various corrective measures under ERISA, rescission of certain AIM Funds' advisory agreements and/or distribution plans and recovery of all fees paid, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, restitution of all commissions and fees paid, and prospective relief in the form of reduced fees.
All lawsuits based on allegations of market timing, late trading and related issues have been transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "MDL Court"). Pursuant to an Order of the MDL Court, plaintiffs in these lawsuits consolidated their claims for pre-trial purposes into three amended complaints against various AIM- and IFG-related parties: (i) a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of shareholders of the AIM Funds; (ii) a Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of the AIM Funds and fund registrants; and (iii) an Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act ("ERISA") purportedly brought on behalf of participants in AMVESCAP's 401(k) plan. Based on orders issued by the MDL Court, all claims asserted against the AIM Funds that have been transferred to the MDL Court have been dismissed, although certain Funds remain nominal defendants in the Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint. On September 15, 2006, the MDL Court granted the AMVESCAP defendants' motion to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of ERISA and dismissed such Complaint. The plaintiff has commenced an appeal from that decision.
F-13
AIM Financial Services Fund
NOTE 13—Legal Proceedings—(continued)
IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals have received inquiries from numerous regulators in the form of subpoenas or other oral or written requests for information and/or documents related to one or more of the following issues, among others, some of which concern one or more AIM Funds: market timing activity, late trading, fair value pricing, excessive or improper advisory and/or distribution fees, mutual fund sales practices, including revenue sharing and directed-brokerage arrangements, investments in securities of other registered investment companies, contractual plans, issues related to Section 529 college savings plans and procedures for locating lost security holders. IFG, AIM and ADI have advised the Fund that they are providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries. Regulatory actions and/or additional civil lawsuits related to these or other issues may be filed against the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM and/or related entities and individuals in the future.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of the Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries described above may have on AIM, ADI or the Fund.
F-14
AIM Financial Services Fund
Trustees and Officers
Board of Trustees
Bob R. Baker
Frank S. Bayley
James T. Bunch
Bruce L. Crockett
Chair
Albert R. Dowden
Jack M. Fields
Carl Frischling
Robert H. Graham
Vice Chair
Prema Mathai-Davis
Lewis F. Pennock
Ruth H. Quigley
Larry Soll
Raymond Stickel Jr.
Philip A. Taylor
Officers
Philip A. Taylor
President and Principal
Executive Officer
Todd L. Spillane
Chief Compliance Officer
Russell C. Burk
Senior Vice President and Senior Officer
John M. Zerr
Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Sidney M. Dilgren
Vice President, Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer
Lisa O. Brinkley
Vice President
Kevin M. Carome
Vice President
J. Philip Ferguson
Vice President
Karen Dunn Kelley
Vice President
Office of the Fund
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Investment Advisor
A I M Advisors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Transfer Agent
AIM Investment Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 4739
Houston, TX 77210-4739
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110-2801
Counsel to the Fund
Ballard Spahr
Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
1735 Market Street, 51st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-2714
Distributor
A I M Distributors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
F-15
Domestic Equity
AIM Basic Balanced Fund*
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Dynamics Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM S&P 500 Index Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund(1)
AIM Structured Core Fund
AIM Structured Growth Fund
AIM Structured Value Fund
AIM Summit Fund
AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund
AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund
*Domestic equity and income fund
International/Global Equity
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM China Fund
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Equity Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM Japan Fund
AIM International Core Equity Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM International Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Trimark Fund
Sector Equity
AIM Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM Energy Fund
AIM Financial Services Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Global Real Estate Fund
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
AIM Leisure Fund
AIM Multi-Sector Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund(1)
AIM Technology Fund
AIM Utilities Fund
Fixed Income
TAXABLE
AIM Enhanced Short Bond Fund
AIM Floating Rate Fund
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM International Bond Fund
AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Short Term Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
Premier Portfolio
Premier U.S. Government Money Portfolio
TAX-FREE
AIM High Income Municipal Fund(1)
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund
AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund
Premier Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Allocation Solutions
AIM Conservative Allocation Fund
AIM Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderately Conservative Allocation Fund
Diversified Portfolios
AIM Income Allocation Fund
AIM International Allocation Fund
(1) This Fund has limited public sales of its shares to certain investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in the Fund, please see the appropriate prospectus.
If used after January 20, 2007, this report must be accompanied by a Fund Performance & Commentary or by an AIM Quarterly Performance Review for the most recent quarter-end. Mutual funds distributed by A I M Distributors, Inc.
A I M Management Group Inc. has provided leadership in the investment management industry since 1976. AIM is a subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC, one of the world’s largest independent financial services companies with $441 billion in assets under management. Data as of September 30, 2006.
Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully. For this and other information about AIM Funds, obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor and read it carefully before investing.
AIMinvestments.com | I-FSE-SAR-1 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
[Your goals. Our solutions.]
– registered trademark –
Mutual | Retirement | Annuities | College | Separately | Offshore | Cash |
Funds | Products | | Savings | Managed | Products | Management |
| | | Plans | Accounts | | |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Semiannual Report to Shareholders • September 30, 2006
[COVER GLOBE IMAGE]
SECTOR EQUITY
Commodities
Table of Contents
Supplemental Information | 2 |
Letters to Shareholders | 3 |
Performance Summary | 5 |
Management Discussion | 5 |
Long-term Fund Performance | 7 |
Fund Expenses | 8 |
Approval of Advisory Agreement | 9 |
Schedule of Investments | F-1 |
Financial Statements | F-3 |
Notes to Financial Statements | F-6 |
Financial Highlights | F-12 |
Trustees and Officers | F-15 |
[AIM investment solutions]
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Domestic | [International/ | [Sector |
Equity] | Global Equity] | Equity] |
| | |
| | |
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Fixed | [Allocation | [Diversified |
Income] | Solutions] | Portfolios] |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
AIM GOLD & PRECIOUS METALS FUND’S investment objective is long-term capital growth.
• Unless otherwise stated, information presented in this report is as of September 30, 2006, and is based on total net assets.
About share classes
• Class B shares are not available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, including 401(k) plans, money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that had existing accounts invested in Class B shares prior to September 30, 2003, will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
• Investor Class shares are closed to most investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in the Investor Class shares, please see the prospectus.
Principal risks of investing in the Fund
• Foreign securities have additional risks, including exchange rate changes, political and economic upheaval, the relative lack of information about these companies, relatively low market liquidity and the potential lack of strict financial and accounting controls and standards.
• Investing in a fund that invests in smaller companies involves risks not associated with investing in more established companies, such as business risk, stock price fluctuations and illiquidity.
• Equity stocks are subject to market risk, meaning equity stock prices vary and may fall, thus reducing the value of the fund’s investments. Certain stocks selected for the fund’s portfolio may decline in value more than the overall stock market.
• Prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
• There is no guarantee that the investment techniques and risk analyses used by the Fund’s portfolio managers will produce the desired results.
• Because a large percentage of the Fund’s assets may be invested in a limited number of securities, a change in the value of these securities could significantly affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
• The Fund’s investments are concentrated in a comparatively narrow segment of the economy. Consequently, the Fund may tend to be more volatile than other mutual funds, and the value of the Fund’s investments may tend to rise and fall more rapidly.
• Fluctuations in the price of gold and precious metals often dramatically affect the profitability of the companies in the gold and precious metals sector.
• To the extent the Fund invests in gold bullion, it will earn no income. Appreciation in market price of gold is the sole manner in which the fund can realize gains on gold bullion. The Fund may have higher storage costs and custody costs in connection with its ownership in gold bullion than those associated with the purchase, holding and sale of more traditional investments.
• The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading which can increase costs and lower the actual return on a fund. Active trading may also increase short-term gains and losses, which may affect the taxes that must be paid.
About indexes used in this report
• The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks (the S&P 500 —registered trademark— Index) is an index of common stocks frequently used as a general measure of U.S. stock market performance.
• The Philadelphia Gold & Silver Index is a capitalization-weighted index on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange that includes the leading companies involved in the mining of gold and silver. Returns for this index are price only.
• The unmanaged Lipper Gold Funds Index represents an average of the 10 largest gold funds tracked by Lipper Inc., an independent mutual fund performance monitor.
• The Fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indexes defined here, and consequently, the performance of the Fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the index.
• A direct investment cannot be made in an index. Unless otherwise indicated, index results include reinvested dividends, and they do not reflect sales charges. Performance of an index of funds reflects fund expenses; performance of a market index does not.
Other information
• The returns shown in management’s discussion of Fund performance are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes, and as such, the net asset values for shareholder transactions and the returns based on those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns reported in the Financial Highlights.
• Industry classifications used in this report are generally according to the Global Industry Classification Standard, which was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. and Standard & Poor’s.
The Fund provides a complete list of its holdings four times in each fiscal year, at the quarter-ends. For the second and fourth quarters, the lists appear in the Fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third quarters, the Fund files the lists with
Continued on page 7
This report must be accompanied or preceded by a currently effective Fund prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales charges and expenses. Investors should read it carefully before investing.
Fund NASDAQ Symbols
Class A Shares | | IGDAX |
Class B Shares | | IGDBX |
Class C Shares | | IGDCX |
Investor Class Shares | | FGLDX |
Not FDIC Insured May lose value No bank guarantee
AIMinvestments.com
2
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
[TAYLOR
PHOTO]
Philip Taylor
Dear Shareholders of The AIM Family of Funds —registered trademark—:
We’re pleased to provide you with this report, which includes a discussion of how your Fund was managed during the period under review in this report, and what factors affected its performance.
It’s been said nothing is certain but death and taxes. We would venture to add that one other thing is certain: Markets change—and change often—in the short term, in response to constantly changing economic, geopolitical and other factors. For example, from April to July, U.S. equity markets demonstrated weakness and volatility as economic data suggested that inflation might be higher than previously estimated. But in August, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, for the first time in more than two years, chose not to raise short-term interest rates, suggesting that it believed inflation was contained. Together with continuing strong corporate profits and declining oil prices, this caused U.S. equity markets to surge, and as the reporting period drew to a close, major market averages neared multi-year highs. Despite fears about a slowing global economy, most foreign markets demonstrated strength during the reporting period.
While we can’t do anything about the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding death and taxes, we can suggest an alternative to reacting to fluctuating short-term market conditions: Maintain a diversified portfolio. AIM Investments —registered trademark— can help by offering a broad product line that gives your financial advisor the necessary tools to build a portfolio that’s right for you regardless of market conditions. AIM offers a comprehensive range of retail mutual funds, including domestic, global and international equity funds, taxable and tax-exempt fixed-income funds, and a variety of allocation portfolios—with varied risk and return characteristics to match your needs. We maintain this extensive set of product solutions for one reason: We believe in the value of comprehensive, diversified investment portfolios.
We’ve changed the look of our annual reports to reflect that belief. In our marketing and now our shareholder literature, we represent a fully diversified portfolio graphically as an allocation pie chart and assign each asset class a color—green for domestic equity, blue for international, orange for sector and purple for fixed income. A legend in the left column illustrates the methodology. Your report cover now shows your Fund’s asset class color, plus the asset class and sub-asset class name are shown in the upper-left corner. The reason for these changes is to help you better understand where your Fund fits into your overall portfolio.
AIM has a variety of investment solutions, and knowing which ones are right for your portfolio is complex. That’s why we also believe in the value of a trusted financial advisor who will work with you to create an investment plan you can stick with for the long term. Your financial advisor can help allocate your portfolio appropriately and review your investments regularly to ensure they remain suitable as your financial situation changes. While there are no guarantees with any investment program, a long-term plan that’s based on your financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon is more likely to keep you and your investments on track.
At a recent meeting of the AIM Funds board, Robert H. Graham relinquished his position as president of AIM Funds, a post customarily held by the chief executive officer of AIM Investments. Bob—one of three founders of AIM Investments in 1976—has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most knowledgeable leaders in the mutual fund industry. As I assume Bob’s previous responsibilities, I’m pleased that he’ll remain actively involved as the vice chair of AIM Funds.
Our commitment to you
In the short term, the one sure thing about markets is their unpredictability. While past performance cannot guarantee comparable future results, we believe that staying invested for the long term with a thoughtful plan offers the best opportunity for weathering that unpredictability. We at AIM Investments remain committed to building enduring solutions to help you achieve your investment goals, and we’re pleased you’ve placed your trust in us.
Information about investing, the markets and your Fund is always available on our Web site, AIMinvestments.com. If you have questions about your individual account, we invite you to contact one of our highly trained client services representatives at 800-959-4246.
Sincerely,
Philip Taylor
President – AIM Funds
CEO, AIM Investments
November 15, 2006
AIM Investments is a registered service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. A I M Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc. are the investment advisors. A I M Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the retail funds represented by AIM Investments.
3
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
[CROCKETT
PHOTO]
Bruce L. Crockett
Dear Fellow AIM Fund Shareholders:
At our meeting at the end of June, your Board completed its comprehensive review* of each fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (AIM) to make certain your interests are being served in terms of fees, performance and operations.
Looking ahead, your Board finds many reasons to be positive about AIM’s management and strategic direction. Most importantly, AIM’s investment management discipline is paying off in terms of improved overall performance. While work remains to be done, AIM’s complex-wide, asset-weighted mutual fund performance for the trailing one-, three- and five-year periods is at its highest since 2000 for the periods ended September 30, 2006. We are also pleased with AIM’s efforts to seek more cost-effective ways of delivering superior service.
In addition, AIM is realizing the benefits of belonging to a leading independent global investment management organization in its parent company, AMVESCAP PLC, which is dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. AMVESCAP managed approximately $441 billion globally as of September 30, 2006, operating under the AIM, INVESCO, AIM Trimark, INVESCO PERPETUAL and Atlantic Trust brands. These companies are home to an abundance of investment talent that is gradually being integrated and leveraged into centers of excellence, each focusing on a given market segment or asset class. Over the next few years, your Board will be meeting at these various centers of excellence to learn about their progress and how they may serve you through our goal of enhancing performance and reducing costs.
The seven new AIM funds—which include Asian funds, structured U.S. equity funds and specialized bond funds—are an early example of the kind of opportunities the AMVESCAP organization can provide AIM clients. More information on these funds can be found on AIM’s Web site.
Your Board is very pleased with the overall direction and progress of the AIM Funds. We’re working closely and effectively with AIM’s management to continue this momentum. As always, your Board is eager to hear your views on how we might better serve you. Please send your comments in a letter addressed to me at AIM Investments, AIM Investments Tower, 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston TX 77046.
Sincerely,
Bruce L. Crockett
Independent Chair
AIM Funds Board
November 15, 2006
* To learn more about all the factors we considered before approving each fund’s advisory agreement, go to the “Products & Performance” tab at the AIM Web site (AIMinvestments.com) and click on “Investment Advisory Agreement Renewals.” The approval of advisory agreement information for your Fund is also included in this semiannual report on pages 9–10.
4
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Management’s discussion of Fund performance
Performance summary
The price of gold and gold stocks varied greatly over the reporting period ended September 30, 2006, as concerns about the economy, inflation and political tensions in the Middle East fluctuated during the third quarter of 2006. Given this environment, gold as an asset class underperformed the general market over the period. The Fund’s focus on this market segment caused it to underperform the general market for the period. Excluding applicable sales charges, Class A shares returned -4.41% for the period, while the S&P 500 Index gained 4.14%. However, the Fund did outperform its style-specific index, the Philadelphia Gold & Silver Index, which returned -9.32% over the same period, as the index is more heavily concentrated in a few gold stocks.
Your Fund’s long-term performance appears on page 7.
Fund vs. Indexes
Cumulative total returns, 3/31/06–9/30/06, excluding applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included, returns would be lower.
Class A Shares | | -4.41 | % |
Class B Shares | | -4.82 | |
Class C Shares | | -4.71 | |
Investor Class Shares | | -4.39 | |
S&P 500 Index (Broad Market Index) | | 4.14 | |
Philadelphia Gold & Silver Index (Style-specific Index) | | -9.32 | |
Lipper Gold Funds Index (Peer Group Index) | | -4.23 | |
Source: Lipper Inc., Bloomberg L.P.
How we invest
We invest in companies involved in the discovery, mining, processing and exchange of gold and other precious metals. We select stocks based on analysis of individual companies, focusing on companies we believe have the ability to:
• Increase production capacity at a low cost.
• Make major gold discoveries on a global basis.
The portfolio will typically include “core companies,” which are major gold and precious metal firms with proven production reserves, and “emerging companies”—mid- to small-sized exploration companies we believe can make significant precious metal discoveries.
We control risk by diversifying among large and small companies in the industry, generally avoiding excessive concentration of assets in a small number of stocks.
We may sell a stock for any of the following reasons:
• A better investment option becomes available.
• Valuation becomes too high.
• Corporate management changes the company’s strategic direction to the detriment of shareholders.
• A company is adversely affected by a geopolitical or economic event.
Market conditions and your Fund
During the period covered by this report, the Bureau of Economic Analysis confirmed that real gross domestic product grew at a 2.6% annualized rate during the second quarter of 2006, down from 5.6% the previous quarter. The hot housing market cooled as home prices stalled nationwide and new and existing home sales slowed. Oil prices, as measured by West Texas Intermediate Crude, reached a record high in July at $77 per barrel only to drop to $60 per barrel in September. In this environment, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) halted its tightening policy in the third quarter after raising the target federal funds rate to 5.25% during the second quarter. Interest rate increases and economic expansion caused the U.S. dollar to strengthen against other major currencies, and overseas central banks also increased interest rates to show they are vigilant in their fight against inflation. Domestic equity markets were mixed following the end of the first quarter of 2006, with major indexes reaching near highs in May and then retreating over concerns of a weakening economy, inflation and their potential negative effect on consumer spending and corporate profits. Toward the end of the period, however, the S&P 500 Index reached a five-year high.
(continued)
Portfolio composition
By industry | | | |
Gold | | 58.0 | % |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | 15.4 | |
Precious Metals & Minerals | | 13.9 | |
Coal & Consumable Fuels | | 3.1 | |
Investment Companies— Exchange Traded Funds | | 7.4 | |
Money Market Funds Plus Other Assets Less Liabilities | | 2.2 | |
Top 10 Equity Holdings*
1. Glamus Gold Ltd. (Canada) | | 6.8 | % |
2. Barrick Gold Corp. (Canada) | | 6.0 | |
3. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.-Class B | | 6.0 | |
4. Kinross Gold Corp. (Canada) | | 5.0 | |
5. Meridian Gold Inc. (Canada) | | 4.9 | |
6. Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd (Canada) | | 4.9 | |
7. streetTRACKS Gold Trust | | 4.7 | |
8. Eldorado Gold Corp. (Canada) | | 4.3 | |
9. Goldcorp, Inc. (Canada) | | 4.1 | |
10. Yamana Gold Inc. (Canada) | | 4.0 | |
| | | |
Total Net Assets | | $ | 222.8 million | |
| | | |
Total Number of Holdings* | | 32 | |
| | | | |
The Fund’s holdings are subject to change, and there is no assurance that the Fund will continue to hold any particular security.
*Excluding money market fund holdings.
5
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Despite the Fed’s rate increases, the price of gold reached a near record high during the period—almost $715 an ounce—a level not seen since 1980. Uncertainty regarding the direction of the domestic economy, potential inflation and foreign political tensions caused the price of gold and gold stocks to rise and fall over the period. Investors tend to view gold and gold stocks as a “store of value” for their assets during periods of a weakening U.S. dollar, rising inflation and geopolitical uncertainty.
During the reporting period, your Fund fared better than the Philadelphia Gold & Silver Index due to stock selection and by avoiding concentration in a small number of stocks. Keep in mind that the Fund’s style-specific benchmark is market-cap weighted, and has only 16 holdings. Three of those holdings, Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining and AngloGold (also Fund holdings), account for almost 50% of the index. Two of the stocks, Newmont Mining and AngloGold posted double-digit losses during the period. In contrast, your Fund has twice the holdings and the top 10 holdings account for approximately 51% of assets.
Fund holdings in diversified metals and mining were the largest contributors to performance over the period. Western Silver and Falconbridge Limited are companies engaged in the exploration, processing and marketing of metals and minerals such as silver, copper, nickel, zinc and aluminum. Demand for metal, especially copper, continued to grow as developing countries, such as China and India, build out their infrastructure. We continued to maintain our position in companies we believe could benefit from this demographic trend and overall the Fund’s position in these stocks generally remained constant over the period. However, we subsequently sold both stocks.
Although gold was a drag on Fund performance overall, some of our best performing holdings were companies that are more leveraged to gold. Gold mining companies such as Barrick Gold, Kinross Gold and Bema Gold posted double-digit gains over the period and were among the best performers for the Fund. We subsequently sold Bema Gold. On the other hand, shares of Meridian Gold dropped after legislation was approved to suspend all metal mining activity in Chubut, Argentina, where Meridian holds property waiting to be mined. Shares of diversified mining company Ivanhoe Mines Limited also fell on news of threatened expropriation of assets of its Asian copper-gold mine development by the Mongolian government. Ivanhoe is currently working with the government to come to an equitable agreement for all involved parties. Despite the underperformance during the period, we maintained our positions in the stocks based on what we believe are strong fundamentals.
In closing
As always, we thank you for your continued investment and welcome any new shareholders to AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund.
The views and opinions expressed in management’s discussion of Fund performance are those of A I M Advisors, Inc. These views and opinions are subject to change at any time based on factors such as market and economic conditions. These views and opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, or as an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but A I M Advisors, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
See important Fund and index disclosures on the inside front cover.
[SEGNER
PHOTO]
John S. Segner
Senior portfolio manager, is lead portfolio manager of AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund. He has more than 20 years of experience in the energy and investment industries. Before joining the Fund’s advisor in 1997, he was a managing director and principal with an investment management company that focused exclusively on publicly-traded energy stocks. Prior to that, he held positions with several energy companies. Mr. Segner earned a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Alabama and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from The University of Texas at Austin.
Assisted by the Energy/Gold/Utilities Team
For a presentation of your Fund’s long-term performance, please see page 7.
6
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Your Fund’s long-term performance
Average Annual Total Returns
As of 9/30/06, including applicable sales charges
Class A Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 20.76 | % |
1 Year | | 19.91 | |
| | | |
Class B Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 21.52 | % |
1 Year | | 20.71 | |
| | | |
Class C Shares | | | |
Inception (2/14/00) | | 20.43 | % |
5 Years | | 25.90 | |
1 Year | | 24.78 | |
| | | |
Investor Class Shares | | | |
Inception (1/19/84) | | 0.57 | % |
10 Years | | –0.03 | |
5 Years | | 27.14 | |
1 Year | | 26.74 | |
The performance data quoted represent past performance and cannot guarantee comparable future results; current performance may be lower or higher. Please visit AIMinvestments.com for the most recent month-end performance. Performance figures reflect reinvested distributions, changes in net asset value and the effect of the maximum sales charge unless otherwise stated. Performance figures do not reflect deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or sale of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares.
Class A share performance reflects the maximum 5.50% sales charge, and Class B and Class C share performance reflects the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for the period involved. The CDSC on Class B shares declines from 5% beginning at the time of purchase to 0% at the beginning of the seventh year. The CDSC on Class C shares is 1% for the first year after purchase. Investor Class shares do not have a front-end sales charge or a CDSC; therefore, performance is at net asset value.
The performance of the Fund’s share classes will differ primarily due to different sales charge structures and class expenses.
Continued from inside front cover
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-Q. The most recent list of portfolio holdings is available at AIMinvestments.com. From our home page, click on Products & Performance, then Mutual Funds, then Fund Overview. Select your Fund from the drop-down menu and click on Complete Quarterly Holdings. Shareholders can also look up the Fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC Web site at sec.gov. Copies of the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, including information about duplicating fee charges, by calling 202-942-8090 or 800-732-0330, or by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. The SEC file numbers for the Fund are 811-03826 and 002-85905.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, from our Client Services department at 800-959-4246 or on the AIM Web site, AIMinvestments.com. On the home page, scroll down and click on AIM Funds Proxy Policy. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 months ended June 30, 2006, is available at our Web site. Go to AIMinvestments.com, access the About Us tab, click on Required Notices and then click on Proxy Voting Activity. Next, select the Fund from the drop-down menu. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
7
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Calculating your ongoing Fund expenses
Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions; and redemption fees, if any; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees (12b-1); and other Fund 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 ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006.
Actual expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Actual Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions, and redemption fees, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher
| | | | ACTUAL | | HYPOTHETICAL | | | |
| | | | | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | |
| | Beginning | | Ending | | Expenses | | Ending | | Expenses | | Annualized | |
Share | | Account Value | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Expense | |
Class | | (4/1/06) | | (9/30/06)(1) | | Period(2) | | (9/30/06) | | Period(2) | | Ratio | |
A | | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 955.90 | | $ | 6.72 | | $ | 1,018.20 | | $ | 6.93 | | 1.37 | % |
B | | | 1,000.00 | | 951.80 | | 10.37 | | 1,014.44 | | 10.71 | | 2.12 | |
C | | | 1,000.00 | | 952.90 | | 10.38 | | 1,014.44 | | 10.71 | | 2.12 | |
Investor | | | 1,000.00 | | 956.10 | | 6.72 | | 1,018.20 | | 6.93 | | 1.37 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) The actual ending account value is based on the actual total return of the Fund for the period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006, after actual expenses and will differ from the hypothetical ending account value which is based on the Fund’s expense ratio and a hypothetical annual return of 5% before expenses. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
(2) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio as indicated above multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the most recent fiscal half year.
8
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
The Board of Trustees of AIM Sector Funds (the “Board”) oversees the management of AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund (the “Fund”) and, as required by law, determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (“AIM”). Based upon the recommendation of the Investments Committee of the Board, at a meeting held on June 27, 2006, the Board, including all of the independent trustees, approved the continuance of the advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and AIM for another year, effective July 1, 2006.
The Board considered the factors discussed below in evaluating the fairness and reasonableness of the Advisory Agreement at the meeting on June 27, 2006 and as part of the Board’s ongoing oversight of the Fund. In their deliberations, the Board and the independent trustees did not identify any particular factor that was controlling, and each trustee attributed different weights to the various factors.
One responsibility of the independent Senior Officer of the Fund is to manage the process by which the Fund’s proposed management fees are negotiated to ensure that they are negotiated in a manner which is at arms’ length and reasonable. To that end, the Senior Officer must either supervise a competitive bidding process or prepare an independent written evaluation. The Senior Officer has recommended an independent written evaluation in lieu of a competitive bidding process and, upon the direction of the Board, has prepared such an independent written evaluation. Such written evaluation also considered certain of the factors discussed below.
The discussion below serves as a summary of the Senior Officer’s independent written evaluation, as well as a discussion of the material factors and the conclusions with respect thereto that formed the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement. After consideration of all of the factors below and based on its informed business judgment, the Board determined that the Advisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and that the compensation to AIM under the Advisory Agreement is fair and reasonable and would have been obtained through arm’s length negotiations.
Unless otherwise stated, information presented below is as of June 27, 2006 and does not reflect any changes that may have occurred since June 27, 2006, including but not limited to changes to the Fund’s performance, advisory fees, expense limitations and/or fee waivers.
• The nature and extent of the advisory services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement. Based on such review, the Board concluded that the range of services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The quality of services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of AIM who will provide investment advisory services to the Fund. In reviewing the qualifications of AIM to provide investment advisory services, the Board considered such issues as AIM’s portfolio and product review process, various back office support functions provided by AIM and AIM’s equity and fixed income trading operations. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that the quality of services to be provided by AIM was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing satisfactory services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The performance of the Fund relative to comparable funds. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance was below the performance of such comparable funds for the one and five year periods and comparable to such funds for the three year period. The Board also noted AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• The performance of the Fund relative to indices. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of the Lipper Gold Fund Index. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance in such periods was comparable to the performance of such Index. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• Meetings with the Fund’s portfolio managers and investment personnel. With respect to the Fund, the Board is meeting periodically with such Fund’s portfolio managers and/or other investment personnel and believes that such individuals are competent and able to continue to carry out their responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement.
• Overall performance of AIM. The Board considered the overall performance of AIM in providing investment advisory and portfolio administrative services to the Fund and concluded that such performance was satisfactory.
• Fees relative to those of clients of AIM with comparable investment strategies. The Board reviewed the effective advisory fee rate (before waivers) for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board noted that this rate was above the effective sub-advisory fee rate for one offshore fund advised and sub-advised by AIM affiliates with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund, although the total advisory fees for such offshore fund were above those for the Fund. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Fees relative to those of comparable funds with other advisors. The Board reviewed the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board compared effective contractual advisory fee rates at a common asset level at the end of the past calendar year and noted that the Fund’s rate was below the median rate of the funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund that the Board reviewed. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Expense limitations and fee waivers. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board considered the contractual nature of this fee waiver and noted that it remains in effect through June 30, 2007. The Board considered the effect this fee waiver would have on the Fund’s estimated expenses and concluded that the levels of fee waivers/expense limitations for the Fund were fair and reasonable.
• Breakpoints and economies of scale. The Board reviewed the structure of the Fund’s advisory fee under the Advisory Agreement, noting that it includes six breakpoints. The Board reviewed the level of the Fund’s advisory fees, and noted that such fees, as a
(continued)
9
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
percentage of the Fund’s net assets, would decrease as net assets increase because the Advisory Agreement includes breakpoints. The Board noted that, due to the Fund’s asset levels at the end of the past calendar year and the way in which the advisory fee breakpoints have been structured, the Fund has yet to benefit from the breakpoints. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee levels under the Advisory Agreement therefore would reflect economies of scale at higher asset levels and that it was not necessary to change the advisory fee breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory fee schedule.
• Investments in affiliated money market funds. The Board also took into account the fact that uninvested cash and cash collateral from securities lending arrangements, if any (collectively, “cash balances”) of the Fund may be invested in money market funds advised by AIM pursuant to the terms of an SEC exemptive order. The Board found that the Fund may realize certain benefits upon investing cash balances in AIM advised money market funds, including a higher net return, increased liquidity, increased diversification or decreased transaction costs. The Board also found that the Fund will not receive reduced services if it invests its cash balances in such money market funds. The Board noted that, to the extent the Fund invests uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds, AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund attributable to such investment. The Board further determined that the proposed securities lending program and related procedures with respect to the lending Fund is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders. The Board therefore concluded that the investment of cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program in the money market funds according to the procedures is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders.
• Independent written evaluation and recommendations of the Fund’s Senior Officer. The Board noted that, upon their direction, the Senior Officer of the Fund, who is independent of AIM and AIM’s affiliates, had prepared an independent written evaluation in order to assist the Board in determining the reasonableness of the proposed management fees of the AIM Funds, including the Fund. The Board noted that the Senior Officer’s written evaluation had been relied upon by the Board in this regard in lieu of a competitive bidding process. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board considered the Senior Officer’s written evaluation and the recommendation made by the Senior Officer to the Board that the Board consider whether the advisory fee waivers for certain equity AIM Funds, including the Fund, should be simplified. The Board concluded that it would be advisable to consider this issue and reach a decision prior to the expiration date of such advisory fee waivers.
• Profitability of AIM and its affiliates. The Board reviewed information concerning the profitability of AIM’s (and its affiliates’) investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition. The Board considered the overall profitability of AIM, as well as the profitability of AIM in connection with managing the Fund. The Board noted that AIM’s operations remain profitable, although increased expenses in recent years have reduced AIM’s profitability. Based on the review of the profitability of AIM’s and its affiliates’ investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition, the Board concluded that the compensation to be paid by the Fund to AIM under its Advisory Agreement was not excessive.
• Benefits of soft dollars to AIM. The Board considered the benefits realized by AIM as a result of brokerage transactions executed through “soft dollar” arrangements. Under these arrangements, brokerage commissions paid by the Fund and/or other funds advised by AIM are used to pay for research and execution services. This research may be used by AIM in making investment decisions for the Fund. The Board concluded that such arrangements were appropriate.
• AIM’s financial soundness in light of the Fund’s needs. The Board considered whether AIM is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement, and concluded that AIM has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
• Historical relationship between the Fund and AIM. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board also considered the prior relationship between AIM and the Fund, as well as the Board’s knowledge of AIM’s operations, and concluded that it was beneficial to maintain the current relationship, in part, because of such knowledge. The Board also reviewed the general nature of the non-investment advisory services currently performed by AIM and its affiliates, such as administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and the fees received by AIM and its affiliates for performing such services. In addition to reviewing such services, the trustees also considered the organizational structure employed by AIM and its affiliates to provide those services. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that AIM and its affiliates were qualified to continue to provide non-investment advisory services to the Fund, including administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and that AIM and its affiliates currently are providing satisfactory non-investment advisory services.
• Other factors and current trends. The Board considered the steps that AIM and its affiliates have taken over the last several years, and continue to take, in order to improve the quality and efficiency of the services they provide to the Funds in the areas of investment performance, product line diversification, distribution, fund operations, shareholder services and compliance. The Board concluded that these steps taken by AIM have improved, and are likely to continue to improve, the quality and efficiency of the services AIM and its affiliates provide to the Fund in each of these areas, and support the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.
10
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | Shares | | Value | |
Foreign Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests–77.76% | |
Australia–5.76% | |
BHP Billiton Ltd.–ADR (Diversified Metals & Mining) | | | 165,000 | | | $ | 6,250,200 | | |
Newcrest Mining Ltd. (Gold)(a)(c) | | | 390,000 | | | | 6,577,289 | | |
| | | | | | | 12,827,489 | | |
Canada–56.40% | |
Aber Diamond Corp. (Precious Metals & Minerals) | | | 160,000 | | | | 5,088,567 | | |
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. (Gold) | | | 350,000 | | | | 10,895,500 | | |
Barrick Gold Corp. (Gold) | | | 440,000 | | | | 13,516,800 | | |
Cameco Corp. (Coal & Consumable Fuels) | | | 190,000 | | | | 6,948,300 | | |
Eldorado Gold Corp. (Gold)(b) | | | 2,200,000 | | | | 9,545,536 | | |
Glamis Gold Ltd. (Gold)(b) | | | 385,000 | | | | 15,134,103 | | |
Goldcorp, Inc. (Gold) | | | 390,000 | | | | 9,204,000 | | |
IAMGOLD Corp. (Gold) | | | 850,000 | | | | 7,185,990 | | |
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (Diversified Metals & Mining)(b) | | | 550,000 | | | | 3,443,000 | | |
Kinross Gold Corp. (Gold)(b) | | | 890,000 | | | | 11,138,933 | | |
Meridian Gold Inc. (Gold)(b) | | | 440,000 | | | | 10,938,400 | | |
Pacific Rim Mining Corp. (Precious Metals & Minerals)(b) | | | 1,254,900 | | | | 1,044,066 | | |
Pan American Silver Corp. (Precious Metals & Minerals)(b) | | | 290,000 | | | | 5,666,600 | | |
Rio Narcea Gold Mines Ltd. (Gold)(b) | | | 515,900 | | | | 1,153,829 | | |
Solitario Resources Corp. (Precious Metals & Minerals)(b) | | | 631,000 | | | | 2,280,587 | | |
SouthernEra Diamonds, Inc. (Precious Metals & Minerals)(a)(b) | | | 1,025,000 | | | | 375,962 | | |
Tahera Diamond Corp. (Precious Metals & Minerals)(a)(b) | | | 1,700,000 | | | | 2,828,771 | | |
Western Copper Corp. (Diversified Metals & Mining)(b) | | | 350,000 | | | | 288,066 | | |
Yamana Gold Inc. (Gold)(a) | | | 970,000 | | | | 8,972,500 | | |
| | | | | | | 125,649,510 | | |
Peru–1.08% | |
Southern Copper Corp. (Diversified Metals & Mining)(a) | | | 26,000 | | | | 2,405,000 | | |
South Africa–10.69% | |
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.–ADR (Gold) | | | 100,000 | | | | 3,774,000 | | |
Gold Fields Ltd.–ADR (Gold) | | | 410,000 | | | | 7,314,400 | | |
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (Precious Metals & Minerals)(c) | | | 40,000 | | | | 6,620,907 | | |
Randgold Resources Ltd.–ADR (Gold)(b) | | | 300,000 | | | | 6,108,000 | | |
| | | | | | | 23,817,307 | | |
United Kingdom–3.83% | |
Rio Tinto PLC (Diversified Metals & Mining)(c) | | | 180,000 | | | | 8,535,107 | | |
Total Foreign Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $190,505,045) | | | | | | | 173,234,413 | | |
| | Shares | | Value | |
Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests–20.04% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining–5.98% | |
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.–Class B | | | 250,000 | | | $ | 13,315,000 | | |
Gold–3.55% | |
Newmont Mining Corp. | | | 185,000 | | | | 7,908,750 | | |
Investment Companies–Exchange Traded Funds–7.34% | |
iShares COMEX Gold Trust(b) | | | 100,000 | | | | 5,950,000 | | |
streetTRACKS Gold Trust(b) | | | 175,000 | | | | 10,402,000 | | |
| | | | | | | 16,352,000 | | |
Precious Metals & Minerals–3.17% | |
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp.(b) | | | 1,500,000 | | | | 7,065,000 | | |
Total Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $47,177,880) | | | | | | | 44,640,750 | | |
Money Market Funds–2.11% | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class (Money Market Funds)(d) | | | 2,355,833 | | | | 2,355,833 | | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class (Money Market Funds)(d) | | | 2,355,833 | | | | 2,355,833 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (Cost $4,711,666) | | | | | | | 4,711,666 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned)–99.91% (Cost $242,394,591) | | | | | | | 222,586,829 | | |
Investments Purchased with Cash Collateral from Securities Loaned–3.53% | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class (Money Market Funds)(d)(e) | | | 7,875,266 | | | | 7,875,266 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $7,875,266) | | | | | | | 7,875,266 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–103.44% (Cost $250,269,857) | | | | | | | 230,462,095 | | |
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES–(3.44)% | | | | | | | (7,671,221 | ) | |
NET ASSETS–100.00% | | | | | | $ | 222,790,874 | | |
F-1
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR | | | – | | | American Depositary Receipt | |
|
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) All or a portion of this security was out on loan at September 30, 2006.
(b) Non-income producing security.
(c) In accordance with the procedures established by the Board of Trustees, the foreign security is fair valued using adjusted closing market prices. The aggregate value of these securities at September 30, 2006 was $21,733,303, which represented 9.76% of the Fund's Net Assets. See Note 1A.
(d) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same investment advisor. See Note 3.
