UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-03391
Centennial Government Trust
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
6803 South Tucson Way, Centennial, Colorado 80112-3924
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Robert G. Zack, Esq.
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Two World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281-1008
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(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 768-3200
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Date of fiscal year end: June 30
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Date of reporting period: 12/31/2007
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ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
December 31, 2007
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Semiannual
Centennial Report and
Government Trust Management
Commentaries
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TRUST EXPENSES
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TRUST EXPENSES. As a shareholder of the Trust, you incur ongoing costs,
including management fees; service fees; and other Trust expenses. These
examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of
investing in the Trust and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of
investing in other mutual funds.
The examples are based on an investment of $1,000.00 invested at the beginning
of the period and held for the entire 6-month period ended December 31, 2007.
ACTUAL EXPENSES. The first section of the table provides information about
actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this
section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expense that you
paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000.00 (for
example, an $8,600.00 account value divided by $1,000.00 = 8.60), then multiply
the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled
"Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account
during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES. The second section of the table
provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses
based on the Trust's actual expense ratio, and an assumed rate of return of 5%
per year before expenses, which is not the actual return. The hypothetical
account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending
account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this
information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Trust 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.
5 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
TRUST EXPENSES Continued
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BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES
ACCOUNT ACCOUNT PAID DURING
VALUE VALUE 6 MONTHS ENDED
ACTUAL JULY 1, 2007 DECEMBER 31, 2007 DECEMBER 31, 2007
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$1,000.00 $1,021.50 $3.93
HYPOTHETICAL
(5% return before expenses)
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1,000.00 1,021.32 3.93
Expenses are equal to the Trust's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the
average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the
one-half year period). The annualized expense ratio based on the 6-month period
ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:
EXPENSE RATIO
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0.77%
The expense ratio reflects reduction to custodian expenses. The "Financial
Highlights" table in the Trust's financial statements, included in this report,
also show the gross expense ratio, without such waivers or reimbursements and
reduction to custodian expenses, if applicable.
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6 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 2007 / Unaudited
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PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT VALUE
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U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES--88.6%
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Federal Home
Loan Bank:
3.185%, 10/2/08 1 $ 250,000,000 $ 250,000,000
3.21%, 11/26/08 1 100,000,000 99,954,918
4.28%, 1/16/08 100,000,000 99,821,667
4.306%, 1/14/08 7,500,000 7,488,338
4.381%, 1/18/08 30,000,000 29,937,936
4.50%,
12/10/08-12/11/08 70,500,000 70,500,000
4.60%, 11/28/08 50,000,000 50,000,000
4.625%, 12/4/08 50,000,000 50,000,000
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Federal Home
Loan Mortgage
Corp.:
4.28%, 1/17/08 67,000,000 66,872,107
4.30%,
1/10/08-1/24/08 94,550,000 94,419,011
4.35%, 1/30/08 100,000,000 99,652,000
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Federal National
Mortgage Assn.,
4.29%, 1/28/08 100,000,000 99,678,250
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Overseas Private
Investment Corp.,
5.513%, 1/20/08 1,2 2,810,117 2,822,662
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Total U.S. Government Agencies
(Cost $1,021,146,889) 1,021,146,889
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REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS--11.1%
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Repurchase agreement (Principal Amount/
Value $50,000,000, with a maturity value
of $50,012,361) with Cantor Fitzgerald
& Co./Cantor Fitzgerald Securities,
4.45%, dated 12/31/07, to be
repurchased at $50,012,361
on 1/2/08, collateralized by
Federal National Mortgage
Assn., 6.50%, 11/1/37, with
a value of
$51,247,309 50,000,000 50,000,000
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT VALUE
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REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS Continued
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Repurchase agreement (Principal Amount/
Value $78,200,000, with a maturity
value of $78,219,333) with UBS
Warburg LLC, 4.45%,dated
12/31/07, to be repurchased
at $78,219,333 on
1/2/08,
collateralized by
Federal
Home Loan Mortgage
Corp., 6%,
11/1/37, with
a value of
$79,882,137 $ 78,200,000 $ 78,200,000
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Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $128,200,000) 128,200,000
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TOTAL INVESTMENTS,
AT VALUE
(COST $1,149,346,889) 99.7% 1,149,346,889
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OTHER ASSETS
NET OF LIABILITIES 0.3 3,714,655
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NET ASSETS 100.0% $ 1,153,061,544
==================================
FOOTNOTES TO STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS
1. Represents the current interest rate for a variable or increasing rate
security.
2. Illiquid security. The aggregate value of illiquid securities as of December
31, 2007 was $2,822,662, which represents 0.24% of the Trust's net assets. See
Note 4 of accompanying Notes.
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
7 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Unaudited
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December 31, 2007
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ASSETS
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Investments, at value (including cost and market value of
$128,200,000 in repurchase agreements) (cost $1,149,346,889)--see
accompanying statement of investments $ 1,149,346,889
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Receivables and other assets:
Interest 4,191,714
Shares of beneficial interest sold 7,350
Other 83,336
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Total assets 1,153,629,289
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LIABILITIES
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Bank overdraft 273,689
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Payables and other liabilities:
Shareholder communications 132,409
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees 66,476
Distribution and service plan fees 65,114
Trustees' compensation 7,068
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed 5,024
Dividends 31
Other 17,934
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Total liabilities 567,745
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NET ASSETS $ 1,153,061,544
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COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS
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Paid-in capital $ 1,153,061,169
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Accumulated net realized gain on investments 375
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NET ASSETS--applicable to 1,153,048,813 shares of beneficial interest
outstanding $ 1,153,061,544
=================
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NET ASSET VALUE, REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE $ 1.00
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
8 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Unaudited
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For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2007
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INVESTMENT INCOME
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Interest $ 26,845,899
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EXPENSES
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Management fees 2,463,116
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Service plan fees 1,068,709
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Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees 376,539
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Shareholder communications 120,905
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Trustees' compensation 5,570
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Custodian fees and expenses 3,023
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Administration service fees 750
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Other 76,854
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Total expenses 4,115,466
Less reduction to custodian expenses (1,884)
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Net expenses 4,113,582
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NET INVESTMENT INCOME 22,732,317
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NET REALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS 4,973
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NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ 22,737,290
==============
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
9 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
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SIX MONTHS YEAR
ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2007 JUNE 30,
(UNAUDITED) 2007
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OPERATIONS
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Net investment income $ 22,732,317 $ 53,106,794
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Net realized gain (loss) 4,973 (76)
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Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 22,737,290 53,106,718
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DIVIDENDS AND/OR DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
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Dividends from net investment income (22,732,317) (53,106,794)
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BENEFICIAL INTEREST TRANSACTIONS
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Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from beneficial
interest transactions 190,108,470 (185,724,763)
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NET ASSETS
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Total increase (decrease) 190,113,443 (185,724,839)
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Beginning of period 962,948,101 1,148,672,940
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End of period $ 1,153,061,544 $ 962,948,101
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SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
10 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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SIX MONTHS
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2007 YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
(UNAUDITED) 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
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PER SHARE OPERATING DATA
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Net asset value, beginning of period $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
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Income from investment operations--
net investment income and net realized gain .02 1 .05 1 .03 1 .01 1 -- 2 .01
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Dividends and/or distributions
to shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (.02) (.05) (.03) (.01) -- 2 (.01)
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Net asset value, end of period $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
============================================================================
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TOTAL RETURN 3 2.15% 4.64% 3.54% 1.45% 0.48% 1.15%
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RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
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Net assets, end of period (in millions) $ 1,153 $ 963 $ 1,149 $ 1,226 $ 1,428 $ 1,776
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Average net assets (in millions) $ 1,067 $ 1,166 $ 1,192 $ 1,360 $ 1,628 $ 1,744
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Ratios to average net assets: 4
Net investment income 4.23% 4.55% 3.44% 1.41% 0.49% 1.14%
Total expenses 0.77% 0.74% 0.74% 0.73% 0.71% 0.70%
Expenses after payments, waivers and/or
reimbursements and reduction to
custodian expenses 0.77% 0.74% 0.74% 0.73% 0.60% 0.38%
1. Per share amounts calculated based on the average shares outstanding during
the period.