(e) The security has been segregated to satisfy the commitment to return the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the borrower's return of the securities loaned. See Note 8.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-2
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Assets: | |
Investments, at value (cost $237,682,925)* | | $ | 217,875,163 | | |
Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $12,586,932) | | | 12,586,932 | | |
Total investments (cost $250,269,857) | | | 230,462,095 | | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $114,883) | | | 113,002 | | |
Receivables for: | |
Fund shares sold | | | 514,695 | | |
Dividends | | | 87,782 | | |
Investment for trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 30,248 | | |
Other assets | | | 28,595 | | |
Total assets | | | 231,236,417 | | |
Liabilities: | |
Payables for: | |
Fund shares reacquired | | | 378,992 | | |
Trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 38,441 | | |
Collateral upon return of securities loaned | | | 7,875,266 | | |
Accrued distribution fees | | | 72,980 | | |
Accrued trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 342 | | |
Accrued transfer agent fees | | | 42,588 | | |
Accrued operating expenses | | | 36,934 | | |
Total liabilities | | | 8,445,543 | | |
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding | | $ | 222,790,874 | | |
Net assets consist of: | |
Shares of beneficial interest | | $ | 289,389,425 | | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | (643,124 | ) | |
Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | (46,145,667 | ) | |
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities and foreign currencies | | | (19,809,760 | ) | |
| | $ | 222,790,874 | | |
Net Assets: | |
Class A | | $ | 49,424,415 | | |
Class B | | $ | 21,843,992 | | |
Class C | | $ | 17,058,327 | | |
Investor Class | | $ | 134,464,140 | | |
Shares outstanding, $0.01 par value per share, unlimited number of shares authorized: | |
Class A | | | 9,127,445 | | |
Class B | | | 4,094,885 | | |
Class C | | | 3,014,975 | | |
Investor Class | | | 24,683,644 | | |
Class A: | |
Net asset value per share | | $ | 5.41 | | |
Offering price per share (Net asset value of $5.41 ÷ 94.50%) | | $ | 5.72 | | |
Class B: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 5.33 | | |
Class C: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 5.66 | | |
Investor Class: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 5.45 | | |
* At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $7,512,224 were on loan to brokers.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-3
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Statement of Operations
For the six months ended September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Investment income: | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $30,560) | | $ | 1,578,977 | | |
Dividends from affiliated money market funds (includes securities lending income of $43,302) | | | 210,509 | | |
Interest | | | 1,471 | | |
Total investment income | | | 1,790,957 | | |
Expenses: | |
Advisory fees | | | 898,021 | | |
Administrative services fees | | | 42,580 | | |
Custodian fees | | | 31,923 | | |
Distribution fees: | |
Class A | | | 63,746 | | |
Class B | | | 109,520 | | |
Class C | | | 90,025 | | |
Investor Class | | | 185,708 | | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 275,740 | | |
Trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 9,764 | | |
Other | | | 81,362 | | |
Total expenses | | | 1,788,389 | | |
Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangements | | | (8,792 | ) | |
Net expenses | | | 1,779,597 | | |
Net investment income | | | 11,360 | | |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies: | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | |
Investment securities | | | 21,206,532 | | |
Foreign currencies | | | (42,661 | ) | |
| | | 21,163,871 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: | |
Investment securities | | | (34,340,041 | ) | |
Foreign currencies | | | (2,178 | ) | |
| | | (34,342,219 | ) | |
Net gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | (13,178,348 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | (13,166,988 | ) | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-4
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Statement of Changes In Net Assets
For the six months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended March 31, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | September 30, 2006 | | March 31, 2006 | |
Operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | $ | 11,360 | | | $ | (282,347 | ) | |
Net realized gain from investment securities, gold bullion and foreign currencies | | | 21,163,871 | | | | 70,556,711 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities and foreign currencies | | | (34,342,219 | ) | | | 5,642,301 | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | (13,166,988 | ) | | | 75,916,665 | | |
Share transactions—net: | |
Class A | | | 11,784,727 | | | | 19,718,830 | | |
Class B | | | 4,099,118 | | | | 4,681,909 | | |
Class C | | | 3,554,987 | | | | 3,815,917 | | |
Investor Class | | | (7,702,377 | ) | | | (6,945,056 | ) | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from share transactions | | | 11,736,455 | | | | 21,271,600 | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | (1,430,533 | ) | | | 97,188,265 | | |
Net assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 224,221,407 | | | | 127,033,142 | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of $(643,124) and $(654,484), respectively) | | $ | 222,790,874 | | | $ | 224,221,407 | | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-5
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies
AIM Gold and Precious Metals Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM Sector Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of six separate portfolios, each authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The Fund currently consists of multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund.
The Fund's investment objective is to seek capital growth.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. Security Valuations — Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy.
A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange) are valued based on the prices furnished by independent pricing services, in which case the securities may be considered fair valued, or by market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price.
Futures contracts are valued at the final settlement price set by an exchange on which they are principally traded. Listed options are valued at the mean between the last bid and the ask prices from the exchange on which they are principally traded. Options not listed on an exchange are valued by an independent source at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally are valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Investments in open-end registered investment companies and closed-end registered investment companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day net asset value per share. Investments in closed-end registered investment companies that trade on an exchange are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded.
Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to specific securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are recorded at amortized cost which approximates value.
Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices.
Foreign securities (including foreign exchange contracts) are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using the applicable exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If the event is likely to have affected the closing price of the security, the security will be valued at fair value in good faith using procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value may also be based on a screening process of an independent pricing service to indicate the degree of certainty, based on historical data, that the closing price in the principal market where a foreign security trades is not the current value as of the close of the NYSE. Foreign securities meeting the approved degree of certainty that the price is not reflective of current value will be priced at the indication of fair value from the independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, ADRs and domestic and foreign index futures.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust's officers following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Issuer specific events, market trends, bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers and other market data may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value.
B. Securities Transactions and Investment Income — Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Brokerage commissions and mark ups are considered transaction costs and are recorded as an increase to the cost basis of securities purchased and/or a reduction of proceeds on a sale of securities. Such transaction costs are included in the determination of realized and unrealized gain
F-6
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
(loss) from investment securities reported in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and the realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on securities per share in the Financial Highlights. Transaction costs are included in the calculation of the Fund's net asset value and, accordingly, they reduce the Fund's total returns. These transaction costs are not considered operating expenses and are not reflected in net investment income reported in the Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets, or the net investment income per share and ratios of expenses and net investment income reported in the Financial Highlights, nor are they limited by any expense limitation arrangements between the Fund and the advisor.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. Country Determination — For the purposes of making investment selection decisions and presentation in the Schedule of Investments, AIM may determine the country in which an issuer is located and/or credit risk exposure based on various factors. These factors include the laws of the country under which the issuer is organized, where the issuer maintains a principal office, the country in which the issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenues and the country that has the primary market for the issuer's securities, as well as other criteria. Among the other criteria that may be evaluated for making this determination are the country in which the issuer maintains 50% or more of its assets, the type of security, financial guarantees and enhancements, the nature of the collateral and the sponsor organization. Country of issuer and/or credit risk exposure has been determined to be the United States of America unless otherwise noted.
D. Distributions — Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to treat a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
E. Federal Income Taxes — The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and to distribute substantially all of the Fund's taxable earnings to shareholders. As such, the Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements.
F. Expenses — Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund and which are directly attributable to that class are charged to the operations of such class. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
G. Accounting Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including estimates and assumptions related to taxation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
H. Indemnifications — Under the Trust's organizational documents, each Trustee, officer, employee or other agent of the Trust (including the Trust's investment manager) is indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss as a result of such indemnification claims is considered remote.
I. Foreign Currency Translations — Foreign currency is valued at the close of the NYSE based on quotations posted by banks and major currency dealers. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (net of foreign taxes withheld on disposition) and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market price s on investments (net of estimated foreign tax withholding) are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from (i) sales of foreign currencies, (ii) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and (iii) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
J. Foreign Currency Contracts — A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the Statement of Operations. The Fund could be exposed to risk, which may be in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the f oreign currency changes unfavorably.
K. Gold Bullion — The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets, at the time of purchase, directly in gold bullion. The two largest national producers of gold bullion are the Republic of South Africa and the former states of the Soviet Union. International monetary and political developments such as currency devaluations, central bank movements and social and economic conditions affecting either country may have a direct impact on the gold industry. The price of gold can be subject to substantial fluctuations over short periods of time. Investments directly in gold bullion will earn no income; appreciation is the sole manner in which the Fund can realize gains on bullion investments. Gold bullion is valued based upon daily quotes provided by banks or brokers dealing in such commodities.
F-7
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
NOTE 2—Advisory Fees and Other Fees Paid to Affiliates
The Trust has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM based on the annual rate of the Fund's average daily net assets as follows:
Average Net Assets | | Rate | |
First $350 million | | | 0.75 | % | |
Next $350 million | | | 0.65 | % | |
Next $1.3 billion | | | 0.55 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.45 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.40 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.375 | % | |
Over $8 billion | | | 0.35 | % | |
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds on investments by the Fund in such affiliated money market funds (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the fund). AIM is also voluntarily waiving a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Fund equal to the difference between the income earned from investing in the affiliated money market fund and the hypothetical income earned from investing in an appropriate comparative benchmark. Voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements may be modified or discontinued at any time upon consultation with the Board of Trustees without further notice to investors.
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM waived advisory fees of $873.
At the request of the Trustees of the Trust, AMVESCAP agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with market timing matters in the AIM Funds, which may include legal, audit, shareholder reporting, communications and trustee expenses. These expenses along with the related expense reimbursement are included in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AMVESCAP reimbursed expenses of the Fund in the amount of $1,082.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. Pursuant to such agreement, for the six months ended September 30, 2003, AIM was paid $42,580.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AIS") a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund and reimburse AIS for certain expenses incurred by AIS in the course of providing such services. AIS may make payments to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services, sub-accounting services and/or networking services. All fees payable by AIS to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services or sub-accounting are charged back to the Fund, subject to certain limitations approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid AIS $275,740.
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares of the Fund. The Trust has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays ADI compensation at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares. The Fund, pursuant to the Investor Class Plan, pays ADI for its allocated share of expenses incurred pursuant to the Investor Class Plan for the period, up to a maximum annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Investor Class shares. Of the Rule 12b-1 payments, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C or In vestor Class shares may be paid to furnish continuing personal shareholder services to customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") Rules impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares paid $63,746, $109,520, $90,025 and $185,708, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the six months ended September 30, 2006, ADI advised the Fund that it retained $78,817 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $21,223, $10,764 and $8,615 from Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed on redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are officers and directors of AIM, AIS and/or ADI.
F-8
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
NOTE 3—Investments in Affiliates
The Fund is permitted, pursuant to an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, to invest daily available cash balances and cash collateral from securities lending transactions in affiliated money market funds. The Fund and the money market funds below have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The tables below show the transactions in and earnings from investments in affiliated money market funds for the six months ended September 30, 2006.
Investments of Daily Available Cash Balances:
Fund | |
Value 03/31/06 | |
Purchases at Cost | |
Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Value 09/30/06 | |
Dividend Income | | Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | — | | | $ | 24,371,218 | | | $ | (22,015,385 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,355,833 | | | $ | 52,947 | | | $ | — | | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | | 1,801,215 | | | | 63,630,378 | | | | (63,075,760 | ) | | | — | | | | 2,355,833 | | | | 114,260 | | | | — | | |
Subtotal | | $ | 1,801,215 | | | $ | 88,001,596 | | | $ | (85,091,145 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,711,666 | | | $ | 167,207 | | | $ | — | | |
Investments of Cash Collateral from Securities Lending Transactions:
Fund | | Value 03/31/06 | | Purchases at Cost | | Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | Value 09/30/06 | | Dividend Income* | | Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | 33,241,072 | | | $ | 93,448,587 | | | $ | (118,814,393 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 7,875,266 | | | $ | 43,302 | | | $ | — | | |
Total Investments in Affiliates | | $ | 35,042,287 | | | $ | 181,450,183 | | | $ | (203,905,538 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 12,586,932 | | | $ | 210,509 | | | $ | — | | |
* Net of compensation to counterparties.
NOTE 4—Security Transactions with Affiliated Funds
The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain other AIM Funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common Trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. Pursuant to these procedures, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund engaged in securities sales of $0 and securities purchases of $865,535.
NOTE 5—Expense Offset Arrangements
The expense offset arrangements are comprised of (i) transfer agency credits which result from balances in Demand Deposit Accounts (DDA) used by the transfer agent for clearing shareholder transactions and (ii) custodian credits which result from periodic overnight cash balances at the custodian. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received credits from these arrangements, which resulted in the reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $6,837.
NOTE 6—Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits
"Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to pay remuneration to each Trustee and Officer of the Fund who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Trustees have the option to defer compensation payable by the Fund, and "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" also include amounts accrued by the Fund to fund such deferred compensation amounts. Those Trustees who defer compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested. Finally, current Trustees are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Trustees over a period of time based on the number of years of service. The Fund may have certain former Trustees who also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan. "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to fun d such retirement benefits. Obligations under the deferred compensation and retirement plans represent unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid legal fees of $1,597 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Trustees. A member of that firm is a Trustee of the Trust.
F-9
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
NOTE 7—Borrowings
Pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC, the Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. A loan will be secured by collateral if the Fund's aggregate borrowings from all sources exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
The Fund is a participant in an uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000, or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which are parties to the credit facility can borrow on a first come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under the uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility.
Additionally, the Fund is permitted to temporarily carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with SSB, the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds as a compensating balance in the account so the custodian bank can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank at a rate agreed upon by the custodian bank and AIM, not to exceed the rate contractually agreed upon.
NOTE 8—Portfolio Securities Loaned
The Fund may lend portfolio securities having a market value up to one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral received in connection with these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrowe r did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the collateral available for return to the borrower due to any loss on the collateral invested.
At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $7,512,224 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $7,875,266 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received dividends on cash collateral investments of $43,302 for securities lending transactions, which are net of compensation to counterparties.
NOTE 9—Tax Information
The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforward) under income tax regulations. The tax character of distributions paid during the year and the tax components of net assets will be reported at the Fund's fiscal year-end.
Capital loss carryforward is calculated and reported as of a specific date. Results of transactions and other activity after that date may affect the amount of capital loss carryforward actually available for the Fund to utilize. The ability to utilize capital loss carryforward in the future may be limited under the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions.
The Fund had a capital loss carryforward as of March 31, 2006 which expires as follows:
Expiration | | Capital Loss Carryforward* | |
March 31, 2007 | | $ | 28,693,791 | | |
March 31, 2009 | | | 37,453,344 | | |
March 31, 2010 | | | 1,092,909 | | |
Total capital loss carryforward | | $ | 67,240,044 | | |
* Capital loss carryforward as of the date listed above is reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
F-10
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
NOTE 10—Investment Securities
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2006 was $106,879,123 and $97,784,993, respectively. For interim reporting periods, the cost of investments for tax purposes includes reversals of certain tax items, such as, wash sales that have occurred since the prior fiscal year-end.
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities on a Tax Basis
Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 5,135,614 | | |
Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities | | | (24,943,376 | ) | |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities | | $ | (19,807,762 | ) | |
Cost of investments is the same for tax and financial statement purposes.
NOTE 11—Share Information
The Fund currently consists of four different classes of shares: Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class. Investor Class shares of the Fund are offered only to certain grandfathered investors.
Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge unless certain waiver criteria are met. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Investor Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under certain circumstances, Class A shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on or about the month-end which is at least eight years after the date of purchase.
Changes in Shares Outstanding
| | Six months ended September 30, 2006(a) | | Year ended March 31, 2006 | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Sold: | |
Class A | | | 5,693,424 | | | $ | 33,076,639 | | | | 7,531,059 | | | $ | 34,273,073 | | |
Class B | | | 1,604,887 | | | | 9,202,830 | | | | 2,233,171 | | | | 9,831,499 | | |
Class C | | | 1,713,789 | | | | 10,563,136 | | | | 2,254,429 | | | | 11,248,429 | | |
Investor Class | | | 5,390,973 | | | | 31,639,128 | | | | 8,301,400 | | | | 37,940,685 | | |
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: | |
Class A | | | 116,578 | | | | 675,865 | | | | 67,062 | | | | 286,923 | | |
Class B | | | (118,124 | ) | | | (675,865 | ) | | | (67,562 | ) | | | (286,923 | ) | |
Reacquired: | |
Class A | | | (3,953,279 | ) | | | (21,967,777 | ) | | | (3,315,412 | ) | | | (14,841,166 | ) | |
Class B | | | (800,688 | ) | | | (4,427,847 | ) | | | (1,185,128 | ) | | | (4,862,667 | ) | |
Class C | | | (1,181,831 | ) | | | (7,008,149 | ) | | | (1,635,980 | ) | | | (7,432,512 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (6,870,331 | ) | | | (39,341,505 | ) | | | (10,370,494 | ) | | | (44,885,741 | ) | |
| | | 1,595,398 | | | $ | 11,736,455 | | | | 3,812,545 | | | $ | 21,271,600 | | |
(a) There are three entities that are each record owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and in the aggregate they own 24% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. ADI has an agreement with these entities to sell Fund shares. The Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates may make payments to these entities, which are considered to be related to the Fund, for providing services to the Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates including but not limited to services such as, securities brokerage, distribution, third party record keeping and account servicing. The Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record by these entities are also owned beneficially.
NOTE 12—New Accounting Standard
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions for FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management is currently assessing the impact of FIN 48, if any, on the Fund's financial statements and intends for the Fund to adopt the FIN 48 provisions during 2007.
F-11
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
NOTE 13—Financial Highlights
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
| | Class A | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 5.67 | | | $ | 3.55 | | | $ | 3.81 | | | $ | 2.39 | | | $ | 2.29 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | 0.00 | (b) | | | (0.00 | )(b) | | | (0.03 | )(b) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.02 | )(b) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.26 | ) | | | 2.12 | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | 1.56 | | | | 0.12 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.26 | ) | | | 2.12 | | | | (0.23 | ) | | | 1.55 | | | | 0.10 | | |
Less dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 5.41 | | | $ | 5.67 | | | $ | 3.55 | | | $ | 3.81 | | | $ | 2.39 | | |
Total return(c) | | | (4.59 | )% | | | 59.72 | % | | | (5.89 | )% | | | 65.02 | % | | | 4.37 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 49,424 | | | $ | 41,200 | | | $ | 10,609 | | | $ | 8,844 | | | $ | 1,514 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 1.37 | %(d) | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.69 | %(e) | | | 2.13 | % | | | 2.09 | %(e) | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | 0.13 | %(d) | | | (0.10 | )% | | | (0.78 | )% | | | (1.29 | )% | | | (1.09 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(f) | | | 42 | % | | | 155 | % | | | 51 | % | | | 48 | % | | | 84 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $50,857,486.
(e) After fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.71% and 2.11%, for the years ended March 31, 2005 and 2003, respectively.
(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Class B | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 5.60 | | | $ | 3.54 | | | $ | 3.82 | | | $ | 2.39 | | | $ | 2.29 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.02 | )(b) | | | (0.04 | )(b) | | | (0.05 | )(b) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.02 | )(b) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.25 | ) | | | 2.10 | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | 1.57 | | | | 0.12 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.27 | ) | | | 2.06 | | | | (0.25 | ) | | | 1.56 | | | | 0.10 | | |
Less dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 5.33 | | | $ | 5.60 | | | $ | 3.54 | | | $ | 3.82 | | | $ | 2.39 | | |
Total return(c) | | | (4.82 | )% | | | 58.19 | % | | | (6.48 | )% | | | 65.26 | % | | | 4.37 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 21,844 | | | $ | 19,103 | | | $ | 8,593 | | | $ | 7,042 | | | $ | 2,315 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 2.12 | %(d) | | | 2.19 | % | | | 2.34 | (e) | | | 2.28 | % | | | 2.18 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.62 | )%(d) | | | (0.84 | )% | | | (1.43 | )% | | | (1.44 | )% | | | (1.12 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(f) | | | 42 | % | | | 155 | % | | | 51 | % | | | 48 | % | | | 84 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $21,844,080.
(e) After fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.36%, for the year ended March 31, 2005.
(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-12
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
NOTE 13—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Class C | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 5.94 | | | $ | 3.75 | | | $ | 4.04 | | | $ | 2.52 | | | $ | 2.42 | | | $ | 1.53 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.02 | )(a) | | | (0.04 | )(a) | | | (0.05 | )(a) | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.00 | )(b) | | | (0.07 | ) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.26 | ) | | | 2.23 | | | | (0.22 | ) | | | 1.67 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.96 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.28 | ) | | | 2.19 | | | | (0.27 | ) | | | 1.63 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.89 | | |
Less dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 5.66 | | | $ | 5.94 | | | $ | 3.75 | | | $ | 4.04 | | | $ | 2.52 | | | $ | 2.42 | | |
Total return(c) | | | (4.71 | )% | | | 58.40 | % | | | (6.58 | )% | | | 64.70 | % | | | 4.13 | % | | | 58.17 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 17,058 | | | $ | 14,758 | | | $ | 6,993 | | | $ | 5,208 | | | $ | 2,459 | | | $ | 515 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 2.12 | %(d) | | | 2.19 | % | | | 2.34 | %(e) | | | 2.69 | % | | | 2.65 | % | | | 3.33 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.62 | )%(d) | | | (0.84 | )% | | | (1.43 | )% | | | (1.85 | )% | | | (1.60 | )% | | | (1.67 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(f) | | | 42 | % | | | 155 | % | | | 51 | % | | | 48 | % | | | 84 | % | | | 46 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding
(b) The net investment income (loss) per share was calculated after permanent book/tax differences, such as net operating losses, which were reclassified from accumulated net investment income (loss) to paid in capital. Had net investment income (loss) per share been calculated using the current method, which is before reclassification of net operating losses, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.04), for the year ended March 31, 2003.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $17,955,726.
(e) After fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.36%, for the year ended March 31, 2005.
(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Investor Class | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 5.70 | | | $ | 3.57 | | | $ | 3.84 | | | $ | 2.40 | | | $ | 2.29 | | | $ | 1.43 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | (0.00 | )(a) | | | (0.02 | )(a) | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.02 | )(a) | | | (0.01 | ) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.25 | ) | | | 2.13 | | | | (0.21 | ) | | | 1.63 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.87 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.25 | ) | | | 2.13 | | | | (0.23 | ) | | | 1.58 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.86 | | |
Less dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.14 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 5.45 | | | $ | 5.70 | | | $ | 3.57 | | | $ | 3.84 | | | $ | 2.40 | | | $ | 2.29 | | |
Total return(b) | | | (4.39 | )% | | | 59.66 | % | | | (6.00 | )% | | | 65.92 | % | | | 4.80 | % | | | 60.14 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 134,464 | | | $ | 149,160 | | | $ | 100,838 | | | $ | 125,053 | | | $ | 98,388 | | | $ | 104,831 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 1.37 | %(c) | | | 1.44 | % | | | 1.59 | %(d) | | | 1.93 | % | | | 1.88 | % | | | 2.10 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | 0.13 | %(c) | | | (0.09 | )% | | | (0.68 | )% | | | (1.09 | )% | | | (0.79 | )% | | | (0.80 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 42 | % | | | 155 | % | | | 51 | % | | | 48 | % | | | 84 | % | | | 46 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $148,160,780.
(d) After fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.61%, for the year ended March 31, 2005.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-13
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
NOTE 14—Legal Proceedings
Terms used in the Legal Proceedings Note are defined terms solely for the purpose of this note.
Settled Enforcement Actions and Investigations Related to Market Timing
On October 8, 2004, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("IFG") (the former investment advisor to certain AIM Funds), AIM and A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") (the distributor of the retail AIM Funds) reached final settlements with certain regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the New York Attorney General and the Colorado Attorney General, to resolve civil enforcement actions and/or investigations related to market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds, including those formerly advised by IFG. As part of the settlements, a $325 million fair fund ($110 million of which is civil penalties) has been created to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds formerly advised by IFG. Additionally, AIM and ADI created a $50 million fair fund ($30 million of which is civil penalties) to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds advised by AI M, which was done pursuant to the terms of the settlement. These two fair funds may increase as a result of contributions from third parties who reach final settlements with the SEC or other regulators to resolve allegations of market timing and/or late trading that also may have harmed applicable AIM Funds. These two fair funds will be distributed in accordance with a methodology to be determined by AIM's independent distribution consultant, in consultation with AIM and the independent trustees of the AIM Funds and acceptable to the staff of the SEC. Management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the distribution of these two fair funds may have on the Fund or whether such distribution will have an impact on the Fund's financial statements in the future.
At the request of the trustees of the AIM Funds, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"), the parent company of IFG and AIM, has agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the AIM Funds related to market timing matters.
Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries
On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Office of the State Auditor—Securities Commission ("WVASC") issued a Summary Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Right to Hearing to AIM and ADI (Order No. 05-1318). The WVASC makes findings of fact that AIM and ADI entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the AIM Funds and failed to disclose these arrangements in the prospectuses for such Funds, and conclusions of law to the effect that AIM and ADI violated the West Virginia securities laws. The WVASC orders AIM and ADI to cease any further violations and seeks to impose monetary sanctions, including restitution to affected investors, disgorgement of fees, reimbursement of investigatory, administrative and legal costs and an "administrative assessment," to be determined by the Commissioner. Initial research indicates that these damages could be limited or capped by statute.
Civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against certain of the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals, depending on the lawsuit, alleging:
• that the defendants permitted improper market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds;
• that certain AIM Funds inadequately employed fair value pricing;
• that the defendants charged excessive advisory and/or distribution fees and failed to pass on to shareholders the perceived savings generated by economies of scale and that the defendants adopted unlawful distribution plans; and
• that the defendants improperly used the assets of the AIM Funds to pay brokers to aggressively promote the sale of the AIM Funds over other mutual funds and that the defendants concealed such payments from investors by disguising them as brokerage commissions (all the claims in this category of lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice by the court on September 29, 2006, except for the Section 36(b) claim which was dismissed with leave to amend to plead it properly as a derivative claim).
These lawsuits allege as theories of recovery, depending on the lawsuit, violations of various provisions of the Federal and state securities laws and ERISA, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and/or breach of contract. These lawsuits seek remedies that include, depending on the lawsuit, damages, restitution, injunctive relief, imposition of a constructive trust, removal of certain directors and/or employees, various corrective measures under ERISA, rescission of certain AIM Funds' advisory agreements and/or distribution plans and recovery of all fees paid, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, restitution of all commissions and fees paid, and prospective relief in the form of reduced fees.
All lawsuits based on allegations of market timing, late trading and related issues have been transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "MDL Court"). Pursuant to an Order of the MDL Court, plaintiffs in these lawsuits consolidated their claims for pre-trial purposes into three amended complaints against various AIM- and IFG-related parties: (i) a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of shareholders of the AIM Funds; (ii) a Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of the AIM Funds and fund registrants; and (iii) an Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act ("ERISA") purportedly brought on behalf of participants in AMVESCAP's 401(k) plan. Based on orders issued by the MDL Court, all claims asserted against the AIM Funds that have been transferred to the MDL Court have been dismissed, although certain Funds remain nominal defendants in the Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint. On September 15, 2006, the MDL Court granted the AMVESCAP defendants' motion to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of ERISA and dismissed such Complaint. The plaintiff has commenced an appeal from that decision.
IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals have received inquiries from numerous regulators in the form of subpoenas or other oral or written requests for information and/or documents related to one or more of the following issues, among others, some of which concern one or more AIM Funds: market timing activity, late trading, fair value pricing, excessive or improper advisory and/or distribution fees, mutual fund sales practices, including revenue sharing and directed-brokerage arrangements, investments in securities of other registered investment companies, contractual plans, issues related to Section 529 college savings plans and procedures for locating lost security holders. IFG, AIM and ADI have advised the Fund that they are providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries. Regulatory actions and/or additional civil lawsuits related to these or other issues may be filed against the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM and/or related entities and individuals in the future.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of the Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries described above may have on AIM, ADI or the Fund.
F-14
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
Trustees and Officers
Board of Trustees
Bob R. Baker
Frank S. Bayley
James T. Bunch
Bruce L. Crockett
Chair
Albert R. Dowden
Jack M. Fields
Carl Frischling
Robert H. Graham
Vice Chair
Prema Mathai-Davis
Lewis F. Pennock
Ruth H. Quigley
Larry Soll
Raymond Stickel Jr.
Philip A. Taylor
Officers
Philip A. Taylor
President and Principal
Executive Officer
Todd L. Spillane
Chief Compliance Officer
Russell C. Burk
Senior Vice President and Senior Officer
John M. Zerr
Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Sidney M. Dilgren
Vice President, Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer
Lisa O. Brinkley
Vice President
Kevin M. Carome
Vice President
J. Philip Ferguson
Vice President
Karen Dunn Kelley
Vice President
Office of the Fund
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Investment Advisor
A I M Advisors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Transfer Agent
AIM Investment Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 4739
Houston, TX 77210-4739
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110-2801
Counsel to the Fund
Ballard Spahr
Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
1735 Market Street, 51st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-2714
Distributor
A I M Distributors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
F-15
Domestic Equity
AIM Basic Balanced Fund*
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Dynamics Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM S&P 500 Index Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund(1)
AIM Structured Core Fund
AIM Structured Growth Fund
AIM Structured Value Fund
AIM Summit Fund
AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund
AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund
*Domestic equity and income fund
International/Global Equity
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM China Fund
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Equity Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM Japan Fund
AIM International Core Equity Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM International Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Trimark Fund
Sector Equity
AIM Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM Energy Fund
AIM Financial Services Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Global Real Estate Fund
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
AIM Leisure Fund
AIM Multi-Sector Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund(1)
AIM Technology Fund
AIM Utilities Fund
Fixed Income
TAXABLE
AIM Enhanced Short Bond Fund
AIM Floating Rate Fund
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM International Bond Fund
AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Short Term Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
Premier Portfolio
Premier U.S. Government Money Portfolio
TAX-FREE
AIM High Income Municipal Fund(1)
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund
AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund
Premier Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Allocation Solutions
AIM Conservative Allocation Fund
AIM Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderately Conservative Allocation Fund
Diversified Portfolios
AIM Income Allocation Fund
AIM International Allocation Fund
(1) This Fund has limited public sales of its shares to certain investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in the Fund, please see the appropriate prospectus.
If used after January 20, 2007, this report must be accompanied by a Fund Performance & Commentary or by an AIM Quarterly Performance Review for the most recent quarter-end. Mutual funds distributed by A I M Distributors, Inc.
A I M Management Group Inc. has provided leadership in the investment management industry since 1976. AIM is a subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC, one of the world’s largest independent financial services companies with $441 billion in assets under management. Data as of September 30, 2006.
Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully. For this and other information about AIM Funds, obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor and read it carefully before investing.
AIMinvestments.com | I-GPM-SAR-1 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
[Your goals. Our solutions.]
– registered trademark –
Mutual | Retirement | Annuities | College | Separately | Offshore | Cash |
Funds | Products | | Savings | Managed | Products | Management |
| | | Plans | Accounts | | |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Leisure Fund
Semiannual Report to Shareholders • September 30, 2006
[COVER GLOBE IMAGE]
SECTOR EQUITY
Sectors
Table of Contents
Supplemental Information | 2 |
Letters to Shareholders | 3 |
Performance Summary | 5 |
Management Discussion | 5 |
Long-term Fund Performance | 7 |
Fund Expenses | 8 |
Approval of Advisory Agreement | 9 |
Schedule of Investments | F-1 |
Financial Statements | F-4 |
Notes to Financial Statements | F-7 |
Financial Highlights | F-13 |
Trustees and Officers | F-17 |
[AIM investment solutions]
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Domestic | [International/ | [Sector |
Equity] | Global Equity] | Equity] |
| | |
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Fixed | [Allocation | [Diversified |
Income] | Solutions] | Portfolios] |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Leisure Fund
AIM LEISURE FUND seeks to provide capital growth.
• Unless otherwise stated, information presented in this report is as of September 30, 2006, and is based on total net assets.
About share classes
• Class B shares are not available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, including 401(k) plans, money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that had existing accounts prior to September 30, 2003, invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
• Investor Class shares are closed to most investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in Investor Class shares, please see the prospectus.
• Class R shares are available only to certain retirement plans. Please see the prospectus for more information
Principal risks of investing in the Fund
• Foreign securities have additional risks, including exchange rate changes, political and economic upheaval, the relative lack of information about these companies, relatively low market liquidity and the potential lack of strict financial and accounting controls and standards.
• Investing in a fund that invests in smaller companies involves risks not associated with investing in more established companies, such as business risk, stock price fluctuations and illiquidity.
• Stocks are subject to market risk, meaning stock prices vary and may fall, thus reducing the value of the Fund’s investments. Certain stocks selected for the Fund’s portfolio may decline in value more than the overall stock market.
• Prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
• The Fund may use enhanced investment techniques such as leveraging derivatives. Leveraging entails special risks such as magnifying changes in the value of the portfolio’s securities. Derivatives are subject to counter party risk—the risk that the other party will not complete the transaction with the Fund.
• There is no guarantee that the investment techniques and risk analyses used by the Fund’s managers will produce the desired results.
• The Fund’s investments are concentrated in a comparatively narrow segment of the economy. Consequently, the Fund may be more volatile than other mutual funds, and the value of the Fund’s investments may rise and fall more rapidly.
• The leisure sector depends on consumer discretionary spending, which generally falls during economic downturns.
About the index used in this report
• The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks (the S&P 500 —registered trademark— Index) is an index of common stocks frequently used as a general measure of U.S. stock market performance.
• The Fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indexes defined here, and consequently, the performance of the Fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indexes.
• A direct investment cannot be made in an index. Unless otherwise indicated, index results include reinvested dividends, and they do not reflect sales charges. Performance of an index of funds reflects fund expenses; performance of a market index does not.
Other information
• Industry classifications used in this report are generally according to the Global Industry Classification Standard, which was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. and Standard & Poor’s.
• The returns shown in management’s discussion of Fund performance are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes, and as such, the net asset values for shareholder transactions and the returns based on those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns reported in the Financial Highlights.
The Fund provides a complete list of its holdings four times in each fiscal year, at the quarter-ends. For the second and fourth quarters, the lists appear in the Fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third quarters, the Fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-Q. The most recent list of portfolio holdings is available at AIMinvestments.com. From our home page, click on Products & Performance, then Mutual Funds, then Fund Overview. Select your Fund from the drop-down menu and click on Complete Quarterly Holdings. Shareholders can also look up the Fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC Web site at sec.gov. Copies of the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, including information about duplicating fee charges, by calling 202-942-8090 or 800-732-0330, or by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. The SEC file numbers for the Fund are 811-03826 and 002-85905.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, from our Client Services department at 800-959-4246
Continued on page 7
This report must be accompanied or preceded by a currently effective Fund prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales charges and expenses. Investors should read it carefully before investing.
Fund NASDAQ Symbols
Class A Shares | ILSAX |
Class B Shares | ILSBX |
Class C Shares | IVLCX |
Class R Shares | ILSRX |
Investor Class Shares | FLISX |
Not FDIC Insured May lose value No bank guarantee
AIMinvestments.com
2
AIM Leisure Fund
[TAYLOR
PHOTO]
Philip Taylor
Dear Shareholders of The AIM Family of Funds —registered trademark—:
We’re pleased to provide you with this report, which includes a discussion of how your Fund was managed during the period under review in this report, and what factors affected its performance.
It’s been said nothing is certain but death and taxes. We would venture to add that one other thing is certain: Markets change—and change often—in the short term, in response to constantly changing economic, geopolitical and other factors. For example, from April to July, U.S. equity markets demonstrated weakness and volatility as economic data suggested that inflation might be higher than previously estimated. But in August, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, for the first time in more than two years, chose not to raise short-term interest rates, suggesting that it believed inflation was contained. Together with continuing strong corporate profits and declining oil prices, this caused U.S. equity markets to surge, and as the reporting period drew to a close, major market averages neared multi-year highs. Despite fears about a slowing global economy, most foreign markets demonstrated strength during the reporting period.
While we can’t do anything about the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding death and taxes, we can suggest an alternative to reacting to fluctuating short-term market conditions: Maintain a diversified portfolio. AIM Investments —registered trademark— can help by offering a broad product line that gives your financial advisor the necessary tools to build a portfolio that’s right for you regardless of market conditions. AIM offers a comprehensive range of retail mutual funds, including domestic, global and international equity funds, taxable and tax-exempt fixed-income funds, and a variety of allocation portfolios—with varied risk and return characteristics to match your needs. We maintain this extensive set of product solutions for one reason: We believe in the value of comprehensive, diversified investment portfolios.
We’ve changed the look of our annual reports to reflect that belief. In our marketing and now our shareholder literature, we represent a fully diversified portfolio graphically as an allocation pie chart and assign each asset class a color—green for domestic equity, blue for international, orange for sector and purple for fixed income. A legend in the left column illustrates the methodology. Your report cover now shows your Fund’s asset class color, plus the asset class and sub-asset class name are shown in the upper-left corner. The reason for these changes is to help you better understand where your Fund fits into your overall portfolio.
AIM has a variety of investment solutions, and knowing which ones are right for your portfolio is complex. That’s why we also believe in the value of a trusted financial advisor who will work with you to create an investment plan you can stick with for the long term. Your financial advisor can help allocate your portfolio appropriately and review your investments regularly to ensure they remain suitable as your financial situation changes. While there are no guarantees with any investment program, a long-term plan that’s based on your financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon is more likely to keep you and your investments on track.
At a recent meeting of the AIM Funds board, Robert H. Graham relinquished his position as president of AIM Funds, a post customarily held by the chief executive officer of AIM Investments. Bob—one of three founders of AIM Investments in 1976—has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most knowledgeable leaders in the mutual fund industry. As I assume Bob’s previous responsibilities, I’m pleased that he’ll remain actively involved as the vice chair of AIM Funds.
Our commitment to you
In the short term, the one sure thing about markets is their unpredictability. While past performance cannot guarantee comparable future results, we believe that staying invested for the long term with a thoughtful plan offers the best opportunity for weathering that unpredictability. We at AIM Investments remain committed to building enduring solutions to help you achieve your investment goals, and we’re pleased you’ve placed your trust in us.
Information about investing, the markets and your Fund is always available on our Web site, AIMinvestments.com. If you have questions about your individual account, we invite you to contact one of our highly trained client services representatives at 800-959-4246.
Sincerely, |
|
/s/ Philip Taylor | |
Philip Taylor
President – AIM Funds
CEO, AIM Investments
November 15, 2006
AIM Investments is a registered service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. A I M Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc. are the investment advisors. A I M Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the retail funds represented by AIM Investments.
3
AIM Leisure Fund
[CROCKETT
PHOTO]
Bruce L. Crockett
Dear Fellow AIM Fund Shareholders:
At our meeting at the end of June, your Board completed its comprehensive review* of each fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (AIM) to make certain your interests are being served in terms of fees, performance and operations.