2. Less than $0.005 per share.
3. Assumes an investment on the business day before the first day of the fiscal
period, with all dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares on
the reinvestment date, and redemption at the net asset value calculated on the
last business day of the fiscal period. Total returns are not annualized for
periods less than one full year. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes
that a shareholder would pay on trust distributions or the redemption of trust
shares.
4. Annualized for periods less than one full year.
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
11 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Unaudited
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1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Centennial Government Trust (the "Trust") is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company.
The Trust's investment objective is to seek a high level of current income that
is consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity.
The Trust's investment adviser is Centennial Asset Management Corporation (the
"Manager"), a subsidiary of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. ("OFI").
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Trust.
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SECURITIES VALUATION. The net asset value of shares of the Trust is normally
determined twice each day, at noon Eastern time and at 4:00 P.M. Eastern time on
each day the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is open for trading.
Securities are valued at cost adjusted by the amortization of discount or
premium to maturity (amortized cost), which approximates market value. If
amortized cost is determined not to approximate market value, the fair value of
the portfolio securities will be determined under procedures approved by the
Trust's Board of Trustees.
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REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Trust requires its custodian bank to take possession,
to have legally segregated in the Federal Reserve Book Entry System or to have
segregated within the custodian's vault, all securities held as collateral for
repurchase agreements. The market value of the collateral is required to be
sufficient to cover payments of interest and principal. If the seller of the
agreement defaults and the value of the collateral declines, or if the seller
enters an insolvency proceeding, realization of the value of the collateral by
the Trust may be delayed or limited.
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FEDERAL TAXES. The Trust intends to comply with provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute
substantially all of its investment company taxable income, including any net
realized gain on investments not offset by capital loss carryforwards, if any,
to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income or excise tax provision is
required. The Trust files income tax returns in U.S. federal and applicable
state jurisdictions. The statute of limitations on the Trust's tax return
filings remain open for the three preceding fiscal reporting period ends.
Net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) may differ for
financial statement and tax purposes. The character of dividends and
distributions made during the fiscal year from net investment income or net
realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal
income tax purposes. Also, due to timing of dividends and distributions, the
fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the fiscal year in
which the income or net realized gain was recorded by the Trust.
As of December 31, 2007, the Trust had available for federal income tax
purposes an estimated capital loss carryforward of $376 expiring by 2016. This
estimated capital loss carryforward represents carryforward as of the end of the
last fiscal year, increased for losses deferred under tax accounting rules to
the current fiscal year and is increased or decreased by capital losses or gains
realized in the first six months of the current fiscal
12 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
year. During the six months ended December 31, 2007, it is estimated that the
Trust will utilize $4,597 of capital loss carryforward to offset realized
capital gains. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, the Trust did not
utilize any capital loss carryforward to offset capital gains realized in that
fiscal year.
As of June 30, 2007, the Trust had available for federal income tax purposes
unused capital loss carryforwards as follows:
EXPIRING
--------------------------------
2012 $ 2,556
2013 826
2014 990
2015 225
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Total $4,597
=======
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TRUSTEES' COMPENSATION. The Board of Trustees has adopted a compensation
deferral plan for independent trustees that enables trustees to elect to defer
receipt of all or a portion of the annual compensation they are entitled to
receive from the Trust. For purposes of determining the amount owed to the
Trustee under the plan, deferred amounts are treated as though equal dollar
amounts had been invested in shares of the Trust or in other Oppenheimer funds
selected by the Trustee. The Trust purchases shares of the funds selected for
deferral by the Trustee in amounts equal to his or her deemed investment,
resulting in a Trust asset equal to the deferred compensation liability. Such
assets are included as a component of "Other" within the asset section of the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Deferral of trustees' fees under the plan
will not affect the net assets of the Trust, and will not materially affect the
Trust's assets, liabilities or net investment income per share. Amounts will be
deferred until distributed in accordance to the compensation deferral plan.