Looking ahead, your Board finds many reasons to be positive about AIM’s management and strategic direction. Most importantly, AIM’s investment management discipline is paying off in terms of improved overall performance. While work remains to be done, AIM’s complex-wide, asset-weighted mutual fund performance for the trailing one-, three- and five-year periods is at its highest since 2000 for the periods ended September 30, 2006. We are also pleased with AIM’s efforts to seek more cost-effective ways of delivering superior service.
In addition, AIM is realizing the benefits of belonging to a leading independent global investment management organization in its parent company, AMVESCAP PLC, which is dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. AMVESCAP managed approximately $441 billion globally as of September 30, 2006, operating under the AIM, INVESCO, AIM Trimark, INVESCO PERPETUAL and Atlantic Trust brands. These companies are home to an abundance of investment talent that is gradually being integrated and leveraged into centers of excellence, each focusing on a given market segment or asset class. Over the next few years, your Board will be meeting at these various centers of excellence to learn about their progress and how they may serve you through our goal of enhancing performance and reducing costs.
The seven new AIM funds—which include Asian funds, structured U.S. equity funds and specialized bond funds—are an early example of the kind of opportunities the AMVESCAP organization can provide AIM clients. More information on these funds can be found on AIM’s Web site.
Your Board is very pleased with the overall direction and progress of the AIM Funds. We’re working closely and effectively with AIM’s management to continue this momentum. As always, your Board is eager to hear your views on how we might better serve you. Please send your comments in a letter addressed to me at AIM Investments, AIM Investments Tower, 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston TX 77046.
Sincerely, |
|
/s/ Bruce L. Crockett | |
Bruce L. Crockett
Independent Chair
AIM Funds Board
November 15, 2006
*To learn more about all the factors we considered before approving each fund’s advisory agreement, go to the “Products & Performance” tab at the AIM Web site (AIMinvestments.com) and click on “Investment Advisory Agreement Renewals.” The approval of advisory agreement information for your Fund is also included in this semiannual report on pages 9–10.
4
AIM Leisure Fund
Management’s discussion of Fund performance
Performance summary
Consumer discretionary stocks—the type of stocks in which AIM Leisure Fund invests the bulk of its assets—outperformed the broad market during the period, as measured by the S&P 500. This outperformance occurred despite inflationary concerns, fears of a housing slow down and their potentially negative effects on consumer spending. Consistent with the sector performance, Class A shares, excluding applicable sales charges, also outperformed the broad market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index.
Your Fund’s long-term performance appears on page 7.
Fund vs. Index
Cumulative total returns, 3/31/06–9/30/06, excluding applicable sales charges. If applicable sales charges were included, returns would be lower.
Class A Shares | | 4.47 | % |
Class B Shares | | 4.08 | |
Class C Shares | | 4.09 | |
Class R Shares | | 4.33 | |
Investor Class Shares | | 4.47 | |
S&P 500 Index (Broad Market Index/Style-Specific Index) | | 4.14 | |
Source: Lipper Inc.
How we invest
We focus on companies that profit from consumer spending on leisure activities (products and/or services purchased with consumers’ discretionary dollars) and that are growing their market share, cash flow and earnings at rates greater than the broad market.
We perform both fundamental and valuation analysis:
• Fundamental research includes interviews with company managements, buyers, customers and competitors. We ask company management teams to detail their three- to five-year strategic plan and their corresponding financial goals. We then evaluate whether the company has the right management in place, appropriate competitive position and adequate resources to realize its vision.
• Valuation analysis involves using financial models for each company in an effort to estimate its fair valuation over the next two to three years based primarily on our expectations for free cash flow growth.
Just as we look for managements with long-term visions, we maintain a long-term investment horizon, generally resulting in relatively low portfolio turnover. We manage risk by diversifying the Fund’s holdings across leisure-related industries that include cable TV, satellite programming, publishing, cruise lines, advertising agencies, hotels, casinos, luxury goods, electronic games and toys and entertainment companies.
We consider selling or trimming a stock when:
• There is a negative change in the company’s fundamental business prospects.
• A stock reaches the portfolio manager’s target price.
Market conditions and your Fund
U.S. economic growth slowed during the reporting period due to the interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, declines in new home construction and existing home values and higher oil prices. Domestic equity markets were mixed after the end of the first quarter, with major indexes reaching near highs in May and then retreating over concern of a weakening economy and inflation and their potential negative effect on consumer spending and corporate profits. Toward the end of the period, however, the S&P 500 Index reached a five-year high. Against this backdrop, interest rate-sensitive and defensive sectors—utilities, telecommunication services,
(continued)
Portfolio composition
By sector
Consumer Discretionary | | 80.1 | % |
Consumer Staples | | 9.1 | |
Financials | | 3.4 | |
Information Technology | | 2.0 | |
Exchange-Traded Funds | | 1.5 | |
Money Market Funds Plus Other Assets Less Liabilities | | 3.9 | |
Top five industries*
1. | | Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines | | 16.2 | % |
2. | | Broadcasting & Cable TV | | 13.1 | |
3. | | Movies & Entertainment | | 10.5 | |
4. | | Advertising | | 9.1 | |
5. | | Casinos & Gaming | | 8.9 | |
| | | | | |
Total Net Assets | | $731.7 million | |
| | | |
Total Number of Holdings* | | 76 | |
Top 10 equity holdings*
1. | | Omnicom Group Inc. | | 5.9 | % |
2. | | Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. | | 5.5 | |
3. | | News Corp.-Class A | | 5.1 | |
4. | | Hilton Hotels Corp. | | 3.3 | |
5. | | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | | 3.1 | |
6. | | Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. | | 2.6 | |
7. | | Groupe Bruxelles Lambert S.A. (Belgium) | | 2.5 | |
8. | | Walt Disney Co. (The) | | 2.5 | |
9. | | Time Warner Inc. | | 2.3 | |
10. | | Comcast Corp.-Class A | | 2.2 | |
The Fund’s holdings are subject to change, and there is no assurance that the Fund will continue to hold any particular security.
*Excluding money market fund holdings.
5
AIM Leisure Fund
consumer staples, financials and real estate investment trusts—led the market.
In addition to being heavily invested in consumer discretionary stocks, outperformance relative to the S&P 500 Index was specifically a result of the Fund’s stock selection and overweighting in the beverages and media industries. The Fund also benefited from an overweight position in textiles, apparel and luxury goods. Media holdings, Omnicom Group and News Corp., were among our top contributors to performance. Our largest holding, Omnicom Group, a diversified advertising, marketing and communications company, performed well during the period as the market recognized compelling valuations and management’s ability to increase earnings. News Corp., another diversified media top 10 holding, also contributed positively to performance. During the reporting period, we observed evidence that advertising spending was moving toward the Internet and that our media holdings, positioned to benefit from this trend, performed well.
Conversely, our holdings in Internet software and services, as well as leisure equipment and products, detracted from Fund performance. Internet information provider, Yahoo!, was a drag on Fund performance during the period. Yahoo!’s newly redesigned home page launched this September and received good reviews, but the shares of the company fell after a statement was issued that its improved advertising technology would be delayed and its advertising-related sales were slowing. This further strengthened our belief that advertising dollars are moving toward the World Wide Web.
Carnival, the world’s largest cruise operator, also detracted from Fund performance over the period. The global cruise company cut its earnings outlook for the year, citing accounting changes, soaring fuel costs and lower bookings for its Caribbean voyages. However, the company has seen some reprieve, as oil prices came off their July high and the recent hurricane season was mild. We continued to hold this stock because we remain optimistic regarding the company’s management and its ability to prosper from demographic and rising income trends.
We are comfortable with the quality of the companies we have selected for inclusion in AIM Leisure Fund. We remind shareholders that our time horizon for the stocks in the Fund is two-to-three years. The Fund is positioned in line with its mandate; it has exposure to a variety of leisure-related industries based on our bottom-up, stock-by-stock approach to investing. Most likely, domestic spending in this segment of the market will ebb and flow; that is why we maintain a long-term investment perspective and why we urge you to do the same.
In closing
As always, we thank you for your continued investment and welcome any new shareholders to AIM Leisure Fund.
The views and opinions expressed in management’s discussion of Fund performance are those of A I M Advisors, Inc. These views and opinions are subject to change at any time based on factors such as market and economic conditions. These views and opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, or as an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but A I M Advisors, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
See important Fund and index
disclosures on the inside front cover.
[GREENBERG
PHOTO]
Mark D. Greenberg
Chartered Financial Analyst, senior portfolio manager, is manager of AIM Leisure Fund. He has been associated with AIM and/or its affiliates since 1996. Mr. Greenberg attended City University in London, England, and earned his B.S.B.A. in economics with a specialization in finance from Marquette University.
Assisted by Leisure Team
For a presentation of your Fund’s long-term performance, please see page 7.
6
AIM Leisure Fund
Your Fund’s long-term performance
Average Annual Total Returns
As of 9/30/06, including applicable sales charges
Class A Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 4.89 | % |
1 Year | | 5.73 | |
| | | |
Class B Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 5.10 | % |
1 Year | | 6.09 | |
| | | |
Class C Shares | | | |
Inception (2/14/00) | | 3.91 | % |
5 Years | | 9.81 | |
1 Year | | 10.05 | |
| | | |
Class R Shares | | | |
Inception (10/25/05) | | 15.35 | %* |
| | | |
Investor Class Shares | | | |
Inception (1/19/84) | | 16.00 | % |
10 Years | | 13.38 | |
5 Years | | 10.74 | |
1 Year | | 11.87 | |
*Cumulative total return has not been annualized.
The performance data quoted represent past performance and cannot guarantee comparable future results; current performance may be lower or higher. Please visit AIMinvestments.com for the most recent month-end performance. Performance figures reflect reinvested distributions, changes in net asset value and the effect of the maximum sales charge unless otherwise stated. Performance figures do not reflect deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or sale of Fund shares Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares.
Class A share performance reflects the maximum 5.50% sales charge, and Class B and Class C share performance reflects the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for the period involved. The CDSC on Class B shares declines from 5% beginning at the time of purchase to 0% at the beginning of the seventh year. The CDSC on Class C shares is 1% for the first year after purchase. Class R shares do not have a front-end sales charge; returns shown are at net asset value and do not reflect a 0.75% CDSC that may be imposed on a total redemption of retirement plan assets within the first year. Investor Class shares do not have a front-end sales charge or a CDSC; therefore, performance is at net asset value.
The performance of the Fund’s share classes will differ primarily due to different sales charge structures and class expenses.
Continued from inside front cover
or on the AIM Web site, AIMinvestments.com. On the home page, scroll down and click on AIM Funds Proxy Policy. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 months ended June 30, 2006, is available at our Web site. Go to AIMinvestments.com, access the About Us tab, click on Required Notices and then click on Proxy Voting Activity. Next, select the Fund from the drop-down menu. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
7
AIM Leisure Fund
Calculating your ongoing Fund expenses
Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions; and redemption fees, if any; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees (12b-1); and other Fund 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 ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006.
Actual expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Actual Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Index” on page 5.
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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions, and redemption fees, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| | | | ACTUAL | | HYPOTHETICAL | | | |
| | | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | |
| | Beginning | | Ending | | Expenses | | Ending | | Expenses | | Annualized | |
Share | | Account Value | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Expense | |
Class | | (4/1/06) | | (9/30/06)(1) | | Period(2) | | (9/30/06) | | Period(2) | | Ratio | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
A | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 1,044.70 | | $ | 6.51 | | $ | 1,018.70 | | $ | 6.43 | | 1.27 | % |
B | | 1,000.00 | | 1,040.80 | | 10.33 | | 1,014.94 | | 10.20 | | 2.02 | |
C | | 1,000.00 | | 1,040.90 | | 10.33 | | 1,014.94 | | 10.20 | | 2.02 | |
R | | 1,000.00 | �� | 1,043.30 | | 7.79 | | 1,017.45 | | 7.69 | | 1.52 | |
Investor | | 1,000.00 | | 1,044.70 | | 6.51 | | 1,018.70 | | 6.43 | | 1.27 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) The actual ending account value is based on the actual total return of the Fund for the period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006, after actual expenses and will differ from the hypothetical ending account value which is based on the Fund’s expense ratio and a hypothetical annual return of 5% before expenses. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Index” on page 5.
(2) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio as indicated above multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the most recent fiscal half year.
8
AIM Leisure Fund
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
The Board of Trustees of AIM Sector Funds (the “Board”) oversees the management of AIM Leisure Fund (the “Fund”) and, as required by law, determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (“AIM”). Based upon the recommendation of the Investments Committee of the Board, at a meeting held on June 27, 2006, the Board, including all of the independent trustees, approved the continuance of the advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and AIM for another year, effective July 1, 2006.
The Board considered the factors discussed below in evaluating the fairness and reasonableness of the Advisory Agreement at the meeting on June 27, 2006 and as part of the Board’s ongoing oversight of the Fund. In their deliberations, the Board and the independent trustees did not identify any particular factor that was controlling, and each trustee attributed different weights to the various factors.
One responsibility of the independent Senior Officer of the Fund is to manage the process by which the Fund’s proposed management fees are negotiated to ensure that they are negotiated in a manner which is at arms’ length and reasonable. To that end, the Senior Officer must either supervise a competitive bidding process or prepare an independent written evaluation. The Senior Officer has recommended an independent written evaluation in lieu of a competitive bidding process and, upon the direction of the Board, has prepared such an independent written evaluation. Such written evaluation also considered certain of the factors discussed below.
The discussion below serves as a summary of the Senior Officer’s independent written evaluation, as well as a discussion of the material factors and the conclusions with respect thereto that formed the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement. After consideration of all of the factors below and based on its informed business judgment, the Board determined that the Advisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and that the compensation to AIM under the Advisory Agreement is fair and reasonable and would have been obtained through arm’s length negotiations.
Unless otherwise stated, information presented below is as of June 27, 2006 and does not reflect any changes that may have occurred since June 27, 2006, including but not limited to changes to the Fund’s performance, advisory fees, expense limitations and/or fee waivers.
• The nature and extent of the advisory services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement. Based on such review, the Board concluded that the range of services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The quality of services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of AIM who will provide investment advisory services to the Fund. In reviewing the qualifications of AIM to provide investment advisory services, the Board considered such issues as AIM’s portfolio and product review process, various back office support functions provided by AIM and AIM’s equity and fixed income trading operations. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that the quality of services to be provided by AIM was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing satisfactory services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The performance of the Fund relative to comparable funds. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance in such periods was below the median performance of such comparable funds. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. However, due to the Fund’s under-performance, the Board also concluded that it would be appropriate for the Board to continue to closely monitor and review the performance of the Fund. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• The performance of the Fund relative to indices. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of the S&P 500 Index. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance was below the performance of such Index for the one year period, comparable to such Index for the three year period and above such Index for the five year period. The Board also noted that the performance of such Index does not reflect fees, while the performance of the Fund does reflect fees. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. However, due to the Fund’s under-performance, the Board also concluded that it would be appropriate for the Board to continue to closely monitor and review the performance of the Fund. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• Meetings with the Fund’s portfolio managers and investment personnel. With respect to the Fund, the Board is meeting periodically with such Fund’s portfolio managers and/or other investment personnel and believes that such individuals are competent and able to continue to carry out their responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement.
• Overall performance of AIM. The Board considered the overall performance of AIM in providing investment advisory and portfolio administrative services to the Fund and concluded that such performance was satisfactory.
• Fees relative to those of clients of AIM with comparable investment strategies. The Board reviewed the effective advisory fee rate (before waivers) for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board noted that this rate was (i) below the effective advisory fee rates (before waivers) for four variable insurance funds advised by AIM and offered to insurance company separate accounts with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund; and (ii) above the effective sub-advisory fee rates for two offshore funds advised and sub-advised by AIM affiliates with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund, although the total advisory fees for one such offshore fund were above those for the Fund and the total advisory fees for the other offshore fund were comparable to those for the Fund. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Fees relative to those of comparable funds with other advisors. The Board reviewed the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board compared effective contractual advisory fee rates at a common asset level at the end of the past calendar year and noted that the Fund’s rate was comparable to the median rate of the funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund that the Board reviewed. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
(continued)
9
AIM Leisure Fund
• Expense limitations and fee waivers. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board considered the contractual nature of this fee waiver and noted that it remains in effect through June 30, 2007. The Board noted that AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive fees and/or limit expenses of the Fund in an amount necessary to limit total annual operating expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the Fund. The Board considered the voluntary nature of this fee waiver/expense limitation and noted it can be terminated at any time by AIM without further notice to investors. The Board considered the effect these fee waivers/expense limitations would have on the Fund’s estimated expenses and concluded that the levels of fee waivers/expense limitations for the Fund were fair and reasonable.
• Breakpoints and economies of scale. The Board reviewed the structure of the Fund’s advisory fee under the Advisory Agreement, noting that it includes six breakpoints. The Board reviewed the level of the Fund’s advisory fees, and noted that such fees, as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets, have decreased as net assets increased because the Advisory Agreement includes breakpoints. The Board noted that, due to the Fund’s asset levels at the end of the past calendar year and the way in which the advisory fee breakpoints have been structured, the Fund has yet to fully benefit from the breakpoints. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee levels under the Advisory Agreement therefore reflect economies of scale and that it was not necessary to change the advisory fee breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory fee schedule.
• Investments in affiliated money market funds. The Board also took into account the fact that uninvested cash and cash collateral from securities lending arrangements, if any (collectively, “cash balances”) of the Fund may be invested in money market funds advised by AIM pursuant to the terms of an SEC exemptive order. The Board found that the Fund may realize certain benefits upon investing cash balances in AIM advised money market funds, including a higher net return, increased liquidity, increased diversification or decreased transaction costs. The Board also found that the Fund will not receive reduced services if it invests its cash balances in such money market funds. The Board noted that, to the extent the Fund invests uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds, AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund attributable to such investment. The Board further determined that the proposed securities lending program and related procedures with respect to the lending Fund is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders. The Board therefore concluded that the investment of cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program in the money market funds according to the procedures is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders.
• Independent written evaluation and recommendations of the Fund’s Senior Officer. The Board noted that, upon their direction, the Senior Officer of the Fund, who is independent of AIM and AIM’s affiliates, had prepared an independent written evaluation in order to assist the Board in determining the reasonableness of the proposed management fees of the AIM Funds, including the Fund. The Board noted that the Senior Officer’s written evaluation had been relied upon by the Board in this regard in lieu of a competitive bidding process. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board considered the Senior Officer’s written evaluation and the recommendation made by the Senior Officer to the Board that the Board consider whether the advisory fee waivers for certain equity AIM Funds, including the Fund, should be simplified. The Board concluded that it would be advisable to consider this issue and reach a decision prior to the expiration date of such advisory fee waivers.
• Profitability of AIM and its affiliates. The Board reviewed information concerning the profitability of AIM’s (and its affiliates’) investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition. The Board considered the overall profitability of AIM, as well as the profitability of AIM in connection with managing the Fund. The Board noted that AIM’s operations remain profitable, although increased expenses in recent years have reduced AIM’s profitability. Based on the review of the profitability of AIM’s and its affiliates’ investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition, the Board concluded that the compensation to be paid by the Fund to AIM under its Advisory Agreement was not excessive.
• Benefits of soft dollars to AIM. The Board considered the benefits realized by AIM as a result of brokerage transactions executed through “soft dollar” arrangements. Under these arrangements, brokerage commissions paid by the Fund and/or other funds advised by AIM are used to pay for research and execution services. This research may be used by AIM in making investment decisions for the Fund. The Board concluded that such arrangements were appropriate.
• AIM’s financial soundness in light of the Fund’s needs. The Board considered whether AIM is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement, and concluded that AIM has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
• Historical relationship between the Fund and AIM. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board also considered the prior relationship between AIM and the Fund, as well as the Board’s knowledge of AIM’s operations, and concluded that it was beneficial to maintain the current relationship, in part, because of such knowledge. The Board also reviewed the general nature of the non-investment advisory services currently performed by AIM and its affiliates, such as administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and the fees received by AIM and its affiliates for performing such services. In addition to reviewing such services, the trustees also considered the organizational structure employed by AIM and its affiliates to provide those services. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that AIM and its affiliates were qualified to continue to provide non-investment advisory services to the Fund, including administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and that AIM and its affiliates currently are providing satisfactory non-investment advisory services.
• Other factors and current trends. The Board considered the steps that AIM and its affiliates have taken over the last several years, and continue to take, in order to improve the quality and efficiency of the services they provide to the Funds in the areas of investment performance, product line diversification, distribution, fund operations, shareholder services and compliance. The Board concluded that these steps taken by AIM have improved, and are likely to continue to improve, the quality and efficiency of the services AIM and its affiliates provide to the Fund in each of these areas, and support the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.
10
AIM Leisure Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | Shares | | Value | |
Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests–75.83% | |
Advertising–6.50% | |
Harte-Hanks, Inc. | | | 161,050 | | | $ | 4,243,667 | | |
Omnicom Group Inc. | | | 462,800 | | | | 43,318,080 | | |
| | | | | | | 47,561,747 | | |
Apparel Retail–1.29% | |
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.–Class A | | | 135,525 | | | | 9,416,277 | | |
Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods–4.65% | |
Carter's, Inc.(a) | | | 362,484 | | | | 9,565,953 | | |
Coach, Inc.(a) | | | 151,036 | | | | 5,195,638 | | |
Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. | | | 297,510 | | | | 19,245,922 | | |
| | | | | | | 34,007,513 | | |
Brewers–1.15% | |
Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. | | | 176,933 | | | | 8,406,087 | | |
Broadcasting & Cable TV–11.64% | |
Cablevision Systems Corp.–Class A | | | 667,193 | | | | 15,151,953 | | |
CBS Corp.–Class A | | | 64,550 | | | | 1,821,601 | | |
CBS Corp.–Class B | | | 64,700 | | | | 1,822,599 | | |
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. | | | 359,649 | | | | 10,375,874 | | |
Comcast Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 445,400 | | | | 16,412,990 | | |
EchoStar Communications Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 296,085 | | | | 9,693,823 | | |
Liberty Global, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 50,403 | | | | 1,297,373 | | |
Liberty Global, Inc.–Series C(a) | | | 94,583 | | | | 2,370,250 | | |
Liberty Media Holding Corp.–Capital Group–Series A(a) | | | 93,088 | | | | 7,779,364 | | |
NTL Inc. | | | 146,250 | | | | 3,719,137 | | |
Scripps Co. (E.W.) (The)–Class A | | | 137,300 | | | | 6,580,789 | | |
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.–Class A | | | 422,400 | | | | 3,315,840 | | |
Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 222,200 | | | | 971,014 | | |
Univision Communications Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 113,300 | | | | 3,890,722 | | |
| | | | | | | 85,203,329 | | |
Casinos & Gaming–8.91% | |
Aztar Corp.(a) | | | 69,900 | | | | 3,705,399 | | |
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. | | | 607,072 | | | | 40,327,793 | | |
International Game Technology | | | 299,940 | | | | 12,447,510 | | |
MGM MIRAGE(a) | | | 220,032 | | | | 8,689,064 | | |
| | | | | | | 65,169,766 | | |
Catalog Retail–1.30% | |
Liberty Media Holding Corp.–Interactive Group–Series A(a) | | | 465,444 | | | | 9,485,749 | | |
| | Shares | | Value | |
Department Stores–0.67% | |
Kohl's Corp.(a) | | | 75,255 | | | $ | 4,885,555 | | |
Footwear–1.55% | |
Crocs, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 155,760 | | | | 5,288,052 | | |
NIKE, Inc.–Class B | | | 69,400 | | | | 6,080,828 | | |
| | | | | | | 11,368,880 | | |
General Merchandise Stores–0.98% | |
Target Corp. | | | 130,300 | | | | 7,199,075 | | |
Home Entertainment Software–0.44% | |
Electronic Arts Inc.(a) | | | 58,400 | | | | 3,251,712 | | |
Home Improvement Retail–1.81% | |
Home Depot, Inc. (The) | | | 365,993 | | | | 13,274,566 | | |
Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines–11.29% | |
Carnival Corp.(c) | | | 323,521 | | | | 15,215,193 | | |
Hilton Hotels Corp. | | | 869,641 | | | | 24,219,502 | | |
Marriott International, Inc.–Class A | | | 386,585 | | | | 14,937,644 | | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | | | 143,984 | | | | 5,588,019 | | |
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | | | 395,960 | | | | 22,644,952 | | |
| | | | | | | 82,605,310 | | |
Hypermarkets & Super Centers–0.41% | |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | | | 61,277 | | | | 3,022,182 | | |
Internet Retail–1.11% | |
Blue Nile, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 134,217 | | | | 4,878,788 | | |
Expedia, Inc.(a) | | | 206,050 | | | | 3,230,864 | | |
| | | | | | | 8,109,652 | | |
Internet Software & Services–1.51% | |
Yahoo! Inc.(a) | | | 438,182 | | | | 11,077,241 | | |
Investment Companies–Exchange Traded Funds–1.48% | |
iShares Russell 3000 Index Fund | | | 46,568 | | | | 3,580,613 | | |
iShares S&P 500 Index Fund | | | 26,936 | | | | 3,602,690 | | |
S&P 500 Depositary Receipts Trust–Series 1 | | | 27,039 | | | | 3,611,870 | | |
| | | | | | | 10,795,173 | | |
Movies & Entertainment–10.54% | |
News Corp.–Class A | | | 1,903,094 | | | | 37,395,797 | | |
Time Warner Inc. | | | 936,500 | | | | 17,072,395 | | |
Viacom Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 54,850 | | | | 2,045,905 | | |
Viacom Inc.–Class B(a) | | | 55,000 | | | | 2,044,900 | | |
Walt Disney Co. (The) | | | 600,479 | | | | 18,560,806 | | |
| | | | | | | 77,119,803 | | |
F-1
AIM Leisure Fund
| | Shares | | Value | |
Publishing–3.39% | |
Belo Corp.–Class A | | | 304,800 | | | $ | 4,818,888 | | |
Gannett Co., Inc. | | | 95,205 | | | | 5,410,500 | | |
McClatchy Co. (The)–Class A | | | 129,300 | | | | 5,455,167 | | |
McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 157,000 | | | | 9,110,710 | | |
| | | | | | | 24,795,265 | | |
Restaurants–2.34% | |
Burger King Holdings Inc.(a) | | | 136,081 | | | | 2,171,853 | | |
McDonald's Corp. | | | 142,720 | | | | 5,583,207 | | |
Ruth's Chris Steak House, Inc.(a) | | | 234,294 | | | | 4,409,413 | | |
Yum! Brands, Inc. | | | 94,826 | | | | 4,935,693 | | |
| | | | | | | 17,100,166 | | |
Soft Drinks–1.24% | |
PepsiCo, Inc. | | | 138,700 | | | | 9,051,562 | | |
Specialty Stores–1.63% | |
PetSmart, Inc. | | | 430,566 | | | | 11,948,206 | | |
Total Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $370,515,402) | | | | | | | 554,854,816 | | |
Foreign Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests–20.29% | |
Belgium–3.79% | |
Compagnie Nationale a Portefeuille (Multi-Sector Holdings)(b)(d) | | | 4,200 | | | | 1,461,454 | | |
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert S.A. (Multi-Sector Holdings)(d) | | | 174,400 | | | | 18,590,076 | | |
InBev N.V. (Brewers) | | | 139,535 | | | | 7,682,620 | | |
| | | | | | | 27,734,150 | | |
Brazil–1.26% | |
Companhia de Bebidas das Americas–ADR (Brewers) | | | 229,446 | | | | 9,205,374 | | |
Canada–1.14% | |
Intrawest Corp. (Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines) | | | 240,680 | | | | 8,313,087 | | |
Denmark–1.15% | |
Carlsberg A.S.–Class B (Brewers)(d) | | | 100,200 | | | | 8,417,721 | | |
France–3.57% | |
Accor S.A. (Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines)(d) | | | 200,971 | | | | 13,678,583 | | |
JC Decaux S.A. (Advertising)(d) | | | 201,900 | | | | 5,451,559 | | |
Pernod Ricard S.A. (Distillers & Vintners)(d) | | | 33,800 | | | | 7,028,445 | | |
| | | | | | | 26,158,587 | | |
| | Shares | | Value | |
Hong Kong–0.20% | |
Television Broadcasts Ltd.–ADR (Broadcasting & Cable TV)(b)(e) | | | 138,900 | | | $ | 1,497,328 | | |
Japan–0.36% | |
Sony Corp.–ADR (Consumer Electronics) | | | 64,500 | | | | 2,603,220 | | |
Netherlands–1.27% | |
Jetix Europe N.V. (Broadcasting & Cable TV)(a)(b)(d) | | | 428,515 | | | | 9,260,813 | | |
Switzerland–1.89% | |
Compagnie Financiere Richemont A.G.–Class A (Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods)(d)(f) | | | 179,500 | | | | 8,628,152 | | |
Pargesa Holding S.A. (Multi-Sector Holdings)(d) | | | 53,900 | | | | 5,209,581 | | |
| | | | | | | 13,837,733 | | |
United Kingdom–5.66% | |
Diageo PLC (Distillers & Vintners) | | | 774,600 | | | | 13,681,598 | | |
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines)(d) | | | 796,665 | | | | 13,926,219 | | |
WPP Group PLC (Advertising) | | | 1,112,030 | | | | 13,781,356 | | |
| | | | | | | 41,389,173 | | |
Total Foreign Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $88,105,173) | | | | | | | 148,417,186 | | |
Money Market Funds–4.09% | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class(g) | | | 14,969,877 | | | | 14,969,877 | | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class(g) | | | 14,969,878 | | | | 14,969,878 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (Cost $29,939,755) | | | | | | | 29,939,755 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned)–100.21% (Cost $488,560,330) | | | | | | | 733,211,757 | | |
Investments Purchased with Cash Collateral from Securities Loaned | |
Money Market Funds–1.30% | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class(g)(h) | | | 9,540,499 | | | | 9,540,499 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $9,540,499) | | | | | | | 9,540,499 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–101.51% (Cost $498,100,829) | | | | | | | 742,752,256 | | |
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES–(1.51)% | | | | | | | (11,077,248 | ) | |
NET ASSETS–100.00% | | | | | | $ | 731,675,008 | | |
F-2
AIM Leisure Fund
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR | | | – | | | American Depositary Receipt | |
|
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) All or a portion of this security was out on loan at September 30, 2006.
(c) Each unit represents one common share and one paired trust share.
(d) In accordance with the procedures established by the Board of Trustees, the foreign security is fair valued using adjusted closing market prices. The aggregate value of these securities at September 30, 2006 was $91,652,603, which represented 12.53% of the Fund's Net Assets. See Note 1A.
(e) In accordance with the procedures established by the Board of Trustees, security fair valued based on an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. The value of this security at September 30, 2006 represented 0.20% of the Fund's Net Assets. See Note 1A.
(f) Each unit represents one A bearer share in the company and one bearer share participation certificate in Richemont S.A.
(g) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same investment advisor. See Note 3.
(h) The security has been segregated to satisfy the commitment to return the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the borrower's return of the securities loaned. See Note 8.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-3
AIM Leisure Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Assets: | |
Investments, at value (cost $458,620,575)* | | $ | 703,272,002 | | |
Investments in affiliated money market funds (cost $39,480,254) | | | 39,480,254 | | |
Total investments (cost $498,100,829) | | | 742,752,256 | | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $5,128,265) | | | 5,103,114 | | |
Receivables for: | |
Fund shares sold | | | 542,779 | | |
Dividends | | | 1,088,795 | | |
Investment for trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 80,255 | | |
Other assets | | | 26,431 | | |
Total assets | | | 749,593,630 | | |
Liabilities: | |
Payables for: | |
Investments purchased | | | 6,594,512 | | |
Fund shares reacquired | | | 1,027,952 | | |
Trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 119,576 | | |
Collateral upon return of securities loaned | | | 9,540,499 | | |
Accrued distribution fees | | | 186,425 | | |
Accrued trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 1,494 | | |
Accrued transfer agent fees | | | 339,158 | | |
Accrued operating expenses | | | 109,006 | | |
Total liabilities | | | 17,918,622 | | |
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding | | $ | 731,675,008 | | |
Net assets consist of: | |
Shares of beneficial interest | | $ | 445,875,264 | | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | (3,684,959 | ) | |
Undistributed net realized gain from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 44,855,286 | | |
Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 244,629,417 | | |
| | $ | 731,675,008 | | |
Net Assets: | |
Class A | | $ | 126,955,159 | | |
Class B | | $ | 31,479,877 | | |
Class C | | $ | 30,853,065 | | |
Class R | | $ | 33,492 | | |
Investor Class | | $ | 542,353,415 | | |
Shares outstanding, $0.01 par value per share, unlimited number of shares authorized: | |
Class A | | | 2,797,278 | | |
Class B | | | 712,440 | | |
Class C | | | 716,896 | | |
Class R | | | 739.5 | | |
Investor Class | | | 11,970,204 | | |
Class A: | |
Net asset value per share | | $ | 45.39 | | |
Offering price per share (Net asset value of $45.39 ÷ 94.50%) | | $ | 48.03 | | |
Class B: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 44.19 | | |
Class C: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 43.04 | | |
Class R: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 45.29 | | |
Investor Class: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 45.31 | | |
* At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $9,279,672 were on loan to brokers.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-4
AIM Leisure Fund
Statement of Operations
For the six months ended September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Investment income: | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $253,899) | | $ | 13,604,565 | | |
Dividends from affiliated money market funds (includes securities lending income of $149,284) | | | 570,726 | | |
Interest | | | 2,328 | | |
Total investment income | | | 14,177,619 | | |
Expenses: | |
Advisory fees | | | 2,540,005 | | |
Administrative services fees | | | 104,259 | | |
Custodian fees | | | 102,472 | | |
Distribution fees: | |
Class A | | | 159,119 | | |
Class B | | | 161,113 | | |
Class C | | | 159,096 | | |
Class R | | | 65 | | |
Investor Class | | | 676,054 | | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 801,882 | | |
Trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 17,258 | | |
Other | | | 180,714 | | |
Total expenses | | | 4,902,037 | | |
Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangements | | | (23,900 | ) | |
Net expenses | | | 4,878,137 | | |
Net investment income | | | 9,299,482 | | |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies: | |
Net realized gain from: | |
Investment securities (includes net gains from securities sold to affiliates of $292,734) | | | 23,612,763 | | |
Foreign currencies | | | 155,076 | | |
| | | 23,767,839 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: | |
Investment securities | | | (1,584,013 | ) | |
Foreign currencies | | | (15,426 | ) | |
| | | (1,599,439 | ) | |
Net gain from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 22,168,400 | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 31,467,882 | | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-5
AIM Leisure Fund
Statement of Changes In Net Assets
For the six months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended March 31, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | September 30, 2006 | | March 31, 2006 | |
Operations: | |
Net investment income | | $ | 9,299,482 | | | $ | 2,380,758 | | |
Net realized gain from investment securities, foreign currencies and futures contracts | | | 23,767,839 | | | | 94,200,637 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities and foreign currencies | | | (1,599,439 | ) | | | (49,020,657 | ) | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 31,467,882 | | | | 47,560,738 | | |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income: | |
Class A | | | — | | | | (1,478,318 | ) | |
Class B | | | — | | | | (275,141 | ) | |
Class C | | | — | | | | (273,567 | ) | |
Class R | | | — | | | | (104 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | — | | | | (6,284,550 | ) | |
Total distributions from net investment income | | | — | | | | (8,311,680 | ) | |
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains: | |
Class A | | | — | | | | (13,787,712 | ) | |
Class B | | | — | | | | (3,646,606 | ) | |
Class C | | | — | | | | (3,625,742 | ) | |
Class R | | | — | | | | (1,007 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | — | | | | (57,249,907 | ) | |
Total distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (78,310,974 | ) | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions | | | — | | | | (86,622,654 | ) | |
Share transactions—net: | |
Class A | | | (10,975,784 | ) | | | 51,259,710 | | |
Class B | | | (4,041,750 | ) | | | 7,419,440 | | |
Class C | | | (3,919,221 | ) | | | 5,751,247 | | |
Class K | | | — | | | | (98,550,104 | ) | |
Class R | | | 10,435 | | | | 21,525 | | |
Investor Class | | | (49,544,748 | ) | | | (65,151,262 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions | | | (68,471,068 | ) | | | (99,249,444 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | (37,003,186 | ) | | | (138,311,360 | ) | |
Net assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 768,678,194 | | | | 906,989,554 | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $(3,684,959) and $(12,984,441), respectively) | | $ | 731,675,008 | | | $ | 768,678,194 | | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-6
AIM Leisure Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies
AIM Leisure Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM Sector Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of six separate portfolios, each authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The Fund currently consists of multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund.
The Fund's investment objective is to provide capital growth.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. Security Valuations — Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy.
A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange) are valued based on the prices furnished by independent pricing services, in which case the securities may be considered fair valued, or by market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price.
Futures contracts are valued at the final settlement price set by an exchange on which they are principally traded. Listed options are valued at the mean between the last bid and the ask prices from the exchange on which they are principally traded. Options not listed on an exchange are valued by an independent source at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally are valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Investments in open-end registered investment companies and closed-end registered investment companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day net asset value per share. Investments in closed-end registered investment companies that trade on an exchange are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded.
Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to specific securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are recorded at amortized cost which approximates value.
Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices.
Foreign securities (including foreign exchange contracts) are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using the applicable exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If the event is likely to have affected the closing price of the security, the security will be valued at fair value in good faith using procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value may also be based on a screening process of an independent pricing service to indicate the degree of certainty, based on historical data, that the closing price in the principal market where a foreign security trades is not the current value as of the close of the NYSE. Foreign securities meeting the approved degree of certainty that the price is not reflective of current value will be priced at the indication of fair value from the independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, ADRs and domestic and foreign index futures.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust's officers following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Issuer specific events, market trends, bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers and other market data may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value.
B. Securities Transactions and Investment Income — Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Brokerage commissions and mark ups are considered transaction costs and are recorded as an increase to the cost basis of securities purchased and/or a reduction of proceeds on a sale of securities. Such transaction costs are included in the determination of realized and unrealized gain
F-7
AIM Leisure Fund
(loss) from investment securities reported in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and the realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on securities per share in the Financial Highlights. Transaction costs are included in the calculation of the Fund's net asset value and, accordingly, they reduce the Fund's total returns. These transaction costs are not considered operating expenses and are not reflected in net investment income reported in the Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets, or the net investment income per share and ratios of expenses and net investment income reported in the Financial Highlights, nor are they limited by any expense limitation arrangements between the Fund and the advisor.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. Country Determination — For the purposes of making investment selection decisions and presentation in the Schedule of Investments, AIM may determine the country in which an issuer is located and/or credit risk exposure based on various factors. These factors include the laws of the country under which the issuer is organized, where the issuer maintains a principal office, the country in which the issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenues and the country that has the primary market for the issuer's securities, as well as other criteria. Among the other criteria that may be evaluated for making this determination are the country in which the issuer maintains 50% or more of its assets, the type of security, financial guarantees and enhancements, the nature of the collateral and the sponsor organization. Country of issuer and/or credit risk exposure has been determined to be the United States of America unless otherwise noted.
D. Distributions — Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to treat a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
E. Federal Income Taxes — The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and to distribute substantially all of the Fund's taxable earnings to shareholders. As such, the Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements.
F. Expenses — Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund and which are directly attributable to that class are charged to the operations of such class. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
G. Accounting Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including estimates and assumptions related to taxation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
H. Indemnifications — Under the Trust's organizational documents, each Trustee, officer, employee or other agent of the Trust (including the Trust's investment manager) is indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss as a result of such indemnification claims is considered remote.
I. Foreign Currency Translations — Foreign currency is valued at the close of the NYSE based on quotations posted by banks and major currency dealers. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (net of foreign taxes withheld on disposition) and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market price s on investments (net of estimated foreign tax withholding) are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from (i) sales of foreign currencies, (ii) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and (iii) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
J. Foreign Currency Contracts — A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the Statement of Operations. The Fund could be exposed to risk, which may be in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the f oreign currency changes unfavorably.
K. Futures Contracts — The Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts. Initial margin deposits required upon entering into futures contracts are satisfied by the segregation of specific securities as collateral for the account of the broker (the Fund's agent in acquiring the futures position). During the period the futures contracts are open, changes in the value of the contracts are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by "marking to market" on a daily basis to reflect the market value of the contracts at the end of each day's trading. Variation margin payments are received or made depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contracts are closed, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss
F-8
AIM Leisure Fund
equal to the difference between the proceeds from, or cost of, the closing transaction and the Fund's basis in the contract. If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract and/or enter into an offsetting closing transaction, the Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the value of the contracts and continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contracts. Risks may exceed amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
L. Collateral — To the extent the Fund has pledged or segregated a security as collateral and that security is subsequently sold, it is the Fund's practice to replace such collateral no later than the next business day. This practice does not apply to securities pledged as collateral for securities lending transactions.
NOTE 2—Advisory Fees and Other Fees Paid to Affiliates
The Trust has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM based on the annual rate of the Fund's average daily net assets as follows:
Average Net Assets | | Rate | |
First $350 million | | | 0.75 | % | |
Next $350 million | | | 0.65 | % | |
Next $1.3 billion | | | 0.55 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.45 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.40 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.375 | % | |
Over $8 billion | | | 0.35 | % | |
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds on investments by the Fund in such affiliated money market funds (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the fund). AIM is also voluntarily waiving a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Fund equal to the difference between the income earned from investing in the affiliated money market fund and the hypothetical income earned from investing in an appropriate comparative benchmark. Voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements may be modified or discontinued at any time upon consultation with the Board of Trustees without further notice to investors.
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM waived advisory fees of $1,980.
At the request of the Trustees of the Trust, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP") agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with market timing matters in the AIM Funds, which may include legal, audit, shareholder reporting, communications and trustee expenses. These expenses along with the related expense reimbursement are included in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AMVESCAP reimbursed expenses of the Fund in the amount of $1,811.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. Pursuant to such agreement, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM was paid $104,259.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AIS") a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund and reimburse AIS for certain expenses incurred by AIS in the course of providing such services. AIS may make payments to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services, sub-accounting services and/or networking services. All fees payable by AIS to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services or sub-accounting are charged back to the Fund, subject to certain limitations approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid AIS $801,882.
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class shares of the Fund. The Trust has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays ADI compensation at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares, 0.50% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Investor Class shares. Of the Rule 12b-1 payments, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R or Investor Class shares may be paid to furnish continuing personal shareholder services to customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not paid as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") Rules impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges, that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class shares paid $159,119, $161,113, $159,096, $65 and $676,054, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the six months ended September 30, 2006, ADI advised the Fund
F-9
AIM Leisure Fund
that it retained $12,221 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $72, $25,366, $4,431 and $0 from Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed on redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are officers and directors of AIM, AIS and/or ADI.
NOTE 3—Investments in Affiliates
The Fund is permitted, pursuant to an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, to invest daily available cash balances and cash collateral from securities lending transactions in affiliated money market funds. The Fund and the money market funds below have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The tables below show the transactions in and earnings from investments in affiliated money market funds for the six months ended September 30, 2006.
Investments of Daily Available Cash Balances:
Fund | |
Value 03/31/06 | |
Purchases at Cost | |
Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Value 09/30/06 | |
Dividend Income | |
Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | — | | | $ | 34,409,524 | | | $ | (19,439,647 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 14,969,877 | | | $ | 140,739 | | | $ | — | | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | | 1,876,748 | | | | 86,269,370 | | | | (73,176,240 | ) | | | — | | | | 14,969,878 | | | | 280,703 | | | | — | | |
Subtotal | | $ | 1,876,748 | | | $ | 120,678,894 | | | $ | (92,615,887 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 29,939,755 | | | $ | 421,442 | | | $ | — | | |
Investments of Cash Collateral from Securities Lending Transactions:
Fund | |
Value 03/31/06 | |
Purchases at Cost | |
Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Value 09/30/06 | |
Dividend Income* | |
Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | 24,296,094 | | | $ | 395,358,630 | | | $ | (410,114,225 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 9,540,499 | | | $ | 149,284 | | | $ | — | | |
Total Investments in Affiliates | | $ | 26,172,842 | | | $ | 516,037,524 | | | $ | (502,730,112 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 39,480,254 | | | $ | 570,726 | | | $ | — | | |
* Net of compensation to counterparties.
NOTE 4—Security Transactions with Affiliated Funds
The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain other AIM Funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common Trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. Pursuant to these procedures, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund engaged in securities sales of $785,502, which resulted in net realized gains of $292,734 and securities purchases of $0.
NOTE 5—Expense Offset Arrangements
The expense offset arrangements are comprised of (i) transfer agency credits which result from balances in Demand Deposit Accounts (DDA) used by the transfer agent for clearing shareholder transactions and (ii) custodian credits which result from periodic overnight cash balances at the custodian. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received credits from these arrangements, which resulted in the reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $20,109.
NOTE 6—Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits
"Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to pay remuneration to each Trustee and Officer of the Fund who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Trustees have the option to defer compensation payable by the Fund, and "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" also include amounts accrued by the Fund to fund such deferred compensation amounts. Those Trustees who defer compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested. Finally, current Trustees are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Trustees over a period of time based on the number of years of service. The Fund may have certain former Trustees who also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan. "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to fun d such retirement benefits. Obligations under the deferred compensation and retirement plans represent unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund.
F-10
AIM Leisure Fund
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid legal fees of $2,310 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Trustees. A member of that firm is a Trustee of the Trust.
NOTE 7—Borrowings
Pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC, the Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. A loan will be secured by collateral if the Fund's aggregate borrowings from all sources exceeds 10% of the Fund's total assets. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
The Fund is a participant in an uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000, or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which are parties to the credit facility can borrow on a first come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under the uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility.
Additionally, the Fund is permitted to temporarily carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with SSB, the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds as a compensating balance in the account so the custodian bank can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank at a rate agreed upon by the custodian bank and AIM, not to exceed the rate contractually agreed upon.
NOTE 8—Portfolio Securities Loaned
The Fund may lend portfolio securities having a market value up to one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral received in connection with these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrowe r did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the collateral available for return to the borrower due to any loss on the collateral invested.
At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $9,279,672 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $9,540,499 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received dividends on cash collateral investments of $149,284 for securities lending transactions, which are net of compensation to counterparties.
NOTE 9—Tax Information
The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforward) under income tax regulations. The tax character of distributions paid during the year and the tax components of net assets will be reported at the Fund's fiscal year-end.
The Fund did not have a capital loss carryforward as of March 31, 2006.
NOTE 10—Investment Securities
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2006 was $48,885,440 and $128,464,922, respectively. For interim reporting periods, the cost of investments for tax purposes includes reversals of certain tax items, such as, wash sales that have occurred since the prior fiscal year-end.
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities on a Tax Basis
Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 242,661,501 | | |
Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities | | | (12,590,638 | ) | |
Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 230,070,863 | | |
Cost of investments for tax purposes is $512,681,393.
F-11
AIM Leisure Fund
NOTE 11—Share Information
The Fund currently consists of five different classes of shares: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Investor Class. The Fund formerly offered Class K shares; however, as of the close of business October 21, 2005, the Class K shares were converted to Class A shares. Investor Class shares of the Fund are offered only to certain grandfathered investors.
Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge unless certain waiver criteria are met. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Class R shares and Investor Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under certain circumstances, Class A shares and Class R shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on or about the month-end which is at least eight years after the date of purchase.
Changes in Shares Outstanding
| | Six months ended September 30, 2006(a) | | Year ended March 31, 2006 | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Sold: | |
Class A | | | 272,355 | | | $ | 11,900,955 | | | | 1,690,157 | | | $ | 76,342,165 | | |
Class B | | | 34,753 | | | | 1,478,230 | | | | 303,966 | | | | 13,527,410 | | |
Class C | | | 48,486 | | | | 2,003,437 | | | | 335,088 | | | | 14,484,186 | | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 87,158 | | | | 3,917,051 | | |
Class R(c) | | | 243.8 | | | | 10,435 | | | | 468.8 | | | | 20,414 | | |
Investor Class | | | 504,923 | | | | 22,114,683 | | | | 1,086,533 | | | | 48,574,296 | | |
Issued as reinvestment of dividends: | |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | 352,631 | | | | 14,581,266 | | |
Class B | | | — | | | | — | | | | 89,561 | | | | 3,626,335 | | |
Class C | | | — | | | | — | | | | 93,161 | | | | 3,674,292 | | |
Class R(c) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 26.9 | | | | 1,111 | | |
Investor Class | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,495,835 | | | | 61,748,054 | | |
Conversion of Class K shares to Class A shares:(d) | |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | 349,033 | | | | 15,172,483 | | |
Class K | | | — | | | | — | | | | (353,342 | ) | | | (15,172,483 | ) | |
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: | |
Class A | | | 10,968 | | | | 480,083 | | | | 14,950 | | | | 660,308 | | |
Class B | | | (11,243 | ) | | | (480,083 | ) | | | (15,261 | ) | | | (660,308 | ) | |
Reacquired: | |
Class A | | | (536,069 | ) | | | (23,356,822 | ) | | | (1,265,646 | ) | | | (55,496,512 | ) | |
Class B | | | (118,276 | ) | | | (5,039,897 | ) | | | (212,534 | ) | | | (9,073,997 | ) | |
Class C | | | (142,869 | ) | | | (5,922,658 | ) | | | (294,933 | ) | | | (12,407,231 | ) | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (1,983,958 | ) | | | (87,294,672 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (1,637,715 | ) | | | (71,659,431 | ) | | | (3,970,756 | ) | | | (175,473,612 | ) | |
| | | (1,574,443.2 | ) | | $ | (68,471,068 | ) | | | (2,197,861.3 | ) | | $ | (99,249,444 | ) | |
(a) There are two entities that are record owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and in the aggregate they own 26% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. ADI has an agreement with these entities to sell Fund shares. The Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates may make payments to these entities, which are considered to be related to the Fund, for providing services to the Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates including but not limited to services such as securities brokerage, distribution, third party record keeping and account servicing. The Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record by these entities are also owned beneficially.
(b) Class K shares activity for the period April 1, 2005 through October 21, 2005 (date of conversion).
(c) Class R shares commenced sales on October 25, 2005.
(d) Effective as of close of business October 21, 2005, all outstanding shares were converted to class A shares of the Fund.
NOTE 12—New Accounting Standard
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions for FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management is currently assessing the impact of FIN 48, if any, on the Fund's financial statements and intends for the Fund to adopt the FIN 48 provisions during 2007.
F-12
AIM Leisure Fund
NOTE 13—Financial Highlights
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
| | Class A | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | | March 28, 2002 (Date sales commenced) to March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 43.45 | | | $ | 45.61 | | | $ | 42.83 | | | $ | 30.88 | | | $ | 38.96 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss)(a) | | | 0.57 | | | | 0.15 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.17 | ) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.37 | | | | 2.60 | | | | 3.15 | | | | 12.09 | | | | (7.91 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.94 | | | | 2.75 | | | | 3.10 | | | | 11.95 | | | | (8.08 | ) | |
Less distributions: | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.47 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (4.44 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (4.91 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 45.39 | | | $ | 43.45 | | | $ | 45.61 | | | $ | 42.83 | | | $ | 30.88 | | |
Total return(b) | | | 4.47 | % | | | 6.58 | % | | | 7.23 | % | | | 38.70 | % | | | (20.74 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 126,955 | | | $ | 132,515 | | | $ | 87,068 | | | $ | 66,510 | | | $ | 27,175 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 1.27 | %(c) | | | 1.29 | % | | | 1.42 | %(d) | | | 1.48 | % | | | 1.42 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | 2.61 | %(c) | | | 0.34 | % | | | (0.11 | )% | | | (0.37 | )% | | | (0.56 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 7 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 8 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 20 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $126,947,304.
(d) After fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.43% for the year ended March 31, 2005.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Class B | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | | March 28, 2002 (Date sales commenced) to March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 42.46 | | | $ | 44.86 | | | $ | 42.22 | | | $ | 30.65 | | | $ | 38.96 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss)(a) | | | 0.40 | | | | (0.17 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.40 | ) | | | (0.38 | ) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.33 | | | | 2.54 | | | | 3.08 | | | | 11.97 | | | | (7.93 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.73 | | | | 2.37 | | | | 2.76 | | | | 11.57 | | | | (8.31 | ) | |
Less distributions: | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.33 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (4.44 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (4.77 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 44.19 | | | $ | 42.46 | | | $ | 44.86 | | | $ | 42.22 | | | $ | 30.65 | | |
Total return(b) | | | 4.08 | % | | | 5.81 | % | | | 6.54 | % | | | 37.75 | % | | | (21.33 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 31,480 | | | $ | 34,272 | | | $ | 28,776 | | | $ | 18,814 | | | $ | 8,268 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.02 | %(c) | | | 2.02 | % | | | 2.07 | % | | | 2.15 | % | | | 2.14 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.02 | %(c) | | | 2.02 | % | | | 2.08 | % | | | 2.26 | % | | | 2.23 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | 1.86 | %(c) | | | (0.39 | )% | | | (0.76 | )% | | | (1.04 | )% | | | (1.29 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 7 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 8 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 20 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $32,134,615.
(d) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-13
AIM Leisure Fund
NOTE 13—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Class C | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 41.35 | | | $ | 43.82 | | | $ | 41.24 | | | $ | 30.00 | | | $ | 38.29 | | | $ | 36.80 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | 0.39 | (a) | | | (0.17 | )(a) | | | (0.31 | )(a) | | | (0.46 | )(a) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.17 | )(b) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.30 | | | | 2.47 | | | | 3.01 | | | | 11.70 | | | | (8.11 | ) | | | 2.02 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.69 | | | | 2.30 | | | | 2.70 | | | | 11.24 | | | | (8.29 | ) | | | 1.85 | | |
Less distributions: | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.33 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (4.44 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.36 | ) | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (4.77 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.36 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 43.04 | | | $ | 41.35 | | | $ | 43.82 | | | $ | 41.24 | | | $ | 30.00 | | | $ | 38.29 | | |
Total return(c) | | | 4.09 | % | | | 5.78 | % | | | 6.55 | % | | | 37.47 | % | | | (21.65 | )% | | | 5.10 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 30,853 | | | $ | 33,549 | | | $ | 29,706 | | | $ | 28,383 | | | $ | 17,768 | | | $ | 16,307 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 2.02 | %(d) | | | 2.02 | % | | | 2.07 | %(e) | | | 2.36 | % | | | 2.44 | % | | | 2.26 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | 1.86 | %(d) | | | (0.39 | )% | | | (0.76 | )% | | | (1.25 | )% | | | (1.62 | )% | | | (1.48 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(f) | | | 7 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 8 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 27 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) The net investment income (loss) per share was calculated after permanent book tax differences, such as net operating losses, which were reclassified from accumulated net investment income (loss) to paid in capital. Had net investment income (loss) per share been calculated using the current method, which is before reclassification of net operating losses, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.34) for the year ended March 31, 2002.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $31,732,330.
(e) After fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 2.08% for the year ended March 31, 2005.
(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Class R | |
| | Six months ended September 30, 2006 | | October 25, 2005 (Date sales commenced) to March 31, 2006 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 43.41 | | | $ | 43.91 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income(a) | | | 0.51 | | | | 0.02 | | |
Net gains on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.37 | | | | 4.38 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.88 | | | | 4.40 | | |
Less distributions: | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.46 | ) | |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (4.44 | ) | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (4.90 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 45.29 | | | $ | 43.41 | | |
Total return(b) | | | 4.33 | % | | | 10.57 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 33 | | | $ | 22 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 1.52 | %(c) | | | 1.52 | %(d) | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 2.36 | %(c) | | | 0.11 | %(d) | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 7 | % | | | 20 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $26,072.
(d) Annualized.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-14
AIM Leisure Fund
NOTE 13—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Investor Class | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 43.37 | | | $ | 45.54 | | | $ | 42.75 | | | $ | 30.83 | | | $ | 38.95 | | | $ | 37.13 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | 0.57 | (a) | | | 0.16 | (a) | | | (0.00 | )(a) | | | (0.14 | )(a) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.03 | )(b) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.37 | | | | 2.59 | | | | 3.14 | | | | 12.06 | | | | (7.89 | ) | | | 2.21 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.94 | | | | 2.75 | | | | 3.14 | | | | 11.92 | | | | (8.12 | ) | | | 2.18 | | |
Less distributions: | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.48 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (4.44 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.36 | ) | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (4.92 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.36 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 45.31 | | | $ | 43.37 | | | $ | 45.54 | | | $ | 42.75 | | | $ | 30.83 | | | $ | 38.95 | | |
Total return(c) | | | 4.47 | % | | | 6.60 | % | | | 7.35 | % | | | 38.66 | % | | | (20.87 | )% | | | 6.01 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000ws omitted) | | $ | 542,353 | | | $ | 568,321 | | | $ | 659,978 | | | $ | 702,969 | | | $ | 536,108 | | | $ | 799,465 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 1.27 | %(d) | | | 1.27 | % | | | 1.32 | %(e) | | | 1.49 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.40 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | 2.61 | %(d) | | | 0.36 | % | | | (0.01 | )% | | | (0.38 | )% | | | (0.69 | )% | | | (0.64 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(f) | | | 7 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 8 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 27 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) The net investment income (loss) per share was calculated after permanent book tax differences, such as net operating losses, which were reclassified from accumulated net investment income (loss) to paid in capital. Had net investment income (loss) per share been calculated using the current method, which is before reclassification of net operating losses, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.22) for the year ended March 31, 2002.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $539,365,199.
(e) After fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 1.33% for the year ended March 31, 2005.
(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
NOTE 14—Legal Proceedings
Terms used in the Legal Proceedings Note are defined terms solely for the purpose of this note.
Settled Enforcement Actions and Investigations Related to Market Timing
On October 8, 2004, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("IFG") (the former investment advisor to certain AIM Funds), AIM and A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") (the distributor of the retail AIM Funds) reached final settlements with certain regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the New York Attorney General and the Colorado Attorney General, to resolve civil enforcement actions and/or investigations related to market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds, including those formerly advised by IFG. As part of the settlements, a $325 million fair fund ($110 million of which is civil penalties) has been created to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds formerly advised by IFG. Additionally, AIM and ADI created a $50 million fair fund ($30 million of which is civil penalties) to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds advised by AI M, which was done pursuant to the terms of the settlement. These two fair funds may increase as a result of contributions from third parties who reach final settlements with the SEC or other regulators to resolve allegations of market timing and/or late trading that also may have harmed applicable AIM Funds. These two fair funds will be distributed in accordance with a methodology to be determined by AIM's independent distribution consultant, in consultation with AIM and the independent trustees of the AIM Funds and acceptable to the staff of the SEC. Management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the distribution of these two fair funds may have on the Fund or whether such distribution will have an impact on the Fund's financial statements in the future.
At the request of the trustees of the AIM Funds, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"), the parent company of IFG and AIM, has agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the AIM Funds related to market timing matters.
Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries
On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Office of the State Auditor—Securities Commission ("WVASC") issued a Summary Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Right to Hearing to AIM and ADI (Order No. 05-1318). The WVASC makes findings of fact that AIM and ADI entered into certain arrangements
F-15
AIM Leisure Fund
NOTE 14—Legal Proceedings—(continued)
permitting market timing of the AIM Funds and failed to disclose these arrangements in the prospectuses for such Funds, and conclusions of law to the effect that AIM and ADI violated the West Virginia securities laws. The WVASC orders AIM and ADI to cease any further violations and seeks to impose monetary sanctions, including restitution to affected investors, disgorgement of fees, reimbursement of investigatory, administrative and legal costs and an "administrative assessment," to be determined by the Commissioner. Initial research indicates that these damages could be limited or capped by statute.
Civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against certain of the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals, depending on the lawsuit, alleging:
• that the defendants permitted improper market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds;
• that certain AIM Funds inadequately employed fair value pricing;
• that the defendants charged excessive advisory and/or distribution fees and failed to pass on to shareholders the perceived savings generated by economies of scale and that the defendants adopted unlawful distribution plans; and
• that the defendants improperly used the assets of the AIM Funds to pay brokers to aggressively promote the sale of the AIM Funds over other mutual funds and that the defendants concealed such payments from investors by disguising them as brokerage commissions (all the claims in this category of lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice by the court on September 29, 2006, except for the Section 36(b) claim which was dismissed with leave to amend to plead it properly as a derivative claim).
These lawsuits allege as theories of recovery, depending on the lawsuit, violations of various provisions of the Federal and state securities laws and ERISA, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and/or breach of contract. These lawsuits seek remedies that include, depending on the lawsuit, damages, restitution, injunctive relief, imposition of a constructive trust, removal of certain directors and/or employees, various corrective measures under ERISA, rescission of certain AIM Funds' advisory agreements and/or distribution plans and recovery of all fees paid, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, restitution of all commissions and fees paid, and prospective relief in the form of reduced fees.
All lawsuits based on allegations of market timing, late trading and related issues have been transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "MDL Court"). Pursuant to an Order of the MDL Court, plaintiffs in these lawsuits consolidated their claims for pre-trial purposes into three amended complaints against various AIM- and IFG-related parties: (i) a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of shareholders of the AIM Funds; (ii) a Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of the AIM Funds and fund registrants; and (iii) an Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act ("ERISA") purportedly brought on behalf of participants in AMVESCAP's 401(k) plan. Based on orders issued by the MDL Court, all claims asserted against the AIM Funds that have been transferred to the MDL Court have been dismissed, although certain Funds remain nominal defendants in the Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint. On September 15, 2006, the MDL Court granted the AMVESCAP defendants' motion to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of ERISA and dismissed such Complaint. The plaintiff has commenced an appeal from that decision.
IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals have received inquiries from numerous regulators in the form of subpoenas or other oral or written requests for information and/or documents related to one or more of the following issues, among others, some of which concern one or more AIM Funds: market timing activity, late trading, fair value pricing, excessive or improper advisory and/or distribution fees, mutual fund sales practices, including revenue sharing and directed-brokerage arrangements, investments in securities of other registered investment companies, contractual plans, issues related to Section 529 college savings plans and procedures for locating lost security holders. IFG, AIM and ADI have advised the Fund that they are providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries. Regulatory actions and/or additional civil lawsuits related to these or other issues may be filed against the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM and/or related entities and individuals in the future.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of the Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries described above may have on AIM, ADI or the Fund.
F-16
AIM Leisure Fund
Trustees and Officers
Board of Trustees
Bob R. Baker
Frank S. Bayley
James T. Bunch
Bruce L. Crockett
Chair
Albert R. Dowden
Jack M. Fields
Carl Frischling
Robert H. Graham
Vice Chair
Prema Mathai-Davis
Lewis F. Pennock
Ruth H. Quigley
Larry Soll
Raymond Stickel Jr.
Philip A. Taylor
Officers
Philip A. Taylor
President and Principal
Executive Officer
Todd L. Spillane
Chief Compliance Officer
Russell C. Burk
Senior Vice President and Senior Officer
John M. Zerr
Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Sidney M. Dilgren
Vice President, Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer
Lisa O. Brinkley
Vice President
Kevin M. Carome
Vice President
J. Philip Ferguson
Vice President
Karen Dunn Kelley
Vice President
Office of the Fund
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Investment Advisor
A I M Advisors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Transfer Agent
AIM Investment Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 4739
Houston, TX 77210-4739
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110-2801
Counsel to the Fund
Ballard Spahr
Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
1735 Market Street, 51st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-2714
Distributor
A I M Distributors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
F-17
Domestic Equity
AIM Basic Balanced Fund*
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Dynamics Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM S&P 500 Index Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund(1)
AIM Structured Core Fund
AIM Structured Growth Fund
AIM Structured Value Fund
AIM Summit Fund
AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund
AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund
*Domestic equity and income fund
International/Global Equity
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM China Fund
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Equity Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM Japan Fund
AIM International Core Equity Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM International Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Trimark Fund
Sector Equity
AIM Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM Energy Fund
AIM Financial Services Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Global Real Estate Fund
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
AIM Leisure Fund
AIM Multi-Sector Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund(1)
AIM Technology Fund
AIM Utilities Fund
Fixed Income
TAXABLE
AIM Enhanced Short Bond Fund
AIM Floating Rate Fund
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM International Bond Fund
AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Short Term Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
Premier Portfolio
Premier U.S. Government Money Portfolio
TAX-FREE
AIM High Income Municipal Fund(1)
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund
AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund
Premier Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Allocation Solutions
AIM Conservative Allocation Fund
AIM Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderately Conservative Allocation Fund
Diversified Portfolios
AIM Income Allocation Fund
AIM International Allocation Fund
(1)This Fund has limited public sales of its shares to certain investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in the Fund, please see the appropriate prospectus.
If used after January 20, 2007, this report must be accompanied by a Fund Performance & Commentary or by an AIM Quarterly Performance Review for the most recent quarter-end. Mutual funds distributed by A I M Distributors, Inc.
A I M Management Group Inc. has provided leadership in the investment management industry since 1976. AIM is a subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC, one of the world’s largest independent financial services companies with $441 billion in assets under management. Data as of September 30, 2006.
Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully. For this and other information about AIM Funds, obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor and read it carefully before investing.
AIMinvestments.com | I-LEI-SAR-1 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
[Your goals. Our solutions.]
– registered trademark –
Mutual | Retirement | Annuities | College | Separately | Offshore | Cash |
Funds | Products | | Savings | Managed | Products | Management |
| | | Plans | Accounts | | |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Technology Fund
Semiannual Report to Shareholders • September 30, 2006
[COVER GLOBE IMAGE]
SECTOR EQUITY
Sectors
Table of Contents
Supplemental Information | 2 |
Letters to Shareholders | 3 |
Performance Summary | 5 |
Management Discussion | 5 |
Long-term Fund Performance | 7 |
Fund Expenses | 8 |
Approval of Advisory Agreement | 9 |
Schedule of Investments | F-1 |
Financial Statements | F-4 |
Notes to Financial Statements | F-6 |
Financial Highlights | F-14 |
Trustees and Officers | F-19 |
[AIM investment solutions]
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Domestic | [International/ | [Sector |
Equity] | Global Equity] | Equity] |
| | |
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Fixed | [Allocation | [Diversified |
Income] | Solutions] | Portfolios] |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Technology Fund
AIM TECHNOLOGY FUND seeks to provide capital growth.
• Unless otherwise stated, information presented in this report is as of September 30, 2006, and is based on total net assets.
About share classes
• Class B shares are not available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, including 401(k) plans, money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that had existing accounts prior to September 30, 2003, invested in Class B shares will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
• Investor Class shares are closed to most investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in Investor Class shares, please see the prospectus.
Principal risks of investing in the Fund
• Foreign securities have additional risks, including exchange rate changes, political and economic upheaval, the relative lack of information about these companies, relatively low market liquidity and the potential lack of strict financial and accounting controls and standards.
• Investing in a fund that invests in smaller companies involves risks not associated with investing in more established companies, such as business risk, stock price fluctuations and illiquidity.
• Stocks are subject to market risk, meaning stock prices vary and may fall, thus reducing the value of the Fund’s investments. Certain stocks selected for the Fund’s portfolio may decline in value more than the overall stock market.
• Prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
• There is no guarantee that the investment techniques and risk analyses used by the Fund’s managers will produce the desired results.
• The Fund’s investments are concentrated in a comparatively narrow segment of the economy. Consequently, the Fund may be more volatile than other mutual funds, and the value of the Fund’s investments may rise and fall more rapidly.
• The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading which may increase costs and lower the Fund’s actual returns. Active trading may also increase short-term gains and losses, which may affect the taxes that must be paid.
• Many of the products and services offered by information technology-related companies are subject to rapid obsolescence, which may lower the value of the securities of the companies in this sector.
About indexes used in this report
• The Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index is a modified capitalization-weighted index composed of companies involved in the technology industry. The index is rebalanced semiannually.
• The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks (the S&P 500 —registered trademark— Index) is an index of common stocks frequently used as a general measure of U.S. stock market performance.
• The unmanaged Lipper Science and Technology Funds Index represents an average of the performance of the 30 largest science and technology funds tracked by Lipper Inc., an independent mutual fund performance monitor.
• The Fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indexes defined here, and consequently, the performance of the Fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the indexes.
• A direct investment cannot be made in an index. Unless otherwise indicated, index results include reinvested dividends, and they do not reflect sales charges. Performance of an index of funds reflects fund expenses; performance of a market index does not.
Other information
• Industry classifications used in this report are generally according to the Global Industry Classification Standard, which was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. and Standard & Poor’s.
• The returns shown in management’s discussion of Fund performance are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes, and as such, the net asset values for shareholder transactions and the returns based on those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns reported in the Financial Highlights.
The Fund provides a complete list of its holdings four times in each fiscal year, at the quarter-ends. For the second and fourth quarters, the lists appear in the Fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third quarters, the Fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-Q. The most recent list of portfolio holdings is available at AIMinvestments.com. From our home page, click on Products & Performance, then Mutual Funds, then Fund Overview. Select your Fund from the drop-down menu and click on Complete Quarterly Holdings. Shareholders can also look up the Fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC Web site at sec.gov. Copies of the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can
Continued on page 7
This report must be accompanied or preceded by a currently effective Fund prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales charges and expenses. Investors should read it carefully before investing.
Fund NASDAQ Symbols
Class A Shares | ITYAX |
Class B Shares | ITYBX |
Class C Shares | ITHCX |
Investor Class Shares | FTCHX |
Not FDIC Insured May lose value No bank guarantee
AIMinvestments.com
2
AIM Technology Fund
[TAYLOR
PHOTO]
Philip Taylor
Dear Shareholders of The AIM Family of Funds —registered trademark—:
We’re pleased to provide you with this report, which includes a discussion of how your Fund was managed during the period under review in this report, and what factors affected its performance.
It’s been said nothing is certain but death and taxes. We would venture to add that one other thing is certain: Markets change—and change often—in the short term, in response to constantly changing economic, geopolitical and other factors. For example, from April to July, U.S. equity markets demonstrated weakness and volatility as economic data suggested that inflation might be higher than previously estimated. But in August, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, for the first time in more than two years, chose not to raise short-term interest rates, suggesting that it believed inflation was contained. Together with continuing strong corporate profits and declining oil prices, this caused U.S. equity markets to surge, and as the reporting period drew to a close, major market averages neared multi-year highs. Despite fears about a slowing global economy, most foreign markets demonstrated strength during the reporting period.
While we can’t do anything about the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding death and taxes, we can suggest an alternative to reacting to fluctuating short-term market conditions: Maintain a diversified portfolio. AIM Investments —registered trademark— can help by offering a broad product line that gives your financial advisor the necessary tools to build a portfolio that’s right for you regardless of market conditions. AIM offers a comprehensive range of retail mutual funds, including domestic, global and international equity funds, taxable and tax-exempt fixed-income funds, and a variety of allocation portfolios—with varied risk and return characteristics to match your needs. We maintain this extensive set of product solutions for one reason: We believe in the value of comprehensive, diversified investment portfolios.
We’ve changed the look of our annual reports to reflect that belief. In our marketing and now our shareholder literature, we represent a fully diversified portfolio graphically as an allocation pie chart and assign each asset class a color—green for domestic equity, blue for international, orange for sector and purple for fixed income. A legend in the left column illustrates the methodology. Your report cover now shows your Fund’s asset class color, plus the asset class and sub-asset class name are shown in the upper-left corner. The reason for these changes is to help you better understand where your Fund fits into your overall portfolio.
AIM has a variety of investment solutions, and knowing which ones are right for your portfolio is complex. That’s why we also believe in the value of a trusted financial advisor who will work with you to create an investment plan you can stick with for the long term. Your financial advisor can help allocate your portfolio appropriately and review your investments regularly to ensure they remain suitable as your financial situation changes. While there are no guarantees with any investment program, a long-term plan that’s based on your financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon is more likely to keep you and your investments on track.
At a recent meeting of the AIM Funds board, Robert H. Graham relinquished his position as president of AIM Funds, a post customarily held by the chief executive officer of AIM Investments. Bob—one of three founders of AIM Investments in 1976—has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most knowledgeable leaders in the mutual fund industry. As I assume Bob’s previous responsibilities, I’m pleased that he’ll remain actively involved as the vice chair of AIM Funds.
Our commitment to you
In the short term, the one sure thing about markets is their unpredictability. While past performance cannot guarantee comparable future results, we believe that staying invested for the long term with a thoughtful plan offers the best opportunity for weathering that unpredictability. We at AIM Investments remain committed to building enduring solutions to help you achieve your investment goals, and we’re pleased you’ve placed your trust in us.
Information about investing, the markets and your Fund is always available on our Web site, AIMinvestments.com. If you have questions about your individual account, we invite you to contact one of our highly trained client services representatives at 800-959-4246.
Sincerely, |
|
/s/ Philip Taylor | |
Philip Taylor
President – AIM Funds
CEO, AIM Investments
November 15, 2006
AIM Investments is a registered service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. A I M Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc. are the investment advisors. A I M Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the retail funds represented by AIM Investments.
3
AIM Technology Fund
[CROCKETT
PHOTO]
Bruce L. Crockett
Dear Fellow AIM Fund Shareholders:
At our meeting at the end of June, your Board completed its comprehensive review* of each fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (AIM) to make certain your interests are being served in terms of fees, performance and operations.
Looking ahead, your Board finds many reasons to be positive about AIM’s management and strategic direction.
Most importantly, AIM’s investment management discipline is paying off in terms of improved overall performance. While work remains to be done, AIM’s complex-wide, asset-weighted mutual fund performance for the trailing one-, three- and five-year periods is at its highest since 2000 for the periods ended September 30, 2006. We are also pleased with AIM’s efforts to seek more cost-effective ways of delivering superior service.
In addition, AIM is realizing the benefits of belonging to a leading independent global investment management organization in its parent company, AMVESCAP PLC, which is dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. AMVESCAP managed approximately $441 billion globally as of September 30, 2006, operating under the AIM, INVESCO, AIM Trimark, INVESCO PERPETUAL and Atlantic Trust brands. These companies are home to an abundance of investment talent that is gradually being integrated and leveraged into centers of excellence, each focusing on a given market segment or asset class. Over the next few years, your Board will be meeting at these various centers of excellence to learn about their progress and how they may serve you through our goal of enhancing performance and reducing costs.
The seven new AIM funds—which include Asian funds, structured U.S. equity funds and specialized bond funds—are an early example of the kind of opportunities the AMVESCAP organization can provide AIM clients. More information on these funds can be found on AIM’s Web site.
Your Board is very pleased with the overall direction and progress of the AIM Funds. We’re working closely and
effectively with AIM’s management to continue this momentum. As always, your Board is eager to hear your views
on how we might better serve you. Please send your comments in a letter addressed to me at AIM Investments,
AIM Investments Tower, 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston TX 77046.
Sincerely, |
|
/s/ Bruce L. Crockett | |
Bruce L. Crockett
Independent Chair
AIM Funds Board
November 15, 2006
* To learn more about all the factors we considered before approving each fund’s advisory agreement, go to the “Products & Performance” tab at the AIM Web site (AIMinvestments.com) and click on “Investment Advisory Agreement Renewals.” The approval of advisory agreement information for your Fund is also included in this semiannual report on pages 9–10.
4
AIM Technology Fund
Management’s discussion of Fund performance
Performance summary
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM Technology Fund, excluding sales charges, posted negative returns and underperformed both its broad based and style-specific indexes. The Fund underperformed the broad market largely because the information technology (IT) sector was the worst performing sector in the S&P 500 Index for the reporting period. The Fund underperformed its style-specific index due to stock selection among communication equipment, computers and peripherals and software industries.
Your Fund’s long-term performance appears on page 7.
Fund vs. Indexes
Cumulative total returns, 3/31/06–9/30/06, excluding applicable sales charges. If applicable sales charges were included, returns would be lower.
Class A Shares | –3.16 |
Class B Shares | –3.55 |
Class C Shares | –3.54 |
Investor Class Shares | –3.19 |
S&P 500 Index (Broad Market Index) | 4.14 |
Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index (Style-Specific Index) | –2.83 |
Lipper Science and Technology Funds Index (Peer Group Index) | –5.87 |
Sources: Lipper Inc., Bloomberg L.P.
How we invest
We seek attractively valued, well-managed companies in the IT sector with the potential to generate sustainable growth and free cash flow that is not yet anticipated by the market. We begin by identifying industries in the sector we believe may benefit over the next 12 to 24 months from strong fundamentals, such as increased demand, a new product cycle or greater visibility among investors and the public. We weight these industries according to our assessment of the fundamental.
Within each industry, we look for:
• Companies addressing growing markets with unique product offerings.
• Strong management teams.
• Profitable share gainers.
• Sustainable business models.
Our quantitative sector model is used to rank companies based on growth rate, sustainability of earnings, revenue, cash flow and ranking investment candidates on absolute and relative attractiveness.
We then apply our proprietary valuation analysis, comparing a stock’s current valuation to its historical valuations as well as the valuations of its competitors.
We will invest 60–80% of the Fund’s assets in core holdings—companies with above-mentioned qualities—and 20–40% in tactical holdings.
We manage risk through diversification within the sector and by allocating a portion of assets to core holdings, which generally have more favorable return and valuation characteristics.
We may reduce or eliminate exposure to a stock when:
• We identify a more attractive investment opportunity.
• A company’s fundamentals change (product failure, reduced pricing power, margin compression, etc.).