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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS. Dividends and distributions to
shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and
may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, are recorded on
the ex-dividend date. Income distributions, if any, are declared daily and paid
monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are declared and paid annually but
may be paid at other times to maintain the net asset value per share at $1.00.
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CUSTODIAN FEES. "Custodian fees and expenses" in the Statement of Operations may
include interest expense incurred by the Trust on any cash overdrafts of its
custodian account during the period. Such cash overdrafts may result from the
effects of failed trades in portfolio securities and from cash outflows
resulting from unanticipated shareholder redemption activity. The Trust pays
interest to its custodian on such cash overdrafts, to the extent they are not
offset by positive cash balances maintained by the Trust, at a rate equal to the
Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%. The "Reduction to custodian expenses" line item,
if applicable, represents earnings on cash balances maintained by the Trust
during the period. Such interest expense and other custodian fees may be paid
with these earnings.
13 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Unaudited / Continued
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1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Continued
SECURITY TRANSACTIONS. Security transactions are recorded on the trade date.
Realized gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of
identified cost.
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INDEMNIFICATIONS. The Trust's organizational documents provide current and
former trustees and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities
arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Trust. In the
normal course of business, the Trust may also enter into contracts that provide
general indemnifications. The Trust's maximum exposure under these arrangements
is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against
the Trust. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
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OTHER. 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 and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and
decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
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2. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The Trust has authorized an unlimited number of no par value shares of
beneficial interest. Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as
follows:
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2007
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT
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Sold 1,650,621,847 $ 1,650,621,847 3,034,292,571 $ 3,034,292,571
Dividends and/or
distributions reinvested 22,420,973 22,420,973 52,871,375 52,871,375
Redeemed (1,482,934,350) (1,482,934,350) (3,272,888,709) (3,272,888,709)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) 190,108,470 $ 190,108,470 (185,724,763) $ (185,724,763)
======================================================================
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3. FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
MANAGEMENT FEES. Under the investment advisory agreement, the Trust pays the
Manager a management fee based on the daily net assets of the Trust at an annual
rate as shown in the following table:
FEE SCHEDULE
--------------------------------
Up to $250 million 0.500%
Next $250 million 0.475
Next $250 million 0.450
Next $250 million 0.425
Next $250 million 0.400
Next $250 million 0.375
Over $1.5 billion 0.350
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ADMINISTRATION SERVICE FEES. The Trust pays the Manager a fee of $1,500 per year
for preparing and filing the Trust's tax returns.
14 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
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TRANSFER AGENT FEES. Shareholder Services, Inc. ("SSI") acts as the transfer and
shareholder servicing agent for the Trust. The Trust pays SSI a per account fee.
For the six months ended December 31, 2007, the Trust paid $373,229 to SSI for
services to the Trust.
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SERVICE PLAN (12b-1) FEES. The Trust has adopted a Service Plan (the "Plan"). It
reimburses Centennial Asset Management Corporation (the "Distributor"), for a
portion of its costs incurred for services provided to accounts that hold shares
of the Trust. Reimbursement is made periodically depending on asset size, at an
annual rate of up to 0.20% of the average annual net assets of the Trust. The
Distributor currently uses all of those fees (together with significant amounts
from the Manager's own resources) to pay dealers, brokers, banks and other
financial institutions periodically for providing personal service and
maintenance of accounts of their customers that hold shares of the Trust. Fees
incurred by the Trust under the Plan are detailed in the Statement of
Operations.