• A company’s earnings disappoint.
• Management’s strategic direction shifts or unfavorable changes occur.
• Price target has been met.
Market conditions and your Fund
The first half of the reporting period saw a decline in equity markets as fears of rising interest rates and inflation, along with a
(continued)
Portfolio composition
By industry | | | |
Semiconductors | | 17.3 | % |
Communications Equipment | | 14.5 | |
Application Software | | 9.8 | |
Systems Software | | 8.6 | |
Computer Hardware | | 7.4 | |
Internet Software & Services | | 6.9 | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services | | 5.7 | |
IT Consulting & Other Services | | 5.5 | |
Computer Storage & Peripherals | | 5.3 | |
Integrated Telecommunication Services | | 2.8 | |
Electronic Equipment Manufacturers | | 2.5 | |
Data Processing & Outsourced Services | | 2.1 | |
Semiconductor Equipment | | 1.9 | |
Electronic Manufacturing Services | | 1.6 | |
Home Entertainment Software | | 1.3 | % |
Movies & Entertainment | | 1.2 | |
Alternative Carriers | | 1.1 | |
Other Diversified Financial Services | | 1.0 | |
Consumer Electronics | | 0.9 | |
Broadcasting & Cable TV | | 0.8 | |
Advertising | | 0.6 | |
Money Market Funds Plus Other Assets Less Liabilities | | 1.2 | |
| | | |
Total Net Assets | | $ | 1.1 billion | |
| | | |
Total Number of Holdings* | | 73 | |
| | | | |
Top 10 equity holdings*
1. | | Freescale Semiconductor Inc. -Class B | | 3.5 | % |
2. | | Oracle Corp. | | 2.7 | |
3. | | Motorola, Inc. | | 2.7 | |
4. | | Adobe Systems Inc. | | 2.7 | |
5. | | Hewlett-Packard Co. | | 2.6 | |
6. | | America Movil S.A. de C.V.- Series L-ADR (Mexico) | | 2.5 | |
7. | | Accenture Ltd.-Class A | | 2.5 | |
8. | | Amdocs Ltd. | | 2.4 | |
9. | | Digital River, Inc. | | 2.4 | |
10. | | Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.-Class A | | 2.4 | |
The Fund’s holdings are subject to change, and there is no assurance that the Fund will continue to hold any particular security.
*Excluding money market fund holdings.
5
AIM Technology Fund
concern that a slowdown in housing would impact the broader economy, caused investors to sell stocks. Against this backdrop, information technology was the worst performing sector in the S&P 500.
During the second half of the reporting period, U.S. stocks pushed toward record highs as a series of benign inflation reports and moderating gross domestic product (GDP) figures led the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) to leave interest rates unchanged at two consecutive meetings. Declining commodity prices—including a 15% drop in the price of crude oil—helped foster optimism that a hard landing for the U.S. economy could be avoided. As a result, technology rebounded and was the third best-performing sector in the S&P 500 for the second half of the reporting period.
For the full reporting period, information technology was the worst-performing sector as market concerns caused investors to reward more defensive sectors such as health care and consumer staples. Financials also led as the Fed’s decision to not raise interest rates in August became a catalyst for increased investment.
Consistent with broader economic trends, the Fund underperformed the S&P 500. Within the technology sector, returns were mostly negative at the industry level, with software and wireless telecommunication being the two exceptions. For the Fund, stock selection was a relative detractor within software and wireless telecommunications. Stock selection within computers and peripherals was the single largest performance detractor relative to our style-specific index, the Goldman Sachs Technology Composite Index. Stock selection within Internet software and services was our largest contributor to performance relative to our style-specific index, as we continued to benefit from consumer interest in online commerce.
At the individual stock level, names that aided Fund performance included Akamai Technologies and Freescale Semiconductors. Akamai, a leading global service provider for accelerating content and business processes online, reported favorable financial results. Freescale, a firm that designs, manufactures and markets embedded semiconductors and ancillary components, posted positive performance due to their agreement to be acquired for $17.6 billion in cash by a private equity consortium led by The Blackstone Group.
Stock-specific detractors included PMC Sierra. Lower revenue expectations caused a reduced business outlook going forward and we sold the entire position. Tellabs, a digital communications company that serves the telecom industry, also detracted from performance as their customer base was reduced by telecom carrier consolidation. During the reporting period, there was a leadership change within the Fund’s portfolio management team. Michelle Fenton, who had been co-manager on the Fund since 2003, became lead manager effective May 1, 2006.
In terms of the Fund positioning, we trimmed our communication equipment holdings and semiconductor equipment stocks during the period. We used the proceeds from these sales to increase exposure to software, wireless telecommunication services and telecommunication stocks. We also reduced the number of holdings to increase the focus on our highest conviction names.
In closing
We would like to thank any new shareholders who joined the Fund during the reporting period and thank existing shareholders for their continued commitment to AIM Technology Fund.
The views and opinions expressed in management’s discussion of Fund performance are those of A I M Advisors, Inc. These views and opinions are subject to change at any time based on factors such as market and economic conditions. These views and opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, or as an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but A I M Advisors, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
See important Fund and index
disclosures on the inside front cover.
[FENTON
PHOTO]
Michelle E. Fenton
Chartered Financial Analyst, portfolio manager, is manager of AIM Technology Fund. She has been associated with INVESCO Institutional and/or its affiliates since 1998. Ms. Fenton earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Montana State University.
Assisted by the Technology Team
For a presentation of your Fund’s long-term performance, please see page 7.
6
AIM Technology Fund
Your Fund’s long-term performance
Average Annual Total Returns
As of 9/30/06, including applicable sales charges
Class A Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | –3.39 | % |
1 Year | | 3.22 | |
| | | |
Class B Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | –3.35 | % |
1 Year | | 3.39 | |
| | | |
Class C Shares | | | |
Inception (2/14/00) | | –17.33 | % |
5 Years | | 2.10 | |
1 Year | | 7.46 | |
| | | |
Investor Class Shares | | | |
Inception (1/19/84) | | 10.98 | % |
10 Years | | 2.15 | |
5 Years | | 2.83 | |
1 Year | | 9.25 | |
The performance data quoted represent past performance and cannot guarantee comparable future results; current performance may be lower or higher. Please visit AIMinvestments.com for the most recent month-end performance. Performance figures reflect reinvested distributions, changes in net asset value and the effect of the maximum sales charge unless otherwise stated. Performance figures do not reflect deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or sale of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares.
Class A share performance reflects the maximum 5.50% sales charge, and Class B and Class C share performance reflects the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for the period involved. The CDSC on Class B shares declines from 5% beginning at the time of purchase to 0% at the beginning of the seventh year. The CDSC on Class C shares is 1% for the first year after purchase. Investor Class shares do not have a front-end sales charge or a CDSC; therefore, performance is at net asset value.
The performance of the Fund’s share classes will differ primarily due to different sales charge structures and class expenses.
Had the advisor not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses, performance for Class A, B and C shares would have been lower.
Continued from inside front cover
obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, including information about duplicating fee charges, by calling 202-942-8090 or 800-732-0330, or by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. The SEC file numbers for the Fund are 811-03826 and 002-85905.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, from our Client Services department at 800-959-4246 or on the AIM Web site, AIMinvestments.com. On the home page, scroll down and click on AIM Funds Proxy Policy. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 months ended June 30, 2006, is available at our Web site. Go to AIMinvestments.com, access the About Us tab, click on Required Notices and then click on Proxy Voting Activity. Next, select the Fund from the drop-down menu. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
7
AIM Technology Fund
Calculating your ongoing Fund expenses
Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions; and redemption fees, if any; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees (12b-1); and other Fund 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 ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006.
Actual expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Actual Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions, and redemption fees, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| | | | ACTUAL | | HYPOTHETICAL | | | |
| | | | | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | |
| | Beginning | | Ending | | Expenses | | Ending | | Expenses | | Annualized | |
Share | | Account Value | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Expense | |
Class | | (4/1/06) | | (9/30/06)(1) | | Period(2) | | (9/30/06) | | Period(2) | | Ratio | |
A | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 968.40 | | $ | 7.70 | | $ | 1,017.25 | | $ | 7.89 | | 1.56 | % |
B | | 1,000.00 | | 964.50 | | 11.38 | | 1,013.49 | | 11.66 | | 2.31 | |
C | | 1,000.00 | | 964.60 | | 11.38 | | 1,013.49 | | 11.66 | | 2.31 | |
Investor | | 1,000.00 | | 968.10 | | 7.50 | | 1,017.45 | | 7.69 | | 1.52 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) The actual ending account value is based on the actual total return of the Fund for the period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006, after actual expenses and will differ from the hypothetical ending account value which is based on the Fund’s expense ratio and a hypothetical annual return of 5% before expenses. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
(2) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio as indicated above multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the most recent fiscal half year.
8
AIM Technology Fund
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
The Board of Trustees of AIM Sector Funds (the “Board”) oversees the management of AIM Technology Fund (the “Fund”) and, as required by law, determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (“AIM”). Based upon the recommendation of the Investments Committee of the Board, at a meeting held on June 27, 2006, the Board, including all of the independent trustees, approved the continuance of the advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and AIM for another year, effective July 1, 2006.
The Board considered the factors discussed below in evaluating the fairness and reasonableness of the Advisory Agreement at the meeting on June 27, 2006 and as part of the Board’s ongoing oversight of the Fund. In their deliberations, the Board and the independent trustees did not identify any particular factor that was controlling, and each trustee attributed different weights to the various factors.
One responsibility of the independent Senior Officer of the Fund is to manage the process by which the Fund’s proposed management fees are negotiated to ensure that they are negotiated in a manner which is at arms’ length and reasonable. To that end, the Senior Officer must either supervise a competitive bidding process or prepare an independent written evaluation. The Senior Officer has recommended an independent written evaluation in lieu of a competitive bidding process and, upon the direction of the Board, has prepared such an independent written evaluation. Such written evaluation also considered certain of the factors discussed below.
The discussion below serves as a summary of the Senior Officer’s independent written evaluation, as well as a discussion of the material factors and the conclusions with respect thereto that formed the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement. After consideration of all of the factors below and based on its informed business judgment, the Board determined that the Advisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and that the compensation to AIM under the Advisory Agreement is fair and reasonable and would have been obtained through arm’s length negotiations.
Unless otherwise stated, information presented below is as of June 27, 2006 and does not reflect any changes that may have occurred since June 27, 2006, including but not limited to changes to the Fund’s performance, advisory fees, expense limitations and/or fee waivers.
• The nature and extent of the advisory services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement. Based on such review, the Board concluded that the range of services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The quality of services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of AIM who will provide investment advisory services to the Fund. In reviewing the qualifications of AIM to provide investment advisory services, the Board considered such issues as AIM’s portfolio and product review process, various back office support functions provided by AIM and AIM’s equity and fixed income trading operations. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that the quality of services to be provided by AIM was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing satisfactory services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The performance of the Fund relative to comparable funds. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance in such periods was below the median performance of such comparable funds. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. The Board noted that AIM has recently made changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team, which need more time to be evaluated before a conclusion can be made that the changes have addressed the Fund’s under-performance. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. However, due to the Fund’s under-performance, the Board also concluded that it would be appropriate for the Board to continue to closely monitor and review the performance of the Fund. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• The performance of the Fund relative to indices. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of the Lipper Science & Technology Fund Index. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance in such periods was below the performance of such Index. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. The Board noted that AIM has recently made changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team, which need more time to be evaluated before a conclusion can be made that the changes have addressed the Fund’s under-performance. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. However, due to the Fund’s under-performance, the Board also concluded that it would be appropriate for the Board to continue to closely monitor and review the performance of the Fund. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• Meetings with the Fund’s portfolio managers and investment personnel. With respect to the Fund, the Board is meeting periodically with such Fund’s portfolio managers and/or other investment personnel and believes that such individuals are competent and able to continue to carry out their responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement.
• Overall performance of AIM. The Board considered the overall performance of AIM in providing investment advisory and portfolio administrative services to the Fund and concluded that such performance was satisfactory.
• Fees relative to those of clients of AIM with comparable investment strategies. The Board reviewed the effective advisory fee rate (before waivers) for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board noted that this rate was (i) above the effective sub-advisory fee rates for two Canadian mutual funds advised by an AIM affiliate and sub-advised by AIM with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund, although the total advisory fees for such Canadian mutual funds were above those for the Fund; and (ii) above the effective sub-advisory fee rates for three offshore funds advised and sub-advised by AIM affiliates with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund, although the total advisory fees for two such offshore funds were above those for the Fund. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Fees relative to those of comparable funds with other advisors. The Board reviewed the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board compared effective contractual advisory fee rates at a common asset level at the end of the past calendar year and noted that the Fund’s rate was comparable to the median rate of the funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund that the Board reviewed. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded
(continued)
9
AIM Technology Fund
that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Expense limitations and fee waivers. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board considered the contractual nature of this fee waiver and noted that it remains in effect through June 30, 2007. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or limit expenses of the Fund through June 30, 2007 in an amount necessary to limit total annual operating expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the Fund. The Board considered the contractual nature of this fee waiver/expense limitation and noted that it remains in effect through June 30, 2007. The Board considered the effect these fee waivers/expense limitations would have on the Fund’s estimated expenses and concluded that the levels of fee waivers/expense limitations for the Fund were fair and reasonable.
• Breakpoints and economies of scale. The Board reviewed the structure of the Fund’s advisory fee under the Advisory Agreement, noting that it includes six breakpoints. The Board reviewed the level of the Fund’s advisory fees, and noted that such fees, as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets, have decreased as net assets increased because the Advisory Agreement includes breakpoints. The Board noted that, due to the Fund’s asset levels at the end of the past calendar year and the way in which the advisory fee breakpoints have been structured, the Fund has yet to fully benefit from the breakpoints. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee levels under the Advisory Agreement therefore reflect economies of scale and that it was not necessary to change the advisory fee breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory fee schedule.
• Investments in affiliated money market funds. The Board also took into account the fact that uninvested cash and cash collateral from securities lending arrangements, if any (collectively, “cash balances”) of the Fund may be invested in money market funds advised by AIM pursuant to the terms of an SEC exemptive order. The Board found that the Fund may realize certain benefits upon investing cash balances in AIM advised money market funds, including a higher net return, increased liquidity, increased diversification or decreased transaction costs. The Board also found that the Fund will not receive reduced services if it invests its cash balances in such money market funds. The Board noted that, to the extent the Fund invests uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds, AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund attributable to such investment. The Board further determined that the proposed securities lending program and related procedures with respect to the lending Fund is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders. The Board therefore concluded that the investment of cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program in the money market funds according to the procedures is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders.
• Independent written evaluation and recommendations of the Fund’s Senior Officer. The Board noted that, upon their direction, the Senior Officer of the Fund, who is independent of AIM and AIM’s affiliates, had prepared an independent written evaluation in order to assist the Board in determining the reasonableness of the proposed management fees of the AIM Funds, including the Fund. The Board noted that the Senior Officer’s written evaluation had been relied upon by the Board in this regard in lieu of a competitive bidding process. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board considered the Senior Officer’s written evaluation and the recommendation made by the Senior Officer to the Board that the Board consider whether the advisory fee waivers for certain equity AIM Funds, including the Fund, should be simplified. The Board concluded that it would be advisable to consider this issue and reach a decision prior to the expiration date of such advisory fee waivers.
• Profitability of AIM and its affiliates. The Board reviewed information concerning the profitability of AIM’s (and its affiliates’) investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition. The Board considered the overall profitability of AIM, as well as the profitability of AIM in connection with managing the Fund. The Board noted that AIM’s operations remain profitable, although increased expenses in recent years have reduced AIM’s profitability. Based on the review of the profitability of AIM’s and its affiliates’ investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition, the Board concluded that the compensation to be paid by the Fund to AIM under its Advisory Agreement was not excessive.
• Benefits of soft dollars to AIM. The Board considered the benefits realized by AIM as a result of brokerage transactions executed through “soft dollar” arrangements. Under these arrangements, brokerage commissions paid by the Fund and/or other funds advised by AIM are used to pay for research and execution services. This research may be used by AIM in making investment decisions for the Fund. The Board concluded that such arrangements were appropriate.
• AIM’s financial soundness in light of the Fund’s needs. The Board considered whether AIM is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement, and concluded that AIM has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
• Historical relationship between the Fund and AIM. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board also considered the prior relationship between AIM and the Fund, as well as the Board’s knowledge of AIM’s operations, and concluded that it was beneficial to maintain the current relationship, in part, because of such knowledge. The Board also reviewed the general nature of the non-investment advisory services currently performed by AIM and its affiliates, such as administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and the fees received by AIM and its affiliates for performing such services. In addition to reviewing such services, the trustees also considered the organizational structure employed by AIM and its affiliates to provide those services. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that AIM and its affiliates were qualified to continue to provide non-investment advisory services to the Fund, including administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and that AIM and its affiliates currently are providing satisfactory non-investment advisory services.
• Other factors and current trends. The Board considered the steps that AIM and its affiliates have taken over the last several years, and continue to take, in order to improve the quality and efficiency of the services they provide to the Funds in the areas of investment performance, product line diversification, distribution, fund operations, shareholder services and compliance. The Board concluded that these steps taken by AIM have improved, and are likely to continue to improve, the quality and efficiency of the services AIM and its affiliates provide to the Fund in each of these areas, and support the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.
10
Supplement to Semiannual Report dated 9/30/06
AIM Technology Fund
Institutional Class Shares
The following information has been prepared to provide Institutional Class shareholders with a performance overview specific to their holdings. Institutional Class shares are offered exclusively to institutional investors, including defined contribution plans that meet certain criteria.
Average Annual Total Returns
For periods ended 9/30/06
Inception (12/21/98) | | –0.74 | % |
5 Years | | 3.71 | |
1 Year | | 10.03 | |
6 Months* | | –2.83 | |
*Cumulative total return that has not been annualized
Institutional Class shares have no sales charge; therefore, performance is at NAV. Performance of Institutional Class shares will differ from performance of other share classes primarily due to differing sales charges and class expenses.
Please note that past performance is not indicative of future results. More recent returns may be more or less than those shown. All returns assume reinvestment of distributions at NAV. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. See full report for information on comparative benchmarks. Please consult your Fund prospectus for more information. For the most current month-end performance, please call 800-451-4246 or visit AIMinvestments.com.
Had the advisor not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the past, performance would have been lower.
Over for information on your Fund’s expenses.
This report must be accompanied or preceded by a currently effective Fund prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales charges and expenses. Investors should read it carefully before investing.
FOR INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR USE ONLY
This material is for institutional investor use only and may not be quoted, reproduced or shown to the public, nor used in written form as sales literature for public use.
[Your goals.
Our solutions.]
– registered trademark –
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIMinvestments.com | I-TEC-INS-2 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
Information about your Fund’s expenses
Calculating your ongoing Fund expenses
Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund 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 ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006.
Actual expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Actual Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The Fund’s actual cumulative total return after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appears in the table on the front of this supplement.
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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
| | | | ACTUAL | | HYPOTHETICAL | | | |
| | | | | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | |
| | Beginning | | Ending | | Expenses | | Ending | | Expenses | | Annualized | |
Share | | Account Value | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Expense | |
Class | | (4/1/06) | | (9/30/06)(1) | | Period(2) | | (9/30/06) | | Period(2) | | Ratio | |
Institutional | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 971.70 | | $ | 4.25 | | $ | 1,020.76 | | 4.36 | | 0.86 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) The actual ending account value is based on the actual total return of the Fund for the period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006, after actual expenses and will differ from the hypothetical ending account value which is based on the Fund’s expense ratio and a hypothetical annual return of 5% before expenses. The Fund’s actual cumulative total return after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appears in the table on the front of this supplement.
(2) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio as indicated above multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.
AIMinvestments.com | I-TEC-INS-2 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
AIM Technology Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | Shares | | Value | |
Domestic Common Stocks–79.60% | |
Advertising–0.60% | |
Omnicom Group Inc. | | | 68,356 | | | $ | 6,398,122 | | |
Alternative Carriers–1.14% | |
Time Warner Telecom Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 634,383 | | | | 12,059,621 | | |
Application Software–9.85% | |
Adobe Systems Inc.(a) | | | 763,474 | | | | 28,592,101 | | |
Amdocs Ltd.(a) | | | 641,023 | | | | 25,384,511 | | |
BEA Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 959,463 | | | | 14,583,838 | | |
Citrix Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 642,208 | | | | 23,254,352 | | |
Mercury Interactive Corp.(a) | | | 64,427 | | | | 3,319,923 | | |
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 254,465 | | | | 2,412,328 | | |
TIBCO Software Inc.(a) | | | 780,177 | | | | 7,005,989 | | |
| | | | | | | 104,553,042 | | |
Broadcasting & Cable TV–0.75% | |
CBS Corp.–Class B | | | 91,733 | | | | 2,584,119 | | |
Comcast Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 146,125 | | | | 5,384,706 | | |
| | | | | | | 7,968,825 | | |
Communications Equipment–9.72% | |
Cisco Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 1,004,271 | | | | 23,098,233 | | |
Corning Inc.(a) | | | 655,201 | | | | 15,993,456 | | |
Harris Corp. | | | 245,327 | | | | 10,914,598 | | |
Motorola, Inc. | | | 1,153,019 | | | | 28,825,475 | | |
QUALCOMM Inc. | | | 419,373 | | | | 15,244,209 | | |
Riverbed Technology, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 183,372 | | | | 3,575,754 | | |
Tellabs, Inc.(a) | | | 509,738 | | | | 5,586,729 | | |
| | | | | | | 103,238,454 | | |
Computer Hardware–5.62% | |
Apple Computer, Inc.(a) | | | 324,648 | | | | 25,007,636 | | |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | | | 754,542 | | | | 27,684,146 | | |
Palm, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 480,815 | | | | 7,000,666 | | |
| | | | | | | 59,692,448 | | |
Computer Storage & Peripherals–5.35% | |
Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 1,288,499 | | | | 9,096,803 | | |
EMC Corp.(a) | | | 1,430,174 | | | | 17,133,484 | | |
McDATA Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 526,654 | | | | 2,649,070 | | |
Network Appliance, Inc.(a) | | | 318,945 | | | | 11,804,154 | | |
Seagate Technology(a) | | | 698,207 | | | | 16,121,600 | | |
| | | | | | | 56,805,111 | | |
| | Shares | | Value | |
Data Processing & Outsourced Services–2.00% | |
VeriFone Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 744,832 | | | $ | 21,264,953 | | |
Electronic Equipment Manufacturers–2.45% | |
Amphenol Corp.–Class A | | | 247,880 | | | | 15,351,209 | | |
Itron, Inc.(a) | | | 191,108 | | | | 10,663,826 | | |
| | | | | | | 26,015,035 | | |
Home Entertainment Software–1.28% | |
Electronic Arts Inc.(a) | | | 244,950 | | | | 13,638,816 | | |
Integrated Telecommunication Services–1.02% | |
Verizon Communications Inc. | | | 291,894 | | | | 10,838,024 | | |
Internet Software & Services–6.93% | |
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a) | | | 499,343 | | | | 24,962,157 | | |
Digital River, Inc.(a) | | | 496,469 | | | | 25,379,495 | | |
Google Inc.–Class A(a) | | | 57,935 | | | | 23,284,076 | | |
| | | | | | | 73,625,728 | | |
IT Consulting & Other Services–5.46% | |
Accenture Ltd.–Class A | | | 842,575 | | | | 26,718,053 | | |
Acxiom Corp. | | | 252,411 | | | | 6,224,455 | | |
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 338,725 | | | | 25,085,974 | | |
| | | | | | | 58,028,482 | | |
Movies & Entertainment–1.20% | |
News Corp.–Class A | | | 648,158 | | | | 12,736,305 | | |
Other Diversified Financial Services–1.04% | |
BlueStream Ventures L.P. (Acquired 08/03/00-06/23/06; Cost $22,484,301)(a)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g) | | | 23,500,885 | | | | 11,051,291 | | |
Semiconductor Equipment–0.85% | |
FormFactor Inc.(a) | | | 213,736 | | | | 8,996,272 | | |
Semiconductors–12.52% | |
Broadcom Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 188,498 | | | | 5,719,029 | | |
Freescale Semiconductor Inc.–Class B(a) | | | 980,434 | | | | 37,266,297 | | |
Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(a) | | | 838,405 | | | | 13,464,784 | | |
Intel Corp. | | | 1,043,904 | | | | 21,473,105 | | |
Intersil Corp.–Class A | | | 357,912 | | | | 8,786,740 | | |
Microchip Technology Inc. | | | 223,116 | | | | 7,233,421 | | |
NVIDIA Corp.(a) | | | 494,588 | | | | 14,634,859 | | |
SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc.(a)(b) | | | 338,185 | | | | 8,113,058 | | |
F-1
AIM Technology Fund
| | Shares | | Value | |
Semiconductors–(continued) | |
Texas Instruments Inc. | | | 487,460 | | | $ | 16,208,045 | | |
| | | | | | | 132,899,338 | | |
Systems Software–8.65% | |
Microsoft Corp. | | | 849,248 | | | | 23,209,948 | | |
Oracle Corp.(a) | | | 1,632,865 | | | | 28,967,025 | | |
Red Hat, Inc.(a) | | | 865,948 | | | | 18,254,184 | | |
Symantec Corp.(a) | | | 1,004,562 | | | | 21,377,079 | | |
| | | | | | | 91,808,236 | | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services–3.17% | |
American Tower Corp.–Class A(a) | | | 313,212 | | | | 11,432,238 | | |
Crown Castle International Corp.(a) | | | 241,714 | | | | 8,518,001 | | |
NII Holdings Inc.(a) | | | 220,755 | | | | 13,722,131 | | |
| | | | | | | 33,672,370 | | |
Total Domestic Common Stocks (Cost $637,686,911) | | | | | | | 845,290,473 | | |
Foreign Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests–19.16% | |
Canada–2.37% | |
Research In Motion Ltd. (Communications Equipment)(a) | | | 62,000 | | | | 6,364,920 | | |
Telus Corp. (Integrated Telecommunication Services) | | | 333,700 | | | | 18,777,715 | | |
| | | | | | | 25,142,635 | | |
Finland–1.84% | |
Nokia Oyj–ADR (Communications Equipment) | | | 990,337 | | | | 19,499,736 | | |
France–1.71% | |
Silicon-On-Insulator Technologies (Semiconductors)(a) | | | 626,773 | | | | 18,120,973 | | |
India–0.10% | |
WNS Holdings Ltd.–ADR (Data Processing & Outsourced Services)(a) | | | 37,585 | | | | 1,073,052 | | |
Israel–0.79% | |
NICE Systems Ltd.–ADR (Communications Equipment)(a) | | | 301,744 | | | | 8,349,256 | | |
Japan–2.14% | |
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Consumer Electronics)(b)(h) | | | 466,000 | | | | 9,897,870 | | |
Toshiba Corp. (Computer Hardware)(b)(h) | | | 1,978,000 | | | | 12,878,534 | | |
| | | | | | | 22,776,404 | | |
Mexico–2.54% | |
America Movil S.A. de C.V.–Series L–ADR (Wireless Telecommunication Services) | | | 684,796 | | | | 26,960,418 | | |
Netherlands–1.02% | |
ASML Holding N.V.–New York Shares (Semiconductor Equipment)(a) | | | 464,417 | | | | 10,811,628 | | |
| | Shares | | Value | |
South Korea–1.35% | |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Semiconductors)(h) | | | 20,450 | | | $ | 14,397,358 | | |
Sweden–1.52% | |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson–ADR (Communications Equipment) | | | 468,874 | | | | 16,152,709 | | |
Switzerland–1.69% | |
STMicroelectronics N.V.–New York Shares (Semiconductors)(b) | | | 1,039,479 | | | | 17,941,408 | | |
Taiwan–2.09% | |
High Tech Computer Corp. (Computer Hardware) | | | 203,000 | | | | 5,372,691 | | |
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Electronic Manufacturing Services)(h) | | | 2,774,342 | | | | 16,865,396 | | |
| | | | | | | 22,238,087 | | |
Total Foreign Common Stocks & Other Equity Interests (Cost $162,714,288) | | | | | | | 203,463,664 | | |
| | Number of Contracts | | Exercise Price | | Expiration Date | | | |
Put Options Purchased–0.02% | |
Computer Hardware–0.02% | |
Palm, Inc. (Cost $223,609) | | | 2,943 | | | $ | 15 | | | Oct-06 | | | 220,725 | | |
Preferred Stocks–0.00% | |
Biotechnology–0.00% | |
Ingenex, Inc.–Series B, Pfd. (Acquired 09/27/94; Cost $178,316)(a)(c)(e)(f) | | | 30,627 | | | | 0 | | |
Money Market Funds–2.00% | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class(i) | | | 10,612,193 | | | | 10,612,193 | | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class(i) | | | 10,612,194 | | | | 10,612,194 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (Cost $21,224,387) | | | | | | | 21,224,387 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned)–100.78% (Cost $822,027,511) | | | | | | | 1,070,199,249 | | |
Investments Purchased with Cash Collateral from Securities Loaned | |
Money Market Funds–2.95% | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class(i)(j) | | | 31,323,522 | | | | 31,323,522 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $31,323,522) | | | | | | | 31,323,522 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–103.73% (Cost $853,351,033) | | | | | | | 1,101,522,771 | | |
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES–(3.73)% | | | | | | | (39,625,828 | ) | |
NET ASSETS–100.00% | | | | | | $ | 1,061,896,943 | | |
F-2
AIM Technology Fund
Investment Abbreviations:
ADR | | | – | | | American Depositary Receipt | |
|
Pfd. | | | – | | | Preferred | |
|
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) All or a portion of this security was out on loan at September 30, 2006.
(c) Security is considered venture capital.
(d) The Fund has a remaining commitment of $4,147,078 to purchase additional interests in BlueStream Ventures L.P., which is subject to the terms of the limited partnership agreement.
(e) Security fair valued in good faith in accordance with the procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The aggregate value of these securities at September 30, 2006 was $11,051,291, which represented 1.04% of the Fund's Net Assets. See Note 1A.
(f) Security not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (e.g., the security was purchased in a Rule 144A transaction or a Regulation D transaction). The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The Fund has no rights to demand registration of these securities. The aggregate value of these securities at September 30, 2006 was $11,051,291, which represented 1.04% of the Fund's Net Assets. These securities are considered to be illiquid. The Fund is limited to investing 15% of net assets in illiquid securities at the time of purchase.
(g) Affiliated company. The Investment Company Act of 1940 defines affiliates as those issuances in which a fund holds 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities. The Fund has not owned enough of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer to have control (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of that issuer. The value of this security as of September 30, 2006 represented 1.04% of the Fund's Net Assets. See Note 3.
(h) In accordance with the procedures established by the Board of Trustees, the foreign security is fair valued using adjusted closing market prices. The aggregate value of these securities at September 30, 2006 was $54,039,158, which represented 5.09% of the Fund's Net Assets. See Note 1A.
(i) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same investment advisor. See Note 3.
(j) The security has been segregated to satisfy the commitment to return the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the borrower's return of the securities loaned. See Note 8.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-3
AIM Technology Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Assets: | |
Investments, at value (cost $778,318,823)* | | $ | 1,037,923,571 | | |
Investments in affiliates (cost $75,032,210) | | | 63,599,200 | | |
Total investments (cost $853,351,033) | | | 1,101,522,771 | | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $463,197) | | | 461,400 | | |
Receivables for: | |
Investments sold | | | 6,298,023 | | |
Fund shares sold | | | 330,948 | | |
Dividends | | | 494,629 | | |
Investment for trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 405,631 | | |
Other assets | | | 38,252 | | |
Total assets | | | 1,109,551,654 | | |
Liabilities: | |
Payables for: | |
Investments purchased | | | 10,741,802 | | |
Investments purchased from affiliates | | | 818,170 | | |
Fund shares reacquired | | | 2,611,094 | | |
Trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 509,800 | | |
Collateral upon return of securities loaned | | | 31,323,522 | | |
Accrued distribution fees | | | 262,098 | | |
Accrued trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 603 | | |
Accrued transfer agent fees | | | 1,127,915 | | |
Accrued operating expenses | | | 259,707 | | |
Total liabilities | | | 47,654,711 | | |
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding | | $ | 1,061,896,943 | | |
Net assets consist of: | |
Shares of beneficial interest | | $ | 1,379,811,462 | | |
Undistributed net investment income (loss) | | | (5,943,811 | ) | |
Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and option contracts | | | (560,136,648 | ) | |
Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 248,165,940 | | |
| | $ | 1,061,896,943 | | |
Net Assets: | |
Class A | | $ | 300,214,873 | | |
Class B | | $ | 69,756,653 | | |
Class C | | $ | 22,867,734 | | |
Investor Class | | $ | 669,045,695 | | |
Institutional Class | | $ | 11,988 | | |
Shares outstanding, $0.01 par value per share, unlimited number of shares authorized: | |
Class A | | | 10,899,585 | | |
Class B | | | 2,621,661 | | |
Class C | | | 882,913 | | |
Investor Class | | | 24,516,950 | | |
Institutional Class | | | 415.5 | | |
Class A: | |
Net asset value per share | | $ | 27.54 | | |
Offering price per share (Net asset value of $27.54 ÷ 94.50%) | | $ | 29.14 | | |
Class B: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 26.61 | | |
Class C: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 25.90 | | |
Investor Class: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 27.29 | | |
Institutional Class: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 28.85 | | |
* At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $30,357,469 were on loan to brokers.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-4
AIM Technology Fund
Statement of Operations
For the six months ended September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Investment income: | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $220,801) | | $ | 2,308,821 | | |
Dividends from affiliates (includes securities lending income of $141,087) | | | 722,390 | | |
Interest | | | 3,634 | | |
Total investment income | | | 3,034,845 | | |
Expenses: | |
Advisory fees | | | 3,481,971 | | |
Administrative services fees | | | 143,650 | | |
Custodian fees | | | 73,436 | | |
Distribution fees: | |
Class A | | | 370,906 | | |
Class B | | | 357,163 | | |
Class C | | | 115,858 | | |
Investor Class | | | 727,775 | | |
Transfer agent fees — A, B, C and Investor | | | 3,226,585 | | |
Transfer agent fees — Institutional | | | 6 | | |
Trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 21,830 | | |
Other | | | 348,469 | | |
Total expenses | | | 8,867,649 | | |
Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangements | | | (315,133 | ) | |
Net expenses | | | 8,552,516 | | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (5,517,671 | ) | |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment securities, foreign currencies and option contracts: | |
Net realized gain from: | |
Investment securities (includes net gains from securities sold to affiliates of $609,093) | | | 46,378,636 | | |
Foreign currencies | | | 93,002 | | |
Option contracts written | | | 380,372 | | |
| | | 46,852,010 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: | |
Investment securities | | | (85,363,072 | ) | |
Foreign currencies | | | (34,801 | ) | |
Option contracts written | | | 525,472 | | |
| | | (84,872,401 | ) | |
Net gain from investment securities, foreign currencies and option contracts | | | (38,020,391 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | (43,538,062 | ) | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-5
AIM Technology Fund
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
For the six months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended March 31, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | September 30, 2006 | | March 31, 2006 | |
Operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | $ | (5,517,671 | ) | | $ | (14,517,699 | ) | |
Net realized gain from investment securities, foreign currencies and option contracts | | | 46,852,010 | | | | 187,735,566 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investment securities, foreign currencies and option contracts | | | (84,872,401 | ) | | | 60,616,920 | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | (43,538,062 | ) | | | 233,834,787 | | |
Share transactions—net: | |
Class A | | | (17,804,298 | ) | | | (45,689,980 | ) | |
Class B | | | (8,229,271 | ) | | | (21,848,741 | ) | |
Class C | | | (2,607,274 | ) | | | (5,334,370 | ) | |
Class K | | | — | | | | (13,237,491 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (86,626,231 | ) | | | (262,478,863 | ) | |
Institutional Class | | | — | | | | (954 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions | | | (115,267,074 | ) | | | (348,590,399 | ) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | (158,805,136 | ) | | | (114,755,612 | ) | |
Net assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 1,220,702,079 | | | | 1,335,457,691 | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of $(5,943,811) and $(426,140), respectively) | | $ | 1,061,896,943 | | | $ | 1,220,702,079 | | |
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies
AIM Technology Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM Sector Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of six separate portfolios, each authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The Fund currently consists of multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund.
The Fund's investment objective is to seek capital growth.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. Security Valuations — Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy.
A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange) are valued based on the prices furnished by independent pricing services, in which case the securities may be considered fair valued, or by market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price.
Futures contracts are valued at the final settlement price set by an exchange on which they are principally traded. Listed options are valued at the mean between the last bid and the ask prices from the exchange on which they are principally traded. Options not listed on an exchange are valued by an independent source at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally are valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Investments in open-end registered investment companies and closed-end registered investment companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day net asset value per share. Investments in closed-end registered investment companies that trade on an exchange are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded.
F-6
AIM Technology Fund
Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to specific securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are recorded at amortized cost which approximates value.
Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices.
Foreign securities (including foreign exchange contracts) are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using the applicable exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If the event is likely to have affected the closing price of the security, the security will be valued at fair value in good faith using procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value may also be based on a screening process of an independent pricing service to indicate the degree of certainty, based on historical data, that the closing price in the principal market where a foreign security trades is not the current value as of the close of the NYSE. Foreign securities meeting the approved degree of certainty that the price is not reflective of current value will be priced at the indication of fair value from the independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, ADRs and domestic and foreign index futures.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust's officers following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Issuer specific events, market trends, bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers and other market data may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value.
B. Securities Transactions and Investment Income — Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Brokerage commissions and mark ups are considered transaction costs and are recorded as an increase to the cost basis of securities purchased and/or a reduction of proceeds on a sale of securities. Such transaction costs are included in the determination of realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment securities reported in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and the realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on securities per share in the Financial Highlights. Transaction costs are included in the calculation of the Fund's net asset value and, accordingly, they reduce the Fund's total returns. These transaction costs are not considered operating expenses and are not reflected in net investment income reported in the Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets, or the net investment income per share and ratios of expenses and net investment income reported in the Finan cial Highlights, nor are they limited by any expense limitation arrangements between the Fund and the advisor.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. Country Determination — For the purposes of making investment selection decisions and presentation in the Schedule of Investments, AIM may determine the country in which an issuer is located and/or credit risk exposure based on various factors. These factors include the laws of the country under which the issuer is organized, where the issuer maintains a principal office, the country in which the issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenues and the country that has the primary market for the issuer's securities, as well as other criteria. Among the other criteria that may be evaluated for making this determination are the country in which the issuer maintains 50% or more of its assets, the type of security, financial guarantees and enhancements, the nature of the collateral and the sponsor organization. Country of issuer and/or credit risk exposure has been determined to be the United States of America unless otherwise noted.
D. Distributions — Distributions from income and net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to treat a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
E. Federal Income Taxes — The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and to distribute substantially all of the Fund's taxable earnings to shareholders. As such, the Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements.
F. Expenses — Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund are charged to the operations of such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses and other shareholder recordkeeping fees and expenses attributable to the Institutional Class are charged to such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses and other shareholder recordkeeping fees and expenses relating to all other classes are allocated among those classes based on relative net assets. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
G. Accounting Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including estimates and assumptions related to taxation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
F-7
AIM Technology Fund
H. Indemnifications — Under the Trust's organizational documents, each Trustee, officer, employee or other agent of the Trust (including the Trust's investment manager) is indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss as a result of such indemnification claims is considered remote.
I. Foreign Currency Translations — Foreign currency is valued at the close of the NYSE based on quotations posted by banks and major currency dealers. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (net of foreign taxes withheld on disposition) and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market price s on investments (net of estimated foreign tax withholding) are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from (i) sales of foreign currencies, (ii) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and (iii) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
J. Foreign Currency Contracts — A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the Statement of Operations. The Fund could be exposed to risk, which may be in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the f oreign currency changes unfavorably.
K. Covered Call Options — The Fund may write call options, including options on futures. A call option gives the purchaser of such option the right to buy, and the writer (the Fund) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price during the option period. Written call options are recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The amount of the liability is subsequently "marked-to-market" to reflect the current market value of the option written. If a written call option expires on the stipulated expiration date, or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, the Fund realizes a gain (or a loss if the closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was written) without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liabilit y related to such option is extinguished. If a written option is exercised, the Fund realizes a gain or a loss from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds of the sale are increased by the premium originally received. Realized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the Statement of Operations. A risk in writing a call option is that the Fund gives up the opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases and the option is exercised.
An option on a futures contract gives the holder the right to receive a cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to the difference between the exercise price of the option and the value of the underlying futures contract on the exercise date. The value of a futures contract fluctuates with changes in the market values of the securities underlying the futures contract. In writing futures contract options, the principal risk is that the Fund could bear a loss on the options that would be only partially offset (or not offset at all) by the increased value or reduced cost of underlying portfolio securities. Risks may exceed amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
L. Put Options Purchased — The Fund may purchase put options including options on securities indexes and/or futures contracts. By purchasing a put option, the Fund obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the option's underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, the Fund pays an option premium. The option's underlying instrument may be a security, securities index, or a futures contract. Put options may be used by the Fund to hedge securities it owns by locking in a minimum price at which the Fund can sell. If security prices fall, the put option could be exercised to offset all or a portion of the Fund's resulting losses. At the same time, because the maximum the Fund has at risk is the cost of the option, purchasing put options does not eliminate the potential for the Fund to profit from an incre ase in the value of the securities hedged. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the Statement of Operations. A risk in buying an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. In addition, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any option purchased or sold.
M. Collateral — To the extent the Fund has pledged or segregated a security as collateral and that security is subsequently sold, it is the Fund's practice to replace such collateral no later than the next business day. This practice does not apply to securities pledged as collateral for securities lending transactions.
F-8
AIM Technology Fund
NOTE 2—Advisory Fees and Other Fees Paid to Affiliates
The Trust has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM based on the annual rate of the Fund's average daily net assets as follows:
Average Net Assets | | Rate | |
First $350 million | | | 0.75 | % | |
Next $350 million | | | 0.65 | % | |
Next $1.3 billion | | | 0.55 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.45 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.40 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.375 | % | |
Over $8 billion | | | 0.35 | % | |
AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) of Class A, Class B, Class C, Investor Class and Institutional Class shares to 1.55%, 2.30%, 2.30%, 1.55% and 1.30% of average daily net assets, respectively, through June 30, 2007. In determining the advisor's obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account, and could cause the net annual operating expenses to exceed the numbers reflected above: (i) interest; (ii) taxes; (iii) dividend expense on short sales; (iv) extraordinary items (these are expenses that are not anticipated to arise from the Fund's day-to-day operations), or items designated as such by the Fund's Board of Trustees; (v) expenses related to a merger or reorganization, as approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees; and (vi) expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement. Currently, in addition to the expense reimbursement arrangement with AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP") described more fully below, the expense offset arrangements from which the Fund may benefit are in the form of credits that the Fund receives from banks where the Fund or its transfer agent has deposit accounts in which it holds uninvested cash. Those credits are used to pay certain expenses incurred by the Fund. To the extent that the annualized expense ratio does not exceed the expense limitation, AIM will retain its ability to be reimbursed for such fee waivers or reimbursements prior to the end of the fiscal year.
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds on investments by the Fund in such affiliated money market funds (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the fund). AIM is also voluntarily waiving a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Fund equal to the difference between the income earned from investing in the affiliated money market fund and the hypothetical income earned from investing in an appropriate comparative benchmark. Voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements may be modified or discontinued at any time upon consultation with the Board of Trustees without further notice to investors.
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM waived advisory fees of $3,135 and reimbursed $274,114 of class level expenses of Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares in proportion to the net assets of such classes.
At the request of the Trustees of the Trust, AMVESCAP agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with market timing matters in the AIM Funds, which may include legal, audit, shareholder reporting, communications and trustee expenses. These expenses along with the related expense reimbursement are included in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AMVESCAP reimbursed expenses of the Fund in the amount of $3,461.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. Pursuant to such agreement, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM was paid $143,650.
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AISI") a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund and reimburse AISI for certain expenses incurred by AISI in the course of providing such services. AISI may make payments to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services, sub-accounting services and/or networking services. All fees payable by AISI to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services or sub-accounting are charged back to the Fund, subject to certain limitations approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid AISI $3,226,585 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares and $6 for Institutional Class shares.
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Investor Class and Institutional Class shares of the Fund. The Trust has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays ADI compensation at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Investor Class shares. Of the Rule 12b-1 payments, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C or Investor Class shares may be paid to furnish continuing personal shareholder services to customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not pa id as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") Rules impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund.
F-9
AIM Technology Fund
Pursuant to the Plans, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares paid $370,906, $357,163, $115,858 and $727,775, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the six months ended September 30, 2006, ADI advised the Fund that it retained $19,076 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $45, $32,068 and $1,003 from Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed on redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are officers and directors of AIM, AIS and/or ADI.
NOTE 3—Investments in Affiliates
The Fund is permitted, pursuant to an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, to invest daily available cash balances and cash collateral from securities lending transactions in affiliated money market funds. The Fund and the money market funds below have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The tables below show the transactions in and earnings from investments in affiliated money market funds for the six months ended September 30, 2006.
Investments of Daily Available Cash Balances:
Fund | | Value 03/31/06 | | Purchases at Cost | | Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | Value 09/30/06 | | Dividend Income | | Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | — | | | $ | 83,561,476 | | | $ | (72,949,283 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,612,193 | | | $ | 180,693 | | | $ | — | | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | | 14,449,995 | | | | 204,214,446 | | | | (208,052,247 | ) | | | — | | | | 10,612,194 | | | | 400,610 | | | | — | | |
Subtotal | | $ | 14,449,995 | | | $ | 287,775,922 | | | $ | (281,001,530 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 21,224,387 | | | $ | 581,303 | | | $ | — | | |
Investments of Cash Collateral from Securities Lending Transactions:
Fund | | Value 03/31/06 | | Purchases at Cost | | Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | Value 09/30/06 | | Dividend Income* | | Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | 27,614,426 | | | $ | 308,109,756 | | | $ | (304,400,660 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 31,323,522 | | | $ | 141,087 | | | $ | — | | |
* Net of compensation to counterparties.
Investments in Other Affiliates:
The Investment Company Act of 1940 defines affiliates as those issuances in which a fund holds 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities. The Fund has not owned enough of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer to have control (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of that issuer. The following is a summary of the transactions with affiliates for the six months ended September 30, 2006.
Issuer | | Value 03/31/06 | | Purchases at Cost | | Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | Value 09/30/06 | | Dividend Income | | Realized Gain (Loss) | |
BlueStream Ventures L.P. (Cost $22,484,301) | | $ | 10,135,080 | | | $ | 1,105,887 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (189,676 | ) | | $ | 11,051,291 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | |
Total Investments in Affiliates | | $ | 52,199,501 | | | $ | 596,991,565 | | | $ | (585,402,190 | ) | | $ | (189,676 | ) | | $ | 63,599,200 | | | $ | 722,390 | | | $ | — | | |
NOTE 4—Security Transactions with Affiliated Funds
The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain other AIM Funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common Trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. Pursuant to these procedures, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund engaged in securities sales of $3,033,101, which resulted in net realized gains of $609,093 and securities purchases of $4,151,736.
F-10
AIM Technology Fund
NOTE 5—Expense Offset Arrangements
The expense offset arrangements are comprised of (i) transfer agency credits which result from balances in Demand Deposit Accounts (DDA) used by the transfer agent for clearing shareholder transactions and (ii) custodian credits which result from periodic overnight cash balances at the custodian. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received credits from these arrangements, which resulted in the reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $34,423.
NOTE 6—Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits
"Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to pay remuneration to each Trustee and Officer of the Fund who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Trustees have the option to defer compensation payable by the Fund, and "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" also include amounts accrued by the Fund to fund such deferred compensation amounts. Those Trustees who defer compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested. Finally, current Trustees are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Trustees over a period of time based on the number of years of service. The Fund may have certain former Trustees who also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan. "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to fun d such retirement benefits. Obligations under the deferred compensation and retirement plans represent unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid legal fees of $2,860 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Trustees. A member of that firm is a Trustee of the Trust.
NOTE 7—Borrowings
Pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC, the Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. A loan will be secured by collateral if the Fund's aggregate borrowings from all sources exceeds 10% of the Fund's total assets. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
The Fund is a participant in an uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000, or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which are parties to the credit facility can borrow on a first come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under the uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility.
Additionally, the Fund is permitted to temporarily carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with SSB, the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds as a compensating balance in the account so the custodian bank can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank at a rate agreed upon by the custodian bank and AIM, not to exceed the rate contractually agreed upon.
NOTE 8—Portfolio Securities Loaned
The Fund may lend portfolio securities having a market value up to one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral received in connection with these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrowe r did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the collateral available for return to the borrower due to any loss on the collateral invested.
At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $30,357,469 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $31,323,522 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received dividends on cash collateral investments of $141,087 for securities lending transactions, which are net of compensation to counterparties.
F-11
AIM Technology Fund
NOTE 9—Option Contracts Written
Transactions During the Period
| | Call Option Contracts | |
| | Number of Contracts | | Premiums Received | |
Beginning of period | | | 10,001 | | | $ | 692,110 | | |
Written | | | 1,041 | | | | 300,125 | | |
Exercised | | | (8,540 | ) | | | (611,863 | ) | |
Expired | | | (2,502 | ) | | | (380,372 | ) | |
End of period | | | — | | | $ | — | | |
NOTE 10—Tax Information
The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforward) under income tax regulations. The tax character of distributions paid during the year and the tax components of net assets will be reported at the Fund's fiscal year-end.
Capital loss carryforward is calculated and reported as of a specific date. Results of transactions and other activity after that date may affect the amount of capital loss carryforward actually available for the Fund to utilize. The ability to utilize capital loss carryforward in the future may be limited under the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions. Under these limitation rules, the Fund is limited as of March 31, 2006 to utilizing $161,990,602 of capital loss carryforward in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
The Fund had a capital loss carryforward as of March 31, 2006 which expires as follows:
Expiration | | Capital Loss Carryforward* | |
March 31, 2010 | | $ | 235,615,312 | | |
March 31, 2011 | | | 367,910,113 | | |
Total capital loss carryforward | | $ | 603,525,425 | | |
* Capital loss carryforward as of the date listed above is reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code.
NOTE 11—Investment Securities
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2006 was $557,696,740 and $670,052,018, respectively. For interim reporting periods, the cost of investments for tax purposes includes reversals of certain tax items, such as, wash sales that have occurred since the prior fiscal year-end.
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities on a Tax Basis
Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 259,843,776 | | |
Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities | | | (11,461,752 | ) | |
Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 248,382,024 | | |
Cost of investments for tax purposes is $853,140,747.
F-12
AIM Technology Fund
NOTE 12—Share Information
The Fund currently consists of five different classes of shares: Class A, Class B, Class C, Investor Class and Institutional Class. The Fund formerly offered Class K shares; however, as of the close of business October 21, 2005, the Class K shares were converted to Class A shares. Investor Class shares of the Fund are offered only to certain grandfathered investors.
Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge unless certain waiver criteria are met. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Investor Class and Institutional Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under certain circumstances, Class A shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on or about the month-end which is at least eight years after the date of purchase.
Changes in Shares Outstanding
| | Six months ended September 30, 2006(a) | | Year ended March 31, 2006 | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Sold: | |
Class A | | | 581,400 | | | $ | 15,537,606 | | | | 1,129,976 | | | $ | 28,845,975 | | |
Class B | | | 122,035 | | | | 3,146,277 | | | | 260,920 | | | | 6,473,754 | | |
Class C | | | 70,613 | | | | 1,779,448 | | | | 354,767 | | | | 8,680,425 | | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 100,778 | | | | 2,391,807 | | |
Investor Class | | | 1,425,230 | | | | 37,278,528 | | | | 3,764,263 | | | | 94,459,210 | | |
Institutional Class | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Conversion of Class K shares to Class A shares:(c) | |
Class A | | | — | | | | — | | | | 501,679 | | | | 12,225,909 | | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (513,478 | ) | | | (12,225,909 | ) | |
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: | |
Class A | | | 58,477 | | | | 1,554,963 | | | | 159,811 | | | | 4,010,453 | | |
Class B | | | (60,424 | ) | | | (1,554,963 | ) | | | (164,166 | ) | | | (4,010,453 | ) | |
Reacquired: | |
Class A | | | (1,318,646 | ) | | | (34,896,867 | ) | | | (3,554,908 | ) | | | (90,772,317 | ) | |
Class B | | | (383,316 | ) | | | (9,820,585 | ) | | | (983,065 | ) | | | (24,312,042 | ) | |
Class C | | | (174,648 | ) | | | (4,386,722 | ) | | | (572,477 | ) | | | (14,014,795 | ) | |
Class K(b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (142,541 | ) | | | (3,403,389 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (4,706,103 | ) | | | (123,904,759 | ) | | | (14,168,269 | ) | | | (356,938,073 | ) | |
Institutional Class | | | — | | | | — | | | | (38 | ) | | | (954 | ) | |
| | | (4,385,382 | ) | | $ | (115,267,074 | ) | | | (13,826,748 | ) | | $ | (348,590,399 | ) | |
(a) There is one entity that is a record owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and it owns 12% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. ADI has an agreement with this entity to sell Fund shares. The Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates may make payments to this entity, which is considered to be related to the Fund, for providing services to the Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates including but not limited to services such as, securities brokerage, distribution, third party record keeping and account servicing. The Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record by this entity are also owned beneficially.
(b) Class K shares activity for the period April 1, 2005 through October 21, 2005 (date of conversion).
(c) Effective as of close of business October 21, 2005, all outstanding Class K shares were converted to Class A shares of the Fund.
NOTE 13—New Accounting Standard
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions for FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management is currently assessing the impact of FIN 48, if any, on the Fund's financial statements and intends for the Fund to adopt the FIN 48 provisions during 2007.
F-13
AIM Technology Fund
NOTE 14—Financial Highlights
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
| | Class A | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 28.45 | | | $ | 23.59 | | | $ | 24.71 | | | $ | 16.98 | | | $ | 30.41 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss)(b) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) | | | (0.20 | )(c) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.78 | ) | | | 5.14 | | | | (0.93 | ) | | | 8.06 | | | | (13.23 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.91 | ) | | | 4.86 | | | | (1.12 | ) | | | 7.73 | | | | (13.43 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 27.54 | | | $ | 28.45 | | | $ | 23.59 | | | $ | 24.71 | | | $ | 16.98 | | |
Total return(d) | | | (3.20 | )% | | | 20.60 | % | | | (4.53 | )% | | | 45.52 | % | | | (44.16 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 300,215 | | | $ | 329,461 | | | $ | 314,755 | | | $ | 410,407 | | | $ | 4,460 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.56 | %(e) | | | 1.57 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.47 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.61 | %(e) | | | 1.63 | % | | | 1.68 | % | | | 1.93 | % | | | 1.51 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.98 | )%(e) | | | (1.09 | )% | | | (0.80 | )% | | | (1.31 | )% | | | (1.12 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(f) | | | 52 | % | | | 107 | % | | | 92 | % | | | 141 | % | | | 107 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) The net investment income (loss) per share was calculated after permanent book tax differences, such as net operating losses, were reclassified from accumulated net investment income (loss) to paid in capital. Had net investment income (loss) per share been calculated using the current method, which is before reclassification of net operating losses, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.20) for the year ended March 31, 2003.
(d) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and not annualized for periods less than one year.
(e) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $295,914,247.
(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Class B | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 27.59 | | | $ | 23.04 | | | $ | 24.29 | | | $ | 16.84 | | | $ | 30.41 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss)(b) | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.45 | ) | | | (0.34 | ) | | | (0.48 | ) | | | (0.27 | )(c) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.76 | ) | | | 5.00 | | | | (0.91 | ) | | | 7.93 | | | | (13.30 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.98 | ) | | | 4.55 | | | | (1.25 | ) | | | 7.45 | | | | (13.57 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 26.61 | | | $ | 27.59 | | | $ | 23.04 | | | $ | 24.29 | | | $ | 16.84 | | |
Total return(d) | | | (3.55 | )% | | | 19.75 | % | | | (5.15 | )% | | | 44.24 | % | | | (44.62 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 69,757 | | | $ | 81,212 | | | $ | 88,240 | | | $ | 125,597 | | | $ | 532 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.31 | %(e) | | | 2.30 | % | | | 2.15 | % | | | 2.15 | % | | | 2.15 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.36 | %(e) | | | 2.36 | % | | | 2.33 | % | | | 3.16 | % | | | 2.74 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (1.73 | )%(e) | | | (1.82 | )% | | | (1.45 | )% | | | (1.96 | )% | | | (1.71 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(f) | | | 52 | % | | | 107 | % | | | 92 | % | | | 141 | % | | | 107 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) The net investment income (loss) per share was calculated after permanent book tax differences, such as net operating losses, were reclassified from accumulated net investment income (loss) to paid in capital. Had net investment income (loss) per share been calculated using the current method, which is before reclassification of net operating losses, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.27) for the year ended March 31, 2003.
(d) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and not annualized for periods less than one year.
(e) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $71,237,524.
(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-14
AIM Technology Fund
NOTE 14—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Class C | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 26.86 | | | $ | 22.43 | | | $ | 23.64 | | | $ | 16.39 | | | $ | 29.73 | | | $ | 35.22 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.22 | )(a) | | | (0.44 | )(a) | | | (0.33 | )(a) | | | (0.45 | )(a) | | | (0.62 | )(b) | | | (0.22 | )(b) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | 4.87 | | | | (0.88 | ) | | | 7.70 | | | | (12.72 | ) | | | (5.27 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.96 | ) | | | 4.43 | | | | (1.21 | ) | | | 7.25 | | | | (13.34 | ) | | | (5.49 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 25.90 | | | $ | 26.86 | | | $ | 22.43 | | | $ | 23.64 | | | $ | 16.39 | | | $ | 29.73 | | |
Total return(c) | | | (3.57 | )% | | | 19.75 | % | | | (5.12 | )% | | | 44.23 | % | | | (44.87 | )% | | | (15.59 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 22,868 | | | $ | 26,507 | | | $ | 27,016 | | | $ | 37,191 | | | $ | 5,759 | | | $ | 18,910 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.31 | %(d) | | | 2.30 | % | | | 2.15 | % | | | 2.15 | % | | | 2.69 | % | | | 2.54 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.36 | %(d) | | | 2.36 | % | | | 2.33 | % | | | 3.20 | % | | | 3.95 | % | | | 2.54 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (1.73 | )%(d) | | | (1.82 | )% | | | (1.45 | )% | | | (1.96 | )% | | | (2.39 | )% | | | (2.26 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 52 | % | | | 107 | % | | | 92 | % | | | 141 | % | | | 107 | % | | | 79 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) The net investment income (loss) per share was calculated after permanent book tax differences, such as net operating losses, were reclassified from accumulated net investment income (loss) to paid in capital. Had net investment income (loss) per share been calculated using the current method, which is before reclassification of net operating losses, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.84) and $(0.54) for the years ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $23,108,231.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Investor Class | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 28.19 | | | $ | 23.37 | | | $ | 24.49 | | | $ | 16.90 | | | $ | 30.41 | | | $ | 35.60 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | (0.12 | )(a) | | | (0.27 | )(a) | | | (0.20 | )(a) | | | (0.35 | )(a) | | | (0.14 | )(b) | | | (0.08 | )(b) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.78 | ) | | | 5.09 | | | | (0.92 | ) | | | 7.94 | | | | (13.37 | ) | | | (5.11 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.90 | ) | | | 4.82 | | | | (1.12 | ) | | | 7.59 | | | | (13.51 | ) | | | (5.19 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 27.29 | | | $ | 28.19 | | | $ | 23.37 | | | $ | 24.49 | | | $ | 16.90 | | | $ | 30.41 | | |
Total return(c) | | | (3.19 | )% | | | 20.63 | % | | | (4.57 | )% | | | 44.91 | % | | | (44.43 | )% | | | (14.58 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 669,046 | | | $ | 783,509 | | | $ | 892,630 | | | $ | 1,347,355 | | | $ | 853,530 | | | $ | 1,865,251 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.52 | %(d) | | | 1.57 | % | | | 1.56 | % | | | 1.72 | % | | | 1.77 | % | | | 1.37 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.57 | %(d) | | | 1.61 | % | | | 1.58 | % | | | 1.75 | % | | | 1.77 | % | | | 1.37 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.94 | )%(d) | | | (1.09 | )% | | | (0.86 | )% | | | (1.53 | )% | | | (1.46 | )% | | | (1.08 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 52 | % | | | 107 | % | | | 92 | % | | | 141 | % | | | 107 | % | | | 79 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) The net investment income (loss) per share was calculated after permanent book tax differences, such as net operating losses, were reclassified from accumulated net investment income (loss) to paid in capital. Had net investment income (loss) per share been calculated using the current method, which is before reclassification of net operating losses, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.29) and $(0.37) for the years ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $681,531,042.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-15
AIM Technology Fund
NOTE 14—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Institutional Class | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 29.70 | | | $ | 24.44 | | | $ | 25.35 | | | $ | 17.34 | | | $ | 30.93 | | | $ | 35.98 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income (loss)(a) | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.16 | ) | | | (0.12 | )(b) | | | (0.16 | )(b) | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.81 | ) | | | 5.35 | | | | (0.89 | ) | | | 8.17 | | | | (13.47 | ) | | | (4.89 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | (0.85 | ) | | | 5.26 | | | | (0.91 | ) | | | 8.01 | | | | (13.59 | ) | | | (5.05 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 28.85 | | | $ | 29.70 | | | $ | 24.44 | | | $ | 25.35 | | | $ | 17.34 | | | $ | 30.93 | | |
Total return(c) | | | (2.86 | )% | | | 21.52 | % | | | (3.59 | )% | | | 46.19 | % | | | (43.94 | )% | | | (14.04 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 12 | | | $ | 12 | | | $ | 11 | | | $ | 1,309,623 | | | $ | 707,040 | | | $ | 1,360,738 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets | | | 0.86 | %(d) | | | 0.81 | % | | | 0.79 | %(e) | | | 0.86 | % | | | 0.90 | % | | | 0.74 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | | (0.28 | )%(d) | | | (0.33 | )% | | | (0.09 | )% | | | (0.67 | )% | | | (0.59 | )% | | | (0.46 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate(f) | | | 52 | % | | | 107 | % | | | 92 | % | | | 141 | % | | | 107 | % | | | 79 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) The net investment income (loss) per share was calculated after permanent book tax differences, such as net operating losses, were reclassified from accumulated net investment income (loss) to paid in capital. Had net investment income (loss) per share been calculated using the current method, which is before reclassification of net operating losses, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.12) and $(0.16) for the years ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $11,500.
(e) After fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 0.81% for the year ended March 31, 2005.
(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-16
AIM Technology Fund
NOTE 15—Legal Proceedings
Terms used in the Legal Proceedings Note are defined terms solely for the purpose of this note.
Settled Enforcement Actions and Investigations Related to Market Timing
On October 8, 2004, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("IFG") (the former investment advisor to certain AIM Funds), AIM and A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") (the distributor of the retail AIM Funds) reached final settlements with certain regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the New York Attorney General and the Colorado Attorney General, to resolve civil enforcement actions and/or investigations related to market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds, including those formerly advised by IFG. As part of the settlements, a $325 million fair fund ($110 million of which is civil penalties) has been created to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds formerly advised by IFG. Additionally, AIM and ADI created a $50 million fair fund ($30 million of which is civil penalties) to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds advised by AI M, which was done pursuant to the terms of the settlement. These two fair funds may increase as a result of contributions from third parties who reach final settlements with the SEC or other regulators to resolve allegations of market timing and/or late trading that also may have harmed applicable AIM Funds. These two fair funds will be distributed in accordance with a methodology to be determined by AIM's independent distribution consultant, in consultation with AIM and the independent trustees of the AIM Funds and acceptable to the staff of the SEC. Management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the distribution of these two fair funds may have on the Fund or whether such distribution will have an impact on the Fund's financial statements in the future.
At the request of the trustees of the AIM Funds, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"), the parent company of IFG and AIM, has agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the AIM Funds related to market timing matters.
Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries
On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Office of the State Auditor—Securities Commission ("WVASC") issued a Summary Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Right to Hearing to AIM and ADI (Order No. 05-1318). The WVASC makes findings of fact that AIM and ADI entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the AIM Funds and failed to disclose these arrangements in the prospectuses for such Funds, and conclusions of law to the effect that AIM and ADI violated the West Virginia securities laws. The WVASC orders AIM and ADI to cease any further violations and seeks to impose monetary sanctions, including restitution to affected investors, disgorgement of fees, reimbursement of investigatory, administrative and legal costs and an "administrative assessment," to be determined by the Commissioner. Initial research indicates that these damages could be limited or capped by statute.
Civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against certain of the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals, depending on the lawsuit, alleging:
• that the defendants permitted improper market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds;
• that certain AIM Funds inadequately employed fair value pricing;
• that the defendants charged excessive advisory and/or distribution fees and failed to pass on to shareholders the perceived savings generated by economies of scale and that the defendants adopted unlawful distribution plans; and
• that the defendants improperly used the assets of the AIM Funds to pay brokers to aggressively promote the sale of the AIM Funds over other mutual funds and that the defendants concealed such payments from investors by disguising them as brokerage commissions (all the claims in this category of lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice by the court on September 29, 2006, except for the Section 36(b) claim which was dismissed with leave to amend to plead it properly as a derivative claim).
These lawsuits allege as theories of recovery, depending on the lawsuit, violations of various provisions of the Federal and state securities laws and ERISA, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and/or breach of contract. These lawsuits seek remedies that include, depending on the lawsuit, damages, restitution, injunctive relief, imposition of a constructive trust, removal of certain directors and/or employees, various corrective measures under ERISA, rescission of certain AIM Funds' advisory agreements and/or distribution plans and recovery of all fees paid, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, restitution of all commissions and fees paid, and prospective relief in the form of reduced fees.
All lawsuits based on allegations of market timing, late trading and related issues have been transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "MDL Court"). Pursuant to an Order of the MDL Court, plaintiffs in these lawsuits consolidated their claims for pre-trial purposes into three amended complaints against various AIM- and IFG-related parties: (i) a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of shareholders of the AIM Funds; (ii) a Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of the AIM Funds and fund registrants; and (iii) an Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act ("ERISA") purportedly brought on behalf of participants in AMVESCAP's 401(k) plan. Based on orders issued by the MDL Court, all claims asserted against the AIM Funds that have been transferred to the MDL Court have been dismissed, although certain Funds remain nominal defendants in the Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint. On September 15, 2006, the MDL Court granted the AMVESCAP defendants' motion to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of ERISA and dismissed such Complaint. The plaintiff has commenced an appeal from that decision.
F-17
AIM Technology Fund
NOTE 15—Legal Proceedings—(continued)
IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals have received inquiries from numerous regulators in the form of subpoenas or other oral or written requests for information and/or documents related to one or more of the following issues, among others, some of which concern one or more AIM Funds: market timing activity, late trading, fair value pricing, excessive or improper advisory and/or distribution fees, mutual fund sales practices, including revenue sharing and directed-brokerage arrangements, investments in securities of other registered investment companies, contractual plans, issues related to Section 529 college savings plans and procedures for locating lost security holders. IFG, AIM and ADI have advised the Fund that they are providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries. Regulatory actions and/or additional civil lawsuits related to these or other issues may be filed against the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM and/or related entities and individuals in the future.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of the Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries described above may have on AIM, ADI or the Fund.
F-18
AIM Technology Fund
Trustees and Officers
Board of Trustees
Bob R. Baker
Frank S. Bayley
James T. Bunch
Bruce L. Crockett
Chair
Albert R. Dowden
Jack M. Fields
Carl Frischling
Robert H. Graham
Vice Chair
Prema Mathai-Davis
Lewis F. Pennock
Ruth H. Quigley
Larry Soll
Raymond Stickel Jr.
Philip A. Taylor
Officers
Philip A. Taylor
President and Principal
Executive Officer
Todd L. Spillane
Chief Compliance Officer
Russell C. Burk
Senior Vice President and Senior Officer
John M. Zerr
Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Sidney M. Dilgren
Vice President, Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer
Lisa O. Brinkley
Vice President
Kevin M. Carome
Vice President
J. Philip Ferguson
Vice President
Karen Dunn Kelley
Vice President
Office of the Fund
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Investment Advisor
A I M Advisors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Transfer Agent
AIM Investment Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 4739
Houston, TX 77210-4739
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110-2801
Counsel to the Fund
Ballard Spahr
Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
1735 Market Street, 51st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-2714
Distributor
A I M Distributors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
F-19
Domestic Equity
AIM Basic Balanced Fund*
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Dynamics Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM S&P 500 Index Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund(1)
AIM Structured Core Fund
AIM Structured Growth Fund
AIM Structured Value Fund
AIM Summit Fund
AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund
AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund
*Domestic equity and income fund
International/Global Equity
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM China Fund
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Equity Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM Japan Fund
AIM International Core Equity Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM International Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Trimark Fund
Sector Equity
AIM Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM Energy Fund
AIM Financial Services Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Global Real Estate Fund
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
AIM Leisure Fund
AIM Multi-Sector Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund(1)
AIM Technology Fund
AIM Utilities Fund
Fixed Income
TAXABLE
AIM Enhanced Short Bond Fund
AIM Floating Rate Fund
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM International Bond Fund
AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Short Term Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
Premier Portfolio
Premier U.S. Government Money Portfolio
TAX-FREE
AIM High Income Municipal Fund(1)
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund
AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund
Premier Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Allocation Solutions
AIM Conservative Allocation Fund
AIM Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderately Conservative Allocation Fund
Diversified Portfolios
AIM Income Allocation Fund
AIM International Allocation Fund
(1)This Fund has limited public sales of its shares to certain investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in the Fund, please see the appropriate prospectus.
If used after January 20, 2007, this report must be accompanied by a Fund Performance & Commentary or by an AIM Quarterly Performance Review for the most recent quarter-end. Mutual funds distributed by A I M Distributors, Inc.
A I M Management Group Inc. has provided leadership in the investment management industry since 1976. AIM is a subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC, one of the world’s largest independent financial services companies with $441 billion in assets under management. Data as of September 30, 2006.
Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully. For this and other information about AIM Funds, obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor and read it carefully before investing.
AIMinvestments.com | I-TEC-SAR-1 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
[Your goals. Our solutions.]
– registered trademark –
Mutual | Retirement | Annuities | College | Separately | Offshore | Cash |
Funds | Products | | Savings | Managed | Products | Management |
| | | Plans | Accounts | | |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Utilities Fund
Semiannual Report to Shareholders • September 30, 2006
[COVER GLOBE IMAGE]
SECTOR EQUITY
Sectors
Table of Contents
Supplemental Information | 2 |
Letters to Shareholders | 3 |
Performance Summary | 5 |
Management Discussion | 5 |
Long-term Fund Performance | 7 |
Fund Expenses | 8 |
Approval of Advisory Agreement | 9 |
Schedule of Investments | F-1 |
Financial Statements | F-2 |
Notes to Financial Statements | F-5 |
Financial Highlights | F-11 |
Trustees and Officers | F-16 |
[AIM investment solutions]
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Domestic | [International/ | [Sector |
Equity] | Global Equity] | Equity] |
| | |
[Graphic] | [Graphic] | [Graphic] |
| | |
[Fixed | [Allocation | [Diversified |
Income] | Solutions] | Portfolios] |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIM Utilities Fund
AIM UTILITIES FUND seeks capital growth and income.
• Unless otherwise stated, information presented in this report is as of September 30, 2006, and is based on total net assets.
About share classes
• Class B shares are not available as an investment for retirement plans maintained pursuant to Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, including 401(k) plans, money purchase pension plans and profit sharing plans. Plans that had existing accounts invested in Class B shares prior to September 30, 2003, will continue to be allowed to make additional purchases.
• Investor Class shares are closed to most investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in the Investor Class shares, please see the prospectus.
Principal risks of investing in the Fund
• Foreign securities have additional risks, including exchange rate changes, political and economic upheaval, the relative lack of information about these companies, relatively low market liquidity and the potential lack of strict financial and accounting controls and standards.
• Investing in a fund that invests in smaller companies involves risks not associated with investing in more established companies, such as business risk, stock price fluctuations and illiquidity.
• Equity stocks are subject to market risk, meaning equity stock prices vary and may fall, thus reducing the value of the Fund’s investments. Certain stocks selected for the Fund’s portfolio may decline in value more than the overall stock market.
• Prices of equity securities change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
• There is no guarantee that the investment techniques and risk analyses used by the Fund’s portfolio managers will produce the desired results.
• Because a large percentage of the Fund’s assets may be invested in a limited number of securities, a change in the value of these securities could significantly affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
• The Fund’s investments are concentrated in a comparatively narrow segment of the economy. Consequently, the Fund may tend to be more volatile than other mutual funds, and the value of the Fund’s investments may tend to rise and fall more rapidly.
• Governmental regulation, difficulties in obtaining adequate financing and investment return, environmental issues, prices of fuel for generation of electricity, availability of natural gas, risks associated with power marketing and trading, and risks associated with nuclear power facilities may adversely affect the market value of the Fund’s holdings.
About indexes used in this report
• The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks (the S&P 500 —registered trademark— Index) is an index of common stocks frequently used as a general measure of U.S. stock market performance.
• The unmanaged Lipper Utility Funds Index represents an average of the 10 largest utility funds tracked by Lipper Inc., an independent mutual fund performance monitor.
• The Fund is not managed to track the performance of any particular index, including the indexes defined here, and consequently, the performance of the Fund may deviate significantly from the performance of the index.
• A direct investment cannot be made in an index. Unless otherwise indicated, index results include reinvested dividends, and they do not reflect sales charges. Performance of an index of funds reflects fund expenses; performance of a market index does not.
Other information
• The returns shown in management’s discussion of Fund performance are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes, and as such, the net asset values for shareholder transactions and the returns based on those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns reported in the Financial Highlights.
• Industry classifications used in this report are generally according to the Global Industry Classification Standard, which was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. and Standard & Poor’s.
The Fund provides a complete list of its holdings four times in each fiscal year, at the quarter-ends. For the second and fourth quarters, the lists appear in the Fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third quarters, the Fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-Q. The most recent list of portfolio holdings is available at AIMinvestments.com. From our home page, click on Products & Performance, then Mutual Funds, then Fund Overview. Select your Fund from the drop-down menu and click on Complete Quarterly Holdings. Shareholders can also look up the Fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC Web site at sec.gov. Copies of the Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, including information about duplicating fee charges, by calling
Continued on page 7
This report must be accompanied or preceded by a currently effective Fund prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales charges and expenses. Investors should read it carefully before investing.
Fund NASDAQ Symbols
Class A Shares | IAUTX |
Class B Shares | IBUTX |
Class C Shares | IUTCX |
Investor Class Shares | FSTUX |
Not FDIC Insured May lose value No bank guarantee
AIMinvestments.com
2
AIM Utilities Fund
[TAYLOR
PHOTO]
Philip Taylor
Dear Shareholders of The AIM Family of Funds —registered trademark—:
We’re pleased to provide you with this report, which includes a discussion of how your Fund was managed during the period under review in this report, and what factors affected its performance.
It’s been said nothing is certain but death and taxes. We would venture to add that one other thing is certain: Markets change—and change often—in the short term, in response to constantly changing economic, geopolitical and other factors. For example, from April to July, U.S. equity markets demonstrated weakness and volatility as economic data suggested that inflation might be higher than previously estimated. But in August, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, for the first time in more than two years, chose not to raise short-term interest rates, suggesting that it believed inflation was contained. Together with continuing strong corporate profits and declining oil prices, this caused U.S. equity markets to surge, and as the reporting period drew to a close, major market averages neared multi-year highs. Despite fears about a slowing global economy, most foreign markets demonstrated strength during the reporting period.
While we can’t do anything about the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding death and taxes, we can suggest an alternative to reacting to fluctuating short-term market conditions: Maintain a diversified portfolio. AIM Investments —registered trademark— can help by offering a broad product line that gives your financial advisor the necessary tools to build a portfolio that’s right for you regardless of market conditions. AIM offers a comprehensive range of retail mutual funds, including domestic, global and international equity funds, taxable and tax-exempt fixed-income funds, and a variety of allocation portfolios—with varied risk and return characteristics to match your needs. We maintain this extensive set of product solutions for one reason: We believe in the value of comprehensive, diversified investment portfolios.
We’ve changed the look of our annual reports to reflect that belief. In our marketing and now our shareholder literature, we represent a fully diversified portfolio graphically as an allocation pie chart and assign each asset class a color—green for domestic equity, blue for international, orange for sector and purple for fixed income. A legend in the left column illustrates the methodology. Your report cover now shows your Fund’s asset class color, plus the asset class and sub-asset class name are shown in the upper-left corner. The reason for these changes is to help you better understand where your Fund fits into your overall portfolio.
AIM has a variety of investment solutions, and knowing which ones are right for your portfolio is complex. That’s why we also believe in the value of a trusted financial advisor who will work with you to create an investment plan you can stick with for the long term. Your financial advisor can help allocate your portfolio appropriately and review your investments regularly to ensure they remain suitable as your financial situation changes. While there are no guarantees with any investment program, a long-term plan that’s based on your financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon is more likely to keep you and your investments on track.