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WAIVERS AND REIMBURSEMENTS OF EXPENSES. SSI has voluntarily agreed to limit
transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees to 0.35% of average annual net
assets of the Trust. This undertaking may be amended or withdrawn at any time.
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4. ILLIQUID SECURITIES
As of December 31, 2007, investments in securities included issues that are
illiquid. Investments may be illiquid because they do not have an active trading
market, making it difficult to value them or dispose of them promptly at an
acceptable price. The Trust will not invest more than 10% of its net assets
(determined at the time of purchase and reviewed periodically) in illiquid
securities. Securities that are illiquid are marked with the applicable footnote
on the Statement of Investments.
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5. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
In September 2006, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 157, FAIR VALUE
MEASUREMENTS. This standard establishes a single authoritative definition of
fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies to fair value
measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. SFAS No. 157
is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As of December
31, 2007, the Manager does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will
materially impact the financial statement amounts; however, additional
disclosures may be required about the inputs used to develop the measurements
and the effect of certain of the measurements on changes in net assets for the
period.
15 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
PORTFOLIO PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES;
UPDATES TO STATEMENTS OF INVESTMENTS Unaudited
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The Trust has adopted Portfolio Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures under which
the Trust votes proxies relating to securities ("portfolio proxies") held by the
Trust. A description of the Trust's Portfolio Proxy Voting Policies and
Procedures is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the Trust
toll-free at 1.800.525.7048, (ii) on the Trust's website at
www.oppenheimerfunds.com, and (iii) on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In
addition, the Trust is required to file Form N-PX, with its complete proxy
voting record for the 12 months ended June 30th, no later than August 31st of
each year. The Trust's voting record is available (i) without charge, upon
request, by calling the Trust toll-free at 1.800.525.7048, and (ii) in the Form
N-PX filing on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC
for the first quarter and the third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The
Trust's Form N-Q filings are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Those forms may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in
Washington D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be
obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
16 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
BOARD APPROVAL OF THE TRUST'S INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AGREEMENT Unaudited
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Each year, the Board of Trustees (the "Board"), including a majority of the
independent Trustees, is required to determine whether to renew the Trust's
investment advisory agreement (the "Agreement"). The Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, requires that the Board request and evaluate, and that the
Manager provide, such information as may be reasonably necessary to evaluate the
terms of the Agreement. The Board employs an independent consultant to prepare a
report that provides information, including comparative information, that the
Board requests for that purpose. In addition, the Board receives information
throughout the year regarding Trust services, fees, expenses and performance.
The Manager and the independent consultant provided information to the
Board on the following factors: (i) the nature, quality and extent of the
Manager's services, (ii) the investment performance of the Trust and the
Manager, (iii) the fees and expenses of the Trust, including comparative expense
information, (iv) the profitability of the Manager and its affiliates, including
an analysis of the cost of providing services, (v) whether economies of scale
are realized as the Trust grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies
of scale for Trust investors and (vi) other benefits to the Manager from its
relationship with the Trust. Outlined below is a summary of the principal
information considered by the Board as well as the Board's conclusions.
The Board was aware that there are alternatives to retaining the Manager.
NATURE, QUALITY AND EXTENT OF SERVICES. The Board considered information
about the nature and extent of the services provided to the Trust and
information regarding the Manager's key personnel who provide such services. The
Manager's duties include providing the Trust with the services of the portfolio
managers and the Manager's investment team, who provide research, analysis and
other advisory services in regard to the Trust's investments; securities trading
services; oversight of third party service providers; monitoring compliance with
applicable Trust policies and procedures and adherence to the Trust's investment
restrictions. The Manager is responsible for providing certain administrative
services to the Trust as well. Those services include providing and supervising
all administrative and clerical personnel who are necessary in order to provide
effective corporate administration for the Trust; compiling and maintaining
records with respect to the Trust's operations; preparing and filing reports
required by the Securities and Exchange Commission; preparing periodic reports
regarding the operations of the Trust for its shareholders; preparing proxy
materials for shareholder meetings; and preparing the registration statements
required by Federal and state securities laws for the sale of the Trust's
shares. The Manager also provides the Trust with office space, facilities and
equipment.
17 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
BOARD APPROVAL OF THE TRUST'S INVESTMENT
ADVISORY AGREEMENT Unaudited / Continued
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The Board also considered the quality of the services provided and the
quality of the Manager's resources that are available to the Trust. The Board
took account of the fact that the Manager has had over forty years of experience
as an investment adviser and that its assets under management rank it among the
top mutual fund managers in the United States. The Board evaluated the Manager's
administrative, accounting, legal and compliance services, and information the
Board has received regarding the experience and professional qualifications of
the Manager's key personnel and the size and functions of its staff providing
investment management services to the Trust. In its evaluation of the quality of
the portfolio management services provided, the Board considered the experience
of Carol E. Wolf and Barry D. Weiss and the Manager's Money Market investment
team and analysts. Ms. Wolf has been the portfolio manager of the Trust since
November 1988 and Mr. Weiss has been the portfolio manager of the Trust since
August 2001. The Board members also considered the totality of their experiences
with the Manager as directors or trustees of the Trust and other funds advised
by the Manager. In light of the foregoing, the Board concluded that the Trust
benefits from the services provided under the Agreement as a result of the
Manager's experience, reputation, personnel, operations, and resources.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE OF THE MANAGER AND THE TRUST. During the year, the
Manager provided information on the investment performance of the Trust and the
Manager at each Board meeting, including comparative performance information.
The Board also reviewed information, prepared by the Manager and by the
independent consultant, comparing the Trust's historical performance to relevant
market indices and to the performance of other retail front-end load and no-load
U.S. government money market funds. The Board noted that the Trust's five-year
performance was equal to its peer group median although its one-year,
three-year, and ten-year performance were below its peer group median. The Board
considered the Manager's assertion that in the Trust's peer group, small
performance differences can result in significantly different quintile rankings,
and that as of April 30, 2007, the Trust ranked above the median for the
five-year period. The Board also considered the Manager's assertion that the
gross performance of the Trust compares favorably to its peers.
COSTS OF SERVICES AND PROFITS REALIZED BY THE MANAGER. The Board
considered information regarding the Manager's costs in serving as the Trust's
investment adviser, including the costs associated with the personnel and
systems necessary to manage the Trust, and information regarding the Manager's
profitability from its relationship with the Trust. The Board reviewed the fees
paid to the Manager and the other expenses borne by the Trust. The Board also
considered the comparability of the fees charged and the
18 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
services provided to the Trust to the fees and services for other clients or
accounts advised by the Manager. The independent consultant provided comparative
data in regard to the fees and expenses of the Trust, and other U.S. government
money market funds with comparable asset levels and distribution features. The
Board noted that although the Trust's contractual and actual management fees are
higher than its peer group median, its total expenses are equal to its peer
group median.
ECONOMIES OF SCALE. The Board reviewed whether the Manager may realize
economies of scale in managing and supporting the Trust. The Board noted that
the Trust currently has management fee breakpoints, which are intended to share
with Trust shareholders economies of scale that may exist as the Trust's assets
grow.
OTHER BENEFITS TO THE MANAGER. In addition to considering the profits
realized by the Manager, the Board considered information that was provided
regarding the direct and indirect benefits the Manager receives as a result of
its relationship with the Trust, including compensation paid to the Manager's
affiliates. The Board also considered that the Manager must be able to pay and
retain experienced professional personnel at competitive rates to provide
quality services to the Trust and that maintaining the financial viability of
the Manager is important in order for the Manager to continue to provide
significant services to the Trust and its shareholders.
CONCLUSIONS. These factors were also considered by the independent
Trustees meeting separately from the full Board, assisted by experienced counsel
to the Trust and to the independent Trustees. Trust counsel and the independent
Trustees' counsel are both independent of the Manager within the meaning and
intent of the Securities and Exchange Commission Rules.
Based on its review of the information it received and its evaluations
described above, the Board, including a majority of the independent Trustees,
decided to continue the Agreement for another year. In arriving at this
decision, the Board considered all of the above information, and considered the
terms and conditions of the Agreement, including the management fee, in light of
all of the surrounding circumstances.
19 | CENTENNIAL GOVERNMENT TRUST
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
Not applicable to semiannual reports.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable to semiannual reports.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable to semiannual reports.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
Not applicable.
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.
THE FUND'S GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO NOMINATIONS OF
DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES TO THE RESPECTIVE BOARDS
1. The Fund's Governance Committee (the "Committee") will evaluate potential
Board candidates to assess their qualifications. The Committee shall have
the authority, upon approval of the Board, to retain an executive search
firm to assist in this effort. The Committee may consider recommendations
by business and personal contacts of current Board members and by
executive search firms which the Committee may engage from time to time
and may also consider shareholder recommendations. The Committee may
consider the advice and recommendation of the Funds' investment manager
and its affiliates in making the selection.
2. The Committee shall screen candidates for Board membership. The Committee
has not established specific qualifications that it believes must be met
by a trustee nominee. In evaluating trustee nominees, the Committee
considers, among other things, an individual's background, skills, and
experience; whether the individual is
an "interested person" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940;
and whether the individual would be deemed an "audit committee financial
expert" within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. The Committee also
considers whether the individual's background, skills, and experience will
complement the background, skills, and experience of other nominees and
will contribute to the Board. There are no differences in the manner in
which the Committee evaluates nominees for trustees based on whether the
nominee is recommended by a shareholder.
3. The Committee may consider nominations from shareholders for the Board at
such times as the Committee meets to consider new nominees for the Board.
The Committee shall have the sole discretion to determine the candidates
to present to the Board and, in such cases where required, to
shareholders. Recommendations for trustee nominees should, at a minimum,
be accompanied by the following:
o the name, address, and business, educational, and/or other pertinent
background of the person being recommended;
o a statement concerning whether the person is an "interested person"
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940;
o any other information that the Funds would be required to include in
a proxy statement concerning the person if he or she was nominated;
and
o the name and address of the person submitting the recommendation
and, if that person is a shareholder, the period for which that
person held Fund shares.
The recommendation also can include any additional information which the
person submitting it believes would assist the Committee in evaluating the
recommendation.
4. Shareholders should note that a person who owns securities issued by
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (the parent company of the
Funds' investment adviser) would be deemed an "interested person" under
the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, certain other
relationships with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company or its
subsidiaries, with registered broker-dealers, or with the Funds' outside
legal counsel may cause a person to be deemed an "interested person."
5. Before the Committee decides to nominate an individual as a trustee,
Committee members and other directors customarily interview the individual
in person. In addition, the individual customarily is asked to complete a
detailed questionnaire which is designed to elicit information which must
be disclosed under SEC and stock exchange rules and to determine whether
the individual is subject to any statutory disqualification from serving
as a trustee of a registered investment company.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Based on their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR
270.30a-3(c)) as of 12/31/2007, the registrant's principal executive officer and
principal financial officer found the registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be
disclosed by the registrant in the reports that it files under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (a) is accumulated and communicated to registrant's
management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial
officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and (b) is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified
in the rules and forms adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
There have been no changes in the registrant's internal controls over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrant's second fiscal quarter of the
period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
(a) (1) Not applicable to semiannual reports.
(2) Exhibits attached hereto.
(3) Not applicable.
(b) Exhibit attached hereto.
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.
Centennial Government Trust
By: /s/ John V. Murphy
---------------------------
John V. Murphy
Principal Executive Officer
Date: 02/07/2008
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
By: /s/ John V. Murphy
---------------------------
John V. Murphy
Principal Executive Officer
Date: 02/07/2008
By: /s/ Brian W. Wixted
---------------------------
Brian W. Wixted
Principal Financial Officer
Date: 02/07/2008