At a recent meeting of the AIM Funds board, Robert H. Graham relinquished his position as president of AIM Funds, a post customarily held by the chief executive officer of AIM Investments. Bob—one of three founders of AIM Investments in 1976—has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most knowledgeable leaders in the mutual fund industry. As I assume Bob’s previous responsibilities, I’m pleased that he’ll remain actively involved as the vice chair of AIM Funds.
Our commitment to you
In the short term, the one sure thing about markets is their unpredictability. While past performance cannot guarantee comparable future results, we believe that staying invested for the long term with a thoughtful plan offers the best opportunity for weathering that unpredictability. We at AIM Investments remain committed to building enduring solutions to help you achieve your investment goals, and we’re pleased you’ve placed your trust in us.
Information about investing, the markets and your Fund is always available on our Web site, AIMinvestments.com. If you have questions about your individual account, we invite you to contact one of our highly trained client services representatives at 800-959-4246.
Sincerely, |
|
/s/ Philip Taylor | |
Philip Taylor
President – AIM Funds
CEO, AIM Investments
November 15, 2006
AIM Investments is a registered service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. A I M Advisors, Inc. and A I M Capital Management, Inc. are the investment advisors. A I M Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the retail funds represented by AIM Investments.
3
AIM Utilities Fund
[CROCKETT
PHOTO]
Bruce L. Crockett
Dear Fellow AIM Fund Shareholders:
At our meeting at the end of June, your Board completed its comprehensive review* of each fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (AIM) to make certain your interests are being served in terms of fees, performance and operations.
Looking ahead, your Board finds many reasons to be positive about AIM’s management and strategic direction. Most importantly, AIM’s investment management discipline is paying off in terms of improved overall performance. While work remains to be done, AIM’s complex-wide, asset-weighted mutual fund performance for the trailing one-, three- and five-year periods is at its highest since 2000 for the periods ended September 30, 2006. We are also pleased with AIM’s efforts to seek more cost-effective ways of delivering superior service.
In addition, AIM is realizing the benefits of belonging to a leading independent global investment management organization in its parent company, AMVESCAP PLC, which is dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. AMVESCAP managed approximately $441 billion globally as of September 30, 2006, operating under the AIM, INVESCO, AIM Trimark, INVESCO PERPETUAL and Atlantic Trust brands. These companies are home to an abundance of investment talent that is gradually being integrated and leveraged into centers of excellence, each focusing on a given market segment or asset class. Over the next few years, your Board will be meeting at these various centers of excellence to learn about their progress and how they may serve you through our goal of enhancing performance and reducing costs.
The seven new AIM funds—which include Asian funds, structured U.S. equity funds and specialized bond funds—are an early example of the kind of opportunities the AMVESCAP organization can provide AIM clients. More information on these funds can be found on AIM’s Web site.
Your Board is very pleased with the overall direction and progress of the AIM Funds. We’re working closely and effectively with AIM’s management to continue this momentum. As always, your Board is eager to hear your views on how we might better serve you. Please send your comments in a letter addressed to me at AIM Investments, AIM Investments Tower, 11 Greenway Plaza, Suite 100, Houston TX 77046.
Sincerely, |
|
/s/ Bruce L. Crockett | |
Bruce L. Crockett
Independent Chair
AIM Funds Board
November 15, 2006
* To learn more about all the factors we considered before approving each fund’s advisory agreement, go to the “Products & Performance” tab at the AIM Web site (AIMinvestments.com) and click on “Investment Advisory Agreement Renewals.” The approval of advisory agreement information for your Fund is also included in this semiannual report on pages 9–10.
4
AIM Utilities Fund
Management’s discussion of Fund performance
Performance summary
Investor preference for defensive positioning and dividend-paying equities boosted the performance of utilities stocks, helping the Fund outperform the general market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, for the six-month reporting period ended September 30, 2006.
Your Fund’s long-term performance appears on page 7.
Fund vs. Indexes
Cumulative total returns, 3/31/06–9/30/06, excluding applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included, returns would be lower.
Class A Shares | | 11.54 | % |
Class B Shares | | 11.08 | |
Class C Shares | | 10.99 | |
Investor Class Shares | | 11.45 | |
S&P 500 Index (Broad Market Index) | | 4.14 | |
Lipper Utility Funds Index (Peer Group Index) | | 10.61 | |
Source: Lipper Inc.
How we invest
We invest primarily in companies that produce, transmit, store or distribute natural gas, oil, water or electricity as well as those that provide telecommunications services. We select stocks based on our quantitative and fundamental analysis of individual companies. Our quantitative analysis focuses on positive cash flows and predictable earnings. Our fundamental analysis seeks strong balance sheets, competent management, competitive positions and sustainable dividends and distributions.
We look for companies that could potentially benefit from industry trends, such as increased demand for certain products and deregulation of state markets, and that are attractively valued relative to the rest of the market. We also monitor and may adjust industry and position weights according to prevailing economic trends such as gross domestic product (GDP) growth and interest rate changes.
We control risk by:
• Generally diversifying across most industries and sub-industries within the utilities sector.
• Owning both regulated and unregulated utilities—unregulated companies may provide greater growth potential, while regulated firms tend to provide more stable dividends and principal.
• Maintaining a reasonable cash position to avoid having to sell stocks during market downturns.
We may sell a stock for any of the following reasons:
• Earnings growth is threatened because of deterioration in the firm’s fundamentals or change in the operating environment.
• Valuation becomes too high.
• Corporate strategy changes.
Market conditions and your Fund
During the period covered by this report, the Bureau of Economic Analysis confirmed that real gross domestic product grew at a 2.6% annualized rate during the second quarter of 2006, down from 5.6% the previous quarter. The hot housing market cooled as home prices stalled nationwide and new and existing home sales slowed. Oil prices, as measured by the West Texas intermediate crude, reached a record high in July of $77 per barrel only to drop to the $60 level in September.
In this environment, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) halted its tightening policy in the third quarter after raising the federal funds target rate to 5.25% during the second quarter. Domestic equity markets were mixed following the end of the first quarter of 2006, with major indexes reaching near highs in May and then retreating over concerns about a weakening economy and inflation and their potential negative effects on consumer spending and corporate profits. Toward the end of the period, however, the S&P 500 Index reached a five-year high. Against this backdrop, utilities was the best-performing sector of the S&P 500 Index during the period.
Although utilities posted strong returns for the period, most of the gains were recorded prior to August. During the last two months of the reporting period, the sector posted returns of only 1.14% as investors rotated toward more growth-oriented, less defensive stocks in the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors. We continued to position the Fund by investing in companies that we believe are growing their businesses within the deregulated environment while we balance that
(continued)
Portfolio composition
By industry | | | |
Electric Utilities | | 30.1 | % |
Multi-Utilities | | 26.0 | |
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders | | 11.9 | |
Integrated Telecommunications Services | | 11.8 | |
Gas Utilities | | 8.7 | |
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation | | 6.3 | |
Coal & Consumable Fuels | | 1.9 | |
Water Utilities | | 1.7 | |
Money Market Funds Plus Other Assets Less Liabilities | | 1.6 | |
Top 10 Equity Holdings*
1. | | TXU Corp. | | 5.3 | % |
2. | | Exelon Corp. | | 5.0 | |
3. | | AT&T Inc. | | 4.7 | |
4. | | Duke Energy Corp. | | 4.5 | |
5. | | Verizon Communications Inc. | | 4.4 | |
6. | | Sempra Energy | | 4.2 | |
7. | | Questar Corp. | | 4.0 | |
8. | | Edison International | | 4.0 | |
9. | | Williams Cos., Inc. (The) | | 4.0 | |
10. | | NRG Energy, Inc. | | 3.8 | |
| | | | |
Total Net Assets | | $ | 321.0 million | |
| | | |
Total Number of Holdings* | | 35 | |
| | | | | | |
The Fund’s holdings are subject to change, and there is no assurance that the Fund will continue to hold any particular security.
*Excluding money market fund holdings.
5
AIM Utilities Fund
growth with investments in more stable, regulated utility companies.
During the period, our holdings in electric utilities and multi-utilities had the most positive impact on Fund performance. Rising energy prices had relatively little negative effect on utilities, particularly those that were relatively deregulated and had the ability to pass on fuel costs to their customers. Indeed, companies with this ability were among the better performing stocks for the Fund. One of these stocks was TXU, a Texas-based power company and the Fund’s top holding. TXU has made an impressive turnaround through restructuring, going from unprofitable early in 2004 to profitable in 2005. TXU benefited from the deregulation of the electric industry in Texas, which enabled it to increase its customer base.
Telecommunications provider AT&T was another top contributor to Fund performance. AT&T’s market presence increased following its merger with SBC last November. Shares of the stock have risen since July, following the announcement that BellSouth shareholders approved the sale of their company to AT&T. If the acquisition is approved by regulators, AT&T stands to potentially gain cost cutting benefits and full ownership of Cingular, the two companies’ wireless joint venture. We owned both AT&T and BellSouth at the beginning of the period, but sold BellSouth following the merger announcement.
Fund holdings in water utility company Aqua America and coal company Peabody Energy were the largest detractors from performance over the period. Shares of water and wastewater service provider Aqua America dropped as the Fed increased interest rates during the first half of the year. Aqua America tends to be more leveraged and less liquid than other utility stocks, so the interest rate impact is intensified. Peabody Energy, the world’s largest private-sector coal company, was also a drag on Fund performance as it was affected by weather-related events such as unusually warm winters and the recent mild hurricane season. We continued to own these stocks as the long-term fundamentals have not changed.
As we anticipated, several provisions of the Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 were extended. The Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, which was enacted in May, prevents the 15% tax rate for qualified dividends from increasing in 2008. Instead, the tax rate, which makes utilities stocks attractive to investors, was extended through 2010. However, we remained modestly concerned about interest rate and inflationary trends. We continued to maintain our focus on holding the favorably priced stocks of strong companies with reasonable growth prospects and attractive dividend yields.
In closing
As always, we thank you for your continued investment and welcome any new shareholders to AIM Utilities Fund.
The views and opinions expressed in management’s discussion of Fund performance are those of A I M Advisors, Inc. These views and opinions are subject to change at any time based on factors such as market and economic conditions. These views and opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, or as an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but A I M Advisors, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
See important Fund and index
disclosures on the inside front cover.
[SEGNER
PHOTO]
John S. Segner
Senior portfolio manager, is lead portfolio manager of AIM Utilities Fund. He has more than 20 years of experience in the energy and investment industries. Before joining the Fund’s advisor in 1997, he was a managing director and principal with an investment management company that focused exclusively on publicly-traded energy stocks. Prior to that, he held positions with several energy companies. Mr. Segner earned a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Alabama and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from The University of Texas at Austin.
Assisted by the Energy/Gold/Utilities Team
For a presentation of your Fund’s long-term performance, please see page 7.
6
AIM Utilities Fund
Your Fund’s long-term performance
Average Annual Total Returns
As of 9/30/06, including applicable sales charges
Class A Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 9.93 | % |
1 Year | | 2.21 | |
| | | |
Class B Shares | | | |
Inception (3/28/02) | | 10.21 | % |
1 Year | | 2.31 | |
| | | |
Class C Shares | | | |
Inception (2/14/00) | | –1.72 | % |
5 Years | | 8.67 | |
1 Year | | 6.25 | |
| | | |
Investor Class Shares | | | |
Inception (6/2/86) | | 9.16 | % |
10 Years | | 7.43 | |
5 Years | | 9.65 | |
1 Year | | 8.09 | |
The performance data quoted represent past performance and cannot guarantee comparable future results; current performance may be lower or higher. Please visit AIMinvestments.com for the most recent month-end performance. Performance figures reflect reinvested distributions, changes in net asset value and the effect of the maximum sales charge unless otherwise stated. Performance figures do not reflect deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or sale of Fund shares. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that you may have a gain or loss when you sell shares.
Class A share performance reflects the maximum 5.50% sales charge, and Class B and Class C share performance reflects the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for the period involved. The CDSC on Class B shares declines from 5% beginning at the time of purchase to 0% at the beginning of the seventh year. The CDSC on Class C shares is 1% for the first year after purchase. Investor Class shares do not have a front-end sales charge or a CDSC; therefore, performance is at net asset value.
The performance of the Fund’s share classes will differ primarily due to different sales charge structures and class expenses.
Had the advisor not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the past, performance would have been lower.
Continued from inside front cover
202-942-8090 or 800-732-0330, or by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. The SEC file numbers for the Fund are 811-03826 and 002-85905.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, from our Client Services department at 800-959-4246 or on the AIM Web site, AIMinvestments.com. On the home page, scroll down and click on AIM Funds Proxy Policy. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 months ended June 30, 2006, is available at our Web site. Go to AIMinvestments.com, access the About Us tab, click on Required Notices and then click on Proxy Voting Activity. Next, select the Fund from the drop-down menu. The information is also available on the SEC Web site, sec.gov.
7
AIM Utilities Fund
Calculating your ongoing Fund expenses
Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include sales charges (loads) on purchase payments or contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions; and redemption fees, if any; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees (12b-1); and other Fund 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 ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006.
Actual expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Actual Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions, and redemption fees, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
| | | | ACTUAL | | HYPOTHETICAL | | | |
| | | | | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | |
| | Beginning | | Ending | | Expenses | | Ending | | Expenses | | Annualized | |
Share | | Account Value | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Expense | |
Class | | (4/1/06) | | (9/30/06)(1) | | Period(2) | | (9/30/06) | | Period(2) | | Ratio | |
A | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 1,115.40 | | $ | 6.89 | | $ | 1,018.55 | | $ | 6.58 | | 1.30 | % |
B | | 1,000.00 | | 1,110.80 | | 10.85 | | 1,014.79 | | 10.35 | | 2.05 | |
C | | 1,000.00 | | 1,109.90 | | 10.84 | | 1,014.79 | | 10.35 | | 2.05 | |
Investor | | 1,000.00 | | 1,114.50 | | 6.89 | | 1,018.55 | | 6.58 | | 1.30 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) The actual ending account value is based on the actual total return of the Fund for the period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006, after actual expenses and will differ from the hypothetical ending account value which is based on the Fund’s expense ratio and a hypothetical annual return of 5% before expenses. The Fund’s actual cumulative total returns at net asset value after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appear in the table “Fund vs. Indexes” on page 5.
(2)�� Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio as indicated above multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the most recent fiscal half year.
8
AIM Utilities Fund
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
The Board of Trustees of AIM Sector Funds (the “Board”) oversees the management of AIM Utilities Fund (the “Fund”) and, as required by law, determines annually whether to approve the continuance of the Fund’s advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. (“AIM”). Based upon the recommendation of the Investments Committee of the Board, at a meeting held on June 27, 2006, the Board, including all of the independent trustees, approved the continuance of the advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and AIM for another year, effective July 1, 2006.
The Board considered the factors discussed below in evaluating the fairness and reasonableness of the Advisory Agreement at the meeting on June 27, 2006 and as part of the Board’s ongoing oversight of the Fund. In their deliberations, the Board and the independent trustees did not identify any particular factor that was controlling, and each trustee attributed different weights to the various factors.
One responsibility of the independent Senior Officer of the Fund is to manage the process by which the Fund’s proposed management fees are negotiated to ensure that they are negotiated in a manner which is at arms’ length and reasonable. To that end, the Senior Officer must either supervise a competitive bidding process or prepare an independent written evaluation. The Senior Officer has recommended an independent written evaluation in lieu of a competitive bidding process and, upon the direction of the Board, has prepared such an independent written evaluation. Such written evaluation also considered certain of the factors discussed below.
The discussion below serves as a summary of the Senior Officer’s independent written evaluation, as well as a discussion of the material factors and the conclusions with respect thereto that formed the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement. After consideration of all of the factors below and based on its informed business judgment, the Board determined that the Advisory Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and that the compensation to AIM under the Advisory Agreement is fair and reasonable and would have been obtained through arm’s length negotiations.
Unless otherwise stated, information presented below is as of June 27, 2006 and does not reflect any changes that may have occurred since June 27, 2006, including but not limited to changes to the Fund’s performance, advisory fees, expense limitations and/or fee waivers.
• The nature and extent of the advisory services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement. Based on such review, the Board concluded that the range of services to be provided by AIM under the Advisory Agreement was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The quality of services to be provided by AIM. The Board reviewed the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of AIM who will provide investment advisory services to the Fund. In reviewing the qualifications of AIM to provide investment advisory services, the Board considered such issues as AIM’s portfolio and product review process, various back office support functions provided by AIM and AIM’s equity and fixed income trading operations. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that the quality of services to be provided by AIM was appropriate and that AIM currently is providing satisfactory services in accordance with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.
• The performance of the Fund relative to comparable funds. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance was above the median performance of such comparable funds for the one and three year periods and below such median performance for the five year period. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• The performance of the Fund relative to indices. The Board reviewed the performance of the Fund during the past one, three and five calendar years against the performance of the Lipper Utility Fund Index. The Board noted that the Fund’s performance was above the performance of such Index for the one year period, comparable to such Index for the three year period, and below such Index for the five year period. The Board also noted that AIM began serving as investment advisor to the Fund in November 2003. Based on this review and after taking account of all of the other factors that the Board considered in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board concluded that no changes should be made to the Fund and that it was not necessary to change the Fund’s portfolio management team at this time. Although the independent written evaluation of the Fund’s Senior Officer (discussed below) only considered Fund performance through the most recent calendar year, the Board also reviewed more recent Fund performance, which did not change their conclusions.
• Meetings with the Fund’s portfolio managers and investment personnel. With respect to the Fund, the Board is meeting periodically with such Fund’s portfolio managers and/or other investment personnel and believes that such individuals are competent and able to continue to carry out their responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement.
• Overall performance of AIM. The Board considered the overall performance of AIM in providing investment advisory and portfolio administrative services to the Fund and concluded that such performance was satisfactory.
• Fees relative to those of clients of AIM with comparable investment strategies. The Board reviewed the effective advisory fee rate (before waivers) for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board noted that this rate was above the effective advisory fee rate (before waivers) for one variable insurance fund advised by AIM and offered to insurance company separate accounts with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Fees relative to those of comparable funds with other advisors. The Board reviewed the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. The Board compared effective contractual advisory fee rates at a common asset level at the end of the past calendar year and noted that the Fund’s rate was comparable to the median rate of the funds advised by other advisors with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund that the Board reviewed. The Board noted that AIM has agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund and to limit the Fund’s total operating expenses, as discussed below. Based on this review, the Board concluded that the advisory fee rate for the Fund under the Advisory Agreement was fair and reasonable.
• Expense limitations and fee waivers. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board considered the contractual nature of this fee waiver and noted that it remains in effect through June 30, 2007. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or limit expenses of the Fund through June 30, 2007 in an amount necessary to limit total annual operating expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the Fund. The Board considered the contractual nature of this fee waiver/expense limitation and noted that it remains in effect through June 30, 2007. The Board
(continued)
9
AIM Utilities Fund
considered the effect these fee waivers/expense limitations would have on the Fund’s estimated expenses and concluded that the levels of fee waivers/expense limitations for the Fund were fair and reasonable.
• Breakpoints and economies of scale. The Board reviewed the structure of the Fund’s advisory fee under the Advisory Agreement, noting that it includes six breakpoints. The Board reviewed the level of the Fund’s advisory fees, and noted that such fees, as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets, would decrease as net assets increase because the Advisory Agreement includes breakpoints. The Board noted that, due to the Fund’s asset levels at the end of the past calendar year and the way in which the advisory fee breakpoints have been structured, the Fund has yet to benefit from the breakpoints. The Board noted that AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund through June 30, 2007 to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund do not exceed a specified maximum advisory fee rate, which maximum rate includes breakpoints and is based on net asset levels. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee levels under the Advisory Agreement therefore would reflect economies of scale at higher asset levels and that it was not necessary to change the advisory fee breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory fee schedule.
• Investments in affiliated money market funds. The Board also took into account the fact that uninvested cash and cash collateral from securities lending arrangements, if any (collectively, “cash balances”) of the Fund may be invested in money market funds advised by AIM pursuant to the terms of an SEC exemptive order. The Board found that the Fund may realize certain benefits upon investing cash balances in AIM advised money market funds, including a higher net return, increased liquidity, increased diversification or decreased transaction costs. The Board also found that the Fund will not receive reduced services if it invests its cash balances in such money market funds. The Board noted that, to the extent the Fund invests uninvested cash in affiliated money market funds, AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the advisory fees it receives from the Fund attributable to such investment. The Board further determined that the proposed securities lending program and related procedures with respect to the lending Fund is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders. The Board therefore concluded that the investment of cash collateral received in connection with the securities lending program in the money market funds according to the procedures is in the best interests of the lending Fund and its respective shareholders.
• Independent written evaluation and recommendations of the Fund’s Senior Officer. The Board noted that, upon their direction, the Senior Officer of the Fund, who is independent of AIM and AIM’s affiliates, had prepared an independent written evaluation in order to assist the Board in determining the reasonableness of the proposed management fees of the AIM Funds, including the Fund. The Board noted that the Senior Officer’s written evaluation had been relied upon by the Board in this regard in lieu of a competitive bidding process. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board considered the Senior Officer’s written evaluation and the recommendation made by the Senior Officer to the Board that the Board consider whether the advisory fee waivers for certain equity AIM Funds, including the Fund, should be simplified. The Board concluded that it would be advisable to consider this issue and reach a decision prior to the expiration date of such advisory fee waivers.
• Profitability of AIM and its affiliates. The Board reviewed information concerning the profitability of AIM’s (and its affiliates’) investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition. The Board considered the overall profitability of AIM, as well as the profitability of AIM in connection with managing the Fund. The Board noted that AIM’s operations remain profitable, although increased expenses in recent years have reduced AIM’s profitability. Based on the review of the profitability of AIM’s and its affiliates’ investment advisory and other activities and its financial condition, the Board concluded that the compensation to be paid by the Fund to AIM under its Advisory Agreement was not excessive.
• Benefits of soft dollars to AIM. The Board considered the benefits realized by AIM as a result of brokerage transactions executed through “soft dollar” arrangements. Under these arrangements, brokerage commissions paid by the Fund and/or other funds advised by AIM are used to pay for research and execution services. This research may be used by AIM in making investment decisions for the Fund. The Board concluded that such arrangements were appropriate.
• AIM’s financial soundness in light of the Fund’s needs. The Board considered whether AIM is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement, and concluded that AIM has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
• Historical relationship between the Fund and AIM. In determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board also considered the prior relationship between AIM and the Fund, as well as the Board’s knowledge of AIM’s operations, and concluded that it was beneficial to maintain the current relationship, in part, because of such knowledge. The Board also reviewed the general nature of the non-investment advisory services currently performed by AIM and its affiliates, such as administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and the fees received by AIM and its affiliates for performing such services. In addition to reviewing such services, the trustees also considered the organizational structure employed by AIM and its affiliates to provide those services. Based on the review of these and other factors, the Board concluded that AIM and its affiliates were qualified to continue to provide non-investment advisory services to the Fund, including administrative, transfer agency and distribution services, and that AIM and its affiliates currently are providing satisfactory non-investment advisory services.
• Other factors and current trends. The Board considered the steps that AIM and its affiliates have taken over the last several years, and continue to take, in order to improve the quality and efficiency of the services they provide to the Funds in the areas of investment performance, product line diversification, distribution, fund operations, shareholder services and compliance. The Board concluded that these steps taken by AIM have improved, and are likely to continue to improve, the quality and efficiency of the services AIM and its affiliates provide to the Fund in each of these areas, and support the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.
10
Supplement to Semiannual Report dated 9/30/06
AIM Utilities Fund
Institutional Class Shares
The following information has been prepared to provide Institutional Class shareholders with a performance overview specific to their holdings. Institutional Class shares are offered exclusively to institutional investors, including defined contribution plans that meet certain criteria.
Cumulative Total Returns
For periods ended 9/30/06
Inception (10/25/05) | | 16.49 | % |
6 Months | | 11.65 | |
Institutional Class shares have no sales charge; therefore, performance is at NAV. Performance of Institutional Class shares will differ from performance of other share classes primarily due to differing sales charges and class expenses.
Please note that past performance is not indicative of future results. More recent returns may be more or less than those shown. All returns assume reinvestment of distributions at NAV. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. See full report for information on comparative benchmarks. Please consult your Fund prospectus for more information. For the most current month-end performance, please call 800-451-4246 or visit AIMinvestments.com.
Had the advisor not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the past, performance would have been lower.
Over for information on your Fund’s expenses.
This report must be accompanied or preceded by a currently effective Fund prospectus, which contains more complete information, including sales charges and expenses. Investors should read it carefully before investing.
FOR INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR USE ONLY
This material is for institutional investor use only and may not be quoted, reproduced or shown to the public, nor used in written form as sales literature for public use.
[Your goals.
Our solutions.]
– registered trademark –
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
AIMinvestments.com | I-UTI-INS-2 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
Information about your Fund’s expenses
Calculating your ongoing Fund expenses
Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund 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 ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006.
Actual expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Actual Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The Fund’s actual cumulative total return after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appears in the table on the front of this supplement.
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 this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. Therefore, the hypothetical information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
| | | | ACTUAL | | HYPOTHETICAL | | | |
| | | | | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | |
| | Beginning | | Ending | | Expenses | | Ending | | Expenses | | Annualized | |
Share | | Account Value | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Account Value | | Paid During | | Expense | |
Class | | (4/1/06) | | (9/30/06)(1) | | Period(2) | | (9/30/06) | | Period(2) | | Ratio | |
Institutional | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 1,116.50 | | $ | 5.15 | | $ | 1,020.21 | | $ | 4.91 | | 0.97 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) The actual ending account value is based on the actual total return of the Fund for the period April 1, 2006, through September 30, 2006, after actual expenses and will differ from the hypothetical ending account value which is based on the Fund’s expense ratio and a hypothetical annual return of 5% before expenses. The Fund’s actual cumulative total return after expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, appears in the table on the front of this supplement.
(2) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio as indicated above multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the most recent fiscal half year.
AIMinvestments.com | I-UTI-INS-2 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
AIM Utilities Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | Shares | | Value | |
Common Stocks–98.42% | |
Coal & Consumable Fuels–1.89% | |
Peabody Energy Corp. | | | 165,000 | | | $ | 6,068,700 | | |
Electric Utilities–30.07% | |
E.ON A.G. (Germany)(a) | | | 65,000 | | | | 7,719,888 | | |
Edison International | | | 310,000 | | | | 12,908,400 | | |
Endesa, S.A. (Spain)(a) | | | 97,000 | | | | 4,129,175 | | |
Enel S.p.A. (Italy)(b) | | | 500,000 | | | | 4,561,810 | | |
Entergy Corp. | | | 151,000 | | | | 11,812,730 | | |
Exelon Corp. | | | 265,000 | | | | 16,043,100 | | |
FirstEnergy Corp. | | | 180,000 | | | | 10,054,800 | | |
FPL Group, Inc. | | | 260,000 | | | | 11,700,000 | | |
PPL Corp. | | | 260,000 | | | | 8,554,000 | | |
Southern Co. | | | 215,000 | | | | 7,408,900 | | |
Westar Energy, Inc. | | | 70,000 | | | | 1,645,700 | | |
| | | | | | | 96,538,503 | | |
Gas Utilities–8.75% | |
AGL Resources Inc. | | | 200,000 | | | | 7,300,000 | | |
Equitable Resources, Inc. | | | 225,000 | | | | 7,870,500 | | |
Questar Corp. | | | 158,000 | | | | 12,919,660 | | |
| | | | | | | 28,090,160 | | |
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders–11.87% | |
Constellation Energy Group | | | 150,000 | | | | 8,880,000 | | |
NRG Energy, Inc.(c) | | | 270,000 | | | | 12,231,000 | | |
TXU Corp. | | | 272,000 | | | | 17,005,440 | | |
| | | | | | | 38,116,440 | | |
Integrated Telecommunication Services–11.81% | |
Alaska Communications Systems Group Inc. | | | 665,000 | | | | 8,824,550 | | |
AT&T Inc. | | | 460,000 | | | | 14,977,600 | | |
Verizon Communications Inc. | | | 380,000 | | | | 14,109,400 | | |
| | | | | | | 37,911,550 | | |
Multi-Utilities–25.97% | |
Ameren Corp. | | | 155,000 | | | | 8,182,450 | | |
Dominion Resources, Inc. | | | 129,000 | | | | 9,867,210 | | |
Duke Energy Corp. | | | 475,000 | | | | 14,345,000 | | |
KeySpan Corp. | | | 70,000 | | | | 2,879,800 | | |
National Grid PLC (United Kingdom)(a) | | | 300,000 | | | | 3,746,373 | | |
OGE Energy Corp. | | | 75,000 | | | | 2,708,250 | | |
PG&E Corp. | | | 280,000 | | | | 11,662,000 | | |
PNM Resources Inc. | | | 110,000 | | | | 3,032,700 | | |
SCANA Corp. | | | 70,000 | | | | 2,818,900 | | |
Sempra Energy | | | 270,000 | | | | 13,567,500 | | |
| | Shares | | Value | |
Multi-Utilities–(continued) | |
Veolia Environnement (France)(b) | | | 175,000 | | | $ | 10,565,076 | | |
| | | | | | | 83,375,259 | | |
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation–6.35% | |
El Paso Corp. | | | 550,000 | | | | 7,502,000 | | |
Williams Cos., Inc. (The) | | | 540,000 | | | | 12,889,800 | | |
| | | | | | | 20,391,800 | | |
Water Utilities–1.71% | |
Aqua America Inc.(b) | | | 250,000 | | | | 5,485,000 | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $232,830,698) | | | | | | | 315,977,412 | | |
Money Market Funds–1.09% | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class(d) | | | 1,743,849 | | | | 1,743,849 | | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class(d) | | | 1,743,849 | | | | 1,743,849 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (Cost $3,487,698) | | | | | | | 3,487,698 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (excluding investments purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned)–99.51% (Cost $236,318,396) | | | | | | | 319,465,110 | | |
Investments Purchased with Cash Collateral from Securities Loaned | |
Money Market Funds–3.98% | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class(d)(e) | | | 12,773,717 | | | | 12,773,717 | | |
Total Money Market Funds (purchased with cash collateral from securities loaned) (Cost $12,773,717) | | | | | | | 12,773,717 | | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS–103.49% (Cost $249,092,113) | | | | | | | 332,238,827 | | |
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES–(3.49)% | | | | | | | (11,207,822 | ) | |
NET ASSETS–100.00% | | | | | | $ | 321,031,005 | | |
Notes to Schedule of Investments:
(a) In accordance with the procedures established by the Board of Trustees, the foreign security is fair valued using adjusted closing market prices. The aggregate value of these securities at September 30, 2006 was $15,595,436, which represented 4.86% of the Fund's Net Assets. See Note 1A.
(b) All or a portion of this security was out on loan at September 30, 2006.
(c) Non-income producing security.
(d) The money market fund and the Fund are affiliated by having the same investment advisor. See Note 3.
(e) The security has been segregated to satisfy the commitment to return the cash collateral received in securities lending transactions upon the borrower's return of the securities loaned. See Note 7.
F-1
AIM Utilities Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Assets: | |
Investments, at value (cost $232,830,698)* | | $ | 315,977,412 | | |
Investments in affiliates (cost $16,261,415) | | | 16,261,415 | | |
Total investments (cost $249,092,113) | | | 332,238,827 | | |
Foreign currencies, at value (cost $28) | | | 28 | | |
Receivables for: | |
Investments sold | | | 1,222,352 | | |
Fund shares sold | | | 373,710 | | |
Dividends | | | 734,587 | | |
Investment for trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 80,919 | | |
Other assets | | | 54,168 | | |
Total assets | | | 334,704,591 | | |
Liabilities: | |
Payables for: | |
Fund shares reacquired | | | 512,678 | | |
Trustee deferred compensation and retirement plans | | | 104,853 | | |
Collateral upon return of securities loaned | | | 12,773,717 | | |
Accrued distribution fees | | | 101,875 | | |
Accrued trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 418 | | |
Accrued transfer agent fees | | | 122,198 | | |
Accrued operating expenses | | | 57,847 | | |
Total liabilities | | | 13,673,586 | | |
Net assets applicable to shares outstanding | | $ | 321,031,005 | | |
Net assets consist of: | |
Shares of beneficial interest | | $ | 299,737,814 | | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | 88,822 | | |
Undistributed net realized gain (loss) from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | (61,968,280 | ) | |
Unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 83,172,649 | | |
| | $ | 321,031,005 | | |
Net Assets: | |
Class A | | $ | 170,942,371 | | |
Class B | | $ | 43,470,266 | | |
Class C | | $ | 13,547,698 | | |
Investor Class | | $ | 91,249,598 | | |
Institutional Class | | $ | 1,821,072 | | |
Shares outstanding, $0.01 par value per share, unlimited number of shares authorized: | |
Class A | | | 11,154,346 | | |
Class B | | | 2,827,195 | | |
Class C | | | 874,382 | | |
Investor Class | | | 5,904,858 | | |
Institutional Class | | | 118,841 | | |
Class A: | |
Net asset value per share | | $ | 15.33 | | |
Offering price per share (Net asset value of $15.33 ÷ 94.50%) | | $ | 16.22 | | |
Class B: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 15.38 | | |
Class C: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 15.49 | | |
Investor Class: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 15.45 | | |
Institutional Class: | |
Net asset value and offering price per share | | $ | 15.32 | | |
* At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $12,049,161 were on loan to brokers.
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-2
AIM Utilities Fund
Statement of Operations
For the six months ended September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
Investment income: | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding tax of $195,834) | | $ | 5,397,756 | | |
Dividends from affiliates (includes securities lending income of $55,617) | | | 246,352 | | |
Total investment income | | | 5,644,108 | | |
Expenses: | |
Advisory fees | | | 1,102,915 | | |
Administrative services fees | | | 53,878 | | |
Custodian fees | | | 27,448 | | |
Distribution fees: | |
Class A | | | 191,207 | | |
Class B | | | 212,355 | | |
Class C | | | 57,990 | | |
Investor Class | | | 107,308 | | |
Transfer agent fees — A, B, C and Investor | | | 444,238 | | |
Transfer agent fees — Institutional | | | 407 | | |
Trustees' and officer's fees and benefits | | | 9,528 | | |
Other | | | 132,453 | | |
Total expenses | | | 2,339,727 | | |
Less: Fees waived, expenses reimbursed and expense offset arrangement | | | (228,830 | ) | |
Net expenses | | | 2,110,897 | | |
Net investment income | | | 3,533,211 | | |
Realized and unrealized gain from investment securities and foreign currencies: | |
Net realized gain from: | |
Investment securities | | | 13,623,360 | | |
Foreign currencies | | | 3,077 | | |
| | | 13,626,437 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation of: | |
Investment securities | | | 14,247,023 | | |
Foreign currencies | | | 251 | | |
| | | 14,247,274 | | |
Net gain from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 27,873,711 | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 31,406,922 | | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-3
AIM Utilities Fund
Statement of Changes In Net Assets
For the six months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended March 31, 2006
(Unaudited)
| | September 30, 2006 | | March 31, 2006 | |
Operations: | |
Net investment income | | $ | 3,533,211 | | | $ | 5,369,383 | | |
Net realized gain from investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 13,626,437 | | | | 17,948,861 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation of investment securities and foreign currencies | | | 14,247,274 | | | | 14,443,788 | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 31,406,922 | | | | 37,762,032 | | |
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income: | |
Class A | | | (1,979,928 | ) | | | (2,989,929 | ) | |
Class B | | | (366,867 | ) | | | (572,852 | ) | |
Class C | | | (101,117 | ) | | | (146,149 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (1,067,787 | ) | | | (1,870,643 | ) | |
Institutional Class | | | (19,667 | ) | | | (4,121 | ) | |
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions | | | (3,535,366 | ) | | | (5,583,694 | ) | |
Share transactions—net: | |
Class A | | | 20,563,094 | | | | 7,090,274 | | |
Class B | | | (2,439,045 | ) | | | 1,623,807 | | |
Class C | | | 1,268,722 | | | | 3,083,887 | | |
Investor Class | | | (1,569,544 | ) | | | (5,412,154 | ) | |
Institutional Class | | | 985,587 | | | | 721,596 | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from share transactions | | | 18,808,814 | | | | 7,107,410 | | |
Net increase in net assets | | | 46,680,370 | | | | 39,285,748 | | |
Net assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 274,350,635 | | | | 235,064,887 | | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $88,822 and $90,977, respectively) | | $ | 321,031,005 | | | $ | 274,350,635 | | |
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements which are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-4
AIM Utilities Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies
AIM Utilities Fund (the "Fund") is a series portfolio of AIM Sector Funds (the "Trust"). The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end series management investment company consisting of six separate portfolios, each authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The Fund currently consists of multiple classes of shares. Matters affecting each portfolio or class will be voted on exclusively by the shareholders of such portfolio or class. The assets, liabilities and operations of each portfolio are accounted for separately. Information presented in these financial statements pertains only to the Fund.
The Fund's investment objective is to provide capital growth and income.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
A. Security Valuations — Securities, including restricted securities, are valued according to the following policy.
A security listed or traded on an exchange (except convertible bonds) is valued at its last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded, or lacking any sales on a particular day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market (but not securities reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange) are valued based on the prices furnished by independent pricing services, in which case the securities may be considered fair valued, or by market makers. Each security reported on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") as of the close of the customary trading session on the valuation date or absent a NOCP, at the closing bid price.
Futures contracts are valued at the final settlement price set by an exchange on which they are principally traded. Listed options are valued at the mean between the last bid and the ask prices from the exchange on which they are principally traded. Options not listed on an exchange are valued by an independent source at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, futures and option contracts generally are valued 15 minutes after the close of the customary trading session of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Investments in open-end registered investment companies and closed-end registered investment companies that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the end of day net asset value per share. Investments in closed-end registered investment companies that trade on an exchange are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the customary trading session on the exchange where the security is principally traded.
Debt obligations (including convertible bonds) are fair valued using an evaluated quote provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated quotes provided by the pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices, and may reflect appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, developments related to specific securities, dividend rate, yield, quality, type of issue, coupon rate, maturity, individual trading characteristics and other market data. Short-term obligations having 60 days or less to maturity and commercial paper are recorded at amortized cost which approximates value.
Securities for which market prices are not provided by any of the above methods are valued based upon quotes furnished by independent sources and are valued at the last bid price in the case of equity securities and in the case of debt obligations, the mean between the last bid and asked prices.
Foreign securities (including foreign exchange contracts) are converted into U.S. dollar amounts using the applicable exchange rates as of the close of the NYSE. Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund's shares are determined as of the close of the respective markets. Events affecting the values of such foreign securities may occur between the times at which the particular foreign market closes and the close of the customary trading session of the NYSE which would not ordinarily be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If the event is likely to have affected the closing price of the security, the security will be valued at fair value in good faith using procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Adjustments to closing prices to reflect fair value may also be based on a screening process of an independent pricing service to indicate the degree of certainty, based on historical data, that the closing price in the principal market where a foreign security trades is not the current value as of the close of the NYSE. Foreign securities meeting the approved degree of certainty that the price is not reflective of current value will be priced at the indication of fair value from the independent pricing service. Multiple factors may be considered by the independent pricing service in determining adjustments to reflect fair value and may include information relating to sector indices, ADRs and domestic and foreign index futures.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available or are unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust's officers following procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Issuer specific events, market trends, bid/ask quotes of brokers and information providers and other market data may be reviewed in the course of making a good faith determination of a security's fair value.
B. Securities Transactions and Investment Income — Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses on sales are computed on the basis of specific identification of the securities sold. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis from settlement date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Bond premiums and discounts are amortized and/or accreted for financial reporting purposes.
F-5
AIM Utilities Fund
Brokerage commissions and mark ups are considered transaction costs and are recorded as an increase to the cost basis of securities purchased and/or a reduction of proceeds on a sale of securities. Such transaction costs are included in the determination of realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investment securities reported in the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and the realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on securities per share in the Financial Highlights. Transaction costs are included in the calculation of the Fund's net asset value and, accordingly, they reduce the Fund's total returns. These transaction costs are not considered operating expenses and are not reflected in net investment income reported in the Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets, or the net investment income per share and ratios of expenses and net investment income reported in the Finan cial Highlights, nor are they limited by any expense limitation arrangements between the Fund and the advisor.
The Fund allocates income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses to a class based on the relative net assets of each class.
C. Country Determination — For the purposes of making investment selection decisions and presentation in the Schedule of Investments, AIM may determine the country in which an issuer is located and/or credit risk exposure based on various factors. These factors include the laws of the country under which the issuer is organized, where the issuer maintains a principal office, the country in which the issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenues and the country that has the primary market for the issuer's securities, as well as other criteria. Among the other criteria that may be evaluated for making this determination are the country in which the issuer maintains 50% or more of its assets, the type of security, financial guarantees and enhancements, the nature of the collateral and the sponsor organization. Country of issuer and/or credit risk exposure has been determined to be the United States of America unless otherwise noted.
D. Distributions — Distributions from income are declared and paid quarterly and are recorded on ex-dividend date. Distributions from net realized capital gain, if any, are generally paid annually and recorded on ex-dividend date. The Fund may elect to treat a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for federal income tax purposes.
E. Federal Income Taxes — The Fund intends to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a regulated investment company and to distribute substantially all of the Fund's taxable earnings to shareholders. As such, the Fund will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gain) that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is recorded in the financial statements.
F. Expenses — Fees provided for under the Rule 12b-1 plan of a particular class of the Fund are charged to the operations of such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses and other shareholder recordkeeping fees and expenses attributable to the Institutional Class are charged to such class. Transfer agency fees and expenses and other shareholder recordkeeping fees and expenses relating to all other classes are allocated among those classes based on relative net assets. All other expenses are allocated among the classes based on relative net assets.
G. Accounting Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including estimates and assumptions related to taxation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
H. Indemnifications — Under the Trust's organizational documents, each Trustee, officer, employee or other agent of the Trust (including the Trust's investment manager) is indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss as a result of such indemnification claims is considered remote.
I. Foreign Currency Translations — Foreign currency is valued at the close of the NYSE based on quotations posted by banks and major currency dealers. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at date of valuation. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (net of foreign taxes withheld on disposition) and income items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not separately account for the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The combined results of changes in foreign exchange rates and the fluctuation of market price s on investments (net of estimated foreign tax withholding) are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from (i) sales of foreign currencies, (ii) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and (iii) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
J. Foreign Currency Contracts — A foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund may enter into a foreign currency contract to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. The Fund may also enter into a foreign currency contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of that security. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in the Statement of Operations. The Fund could be exposed to risk, which may be in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the f oreign currency changes unfavorably.
F-6
AIM Utilities Fund
NOTE 2—Advisory Fees and Other Fees Paid to Affiliates
The Trust has entered into a master investment advisory agreement with A I M Advisors, Inc. ("AIM"). Under the terms of the investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays an advisory fee to AIM based on the annual rate of the Fund's average daily net assets as follows:
Average Net Assets | | Rate | |
First $350 million | | | 0.75 | % | |
Next $350 million | | | 0.65 | % | |
Next $1.3 billion | | | 0.55 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.45 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.40 | % | |
Next $2 billion | | | 0.375 | % | |
Over $8 billion | | | 0.35 | % | |
Through June 30, 2007, AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees to the extent necessary so that the advisory fees payable by the Fund based on the Fund's average daily net assets do not exceed the annual rate of:
Average Net Assets | | Rate | |
First $250 million | | | 0.75 | % | |
Next $250 million | | | 0.74 | % | |
Next $500 million | | | 0.73 | % | |
Next $1.5 billion | | | 0.72 | % | |
Next $2.5 billion | | | 0.71 | % | |
Next $2.5 billion | | | 0.70 | % | |
Next $2.5 billion | | | 0.69 | % | |
Over $10 billion | | | 0.68 | % | |
AIM has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) of Class A, Class B, Class C, Investor Class and Institutional Class shares to 1.30%, 2.05%, 2.05%, 1.30% and 1.05% of average daily net assets, respectively, through June 30, 2007. In determining the advisor's obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account, and could cause the net annual operating expenses to exceed the numbers reflected above: (i) interest; (ii) taxes; (iii) dividend expense on short sales; (iv) extraordinary items; (v) expenses related to a merger or reorganization, as approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees; and (vi) expenses that the Fund has incurred but did not actually pay because of an expense offset arrangement. Currently, in addition to the expense reimbur sement arrangement with AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP") described more fully below, the expense offset arrangements from which the Fund may benefit are in the form of credits that the Fund receives from banks where the Fund or its transfer agent has deposit accounts in which it holds uninvested cash. Those credits are used to pay certain expenses incurred by the Fund. To the extent that the annualized expense ratio does not exceed the expense limitation, AIM will retain its ability to be reimbursed for such fee waivers or reimbursements prior to the end of the fiscal year.
AIM has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees of the Fund in the amount of 25% of the advisory fee AIM receives from the affiliated money market funds on investments by the Fund in such affiliated money market funds (excluding investments made in affiliated money market funds with cash collateral from securities loaned by the fund). AIM is also voluntarily waiving a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Fund equal to the difference between the income earned from investing in the affiliated money market fund and the hypothetical income earned from investing in an appropriate comparative benchmark. Voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements may be modified or discontinued at any time upon consultation with the Board of Trustees without further notice to investors.
For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM waived advisory fees of $3,113 and reimbursed $217,288 of class level expenses of Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares in proportion to the net assets of such classes.
At the request of the Trustees of the Trust, AMVESCAP agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with market timing matters in the AIM Funds, which may include legal, audit, shareholder reporting, communications and trustee expenses. These expenses along with the related expense reimbursement are included in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, AMVESCAP reimbursed expenses of the Fund in the amount of $1,027.
The Fund, pursuant to a master administrative services agreement with AIM, has agreed to pay AIM for certain administrative costs incurred in providing accounting services to the Fund. Pursuant to such agreement, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, AIM was paid $53,878.
F-7
AIM Utilities Fund
The Fund, pursuant to a transfer agency and service agreement, has agreed to pay AIM Investment Services, Inc. ("AIS") a fee for providing transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund and reimburse AIS for certain expenses incurred by AIS in the course of providing such services. AIS may make payments to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services, sub-accounting services and/or networking services. All fees payable by AIS to intermediaries that provide omnibus account services or sub-accounting are charged back to the Fund, subject to certain limitations approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid AIS $444,238 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares and $407 for Institutional Class shares.
The Trust has entered into master distribution agreements with A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") to serve as the distributor for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Investor Class and Institutional Class shares of the Fund. The Trust has adopted plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the Fund's Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares (collectively the "Plans"). The Fund, pursuant to the Plans, pays ADI compensation at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets of Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Investor Class shares. Of the Rule 12b-1 payments, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C or Investor Class shares may be paid to furnish continuing personal shareholder services to customers who purchase and own shares of such classes. Any amounts not pa id as a service fee under the Plans would constitute an asset-based sales charge. National Association of Securities Dealers ("NASD") Rules impose a cap on the total sales charges, including asset-based sales charges that may be paid by any class of shares of the Fund. Pursuant to the Plans, for the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Class A, Class B, Class C and Investor Class shares paid $191,207, $212,355, $57,990 and $107,308, respectively.
Front-end sales commissions and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") (collectively the "sales charges") are not recorded as expenses of the Fund. Front-end sales commissions are deducted from proceeds from the sales of Fund shares prior to investment in Class A shares of the Fund. CDSC are deducted from redemption proceeds prior to remittance to the shareholder. During the six months ended September 30, 2006, ADI advised the Fund that it retained $35,227 in front-end sales commissions from the sale of Class A shares and $2,275, $17,531 and $1,993 from Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, for CDSC imposed on redemptions by shareholders.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are officers and directors of AIM, AIS and/or ADI.
NOTE 3—Investments in Affiliates
The Fund is permitted, pursuant to an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, to invest daily available cash balances and cash collateral from securities lending transactions in affiliated money market funds. The Fund and the money market funds below have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The tables below show the transactions in and earnings from investments in affiliated money market funds for the six months ended September 30, 2006.
Investments of Daily Available Cash Balances:
Fund | |
Value 03/31/06 | |
Purchases at Cost | |
Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Value 09/30/06 | |
Dividend Income | | Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Liquid Assets Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | — | | | $ | 22,154,793 | | | $ | (20,410,944 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,743,849 | | | $ | 64,308 | | | $ | — | | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | | 3,440,728 | | | | 43,492,589 | | | | (45,189,468 | ) | | | — | | | | 1,743,849 | | | | 126,427 | | | | — | | |
Subtotal | | $ | 3,440,728 | | | $ | 65,647,382 | | | $ | (65,600,412 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,487,698 | | | $ | 190,735 | | | $ | — | | |
Investments of Cash Collateral from Securities Lending Transactions:
Fund | |
Value 03/31/06 | |
Purchases at Cost | |
Proceeds from Sales | | Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Value 09/30/06 | |
Dividend Income* | | Realized Gain (Loss) | |
Premier Portfolio–Institutional Class | | $ | 14,506,448 | | | $ | 21,766,953 | | | $ | (23,499,684 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 12,773,717 | | | $ | 55,617 | | | $ | — | | |
Total Investments in Affiliates | | $ | 17,947,176 | | | $ | 87,414,335 | | | $ | (89,100,096 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 16,261,415 | | | $ | 246,352 | | | $ | — | | |
* Net of compensation to counterparties.
NOTE 4—Expense Offset Arrangement
The expense offset arrangement is comprised of transfer agency credits which result from balances in Demand Deposit Accounts (DDA) used by the transfer agent for clearing shareholder transactions. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received credits from this arrangement, which resulted in the reduction of the Fund's total expenses of $7,402.
NOTE 5—Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits
"Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to pay remuneration to each Trustee and Officer of the Fund who is not an "interested person" of AIM. Trustees have the option to defer compensation payable by the Fund, and "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" also include amounts accrued by the Fund to fund such deferred compensation amounts. Those Trustees who defer compensation have the option to select various AIM Funds in which their deferral accounts shall be deemed to be invested. Finally, current Trustees are eligible to participate in a retirement plan that provides for benefits to be paid upon retirement to Trustees over a period of time based on the number of years of service. The Fund may have certain former Trustees who also participate in a retirement plan and receive benefits under such plan. "Trustees' and Officer's Fees and Benefits" include amounts accrued by the Fund to fun d such retirement benefits. Obligations under the deferred compensation and retirement plans represent unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund paid legal fees of $1,685 for services rendered by Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP as counsel to the Independent Trustees. A member of that firm is a Trustee of the Trust.
F-8
AIM Utilities Fund
NOTE 6—Borrowings
Pursuant to an exemptive order from the SEC, the Fund may participate in an interfund lending facility that AIM has established for temporary borrowings by the AIM Funds. An interfund loan will be made under this facility only if the loan rate (an average of the rate available on bank loans and the rate available on investments in overnight repurchase agreements) is favorable to both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. A loan will be secured by collateral if the Fund's aggregate borrowings from all sources exceeds 10% of the Fund's total assets. To the extent that the loan is required to be secured by collateral, the collateral is marked to market daily to ensure that the market value is at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan.
The Fund is a participant in an uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility with State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSB"). The Fund may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $125,000,000, or (ii) the limits set by its prospectus for borrowings. The Fund and other funds advised by AIM which are parties to the credit facility can borrow on a first come, first served basis. Principal on each loan outstanding shall bear interest at the bid rate quoted by SSB at the time of the request for the loan.
During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund did not borrow or lend under the interfund lending facility or borrow under the uncommitted unsecured revolving credit facility.
Additionally, the Fund is permitted to temporarily carry a negative or overdrawn balance in its account with SSB, the custodian bank. To compensate the custodian bank for such overdrafts, the overdrawn Fund may either (i) leave funds as a compensating balance in the account so the custodian bank can be compensated by earning the additional interest; or (ii) compensate by paying the custodian bank at a rate agreed upon by the custodian bank and AIM, not to exceed the rate contractually agreed upon.
NOTE 7—Portfolio Securities Loaned
The Fund may lend portfolio securities having a market value up to one-third of the Fund's total assets. Such loans are secured by collateral equal to no less than the market value of the loaned securities determined daily. Such collateral will be cash or debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies. Cash collateral received in connection with these loans is invested in short-term money market instruments or affiliated money market funds. It is the Fund's policy to obtain additional collateral from or return excess collateral to the borrower by the end of the next business day, following the valuation date of the securities loaned. Therefore, the value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan. Lending securities entails a risk of loss to the Fund if and to the extent that the market value of the securities loaned were to increase and the borrowe r did not increase the collateral accordingly, and the borrower fails to return the securities. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the collateral available for return to the borrower due to any loss on the collateral invested.
At September 30, 2006, securities with an aggregate value of $12,049,161 were on loan to brokers. The loans were secured by cash collateral of $12,773,717 received by the Fund and subsequently invested in an affiliated money market fund. For the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Fund received dividends on cash collateral investments of $55,617 for securities lending transactions, which are net of compensation to counterparties.
NOTE 8—Tax Information
The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforward) under income tax regulations. The tax character of distributions paid during the year and the tax components of net assets will be reported at the Fund's fiscal year-end.
Capital loss carryforward is calculated and reported as of a specific date. Results of transactions and other activity after that date may affect the amount of capital loss carryforward actually available for the Fund to utilize. The ability to utilize capital loss carryforward in the future may be limited under the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations based on the results of future transactions. Under these limitation rules, the Fund is limited as of March 31, 2006 to utilizing $56,933,583 of capital loss carryforward in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
The Fund had a capital loss carryforward as of March 31, 2006 which expires as follows:
Expiration | | Capital Loss Carryforward* | |
March 31, 2010 | | $ | 46,592,205 | | |
March 31, 2011 | | | 23,729,348 | | |
March 31, 2013 | | | 303,708 | | |
Total capital loss carryforward | | $ | 70,625,261 | | |
* Capital loss carryforward as of the date listed above is reduced for limitations, if any, to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Code. To the extent that unrealized gains (losses) as of November 24, 2003, the date of the reorganization of AIM Global Utilities Fund into the Fund, are realized on securities held in each fund at such date, the capital loss carryforward may be further limited for up to five years from the date of the reorganization.
F-9
AIM Utilities Fund
NOTE 9—Investment Securities
The aggregate amount of investment securities (other than short-term securities and money market funds) purchased and sold by the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2006 was $65,217,794 and $47,747,474, respectively. For interim reporting periods, the cost of investments for tax purposes includes reversals of certain tax items, such as, wash sales that have occurred since the prior fiscal year-end.
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities on a Tax Basis
Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 79,751,326 | | |
Aggregate unrealized (depreciation) of investment securities | | | (1,587,325 | ) | |
Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities | | $ | 78,164,001 | | |
Cost of investments for tax purposes is $254,074,826.
NOTE 10—Share Information
The Fund currently consists of five different classes of shares: Class A, Class B, Class C, Investor Class and Institutional Class. Investor Class shares of the Fund are offered only to certain grandfathered investors.
Class A shares are sold with a front-end sales charge unless certain waiver criteria are met. Class B shares and Class C shares are sold with CDSC. Investor Class and Institutional Class shares are sold at net asset value. Under certain circumstances, Class A shares are subject to CDSC. Generally, Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on or the about month-end which is at least eight years after the date of purchase.
Changes in Shares Outstanding
| | Six months ended September 30, 2006(a) | | Year ended March 31, 2006 | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Sold: | |
Class A | | | 2,904,830 | | | $ | 42,944,700 | | | | 4,467,715 | | | $ | 60,682,158 | | |
Class B | | | 546,078 | | | | 8,151,305 | | | | 1,328,228 | | | | 17,798,142 | | |
Class C | | | 307,318 | | | | 4,614,767 | | | | 753,200 | | | | 10,129,701 | | |
Investor Class | | | 573,008 | | | | 8,637,098 | | | | 1,922,756 | | | | 26,204,938 | | |
Institutional Class(b) | | | 74,690 | | | | 1,096,295 | | | | 52,882 | | | | 739,049 | | |
Issued as reinvestment of dividends: | |
Class A | | | 122,687 | | | | 1,776,896 | | | | 191,385 | | | | 2,654,174 | | |
Class B | | | 22,599 | | | | 326,820 | | | | 36,537 | | | | 507,108 | | |
Class C | | | 6,228 | | | | 90,958 | | | | 9,371 | | | | 130,997 | | |
Investor Class | | | 69,464 | | | | 1,014,297 | | | | 126,615 | | | | 1,767,848 | | |
Institutional Class(b) | | | 1,349 | | | | 19,667 | | | | 290 | | | | 4,096 | | |
Automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares: | |
Class A | | | 177,953 | | | | 2,609,284 | | | | 295,266 | | | | 3,977,446 | | |
Class B | | | (177,442 | ) | | | (2,609,284 | ) | | | (294,511 | ) | | | (3,977,446 | ) | |
Reacquired: | |
Class A | | | (1,808,630 | ) | | | (26,767,786 | ) | | | (4,428,535 | ) | | | (60,223,504 | ) | |
Class B | | | (563,065 | ) | | | (8,307,886 | ) | | | (937,188 | ) | | | (12,703,997 | ) | |
Class C | | | (235,436 | ) | | | (3,437,003 | ) | | | (522,221 | ) | | | (7,176,811 | ) | |
Investor Class | | | (771,378 | ) | | | (11,220,939 | ) | | | (2,440,722 | ) | | | (33,384,940 | ) | |
Institutional Class(b) | | | (8,837 | ) | | | (130,375 | ) | | | (1,533 | ) | | | (21,549 | ) | |
| | | 1,241,416 | | | $ | 18,808,814 | | | | 559,535 | | | $ | 7,107,410 | | |
(a) There are two entities that are each record owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and in the aggregate they own 12% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. ADI has an agreement with these entities to sell Fund shares. The Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates may make payments to these entities, which are considered to be related to the Fund, for providing services to the Fund, AIM and/or AIM affiliates including but not limited to services such as securities brokerage, distribution, third party record keeping and account servicing. The Trust has no knowledge as to whether all or any portion of the shares owned of record by these entities are also owned beneficially.
(b) Institutional Class shares commenced on October 25, 2005.
F-10
AIM Utilities Fund
NOTE 11—New Accounting Standard
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions for FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management is currently assessing the impact of FIN 48, if any, on the Fund's financial statements and intends for the Fund to adopt the FIN 48 provisions during 2007.
NOTE 12—Financial Highlights
The following schedule presents financial highlights for a share of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
| | Class A | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 13.92 | | | $ | 12.28 | | | $ | 10.10 | | | $ | 8.13 | | | $ | 10.66 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.28 | | | | 0.30 | (b) | | | 0.22 | (b) | | | 0.16 | | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.41 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 2.18 | | | | 1.98 | | | | (2.40 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.59 | | | | 1.93 | | | | 2.48 | | | | 2.20 | | | | (2.24 | ) | |
Less distributions from net investment income | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 15.33 | | | $ | 13.92 | | | $ | 12.28 | | | $ | 10.10 | | | $ | 8.13 | | |
Total return(c) | | | 11.54 | % | | | 15.74 | % | | | 24.95 | % | | | 27.33 | % | | | (21.05 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 170,942 | | | $ | 135,835 | | | $ | 113,325 | | | $ | 101,899 | | | $ | 450 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.30 | %(d) | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.41 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.46 | %(d) | | | 1.46 | % | | | 1.46 | % | | | 1.77 | % | | | 1.74 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 2.54 | %(d) | | | 2.06 | % | | | 2.76 | % | | | 2.27 | % | | | 2.79 | % | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 16 | % | | | 37 | % | | | 33 | % | | | 101 | % | | | 64 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $152,547,314.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-11
AIM Utilities Fund
NOTE 12—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Class B | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003(a) | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 13.97 | | | $ | 12.32 | | | $ | 10.13 | | | $ | 8.15 | | | $ | 10.66 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.23 | (b) | | | 0.16 | (b) | | | 0.13 | | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.41 | | | | 1.66 | | | | 2.19 | | | | 1.98 | | | | (2.43 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.54 | | | | 1.84 | | | | 2.42 | | | | 2.14 | | | | (2.30 | ) | |
Less distributions from net investment income | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.16 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 15.38 | | | $ | 13.97 | | | $ | 12.32 | | | $ | 10.13 | | | $ | 8.15 | | |
Total return(c) | | | 11.08 | % | | | 14.92 | % | | | 24.17 | % | | | 26.47 | % | | | (21.67 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 43,470 | | | $ | 41,888 | | | $ | 35,303 | | | $ | 34,606 | | | $ | 193 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.05 | %(d) | | | 2.05 | % | | | 2.05 | % | | | 2.05 | % | | | 2.14 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.21 | %(d) | | | 2.21 | % | | | 2.21 | % | | | 2.79 | % | | | 2.69 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.79 | %(d) | | | 1.31 | % | | | 2.11 | % | | | 1.62 | % | | | 1.84 | % | |
Portfolio turnover rate(e) | | | 16 | % | | | 37 | % | | | 33 | % | | | 101 | % | | | 64 | % | |
(a) Class commenced sales on March 28, 2002.
(b) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(c) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $42,354,904.
(e) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Class C | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 14.08 | | | $ | 12.41 | | | $ | 10.21 | | | $ | 8.22 | | | $ | 10.63 | | | $ | 16.08 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.23 | (a) | | | 0.16 | (a) | | | 0.15 | | | | 0.03 | | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.41 | | | | 1.68 | | | | 2.20 | | | | 1.98 | | | | (2.47 | ) | | | (5.48 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.54 | | | | 1.86 | | | | 2.43 | | | | 2.14 | | | | (2.32 | ) | | | (5.45 | ) | |
Less distributions from net investment income | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.00 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 15.49 | | | $ | 14.08 | | | $ | 12.41 | | | $ | 10.21 | | | $ | 8.22 | | | $ | 10.63 | | |
Total return(b) | | | 10.99 | % | | | 14.98 | % | | | 24.08 | % | | | 26.17 | % | | | (21.85 | )% | | | (33.87 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 13,548 | | | $ | 11,208 | | | $ | 6,900 | | | $ | 6,437 | | | $ | 667 | | | $ | 1,799 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.05 | %(c) | | | 2.05 | % | | | 2.05 | % | | | 2.05 | % | | | 2.05 | % | | | 2.04 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 2.21 | %(c) | | | 2.21 | % | | | 2.21 | % | | | 3.14 | % | | | 3.70 | % | | | 2.45 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.79 | %(c) | | | 1.31 | % | | | 2.11 | % | | | 1.62 | % | | | 1.75 | % | | | 0.32 | % | |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 16 | % | | | 37 | % | | | 33 | % | | | 101 | % | | | 64 | % | | | 56 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Does not include sales charges and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $11,566,414.
(d) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-12
AIM Utilities Fund
NOTE 12—Financial Highlights—(continued)
| | Investor Class | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | Year ended March 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 14.04 | | | $ | 12.38 | | | $ | 10.18 | | | $ | 8.19 | | | $ | 10.66 | | | $ | 16.20 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.28 | | | | 0.31 | (a) | | | 0.22 | (a) | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.15 | | |
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.41 | | | | 1.67 | | | | 2.21 | | | | 2.01 | | | | (2.46 | ) | | | (5.54 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.60 | | | | 1.95 | | | | 2.52 | | | | 2.23 | | | | (2.23 | ) | | | (5.39 | ) | |
Less distributions from net investment income | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 15.45 | | | $ | 14.04 | | | $ | 12.38 | | | $ | 10.18 | | | $ | 8.19 | | | $ | 10.66 | | |
Total return(b) | | | 11.45 | % | | | 15.79 | % | | | 25.08 | % | | | 27.50 | % | | | (20.99 | )% | | | (33.34 | )% | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 91,250 | | | $ | 84,701 | | | $ | 79,536 | | | $ | 69,065 | | | $ | 72,749 | | | $ | 124,578 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.30 | %(c) | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.30 | % | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 1.46 | %(c) | | | 1.46 | % | | | 1.46 | % | | | 2.01 | % | | | 1.90 | % | | | 1.57 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 2.54 | %(c) | | | 2.06 | % | | | 2.86 | % | | | 2.37 | % | | | 2.63 | % | | | 1.09 | % | |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 16 | % | | | 37 | % | | | 33 | % | | | 101 | % | | | 64 | % | | | 56 | % | |
(a) Calculated using average shares outstanding.
(b) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(c) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $85,611,938.
(d) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
| | Institutional Class | |
| | Six months ended September 30, 2006 | | October 25, 2005 (Date sales commenced) to March 31, 2006 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 13.92 | | | $ | 13.48 | | |
Income from investment operations: | |
Net investment income | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.13 | | |
Net gains on securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.42 | | | | 0.46 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.61 | | | | 0.59 | | |
Less distributions from net investment income | | | (0.21 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 15.32 | | | $ | 13.92 | | |
Total return(a) | | | 11.65 | % | | | 4.34 | % | |
Ratios/supplemental data: | |
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | | $ | 1,821 | | | $ | 719 | | |
Ratio of expenses to average net assets: | |
With fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 0.97 | %(b) | | | 0.92 | %(c) | |
Without fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements | | | 0.97 | %(b) | | | 1.05 | %(c) | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 2.87 | %(b) | | | 2.44 | %(c) | |
Portfolio turnover rate(d) | | | 16 | % | | | 37 | % | |
(a) Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(b) Ratios are annualized and based on average daily net assets of $1,226,418.
(c) Annualized.
(d) Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
F-13
AIM Utilities Fund
Note 13—Legal Proceedings
Terms used in the Legal Proceedings Note are defined terms solely for the purpose of this note.
Settled Enforcement Actions and Investigations Related to Market Timing
On October 8, 2004, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. ("IFG") (the former investment advisor to certain AIM Funds), AIM and A I M Distributors, Inc. ("ADI") (the distributor of the retail AIM Funds) reached final settlements with certain regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the New York Attorney General and the Colorado Attorney General, to resolve civil enforcement actions and/or investigations related to market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds, including those formerly advised by IFG. As part of the settlements, a $325 million fair fund ($110 million of which is civil penalties) has been created to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds formerly advised by IFG. Additionally, AIM and ADI created a $50 million fair fund ($30 million of which is civil penalties) to compensate shareholders harmed by market timing and related activity in funds advised by AI M, which was done pursuant to the terms of the settlement. These two fair funds may increase as a result of contributions from third parties who reach final settlements with the SEC or other regulators to resolve allegations of market timing and/or late trading that also may have harmed applicable AIM Funds. These two fair funds will be distributed in accordance with a methodology to be determined by AIM's independent distribution consultant, in consultation with AIM and the independent trustees of the AIM Funds and acceptable to the staff of the SEC. Management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the distribution of these two fair funds may have on the Fund or whether such distribution will have an impact on the Fund's financial statements in the future.
At the request of the trustees of the AIM Funds, AMVESCAP PLC ("AMVESCAP"), the parent company of IFG and AIM, has agreed to reimburse expenses incurred by the AIM Funds related to market timing matters.
Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries
On August 30, 2005, the West Virginia Office of the State Auditor - Securities Commission ("WVASC") issued a Summary Order to Cease and Desist and Notice of Right to Hearing to AIM and ADI (Order No. 05-1318). The WVASC makes findings of fact that AIM and ADI entered into certain arrangements permitting market timing of the AIM Funds and failed to disclose these arrangements in the prospectuses for such Funds, and conclusions of law to the effect that AIM and ADI violated the West Virginia securities laws. The WVASC orders AIM and ADI to cease any further violations and seeks to impose monetary sanctions, including restitution to affected investors, disgorgement of fees, reimbursement of investigatory, administrative and legal costs and an "administrative assessment," to be determined by the Commissioner. Initial research indicates that these damages could be limited or capped by statute.
Civil lawsuits, including purported class action and shareholder derivative suits, have been filed against certain of the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals, depending on the lawsuit, alleging:
• that the defendants permitted improper market timing and related activity in the AIM Funds;
• that certain AIM Funds inadequately employed fair value pricing;
• that the defendants charged excessive advisory and/or distribution fees and failed to pass on to shareholders the perceived savings generated by economies of scale and that the defendants adopted unlawful distribution plans; and
• that the defendants improperly used the assets of the AIM Funds to pay brokers to aggressively promote the sale of the AIM Funds over other mutual funds and that the defendants concealed such payments from investors by disguising them as brokerage commissions (all the claims in this category of lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice by the court on September 29, 2006, except for the Section 36(b) claim which was dismissed with leave to amend to plead it properly as a derivative claim).
These lawsuits allege as theories of recovery, depending on the lawsuit, violations of various provisions of the Federal and state securities laws and ERISA, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and/or breach of contract. These lawsuits seek remedies that include, depending on the lawsuit, damages, restitution, injunctive relief, imposition of a constructive trust, removal of certain directors and/or employees, various corrective measures under ERISA, rescission of certain AIM Funds' advisory agreements and/or distribution plans and recovery of all fees paid, an accounting of all fund-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments, restitution of all commissions and fees paid, and prospective relief in the form of reduced fees.
All lawsuits based on allegations of market timing, late trading and related issues have been transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (the "MDL Court"). Pursuant to an Order of the MDL Court, plaintiffs in these lawsuits consolidated their claims for pre-trial purposes into three amended complaints against various AIM- and IFG-related parties: (i) a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of shareholders of the AIM Funds; (ii) a Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint purportedly brought on behalf of the AIM Funds and fund registrants; and (iii) an Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act ("ERISA") purportedly brought on behalf of participants in AMVESCAP's 401(k) plan. Based on orders issued by the MDL Court, all claims asserted against the AIM Funds that have been transferred to the MDL Court have been dismissed, although certain Funds remain nominal defendants in the Consolidated Amended Fund Derivative Complaint. On September 15, 2006, the MDL Court granted the AMVESCAP defendants' motion to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint for Violations of ERISA and dismissed such Complaint. The plaintiff has commenced an appeal from that decision.
IFG, AIM, ADI and/or related entities and individuals have received inquiries from numerous regulators in the form of subpoenas or other oral or written requests for information and/or documents related to one or more of the following issues, among others, some of which concern one or more AIM Funds: market timing activity, late trading, fair value pricing, excessive or improper advisory and/or distribution fees, mutual fund sales practices,
F-14
AIM Utilities Fund
NOTE 13—Legal Proceedings—(continued)
including revenue sharing and directed-brokerage arrangements, investments in securities of other registered investment companies, contractual plans, issues related to Section 529 college savings plans and procedures for locating lost security holders. IFG, AIM and ADI have advised the Fund that they are providing full cooperation with respect to these inquiries. Regulatory actions and/or additional civil lawsuits related to these or other issues may be filed against the AIM Funds, IFG, AIM and/or related entities and individuals in the future.
At the present time, management of AIM and the Fund are unable to estimate the impact, if any, that the outcome of the Pending Litigation and Regulatory Inquiries described above may have on AIM, ADI or the Fund.
F-15
AIM Utilities Fund
Trustees and Officers
Board of Trustees
Bob R. Baker
Frank S. Bayley
James T. Bunch
Bruce L. Crockett
Chair
Albert R. Dowden
Jack M. Fields
Carl Frischling
Robert H. Graham
Vice Chair
Prema Mathai-Davis
Lewis F. Pennock
Ruth H. Quigley
Larry Soll
Raymond Stickel Jr.
Philip A. Taylor
Officers
Philip A. Taylor
President and Principal
Executive Officer
Todd L. Spillane
Chief Compliance Officer
Russell C. Burk
Senior Vice President and Senior Officer
John M. Zerr
Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Sidney M. Dilgren
Vice President, Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer
Lisa O. Brinkley
Vice President
Kevin M. Carome
Vice President
J. Philip Ferguson
Vice President
Karen Dunn Kelley
Vice President
Office of the Fund
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Investment Advisor
A I M Advisors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
Transfer Agent
AIM Investment Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 4739
Houston, TX 77210-4739
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110-2801
Counsel to the Fund
Ballard Spahr
Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
1735 Market Street, 51st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
Kramer, Levin, Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-2714
Distributor
A I M Distributors, Inc.
11 Greenway Plaza
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77046-1173
F-16
Domestic Equity
AIM Basic Balanced Fund*
AIM Basic Value Fund
AIM Capital Development Fund
AIM Charter Fund
AIM Constellation Fund
AIM Diversified Dividend Fund
AIM Dynamics Fund
AIM Large Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Large Cap Growth Fund
AIM Mid Cap Basic Value Fund
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund
AIM Opportunities I Fund
AIM Opportunities II Fund
AIM Opportunities III Fund
AIM S&P 500 Index Fund
AIM Select Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Equity Fund
AIM Small Cap Growth Fund(1)
AIM Structured Core Fund
AIM Structured Growth Fund
AIM Structured Value Fund
AIM Summit Fund
AIM Trimark Endeavor Fund
AIM Trimark Small Companies Fund
*Domestic equity and income fund
International/Global Equity
AIM Asia Pacific Growth Fund
AIM China Fund
AIM Developing Markets Fund
AIM European Growth Fund
AIM European Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund
AIM Global Equity Fund
AIM Global Growth Fund
AIM Global Value Fund
AIM Japan Fund
AIM International Core Equity Fund
AIM International Growth Fund
AIM International Small Company Fund(1)
AIM Trimark Fund
Sector Equity
AIM Advantage Health Sciences Fund
AIM Energy Fund
AIM Financial Services Fund
AIM Global Health Care Fund
AIM Global Real Estate Fund
AIM Gold & Precious Metals Fund
AIM Leisure Fund
AIM Multi-Sector Fund
AIM Real Estate Fund(1)
AIM Technology Fund
AIM Utilities Fund
Fixed Income
TAXABLE
AIM Enhanced Short Bond Fund
AIM Floating Rate Fund
AIM High Yield Fund
AIM Income Fund
AIM Intermediate Government Fund
AIM International Bond Fund
AIM Limited Maturity Treasury Fund
AIM Money Market Fund
AIM Short Term Bond Fund
AIM Total Return Bond Fund
Premier Portfolio
Premier U.S. Government Money Portfolio
TAX-FREE
AIM High Income Municipal Fund(1)
AIM Municipal Bond Fund
AIM Tax-Exempt Cash Fund
AIM Tax-Free Intermediate Fund
Premier Tax-Exempt Portfolio
Allocation Solutions
AIM Conservative Allocation Fund
AIM Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Allocation Fund
AIM Moderate Growth Allocation Fund
AIM Moderately Conservative Allocation Fund
Diversified Portfolios
AIM Income Allocation Fund
AIM International Allocation Fund
(1) This Fund has limited public sales of its shares to certain investors. For more information on who may continue to invest in the Fund, please see the appropriate prospectus.
If used after January 20, 2007, this report must be accompanied by a Fund Performance & Commentary or by an AIM Quarterly Performance Review for the most recent quarter-end. Mutual funds distributed by A I M Distributors, Inc.
A I M Management Group Inc. has provided leadership in the investment management industry since 1976. AIM is a subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC, one of the world’s largest independent financial services companies with $441 billion in assets under management. Data as of September 30, 2006.
Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully. For this and other information about AIM Funds, obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor and read it carefully before investing.
AIMinvestments.com | I-UTI-SAR-1 | A I M Distributors, Inc. |
[Your goals. Our solutions.]
– registered trademark –
Mutual | Retirement | Annuities | College | Separately | Offshore | Cash |
Funds | Products | | Savings | Managed | Products | Management |
| | | Plans | Accounts | | |
[AIM Investments Logo]
– registered trademark –
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
The Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that applies to the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and Principal Financial Officer (“PFO”) during the period covered by the report was amended in September, 2006, to (i) remove individuals listed in Exhibit A and any references to Exhibit A thus allowing for future flexibility and (ii) remove ambiguities found in the second paragraph of Section III. The Registrant did not grant any waivers, including implicit waivers, from any provisions of the Code to the PEO or PFO during the period covered by this report.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included as part of the reports to stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
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.
None.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) As of September 15, 2006, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the officers of the Registrant, including the Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and Principal Financial Officer (“PFO”), to assess the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures, as that term is defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”), as amended. Based on that evaluation, the Registrant’s officers, including
the PEO and PFO, concluded that, as of September 15, 2006, the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were reasonably designed to ensure: (1) that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (2) that material information relating to the Registrant is made known to the PEO and PFO as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) There have been no changes in the Registrant’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 the report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
12(a) (1) | | Not applicable. |
| | |
12(a) (2) | | Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
| | |
12(a) (3) | | Not applicable. |
| | |
12(b) | | Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
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.
Registrant: | AIM Sector Funds |
|
By: | /s/ Philip A. Taylor | |
Philip A. Taylor |
Principal Executive Officer |
|
Date: | December 8, 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and 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: | /s/ Philip A. Taylor | |
Philip A. Taylor |
Principal Executive Officer |
|
Date: | December 8, 2006 | |
|
|
By: | /s/ Sidney M. Dilgren | |
Sidney M. Dilgren |
Principal Financial Officer |
|
Date: | December 8, 2006 | |
| | | | | |
EXHIBIT INDEX
12(a) (1) | | Not applicable. |
| | |
12(a) (2) | | Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
| | |
12(a) (3) | | Not applicable. |
| | |
12(b) | | Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |