1 LINDNER FUNDS ADVISED BY RYBACK MANAGEMENT CORPORATION contents ---------------------------------------- 7711 Carondelet Avenue, Ste 700 St. Louis, Missouri 63105 Tel: 314-727-5305 [LOGO] Fax: 314-727-9306 Statements of Assets & Liabilities p.2 Lindner Growth Fund Letter from the Fund Managers p.4 Schedules of Investments p.5 Lindner Dividend Fund Letter from the Fund Manager p.10 Schedules of Investments p.11 Lindner Utility Fund Letter from the Fund Managers p.16 Schedules of Investments p.17 Lindner/Ryback Small-Cap Fund Letter from the Fund Managers p.19 Schedules of Investments p.20 Lindner Bulwark Fund Letter from the Fund Managers p.22 Schedules of Investments p.23 Lindner International Fund Letter from the Fund Managers p.26 Schedules of Investments p.27 Statements of Operations p.30 Statements of Changes in Net Assets p.32 Notes to Financial Statements p.34 Financial Highlights p.42 Report of Independent Auditors p.44 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS The 1997 fiscal year for the Lindner Funds, which ended June 30, 1997, saw a continuation in the unprecedented strength in the stock market. The S&P 500 Index has more than doubled since the end of 1994, just 30 months ago. The powerful combination of solid economic growth, low inflation and rising corporate profits continues to drive stock prices to ever loftier levels. In addition to these underlying elements, demographics and enthusiasm for equities are fueling continuing inflows of money into stock mutual funds from retirement-oriented vehicles such as 401(k)s. While we enjoy reaping the rewards of a strong market as much as any other investor, we would tend to echo the sentiment of Alan Greenspan, who said some months ago that this market seemed to be characterized by irrational exuberance. We remain true to our strong value orientation, carefully analyzing every investment opportunity and owning those securities that are selling at a discount to what a rational business person would pay for the entire underlying company. While this investment style may not produce the highest returns in a strong bull market, we remain confident that it will serve our investors very well over the long term. In the following pages, you will find discussions of the performance of each of the Lindner Funds. If you would like more information about any of our funds, please call your customer service representative at 800-995-7777 or visit our Internet site, www.lindnerfunds.com. All of our portfolio managers join me in thanking you for investing with us and for your continued interest in the Lindner Funds. /s/ Eric E. Ryback Eric E. Ryback President 2 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES JUNE 30, 1997 LINDNER GROWTH LINDNER FUND DIVIDEND FUND -------------- -------------- ASSETS Investment securities, at value: Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost of $832,498,825, $1,864,711,622, $39,723,776, $20,581,466, $54,918,845 and $4,117,714, respectively) $1,075,211,275 $1,881,447,327 Affiliated issuers (identified cost $331,863,561, $88,260,357 and $5,398,363, respectively) (Note 5) 413,905,495 115,471,836 Cash 229,329 1,167,683 Receivables: Investments sold - long 7,309,083 23,240,231 Dividends and interest 2,551,863 19,810,781 Fund shares sold 47,225 414,850 Investments sold - short -- 4,808,795 Deposits with brokers for securities sold short -- 2,854,647 Unamortized organizational expense (Note 4) -- -- Other assets 32,429 48,164 -------------- -------------- Total assets 1,499,286,699 2,049,264,314 -------------- -------------- LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued liabilities: Investment securities purchased 1,385,882 8,468,298 Investments sold short, at value (proceeds $4,808,795 and $14,467,684, respectively) -- 5,576,563 Short sales covered -- -- Fund shares redeemed 2,218,714 7,266,488 Distribution to shareholders (Note 8) -- 6,278,337 Other liabilities: Net variation margin on futures -- -- Management fee (Note 3) 509,643 2,662,129 Organizational expense (Note 4) -- -- Other 96,069 106,966 -------------- -------------- Total liabilities 4,210,308 30,358,781 -------------- -------------- NET ASSETS $1,495,076,391 $2,018,905,533 ============== ============== NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Capital (par value and additional paid-in capital) $1,016,399,605 $1,850,394,425 Undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income (loss) 9,710,325 (1,805,630) Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions 144,212,965 127,137,855 Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currency 324,753,496 43,178,883 -------------- -------------- NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO OUTSTANDING SHARES $1,495,076,391 $2,018,905,533 ============== ============== NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE Investor shares: NET ASSETS $1,494,974,794 $2,016,895,544 SHARES OUTSTANDING 57,542,095 72,192,150 -------------- -------------- $25.98 $27.94 ============== ============== Institutional shares: NET ASSETS $101,597 $2,009,989 SHARES OUTSTANDING 3,916 72,030 ============== ============== $25.94 $27.90 ============== ============== 2 See Notes to Financial Statements 3 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES JUNE 30, 1997 LINDNER LINDNER/RYBACK UTILITY SMALL-CAP LINDNER BULWARK LINDNER FUND FUND FUND INTERNATIONAL FUND ------- -------------- --------------- ------------------ ASSETS Investment securities, at value: Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost of $832,498,825, $1,864,711,622, $39,723,776, $20,581,466, $54,918,845 and $4,117,714, respectively) $45,323,794 $24,950,216 $47,676,347 $4,602,547 Affiliated issuers (identified cost $331,863,561, $88,260,357 and $5,398,363, respectively) (Note 5) -- -- 3,724,719 -- Cash 134,724 161,483 117,678 101,578 Receivables: Investments sold - long 1,863,139 -- 174,523,549 -- Dividends and interest 167,181 2,350 1,523,469 9,805 Fund shares sold 1,250 3,345 50,170 -- Investments sold - short -- -- 14,467,684 -- Deposits with brokers for securities sold short -- -- 22,394,699 -- Unamortized organizational expense (Note 4) 7,820 8,871 19,752 17,704 Other assets 942 386 1,667 4,028 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Total assets 47,498,850 25,126,651 264,499,734 4,735,662 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued liabilities: Investment securities purchased 640,856 289,448 176,192,469 -- Investments sold short, at value (proceeds $4,808,795 and $14,467,684, respectively) -- -- 16,613,674 -- Short sales covered -- -- 834,214 -- Fund shares redeemed 20,091 -- 268,373 -- Distribution to shareholders (Note 8) 29,573 -- -- -- Other liabilities: Net variation margin on futures -- -- 412,710 -- Management fee (Note 3) 27,177 13,783 65,033 3,831 Organizational expense (Note 4) 12,334 11,223 26,222 17,944 Other 4,903 1,834 6,694 3,110 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Total liabilities 734,934 316,288 194,419,389 24,885 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- NET ASSETS $46,763,916 $24,810,363 $70,080,345 $4,710,777 =========== =========== =========== ========== NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Capital (par value and additional paid-in capital) $38,924,145 $19,281,350 $88,135,247 $4,144,864 Undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income (loss) 31,617 5,434 2,224,739 (3,480) Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions 2,208,135 1,154,829 (8,258,470) 84,618 Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currency 5,600,019 4,368,750 (12,021,171) 484,775 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO OUTSTANDING SHARES $46,763,916 $24,810,363 $70,080,345 $4,710,777 =========== =========== =========== ========== NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE Investor shares: NET ASSETS $46,710,103 $24,810,181 $68,511,110 $4,710,356 SHARES OUTSTANDING 2,965,947 3,234,177 10,225,666 420,969 ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- $15.75 $7.67 $6.70 $11.19 =========== =========== =========== ========== Institutional shares: NET ASSETS $53,813 $182 $1,569,235 $421 SHARES OUTSTANDING 3,418 24 235,277 38 =========== =========== =========== ========== $15.74 $7.67 $6.67 $11.16 =========== =========== =========== ========== See Notes to Financial Statements 3 4 Performance Summary The Lindner Growth Fund's total return for the 1997 fiscal year was 12.5% compared with a total return of 34.68% from the S&P 500 Index. Our performance, though disappointing on a relative basis, is not surprising, considering the very high price-earnings multiples in the market. As of June 30, the S&P 500 was selling at a ratio of 23.4 times earnings, with many of the very largest companies, which carry substantial weight in the S&P Index, at even higher multiples. We remain true to our value-based, low P/E approach to investing, analyzing opportunities for each company under consideration, buying when stocks seem cheap and selling when they become expensive. In this high-flying market, stocks that appear to offer good value are rare indeed. Over the long term, however, we believe that our conservative approach is appropriate. The continuing economic strength that politicians and executives at big companies are gushing about has two consequences that are good for the Lindner Growth Fund's portfolio. First, a strong economy should help the companies in the portfolio make money. Second, with unemployment at a 20-year low, it has become easier for labor unions to be aggressive in their demands. If a few costly labor settlements begin to refuel inflation, the Federal Reserve will surely react by raising interest rates, slowing further economic growth. In recent months, our position in gold stocks has retarded the Fund's performance; however, if inflation accelerates, they should be valuable as insurance. Even without inflation, mining and energy companies that are able to produce cheaply and sell at a good profit are positioned to increase earnings, and stock valuations should increase accordingly. /s/ Eric E. Ryback /s/ Larry Callahan /s/ Robert A. Lange Eric E. Ryback Larry Callahan Robert A. Lange President Portfolio Manager Portfolio Manager August 8, 1997 Lindner Growth Fund - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUND PROFILE This diversified fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investments in common stocks or securities convertible into common stocks. Income is a secondary objective. portfolio composition by industry June 30, 1997 [GRAPH] 4 5 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND - ------------------- COMMON STOCKS (86.35%) Aerospace/Defense (3.18%) Alliant Techsystems, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 865,000 $47,575,000 ----------------- Automobiles and Parts (0.27%) The Coast Distribution Company <Fa>,<F*> 501,000 $1,690,875 Jason, Inc. <F*> 415,000 2,386,250 ----------------- $4,077,125 ----------------- Business Services (2.84%) AlarmGuard Holdings (formerly Triton Group Ltd.) <Fa>,<F*> 369,430 $3,371,049 Autoinfo, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 461,000 1,123,688 Highwaymaster Communications, Inc. <F*> 923,040 14,076,360 Hunt Manufacturing Co. 109,100 2,045,625 Information Resources, Inc. <F*> 260,000 3,672,500 Rollins, Inc. 510,100 10,265,763 Scientific Software Intercomp, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 868,000 412,212 Superior Surgical Mfg. Company, Inc. <Fa> 493,000 5,792,750 Wave Technologies International, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 232,500 1,627,500 ----------------- $42,387,447 ----------------- Chemicals and Allied Products (2.10%) Ethyl Corporation 1,339,000 $12,385,750 Solvay & Cie S.A. <Ff> 32,200 18,988,595 ----------------- $31,374,345 ----------------- Computers and Electronic Equipment (1.15%) 7th Level, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 1,066,951 $2,800,746 Amdahl Corporation <F*> 200,000 1,750,000 Buffton Corporation <Fa>,<F*> 501,000 1,127,250 Eagle Point Software Corporation <Fa>,<F*> 250,000 1,140,625 Gradco Systems, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 706,000 3,618,250 Meridian Data, Inc. <F*> 376,200 1,645,875 Micronics Computers, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 1,309,900 4,011,569 Scitex Corporation Ltd. 130,600 1,150,912 ----------------- $17,245,227 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Construction and Real Estate (0.67%) Butler Manufacturing Company 240,000 $7,950,000 Mostostal Export Corporation - ADR 634,400 2,004,704 ----------------- $9,954,704 ----------------- Energy (9.06%) Apache Corporation 225,000 $7,312,500 Archer Resources Ltd. <Ff>,<F*> 823,100 3,878,325 Barrington Petroleum Ltd. <Ff>,<F*> 555,500 2,214,752 Bitech Petroleum Corporation - Rule 144A <Fa>,<Ff>,<F*> 2,000,000 3,986,952 Harken Energy Corporation <F*> 2,800,000 19,600,000 Huntway Partners, L.P. <F*> 1,198,468 1,797,702 ICO Inc. 54,000 280,125 Lasmo plc-ADR 900,000 11,925,000 Lukoil Oil Company - ADR <F*> 12,000 933,000 Maynard Oil Company <Fa>,<F*> 487,700 7,925,125 Norex Industries, Inc. <F*> 1,030,200 16,483,200 Phillips Petroleum Company 400,000 17,500,000 Rowan Companies, Inc. <F*> 119,000 3,354,312 Sasol Ltd. <Ff> 250,000 3,279,682 Tidewater, Inc. 73,400 3,229,600 Union Pacific Resources Group, Inc. 100,000 2,487,500 USX-Marathon Group 400,000 11,550,000 Weatherford Enterra, Inc. <F*> 459,216 17,679,816 ----------------- $135,417,591 ----------------- Environmental Services (0.54%) Dames & Moore, Inc. 143,900 $1,780,763 EMCON <Fa>,<F*> 465,400 1,803,425 Recycling Industries, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 1,000,000 1,937,500 Tanknology Environmental, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 1,416,100 2,566,680 ----------------- $8,088,368 ----------------- See Notes to Financial Statements 5 6 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND - ------------------- Financial Services (6.26%) Bancfirst Corporation 262,200 $8,783,700 Banco de Colombia S.A. - GDR - Rule 144A 250,000 1,546,875 Bangkok Bank Public Company Ltd. <Ff> 150,000 1,030,689 Banque Libanaise pour le Commerce SAL GDR - Rule 144A <F*> 200,000 4,150,000 CPB, Inc. 84,939 3,163,978 The Chase Manhattan Corporation 105,000 10,191,562 CORUS Bankshares, Inc. 664,958 18,785,063 International Bancshares Corporation <Fa> 488,340 25,515,765 John Nuveen and Company, Inc. 656,300 20,509,375 ----------------- $93,677,007 ----------------- Food and Beverage (3.43%) Bertucci's Inc. <F*> 124,600 $848,838 Buffets, Inc. <F*> 332,000 2,801,250 Danone Group <Ff> 15,000 2,480,880 Eskimo Pie Corporation <Fa> 245,000 2,970,625 Houlihan's Restaurant Group, Inc. <F*> 26,108 202,337 J & J Snack Foods Corporation <F*> 180,000 2,767,500 The Morningstar Group, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 915,000 26,878,125 Savannah Foods & Industries, Inc. 394,000 6,919,625 United Grain Growers Ltd. <Ff> 400,000 4,363,900 Zapata Corporation <F*> 212,300 1,048,231 ----------------- $51,281,311 ----------------- Healthcare (2.94%) Allied Healthcare Products, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 655,200 $4,258,800 Angeion Corporation <F*> 491,900 2,121,319 Cardiometrics, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 616,900 4,742,419 Cellpro, Inc. <F*> 447,500 2,685,000 Comprehensive Care Corporation - Rule 144A <Fa>,<F*> 250,000 3,031,250 Creative Biomolecules, Inc. <F*> 795,400 5,617,512 Cytogen Corporation <F*> 930,500 4,536,188 Endosonics Corporation <F*> 346,700 3,770,363 Fischer Imaging Corporation <F*> 92,700 556,200 Haemonetics Corporation <F*> 268,000 5,125,500 Physician Corporation of America <F*> 383,800 2,446,725 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Healthcare (continued) Rightchoice Managed Care, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 259,200 $3,515,400 Summit Medical Systems, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 564,800 1,553,200 ----------------- $43,959,876 ----------------- Industrial Products and Services (3.04%) Buderus AG <Ff> 5,000 $2,754,663 Durakon Industries, Inc. <F*> 73,600 699,200 Lufkin Industries 122,240 3,208,800 MFRI, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 341,000 3,239,500 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. <Ff> 400,000 3,072,621 Moore Products Company <F*> 61,500 1,345,312 Quixote Corporation <Fa> 704,500 5,636,000 Transtechnology Corporation <Fa> 300,000 6,825,000 Vitro, Sociedad Anonima - ADR <F*> 1,659,100 18,664,875 ----------------- $45,445,971 ----------------- Insurance (4.9%) Acceptance Insurance Companies, Inc. <F*> 450,000 $10,237,500 Central Reserve Life Corporation 200,000 1,325,000 John Alden Financial Corporation 320,100 6,702,094 Lawyers Title Corporation 230,000 4,341,250 Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company <Fa> 1,000,000 17,000,000 Old Republic International Corporation 828,750 25,121,484 PICO Holdings, Inc. <F*> 921,821 4,148,194 Sphere Drake Holdings Ltd. 500,000 4,281,250 ----------------- $73,156,772 ----------------- Investments (3.09%) Antofagasta Holdings P.L.C. <Ff> 950,000 $7,249,917 Dundee Bancorp, Inc. <Ff>,<F*> 300,400 6,968,322 Gateway Industries, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 325,900 661,968 Minorco - ADR 1,360,000 31,365,000 ----------------- $46,245,207 ----------------- Leisure/Entertainment (3.23%) American Classic Voyages Company <F*> 650,200 $6,989,650 Hasbro, Inc. 400,000 11,350,000 International Speedway Corporation, Class B 417,330 7,929,270 Jackpot Enterprises, Inc. 403,000 4,584,125 6 See Notes to Financial Statements 7 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND - ------------------- Leisure/Entertainment (continued) Maxis, Inc. <F*> 105,000 $1,260,000 Polaroid Corporation 100,000 5,550,000 Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. <F*> 55,000 508,750 Sotheby's Holdings, Inc. 467,600 7,890,750 Winnebago Industries, Inc. 303,500 2,181,406 ----------------- $48,243,951 ----------------- Metals Processing (0.27%) Asturiana De Zinc, S.A. <Ff>,<F*> 144,171 $3,058,499 Republic Engineered Steels, Inc. <F*> 800,000 1,050,000 ----------------- $4,108,499 ----------------- Mining (7.55%) Anvil Range Mining <Fa>,<Ff>,<F*> 1,222,000 $1,970,968 Ashanti Goldfields Company, Ltd. 232,910 2,722,136 AUR Resources, Inc. <Ff>,<F*> 600,000 2,696,629 Battle Mountain Gold 443,000 2,519,563 Bema Gold Corporation <Ff>,<F*> 1,422,100 8,607,854 Cambior, Inc. 600,000 6,787,500 Canyon Resources Corporation <Fa>,<F*> 2,382,400 5,807,100 Case Pomeroy & Company, Inc. 2,015 2,407,925 Case Pomeroy & Company, Inc., Class B 538 642,910 Dayton Mining Corporation <Fa>,<Ff>,<F*> 2,611,300 9,086,075 Energy Resources of Australia Ltd <Ff> 1,729,492 7,644,593 Getchell Gold Corporation <F*> 139,800 4,927,950 Goldcorp Inc., Class A <F*> 630,000 4,488,750 Homestake Mining Company 885,250 11,563,578 Kinross Gold Corporation <Ff>,<F*> 900,000 4,050,000 MK Gold Company <Fa>,<F*> 1,809,200 2,826,875 Meridian Gold, Inc. <F*> 2,000,000 8,750,000 Newmont Gold Company 199,800 7,979,513 The Pioneer Group, Inc. 200,000 4,600,000 Prime Resources Group, Inc. <Ff> 100,000 724,900 South American Gold and Copper Company Ltd. <Fa>,<Ff>,<F*> 950,000 447,626 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Mining (continued) TVX Gold, Inc. <Ff>,<F*> 800,000 $4,250,000 Uranium Resources, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 855,525 5,026,209 Vengold Inc. <Ff>,<F*> 1,753,200 2,414,701 ----------------- $112,943,355 ----------------- Paper, Printing and Publishing (1.22%) American Media, Inc., Class A <Fa>,<F*> 2,606,900 $18,248,300 ----------------- Real Estate Investment Trust (1.19%) Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust <Fa> 543,225 $9,574,341 Regency Realty Corporation 300,000 8,175,000 ----------------- $17,749,341 ----------------- Retail Trade (12.03%) Ames Department Stores, Inc. <F*> 171,000 $1,656,563 CML Group, Inc. <Fa> 2,821,300 5,113,606 CPI Corporation <Fa> 957,100 20,099,100 Charming Shoppes, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 8,325,200 43,446,721 Cole National Corporation, Class A <F*> 434,300 19,109,200 Dart Group Corporation, Class A 59,263 6,089,273 Egghead, Inc. <F*> 273,200 1,075,725 Fiberstars, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 336,100 1,638,488 The Good Guys, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 1,197,800 6,737,625 Handleman Company <Fa>,<F*> 3,216,200 20,503,275 InterTAN, Inc. <F*> 326,600 1,204,338 Juno Lighting, Inc. 380,000 6,175,000 Micro Warehouse, Inc. <F*> 686,000 11,747,750 Noodle Kidoodle, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 613,900 2,302,125 Primesource Corporation 294,000 2,241,750 Rose's Stores, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 848,036 1,139,506 Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 562,900 3,377,400 Stride Rite Corporation 494,800 6,370,550 Uni-Marts, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 587,100 2,935,500 United Retail Group, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 1,036,000 2,591,500 Zale Corporation <F*> 721,900 14,302,644 ----------------- $179,857,639 ----------------- See Notes to Financial Statements 7 8 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ LINDNER GROWTH FUND - ------------------- Software (2.45%) General Magic, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 1,626,400 $3,252,800 Novell, Inc. <F*> 4,654,500 32,290,594 Premenos Technology Corporation <F*> 121,000 1,028,500 ----------------- $36,571,894 ----------------- Telecommunications (2.49%) Comsat Corporation 730,000 $17,383,125 Metricom, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 1,346,000 8,580,750 Vertex Communications Corporation <Fa>,<F*> 420,000 11,235,000 ----------------- $37,198,875 ----------------- Transportation (5.44%) Anangel-American Shipholdings Ltd. <F*> 680,900 $6,638,775 International Shipholding Corporation 76,550 1,306,134 Kirby Corporation <F*> 400,000 7,300,000 London & Overseas Freighters Ltd - ADR <Fa> 405,500 5,702,344 MIF Ltd. - ADR - Rule 144A <F*> 306,000 4,597,921 MTL, Inc. <F*> 167,900 3,924,663 Oglebay Norton Company 96,372 4,276,508 OMI, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 2,425,000 23,189,063 Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. 781,300 15,333,013 Stolt-Nielsen S.A. - ADR 275,000 5,328,125 Wah Kwong Shipping Holdings Ltd. <Ff> 3,060,759 3,713,746 ----------------- $81,310,292 ----------------- Utilities (5.24%) Czech Power Company <Ff>,<F*> 177,007 $4,889,243 El Paso Electric Company <F*> 1,873,200 13,229,475 Huaneng Power International - ADR <F*> 202,700 5,168,850 Mosenergo GDR - Rule 144A <F*> 43,200 1,814,400 GDR Regulation S <F*> 10,000 420,000 Noram Energy Corporation 3,467,300 52,876,325 ----------------- $78,398,293 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Miscellaneous (1.77%) $26,489,159 ----------------- Total Common Stocks (Cost $967,362,522) $1,291,005,549 ----------------- PREFERRED STOCKS (1.10%) Business Services (0.27%) Interleaf, Inc., Series C, convertible - Rule 144A <F*> 502,452 $4,019,616 ----------------- Energy (0.05%) Westmoreland Coal Company, 8.50% convertible <Fa>,(#) 139,800 $733,950 ----------------- Healthcare (0.71%) Comprehensive Care Corp., 4%, convertible - Rule 144A 41,260 $3,789,731 Hyseq, Inc., Series A convertible - Rule 144A <F*> 312,500 6,781,250 ----------------- $10,570,981 ----------------- Industrial Products and Services (0.04%) Fedders Corporation $0.3812, convertible 94,000 $593,375 ----------------- Mining (0.03%) Ashanti Goldfields Company, Ltd. $0.648, Series A 204,517 $124,121 $0.648, Series B 204,517 112,259 $0.648, Series C 204,517 101,625 $0.648, Series D 204,517 91,992 $0.648, Series E 204,517 83,259 ----------------- $513,256 ----------------- Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $13,299,299) $16,431,178 ----------------- NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS (0.93%) Energy (0.25%) Huntway Partners L.P., 12%, due 2005 - Rule 144A $3,697,696 $3,697,696 ----------------- 8 See Notes to Financial Statements 9 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ LINDNER GROWTH FUND - -------------------- Financial Services (0.62%) Beal Financial Corporation, 12.75%, due 2000 $5,675,000 $6,086,438 WSFS Financial Corporation, 11%, due 2005 3,050,000 3,233,000 ----------------- $9,319,438 ----------------- Miscellaneous (0.06%) $854,320 ----------------- Total Non-Convertible Bonds (Cost $13,511,781) $13,871,454 ----------------- CONVERTIBLE BONDS (1.65%) Food and Beverage (1.08%) TPI Enterprises, Inc., 8.25%, due 2002 $18,427,000 $16,100,591 ----------------- Mining (0.18%) Anvil Range Mining Corporation, 8.5%, due 2002 <Ff> $2,000,000 $1,299,384 Dayton Mining Corporation, 7%, due 2002 - Rule 144A <Ff> 1,500,000 1,434,375 ----------------- $2,733,759 ----------------- Telecommunications (0.39%) Metricom, Inc., 8%, due 2003 $7,500,000 $5,850,000 ----------------- Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $27,045,579) $24,684,350 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- U.S. TREASURY BILLS (9.57%) Maturing 7-3-97 to 8-21-97 (Cost $143,143,205) $143,600,000 $143,124,239 ----------------- Total Investments (Cost $1,164,362,386) 99.60% $1,489,116,770 Excess of Other Assets over Liabilities 0.40% $5,959,621 ------------------ ----------------- Net Assets 100.00% $1,495,076,391 ================== ================= <FN> <F*> Non-income producing <Fa> Denotes security is affiliated (See Note 5) <Ff> Denotes security primarily traded in foreign markets (F#) Dividends in arrears. ADR American Depository Receipts GDR Global Depository Receipts See Notes to Financial Statements 9 10 Performance Summary The Dividend Fund finished the year with a total return of 8.75% compared with the S&P 500's total return of 34.68%. During the same time period, the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond declined slightly from 6.87% to 6.79%. However, the 30-year treasury bond traded in a range of 7.2% to 6.3%, a swing of almost 100 basis points. The portfolio's average yield for the year was 5.9%, which compares very favorably to the one-year treasury bill rate of 5.1%. The percentage of cash and cash equivalents fluctuated between 1.5% and 12% over the fiscal year; it currently stands at 5%. The amount of cash held depends upon available purchase ideas, sales and redemptions in the Fund. The largest asset category, common stocks, reached a high of 45% of the portfolio in December 1996 and was reduced to 35% by June 30, 1997. In order to increase yield, the Fund continues to reduce common stock holdings, replacing equities with higher-yielding preferred stock, convertible bonds and straight bonds. Besides providing more income, these securities traditionally offer greater insulation in a market downturn. In common stocks, the two largest industry categories continue to be energy, particularly natural gas, and utilities. A favorable supply/demand structure and ongoing consolidation within the utility industry are creating investment opportunities in certain undervalued utility stocks. Thank you for your continued interest in the Dividend Fund. We will make every effort to try to provide you with a steady source of income without incurring undue risk. /s/ Eric E. Ryback Eric E. Ryback President August 8, 1997 Lindner Dividend Fund - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUND PROFILE This fund's primary objective is to generate current income; capital appreciation is a secondary goal. Investments include common stocks, convertible and non-convertible preferred stocks and corporate bonds, and debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies. portfolio composition by investment category June 30, 1997 [GRAPH] 10 11 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND - --------------------- COMMON STOCKS (39.02%) Chemicals (2.77%) Engelhard Corporation 1,600,000 $33,500,000 Ethyl Corporation 2,700,000 24,975,000 ----------------- $58,475,000 ----------------- Energy (8.57%) Bitech Petroleum Corp. <Fa>,<Ff>,<F*> 2,660,895 $5,304,430 Enserch Exploration, Inc. <F*> 4,318,500 47,233,594 Equitable Resources, Inc. 900,000 25,537,500 Harken Energy Corporation <Fa>,<F*> 6,500,000 45,500,000 Seagull Energy Corporation <F*> 1,810,000 31,675,000 Teco Energy, Inc. 1,000,000 25,562,500 ----------------- $180,813,024 ----------------- Financial Services (1.41%) American Bank of Connecticut <Fa> 122,300 $4,395,155 Community Bank - Warrants, expiring June 27, 1999 <F*> 85,000 318,750 John Nuveen and Company, Inc. 764,300 23,884,376 TeleBanc Financial Corporation - Warrants, expiring May 1, 2004 <F*> 150,000 1,200,000 ----------------- $29,798,281 ----------------- Food (0.14%) Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 479,900 $2,879,400 ----------------- Industrial Products and Services (0.01%) Uniroyal Technology Corporation - Warrants, expiring June 1, 2003 <F*> 79,000 $177,750 ----------------- Investments (1.53%) Minorco, ADR 1,400,000 $32,287,500 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ Mining (2.08%) Atlas Corporation <F*> 157,715 $64,064 Cameco Corporation <Ff> 515,000 19,319,500 North Ltd. <Ff> 5,000,000 18,916,692 Rustenburg Platinum - ADR <F*> 316 5,783 Uranium Resources, Inc. Common stock <Fa>,<F*> 339,000 1,991,625 Common stock <Fa>,<F*>,<Fr> 500,000 2,937,500 Warrants, expiring May 31, 1998 - Rule 144A <F*> 625,000 625,000 ----------------- $43,860,164 ----------------- Real Estate Investment Trusts (0.19%) Commercial Assets, Inc. 281,200 $1,880,525 Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust 118,475 2,088,122 ----------------- $3,968,647 ----------------- Retail Trade (1.47%) Charming Shoppes, Inc. <F*> 347,300 $1,812,453 Handleman Company <Fa>,<F*> 2,899,300 18,483,038 Jostens, Inc. 397,500 10,633,125 ----------------- $30,928,616 ----------------- Software (1.12%) Novell, Inc. <F*> 3,400,000 $23,587,500 ----------------- Telecommunications (5.41%) AT&T Corporation 700,000 $24,543,750 Comsat Corporation 1,811,400 43,133,962 Heartland Wireless Communications, Inc., Warrants, expiring April 19, 2020 - Rule 144A <F*> 6,000 54,000 Koninkllijke PTT Nederland NV - Rule 144A <Ff> 540,000 21,221,865 Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. 660,000 25,038,750 ----------------- $113,992,327 ----------------- See Notes to Financial Statements 11 12 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND - --------------------- Telecommunications Equipment (0.34%) Metricom, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 1,120,500 $7,143,188 ----------------- Transportation (0.53%) Transportacion Maritima Mexicana - ADR 1,821,300 $11,269,293 ----------------- Utilities (Gas, Electric & Water) (10.81%) El Paso Electric Company <Fa>,<F*> 3,800,000 $26,837,500 Lenenergo - Rule 144A RDC <F*> 18 1,476,000 New York State Electric & Gas Corporation 500,000 10,437,500 NorAm Energy Corporation 2,454,500 37,431,125 Northeast Utilities 3,000,000 28,687,500 Ohio Edison Company 1,000,000 21,812,500 PacifiCorp 538,500 11,847,000 Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. 550,000 13,750,000 Rao Gazprom ADR - Rule 144A <F*> 577,500 9,925,781 ADR - Reg S <F*> 34,150 586,953 Texas Utilities Company 700,000 24,106,250 The Southern Company 900,000 19,687,500 Western Resources, Inc. 659,700 21,399,019 ----------------- $227,984,628 ----------------- Miscellaneous (2.64%) $55,705,698 ----------------- Total Common Stocks (Cost $772,059,103) $822,871,016 ----------------- PREFERRED STOCKS (27.15%) Broadcast/Media (1.58%) Cablevision Systems Corporation, 8.5% convertible 1,225,000 $33,228,125 ----------------- Computer and Electronic Equipment (3.32%) The Titan Corporation, $1.00 convertible 70,300 $874,356 Unisys Corporation, $3.75 convertible 1,780,100 69,201,387 ----------------- $70,075,743 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Computers and Electronic Equipment (0.69%) Vanstar Financing Trust, 6.75% convertible 366,000 $14,457,000 ----------------- Construction and Real Estate (0.70%) LSB Industries, Inc., $3.25 convertible 391,100 $14,812,912 ----------------- Energy (9.77%) ICO, Inc., $1.6875 convertible 442,500 $9,956,250 Lasmo PLC, Series A, 10% 492,600 12,776,812 Maxus Energy Corporation, 10% 200,000 5,262,500 McDermott International, Inc., $2.20 convertible 319,200 10,094,700 5.75% convertible - Rule 144A 662,500 31,800,000 Occidental Petroleum Corporation, $3.875 convertible - Rule 144A 600,000 35,100,000 Synder Oil Corporation, $1.50 convertible 729,000 18,407,250 Tejas Gas Corporation, $2.49 349,700 9,179,625 5.25% convertible 527,000 27,931,000 Western Gas Resources, Inc., $2.65 convertible 1,151,300 45,620,263 ----------------- $206,128,400 ----------------- Environmental Services (0.37%) Environmental Systems, Series A, $1.75 459,582 $7,812,894 ----------------- Financial Services (2.16%) ARM Financial Group, Inc., 9.5% 140,000 $3,710,000 Community Bank, Series B, 13% 196,500 5,452,875 Credit Lyonnais Capital S.C.A., 9.5% - Rule 144A 600,000 14,850,000 Riggs National Corporation, Series B, 10.75% 750,000 21,468,750 ----------------- $45,481,625 ----------------- Food (0.07%) Flagstar Companies, Inc., $2.25 convertible <F#> 1,658,100 $1,554,469 ----------------- Healthcare (0.32%) Hyseq, Inc., Series A convertible - Rule 144A <F*> 312,500 $6,781,250 ----------------- Leisure and Entertainment (0.90%) Time Warner Inc./Hasbro, Inc., $1.24 convertible 446,500 $18,976,250 ----------------- 12 See Notes to Financial Statements 13 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND - --------------------- Metals Processing (1.33%) Armco Inc., $3.625 convertible 312,400 $13,316,050 USX Corporation, 6.5% convertible 307,000 14,755,188 ----------------- $28,071,238 ----------------- Mining (2.60%) Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold, Inc., Series B, variable rate 12,100 $373,588 Series C, variable rate 751,700 22,175,150 Pittston Company, $3.125 convertible - Rule 144A 825,200 32,182,800 ----------------- $54,731,538 ----------------- Paper, Printing and Publishing (0.19%) Interleaf, Inc., Series C, convertible - Rule 144A <F*> 502,452 $4,019,616 ----------------- Real Estate Investment Trusts (1.47%) Novastar Financial, Inc., Class A convertible and stock purchase warrant - Rule 144A 666,667 $10,000,005 Prime Retail, Inc., $2.125 convertible 603,200 14,401,400 $2.625 preferred 260,000 6,500,000 ----------------- $30,901,405 ----------------- Transportation (0.71%) Sea Containers Ltd., $4.00 convertible 300,000 $15,075,000 ----------------- Utilities (Gas, Electric & Water) (0.97%) Central Maine Power Company, 4.75% 8,300 $419,150 5.25% 42,500 2,358,750 Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Series S, 9% 16,000 16,640,000 Texas-New Mexico Power Company, 4.65% 16,300 1,059,500 ----------------- $20,477,400 ----------------- Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $579,288,039) $572,584,865 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS (13.83%) Aerospace/Defense (0.53%) Alliant Techsystems, Inc., 11.375%, due 2003 $10,000,000 $11,112,500 ----------------- Apparel & Other Textile Products (0.77%) Hartmarx Corporation, 10.875%, due 2002 $15,555,000 $16,177,200 ----------------- Computer and Electronic Equipment (0.20%) Scientific Software-Intercomp, Inc., 7% Note, due 2001 with warrants attached - Rule 144A $5,000,000 $4,000,000 Streamlogic Corporation, 14%, due 1998 <F##> 832,976 166,595 ----------------- $4,166,595 ----------------- Construction and Real Estate (2.00%) Avatar Holdings, Inc., 9%, due 2000 $4,168,000 $3,959,600 Congoleum Corporation, 9%, due 2001 13,700,000 13,905,500 Four Seasons Hotel, Inc., 9.125%, due 2000 - Rule 144A 13,100,000 14,066,125 Kaufman & Broad Home Corporation, 9.375%, due 2003 10,000,000 10,300,000 ----------------- $42,231,225 ----------------- Energy (0.28%) Maxus Energy Corporation, 9.875%, due 2002 $3,000,000 $3,165,000 Wainoco Oil Corporation, 12%, due 2002 2,650,000 2,769,250 ----------------- $5,934,250 ----------------- Financial Services (2.62%) Beal Financial Corporation, 12.75%, due 2000 $27,500,000 $29,493,750 TeleBanc Financial Corporation, 11.5%, due 2004 5,500,000 5,445,000 WSFS Financial Corporation, 11%, due 2005 19,150,000 20,299,000 ----------------- $55,237,750 ----------------- See Notes to Financial Statements 13 14 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND - --------------------- Industrial Products and Services (1.30%) Fruehauf Trailer Corporation, 14.75%, due 2002 <F##> $23,962,000 $15,575,300 Rohr, Inc., Senior Notes 11.625%, due 2003 3,850,000 4,292,750 Uniroyal Technology Corporation, 11.75%, due 2003 7,900,000 7,623,500 ------------------ $73,082,225,165 ------------------ Leisure and Entertainment (0.12%) GB Property Funding Corp., 10.875%, due 2004 $2,680,000 $2,425,400 ------------------ Metals Processing (0.47%) Armco Inc., 9.2%, due 2000 $9,935,000 $9,959,838 ------------------ Mining (1.25%) Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, 9.875%, due 2002 $25,500,000 $26,328,750 ------------------ Paper, Printing and Publishing (1.12%) United States Banknote Corporation, 10.375%, due 2002 $18,100,000 $18,462,000 Valassis Communications, Inc., 9.375%, due 1999 5,000,000 5,165,385 ------------------ $23,627,385 ------------------ Retail (0.45%) General Host Corporation, 11.5%, due 2002 $5,712,000 $5,690,580 Michaels Stores, Inc., 10.875%, due 2006 3,500,000 3,780,000 ------------------ $9,470,580 ------------------ Telecommunications (0.02%) Heartland Wireless Communications, Inc., 13%, due 2002 $1,000,000 $367,500 ------------------ Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Transportation (1.33%) International Shipholding Corporation, 9%, due 2003 $2,000,000 $2,060,000 Transportacion Maritima Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., 9.25%, due 2003 26,100,000 26,034,750 ----------------- $28,094,750 ----------------- Utilities (Gas, Electric & Water) (1.23%) Gascart, 9%, due 1998 - Rule 144A $16,224,000 $16,102,320 Public Service Company of New Mexico, 10.3%, due 2014 3,360,000 3,582,600 Texas-New Mexico Power Company, 9.25%, due 2000 6,000,000 6,227,268 ----------------- $25,912,188 ----------------- Miscellaneous (0.14%) $2,992,500 ----------------- Total Non-Convertible Bonds (Cost $288,119,633) $291,529,961 ----------------- CONVERTIBLE BONDS (7.30%) Computer and Electronic Equipment (0.33%) Atari Corporation, 5.25%, due 2002 (JTS Corporation) $14,067,000 $6,857,662 ----------------- Energy (0.20%) Lone Star Technologies, Inc., 8% Eurobond, due 2002<Ff> $1,880,000 $2,049,200 Synder Oil Corporation, 7%, due 2001 2,000,000 2,070,198 ----------------- $4,119,398 ----------------- Industrial Products and Services (0.36%) CML Group, Inc., 5.5%, due 2003 <Ff> $2,500,000 $1,825,000 Fedders Corp., 8.5%, due 2012 5,912,520 5,853,395 ----------------- $7,678,395 ----------------- 14 See Notes to Financial Statements 15 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND - --------------------- Leisure and Entertainment (0.32%) Savoy Pictures Entertainment, Inc., 7%, due 2003 (HSN Inc.) $8,071,000 $6,830,084 ----------------- Mining (0.83%) Atlas Corporation, 9%, due 1998 - Rule 144A $3,500,000 $2,625,000 Pegasus Gold, Inc., 6.25%, due 2002 11,855,000 9,350,631 Uranium Resources, Inc., 6.5%, due 1998 - Rule 144A 4,500,000 5,625,000 ----------------- $17,600,631 ----------------- Real Estate Investment Trusts (0.37%) Alexander Haagen Properties, Inc., Series A, 7.5%, due 2001 $8,062,000 $7,820,140 ----------------- Retail Trade (1.65%) Charming Shoppes, 7.5%, due 2006 $28,025,000 $27,464,500 Michael Stores, Inc., 6.75%, due 2003 8,000,000 7,220,000 ----------------- $34,684,500 ----------------- Telecommunications (1.90%) International CableTel Inc., 7%, due 2008 - Rule 144A $30,000,000 $28,462,500 Metricom Inc., 8%, due 2003 15,000,000 11,700,000 ----------------- $40,162,500 ----------------- Telecommunications Equipment (0.53%) General Instrument Corporation, 5%, due 2000 $9,812,000 $11,247,005 ----------------- Transportation (0.17%) Offshore Logistics, Inc., 6%, due 2003 - Rule 144A $3,230,000 $3,472,250 ----------------- Miscellaneous (0.64%) $13,528,894 ----------------- Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $157,550,809) $154,001,459 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- U.S. TREASURY BILLS (7.39%) Maturing 7-3-97 to 8-28-97 (Cost $155,954,395) <Fd> $156,600,000 $155,931,862 ----------------- Total Investments (Cost $1,952,971,979) 98.91% $1,996,919,163 Cash Deposit with Broker for Securities Sold Short 0.13% $2,854,647 Receivable from Brokers for Securities Sold Short 0.23% $4,808,795 Securities Sold Short 0.26% ($5,576,563) Excess of Other Assets over Liabilities 0.99% $19,899,491 ------------------ ----------------- Net Assets 100.00% $2,018,905,533 ================== ================= SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT Prime Retail, Inc. 415,000 $5,576,563 ================= <FN> <F*> Non-income producing <Fa> Denotes security is affiliated (See Note 5) <Fd> $2,500,000 on deposit with custodian bank for securities sold short <Ff> Denotes security primarily traded in foreign markets <Fr> Denotes registered but restricted shares <F#> Dividends are in arrears. <F##> Denotes bond is in default ADR American Depository Receipts See Notes to Financial Statements 15 16 Performance Summary The Lindner Utility Fund finished the fiscal year with a total return of 14.29%. This compares to the total return of the Dow Jones, S&P and New York Stock Exchange utility indices of 8.40%, 5.56% and 16.38% respectively. The continued bull market has made for tough comparisons to most indices by active managers, especially those who subscribe to the value investing philosophy. We remain committed to this approach, which we consider to be the sanest and most prudent approach to building wealth through long-term investing, which we regard as much different from "playing the market." In this kind of market environment many investors have temporarily abandoned the utility sector in favor of "hot money" investments. Additionally, uncertainty prevailed as the electric and telecommunications industries continued the process of deregulation. A few years ago, when the gas industry underwent a similar evolution from monopolistic to competitive markets, we were able to profit handsomely by owning the companies that became the ultimate survivors or good companies that were bought out at large premiums as the industry consolidated. We feel confident that we are positioned correctly to be the beneficiaries of a similar change in the electric and telecommunications industries. We also have raised our exposure to the foreign sector from about 6% to nearly 20%, concentrating on emerging nations where the supply of heat, light, telephony and other basic necessities of life are far from being met and where the companies that supply these essentials will grow and profit for years to come. For all of these reasons, we feel proud of the performance of the Lindner Utility Fund this year. For the future, it seems likely that many conservative investors in search of safer havens will seek opportunities in undervalued areas such as the industries in which the Lindner Utility Fund is active. In summary, we believe that we have structured the portfolio with a favorable mix of investments to best take advantage of the changes and the accompanying opportunities that lie ahead. As ever, we are grateful for the support you have given us in the past year. /s/ Eric E. Ryback /s/ Rick Eckenrodt, Jr. Eric E. Ryback Rick Eckenrodt, Jr. President Portfolio Manager August 8, 1997 Lindner Utility Fund - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUND PROFILE This fund seeks current income through investments in securities of domestic and foreign public utility companies, with capital appreciation as a secondary goal. Utilities are broadly defined to include companies that provide basic services on a regular basis. portfolio composition by industry June 30, 1997 [GRAPH] 16 17 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER UTILITY FUND - -------------------- COMMON STOCKS (77.55%) Broadcast/Media (2.38%) Scandinavian Broadcasting System SA <F*> 50,000 $1,112,500 ----------------- Cable Television Equipment/Systems (2.16%) Tescorp, Inc. <F*> 288,300 $1,009,050 ----------------- Energy (17.95%) Bitech Petroleum Corporation, Common <F*>,<Ff> 256,800 $511,925 Warrants, expiring August 31, 1997 <F*>,<Ff> 4,000,000 0 Enserch Exploration, Inc. <F*> 142,300 1,556,406 Harken Energy Corporation <F*> 525,000 3,675,000 Seagull Energy Corporation <F*> 80,000 1,400,000 Synder Oil Corporation 51,000 937,125 Union Texas Petroleum Holdings, Inc. 15,000 314,062 ----------------- $8,394,518 ----------------- Industrial Products and Services (2.02%) Daily Petroleum Services Corporation <F*> 73,300 $494,775 Seversky Tube Works - ADR <F*> 15,000 450,000 ----------------- $944,775 ----------------- Mining (4.37%) Energy Resources of Australia Ltd. <Ff> 196,413 $868,173 Uranium Resources, Inc. <F*> 200,000 1,175,000 -------------- $2,043,173 -------------- Telecommunications (7.91%) 360 Degree Communications Company <F*> 80,000 $1,370,000 Comsat Corporation 50,000 1,190,625 Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. 30,000 1,138,125 -------------- $3,698,750 -------------- Utilities (Gas, Electric & Water) (36.07%) CMS Energy Corporation 45,000 $1,586,250 Duke Power Company 35,000 1,677,813 El Paso Electric Company <F*> 273,000 1,928,062 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Utilities (Gas, Electric & Water) (continued) Irkutskenergo - ADR 50,000 $862,500 Lenenergo - RDC - Rule 144A <F*> 10 820,000 Mosenegro - GDR - Rule 144A <F*> 13,000 546,000 Northeast Utilities 110,500 1,056,656 Ohio Edison Company 50,000 1,090,625 Pacific Enterprises, Inc. 25,000 840,625 Pacific Gas and Electric Company 50,000 1,212,500 Pacificorp 40,000 880,000 Rao Gazprom ADR - Rule 144A <F*> 40,000 687,500 Teco Energy, Inc. 50,000 1,278,125 Texas Utilities Company 25,000 860,937 Unified Energy Systems - Reg S ADR <F*> 15,650 567,313 Western Resources, Inc. 30,000 973,125 ----------------- $16,868,031 ----------------- Miscellaneous (4.69%) $2,194,900 ----------------- Total Common Stocks (Cost $31,667,118) $36,265,697 ----------------- PREFERRED STOCKS (15.10%) Cable Television Equipment/Systems (5.22%) Cablevision Systems Corporation, Series I, 8.50% convertible 90,000 $2,441,250 ----------------- Energy (7.79%) Lukoil Holdings - Preference ADR - Rule 144A <F*> 25,000 $640,625 Maxus Energy, 10% 15,000 394,688 Synder Oil Corporation, $1.50 convertible 30,000 757,500 Tejas Gas Corporation, 5.25% convertible 6,500 344,500 Western Gas Resources, Inc., $2.625 38,000 1,505,750 ----------------- $3,643,063 ----------------- See Notes to Financial Statements 17 18 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER UTILITY FUND - -------------------- Utilities (Gas, Electric & Water) (2.09%) Central Maine Power Company, 4.75% 11,096 $560,348 Central Maine Power Company, 5.25% 7,500 416,250 ----------------- $976,598 ----------------- Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $6,104,010) $7,060,911 ----------------- CONVERTIBLE BONDS (4.06%) Cable Television Equipment/Systems (4.06%) International CableTel, Inc., 7%, due 2008 - Rule 144A $2,000,000 $1,897,500 ----------------- Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $1,852,954) $1,897,500 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- U. S. TREASURY BILLS (0.21%) Maturing 7-24-97 (Cost $99,694) $100,000 $99,686 ----------------- Total Investments (Cost $39,723,776) 96.92% $45,323,794 Excess of Other Assets over Liabilities 3.08% $1,440,122 ------------------ ----------------- Net Assets 100.00% $46,763,916 ================== ================= <FN> <F*> Non-income producing <Ff> Denotes security primarily traded in foreign markets ADR American Depository Receipts GDR Global Depository Receipts RDC Russian Depository Receipts Reg S - Regulation S 18 See Notes to Financial Statements 19 Lindner/Ryback Small-Cap Fund - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUND PROFILE The investment objective of this fund is long-term capital appreciation through investments in common stocks or convertible securities of companies with market capitalization of $750 million or less. Income is a secondary objective. Performance Summary For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, the Lindner/Ryback Small Cap Fund's total return was 24.96%. This compares favorably with the Russell 2000 Index of Small Capitalization stocks' total return of 16.21% during the same period. For the first six months of calendar 1997, the Fund's return was 15.36%, versus 10.17% for the Russell 2000. Our performance continues to be supported by the overall bull market for stocks. Nevertheless, we are pleased that we have been able to exceed the Russell 2000 with our value-based orientation. Our returns for the past six months were broadly based. However, two stocks in particular added meaningfully to the results: Transitional Hospitals and Aviall. In the beginning of the year we purchased Transitional Hospitals for the portfolio. A few months later, the company received a takeover bid from Vencor at significantly higher prices. While the analysis of the company was correct, our timing was unusually lucky and we would not have predicted such a fortunate outcome so quickly. Aviall is an airline parts distribution company that is emerging from near bankruptcy a year ago. A successful turnaround is becoming more apparent and the company's free cash flow has exceeded expectations. We believe this is just the beginning of the story and expect to be long-term investors in the company. Despite favorable relative returns, the past six months were not without mistakes. By far the biggest thumb-sucking episode was our holding in Integon, a provider of auto insurance to high-risk drivers. Our first error was underestimating the magnitude of the deficiency in the company's loss reserves. Our second error was to allow the position to be as large as it was, given the nature of the business and management's spotty track record. Our final error (three are more than enough!) was selling the position too soon once we had identified the problems. It is inevitable that we will make mistakes in the future, we would hope to limit the compounding factor. In closing, we believe our free cash flow/asset value discipline will serve us well in both good and bad markets -- but certainly more appreciated during the latter. Thank you for your continued patience and support. /s/ Eric E. Ryback /s/ Donald Wang Eric E. Ryback Donald Wang President Portfolio Manager August 8, 1997 19 20 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND - ----------------------------- COMMON STOCKS (86.48%) Asset Management (1.35%) Lexington Global Asset Managers, Inc. <F*> 48,800 $335,500 ----------------- Banking (1.21%) Pennfed Financial Services, Inc. 11,000 $299,750 ----------------- Broadcasting (2.51%) Scandinavian Broadcasting System SA <F*> 28,000 $623,000 ----------------- Cabletelevision Equipment/Systems (3.96%) Tescorp, Inc. <F*> 280,400 $981,400 ----------------- Commercial Services (1.44%) Automobile Protection Corporation <F*> 15,000 $52,500 Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Company 10,000 303,750 ----------------- $356,250 ----------------- Distributors (13.13%) Aviall, Inc. <F*> 64,900 $908,600 Hawkins Chemical, Inc. 20,000 165,000 Rexel, Inc. <F*> 45,000 832,500 Richey Electronics, Inc. <F*> 54,000 452,250 Southern Electronics Corporation <F*> 70,000 901,250 ----------------- $3,259,600 ----------------- Electrical Generation (2.16%) NRG Generating (U.S.), Inc. <F*> 37,000 $536,500 ----------------- Electronic Equipment (2.29%) Optek Technology, Inc. <F*> 38,800 $567,450 ----------------- Energy (8.21%) Berry Petroleum Company, Class A 15,000 $285,000 Castle Energy Corporation <F*> 82,100 1,098,088 Plains Resources, Inc. <F*> 44,400 654,900 ----------------- $2,037,988 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Food and Beverage (2.92%) Corby Distillers Ltd., Class A <Ff> 20,000 $724,800 ----------------- Health and Beauty (1.95%) The Stephan Company 45,000 $483,750 ----------------- Industrial Products and Services (2.62%) MFRI, Inc. <F*> 68,500 $650,750 ----------------- Insurance (3.57%) Cotton States Life Insurance Company 40,000 $665,000 Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company 13,000 221,000 ----------------- $886,000 ----------------- Manufacturing (2.66%) Transtechnology Corporation 29,000 $659,750 ----------------- Metals Processing (1.87%) Material Sciences Corporation <F*> 30,000 $463,125 ----------------- Mining (1.18%) Uranium Resources, Inc. <F*> 50,000 $293,750 ----------------- Paper, Printing and Publishing (5.92%) American Media, Inc., Class A <F*> 92,000 $644,000 Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. 22,000 825,000 ----------------- $1,469,000 ----------------- Pipeline Services (2.30%) Kaneb Services, Inc. <F*> 155,000 $571,562 ----------------- Real Estate Investment Trusts (2.71%) Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. 25,000 $671,875 ----------------- 20 See Notes to Financial Statements 21 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND - ----------------------------- Real Estate Services (7.48%) Cardinal Realty Services, Inc. <F*> 28,000 $651,000 Fairfield Communities, Inc. <F*> 20,000 672,500 Resurgence Properties, Inc. <F*> 74,600 531,525 ----------------- $1,855,025 ----------------- Restaurants (3.32%) Host Marriott Services Corporation <F*> 70,000 $822,500 ----------------- Retail Trade (5.08%) Charming Shoppes, Inc. <F*> 25,000 $130,468 Fingerhut Companies, Inc. 40,000 697,500 Shopko Stores, Inc. 17,000 433,500 ----------------- $1,261,468 ----------------- Tobacco Products (4.06%) M & F Worldwide Corporation (formerly Power Control Technologies, Inc.) <F*> 115,000 $1,006,250 ----------------- Utilities (Gas, Electric & Water) (2.19%) El Paso Electric Company <F*> 77,000 $543,812 ----------------- Miscellaneous (0.39%) $96,000 ----------------- Total Common Stocks (Cost $17,088,015) $21,456,855 ----------------- Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- U.S. TREASURY BILLS (14.08%) U. S. Treasury Bills, maturing 7-3-97 to 7-24-97 (Cost $3,493,451) $3,500,000 $3,493,361 ----------------- Total Investments (Cost $20,581,466) 100.56% $24,950,216 Excess of Other Liabilities over Assets -0.56% $(139,853) ------------------ ----------------- Net Assets 100.00% $24,810,363 ================== ================= <FN> <F*> Non-income producing ADR American Depository Receipts See Notes to Financial Statements 21 22 Performance Summary The Lindner Bulwark Fund ended the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997, with a total return of (18.43%). There are several reasons for the Fund's disappointing performance during this period. * The Fund was positioned, through ownership of put options, to take advantage of a decline in the broad market indices, which did not occur. Infact, the total return from the S&P 500 Index was 34.68%. * Our short positions, with several exceptions, were buoyed by the strong market, hampering performance. * The price of gold declined sharply during the period, with the sell-off driven by a remarkable lack of inflation in the U.S. economy, the announcement of the sale of a significant part of the Australian Central Bank's holdings of gold, and fallout from the revelation that the Bre-X gold mine was a hoax. * Our long equity positions have been concentrated in smaller-capitalization value stocks and companies undergoing restructuring. This segment of the equity market has dramatically underperformed the broad market averages over the past year. It is fair to ask, as we have done frequently over the past year, whether the Fund's objective -- to manage investors' capital to preserve and grow it in the secular market decline that we regard as imminent -- is still relevant. We believe that the objective is still relevant; in fact, is more relevant than ever. However, the techniques that we have employed to achieve that objective have been too extreme for recent markets and have proven to be inconsistent with prudent risk control. We are therefore changing the techniques while remaining true to the objective. In practical terms, we are taking several significant actions: 1. Becoming more inclined to use cash as a means of downside protection. Our non-margin-related cash balance as we write this letter is approaching 25% of the Fund's net assets. 2. Increasing the number of individual short sales to lessen the negative impact that one or two large positions can have on the Fund's daily net asset value. 3. Monitoring our commitment to gold, in the form of gold call options, futures, and the common stocks of gold mining companies. While we continue to believe that gold-related securities hold considerable value following the dramatic price decline in the commodity over the last year, we acknowledge that in today's market there are viable alternatives to gold as a hedge against inflation or financial crises. These alternatives include shorting interest-sensitive equities or market indices. 4. Continually evaluating our use of index options, in recognition of their limited life and the total loss of investment in a rising market. We do not believe that this change in technique constitutes a "new" or "untested" strategy. We see it as entirely in line with the objective of the Fund and the way we have always managed capital. The point is not to conform to the market, but to recognize the reality of today's market and operate as prudently as possible within that reality. Leveraged instruments such as options and futures can enhance performance when used properly, but we must not rely on them to provide performance. We will continue to short individual securities and purchase undervalued securities, using the same analytical disciplines we have employed in the past, and leave the daily movements of the market averages to others. This emphasis on pure, fundamentals-driven stock picking will, we believe, allow us to begin to reverse the losses of the last 12 months. It will also allow for much easier analysis of the Fund's current positioning. The results of the past year can only be described as humbling. However, to stick with the same techniques rather than reappraising them would be to let pride stand in the way of reason. We have carefully evaluated the Fund and are in the process of overhauling its holdings. We remain committed first to recovering our losses of the past year and then to providing a consistent after-tax return going forward, with a clear eye on capital preservation. We would like to thank our shareholders for staying with us over the past year, and hope you will give us the opportunity to regain your trust and rebuild your capital. We are confident that these goals can be achieved. /s/ Eric E. Ryback /s/ Larry Callahan /s/ Bob Buettner Eric E. Ryback Larry Callahan Bob Buettner President Portfolio Manager Portfolio Manager August 8, 1997 Lindner Bulwark Fund - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUND PROFILE This non-diversified fund is designed to preserve capital in times of economic adversity, with current income as a secondary objective. Investments include undervalued securities and precious metals, which have historically maintained their value when fixed income and equity markets are generally declining. 22 23 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER BULWARK FUND - -------------------- COMMON STOCKS (42.54%) Computer and Electronic Equipment (5.00%) Buffton Corporation <Fa>,<F*> 473,000 $1,064,250 Gradco Systems, Inc. <F*> 331,000 1,696,375 Hand Technologies, Inc.--Rule 144A 528,000 330,000 Scientific Software Intercomp, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 862,000 409,364 ----------------- $3,499,989 ----------------- Energy (11.93%) Carbo Ceramics, Inc. <F*> 35,000 $953,750 Credo Petroleum Corporation <F*> 67,000 129,813 Harken Energy Corporation <F*> 50,000 350,000 Maynard Oil Company <F*> 126,100 2,049,125 Norex Industries, Inc. <F*> 200,200 3,203,200 Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. Non-voting common 34,100 554,125 Voting common 65,600 1,123,400 ----------------- $8,363,413 ----------------- Environmental Services (0.13%) Tanknology Environmental, Inc. <F*> 50,500 $91,531 ----------------- Investments (1.82%) Gateway Industries, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 234,300 $475,910 Royce Global Trust, Inc. <F*> 160,000 800,000 ----------------- $1,275,910 ----------------- Mining (15.71%) AZCO Mining, Inc. <F*> 104,000 $143,000 Acacia Resources Ltd. <F*>,<Ff> 238,069 310,339 Bema Gold Corporation <F*>,<Ff> 159,300 964,230 Canyon Resources Corporation <F*> 652,500 1,590,469 Dayton Mining Corporation <F*>,<Ff> 400,000 1,391,809 Getchell Gold Corporation (formerly FirstMiss Gold, Inc.) <F*> 24,700 870,675 MK Gold Company <F*> 959,600 1,499,375 Plutonic Resources Ltd. <Ff> 200,000 620,318 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Mining (continued) South American Gold and Copper Company, Ltd., Warrants, expiring July 15, 1998 - Rule 144A <F*>,<Ff> 1,132,950 $0 TVI Pacific, Inc. <Ff>,<F*> 200,000 49,293 Uranium Resources Inc. - Warrants, expiring May 31, 1998 - Rule 144A <F*> 375,000 375,000 Uranium Resources Inc. <F*> 275,000 1,615,625 Vengold, Inc. <F*>,<Ff> 1,149,000 1,582,530 ----------------- $11,012,663 ----------------- Retail Trade (5.01%) Egghead, Inc. <F*> 89,000 $350,437 The Good Guys, Inc. <F*> 108,100 608,062 Handleman Company 220,500 1,405,687 Rose's Stores, Inc. <Fa>,<F*> 855,005 1,148,870 ----------------- $3,513,056 ----------------- Telecommunications (1.82%) Metricom, Inc. <F*> 200,000 $1,275,000 ----------------- Miscellaneous (1.12%) $781,943 ----------------- Total Common Stocks (Cost $33,527,997) $29,813,505 ----------------- PREFERRED STOCKS (2.83%) Healthcare (1.94%) Hyseq, Inc., Series A convertible - Rule 144A <F*> 62,500 $1,356,250 ----------------- Mining (0.89%) Westmoreland Coal Company, 8.50% convertible <F#>,<Fa> 119,300 $626,325 ----------------- Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $2,284,391) $1,982,575 ----------------- See Notes to Financial Statements 23 24 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER BULWARK FUND - -------------------- NON-CONVERTIBLE BONDS (1.35%) Mining (1.35%) South American Gold and Copper Company, Ltd., 10%, due 1998 - Rule 144A <Ff> CAD $1,300,000 $942,370 ----------------- Total Non-Convertible Bonds (Cost $949,252) $942,370 ----------------- CONVERTIBLE BONDS (2.68%) Mining (2.68%) Uranium Resources Inc., 6.5% Senior Secured, due 1998 - Rule 144A $1,500,000 $1,875,000 ----------------- Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $1,949,718) $1,875,000 ----------------- CALL OPTIONS (0.80%) Contracts ------------------ Gold (0.36%) August 1997 $410 350,000 $70,000 November 1997 $360 50,000 90,000 July 1998 $450 200,000 90,000 ----------------- $250,000 ----------------- Newmont Mining Corporation (0.44%) September 1997 $37.50 1,000 $312,500 ----------------- Total Call Options (Cost $2,972,500) $562,500 ----------------- PUT OPTIONS (2.95%) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company July 1997 $65 1,000 $0 Encad, Inc. July 1997 $40 285 40,969 In Focus Systems, Inc. October 1997 $30 85 51,000 S & P 100 Index Put Options July 1997 $750 1,750 76,562 July 1997 $805 400 105,000 July 1997 $820 650 284,375 July 1997 $825 100 52,500 July 1997 $840 600 510,000 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Put Options (continued) Contracts ------------------ Xpedite Systems, Inc. February 1998 $18 922 $257,662 June 1998 $20 822 412,866 Zoltek Companies, Inc. June 1997 $40 505 157,813 August 1997 $40 280 119,000 ----------------- Total Put Options (Cost $4,475,100) $2,067,747 ----------------- U. S. TREASURY BILLS (20.20%) 7-10-97 to 7-24-97 (Cost $14,158,250) $14,200,000 $14,157,369 ----------------- Total Investments (Cost $60,317,208) 73.35% $51,401,066 Cash Deposits with Broker for Securities Sold Short 31.96% $22,394,699 Liability for 50 NASDQ futures contracts face amount $4,785,375 expiring September 1997 -0.06% $(47,125) Receivable for 100 Gold futures contracts face amount $3,440,198 expiring August 1997 0.12% $87,198 Liability for 250 Gold futures contracts face amount $8,895,282 expiring October 1997 -0.65% $(452,783) Receivable from Brokers for Securities Sold Short 20.64% $14,467,684 Securities Sold Short -23.71% ($16,613,674) Excess of Other Liabilities over Assets -1.65% ($1,156,720) ------------------ ----------------- Net Assets 100.00% $70,080,345 ================== ================= <FN> <F*> Non-income producing <F#> Dividend in arrears <Fa> Denotes security is affiliated (See Note 5) <Fd> $8,300,000 on deposit with custodian bank for securities sold short <Ff> Denotes security primarily traded in foreign markets 24 See Notes to Financial Statements 25 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LINDNER BULWARK FUND - -------------------- SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT Action Performance Companies, Inc. 20,800 $504,400 BE Aerospace, Inc. 2,000 63,250 BMC Industries, Inc. 30,000 1,027,500 Boston Chicken, Inc. 6,000 84,000 Chart Industries, Inc. 40,600 1,111,425 Dave & Buster's, Inc. 3,000 80,250 Delta & Pine Land Company 31,332 1,116,202 Eltron International, Inc. 16,600 493,850 In Focus Systems, Inc. 48,700 1,247,937 Just for Feet, Inc. 14,250 248,484 Linens 'n Things, Inc. 24,100 713,963 Miller Industries, Inc. 55,500 888,000 Number of Shares - Principal Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Orbital Sciences Corporation 5,000 $79,375 Quintiles Transnational Corporation 12,300 856,387 Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company 10,200 265,200 Reptron Electronics, Inc. 44,300 1,063,200 Rykoff-Sexton, Inc. 29,900 697,044 Seattle Filmworks, Inc. 47,000 564,000 Splash Technologies, Inc. 40,500 1,463,063 Sylvan Learning Systems 39,100 1,329,400 Todhunter International, Inc. 47,100 341,475 Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. 40,850 505,519 Volt Information Sciences, Inc. 9,000 454,500 Zoltek Companies, Inc. 37,000 1,415,250 ----------------- $16,613,674 ================= See Notes to Financial Statements 25 26 Performance Summary For the year ended June 30, the total return for the International Fund was 14.76% compared with the Morgan Stanley EAFE ("Europe-Australasia-Far East") Index return of 12.8%. Over the last 12 months the net assets of the Fund have grown from $1.2 million to $4.7 million, as strong performance has both increased the value of existing holdings and attracted new investors. The number of issues has been expanded to 60 from 41 holdings in 27 different countries in order to achieve an appropriate degree of diversification. In selecting holdings, we look first for companies with market prices below appraised value; industry participation and geography are secondary considerations. Much of the Fund's favorable performance resulted from our concentration in companies in Russia, the country with the heaviest weighting. The leaders of this formerly government-controlled economy have demonstrated considerable competence in moving toward a market economy, and the results are beginning to be evident in the performance of Russian companies. Here and in other expanding economies, many of our holdings are in energy and utility companies, which have excellent growth prospects as these nations build infrastructure. Our second largest geographic concentration is in Canada, where, as in Russia, we see value in natural resource companies such as minerals and energy. Appreciation in the Fund's investments was broadly based with the exception of Thailand and Malaysia, where markets were generally weak, and gold stocks. As long as favorable trends in interest rates persist, we will remain cautiously optimistic that international investors can continue to benefit from economic growth in most parts of the world. /s/ Eric E. Ryback /s/ Robert A. Lange Eric E. Ryback Robert A. Lange President Portfolio Manager August 8, 1997 Lindner International Fund - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FUND PROFILE This fund seeks capital appreciation through investments in common stocks or convertible securities of companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States. Income is a secondary objective. portfolio composition by country June 30, 1997 [GRAPH] 26 27 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Country Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Origin of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------- --------- -------------- ------------- LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND - -------------------------- COMMON STOCKS (93.06%) Chemicals and Allied Products (3.95%) Energia E Industrias Aragonesas Spain 11,000 $79,282 Vinythai Public Company Limited <F*> Thailand 790,000 106,736 ------------- $186,018 ------------- Communications (3.26%) ECI Telecom Ltd. Israel 2,600 $77,350 Vimpel-Communications ADR <F*> Russia 2,000 76,000 ------------- $153,350 ------------- Computers and Electronic Equipment (1.78%) Southern Electronics Corporation<F*> United States 6,500 $83,687 ------------- Construction and Real Estate (9.56%) Asas Dunia Berhad Malaysia 23,000 $74,267 Blagovno Trgovinski Center - GDR - Rule 144A <F*> Slovenia 12,500 123,125 Mostostal Export Corporation - ADR Poland 25,000 79,000 Pernas International Holdings Berhad Malaysia 90,000 74,881 Tipco Asphalt Public Company Ltd. Thailand 19,000 99,016 ------------- $450,289 ------------- Diversified Industrial (1.63%) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Japan 5,000 $38,408 Westmont Industries Berhad Malaysia 40,000 38,352 ------------- $76,760 ------------- Number of Shares - Principal Country Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Origin of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------- --------- -------------- ------------- Energy (8.49%) Bitech Petroleum Corporation Common <F*> Canada 59,068 $117,751 Warrants, expiring 8/31/97 <F*> Canada 400,000 0 Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd. Canada 3,500 78,750 Lukoil Oil Company - ADR <F*> Russia 200 15,550 MOL Magyar Olajes - Gazipari Rt. Hungary 3,000 66,522 Rao Gazprom - ADR - Rule 144A <F*> Russia 2,500 42,969 Sasol Ltd. - ADR South Africa 6,000 78,000 ------------- $399,542 ------------- Financial Services (10.57%) Banque Libanaise pour le Commerce SAL - GDR - Rule 144A <F*> Lebanon 3,985 $82,689 Banque Morocaine du Commerce Exterieur - GDR <F*> Morocco 4,700 90,475 Calalana Occidente SA <F*> Spain 1,333 66,528 Cie Financiere de Paribas France 800 55,324 Misr International Bank (S.A.E.) - GDR - Rule 144A <F*> Egypt 5,700 96,615 Sphere Drake Holdings, Ltd. Bermuda 2,000 17,125 Vilniaus Bankas AB GDR - Reg S Lithuania 1,500 89,250 ------------- $498,006 ------------- See Notes to Financial Statements 27 28 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Country Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Origin of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------- --------- -------------- ------------- LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND - -------------------------- Food and Beverage (1.76%) Danone Group France 200 $33,078 Foster's Brewing Group, Ltd. Australia 8,000 14,744 Kirin Beverage Corporation Japan 2,000 34,956 ------------- $82,778 ------------- Industrial Products and Services (14.56%) Asia Cement Company - GDR Taiwan 1,280 $20,259 Bridgestone Corporation Japan 1,000 23,246 Buderus AG Germany 100 55,093 Construcciones y Aux de Ferr Spain 1,900 85,911 FAG Kugelfischer Gerog Schafer AG Germany 3,800 70,766 IWKA AG Germany 125 36,370 Radiotronica, S.A. <F*> Spain 6,700 128,925 Vitro, Sociedad Anonima <F*> Mexico 12,300 138,375 Willbros Group, Inc. <F*> Panama 8,000 127,000 ------------- $685,945 ------------- Leisure & Entertainment (3.78%) Art Vivant Co., Ltd Japan 3,000 $97,002 Grupo Anaya SA Spain 3,100 60,706 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Japan 1,000 20,187 ------------- $177,895 ------------- Metals Processing (1.52%) Zindart Limited - ADR <F*> Hong Kong 7,000 $71,750 ------------- Mining (10.30%) AUR Resources, Inc. <F*> Canada 11,000 $49,438 Ashanti Goldfields Company Ltd. Australia 1,200 13,710 Gold Reserve Corporation <F*> Canada 7,400 59,007 IAMGOLD International African Mining Gold Corporation <F*> Canada 24,000 93,947 Inmet Mining Corporation <F*> Canada 15,000 82,639 Number of Shares - Principal Country Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Origin of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------- --------- -------------- ------------- Mining (continued) Meridian Gold, Inc. <F*> Canada 10,000 $43,750 North Ltd. Australia 25,000 94,583 Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company Ltd. South Africa 10,000 48,125 ------------- $485,199 ------------- Retail Trade (1.67%) Shisagae Department Store South Korea 2,000 $78,829 ------------- Transportation (4.52%) Guangshen Railway Company Ltd. China 260,000 $114,106 Transportacion Maritima Mexicana - ADR Mexico 16,000 99,000 ------------- $213,106 ------------- Utilities (Gas, Electric & Water) (12.72%) Canadian 88 Energy Corporation <F*> Canada 14,000 $56,832 Hidroelectrica del Cantabrico, S.A. Spain 1,800 73,190 Huaneng Power International, Inc. - ADR <F*> China 3,500 89,250 Irkutskenergo - ADR Russia 6,500 112,125 Korea Electric Power Company ADR South Korea 4,000 74,750 Mosenergo - GDR - Rule 144A <F*> Russia 1,900 79,800 Unified Energy Systems - Reg S ADR <F*> Russia 3,130 113,462 ------------- $599,409 ------------- Miscellaneous (2.99%) $140,887 ------------- Total Common Stocks (Cost $3,899,501) $4,383,450 ------------- 28 See Notes to Financial Statements 29 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 1997 Number of Shares - Principal Country Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Origin of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------- --------- -------------- ------------- LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND - -------------------------- PREFERRED STOCKS (0.06%) Mining (0.06%) Ashanti Goldfields Company Ltd., $.648 Ghana 1,200 $3,000 ------------- Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $0) $3,000 ------------- CONVERTIBLE BONDS (0.34%) Mining (0.34%) Anvil Range Mining Corporation, 8.5%, due 2002 Canada $25,000 $16,242 ------------- Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $18,343) $16,242 ------------- Number of Shares - Principal Country Amount Name of Issuer and Title of Issue of Origin of Bonds Value - ---------------------------------- --------- -------------- ------------- U.S. TREASURY BILLS (4.24%) U.S. Treasury Bills, maturing 07-03-97 to 07-10-97 ($199,870) $200,000 $199,855 ------------- Total Investments (Cost $4,117,714) 97.70% $4,602,547 Excess of Other Assets over Liabilities 2.30% $108,230 ------------ ------------- Net Assets 100.00% $4,710,777 ============ ============= <FN> <F*> Non-income producing ADR American Depository Receipts GDR Global Depository Receipts Reg S - Regulation S See Notes to Financial Statements 29 30 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 LINDNER DIVIDEND LINDNER GROWTH FUND FUND ---------------------- -------------------- INVESTMENT INCOME Income: Dividends Unaffiliated issuers (net of withholding taxes of $178,869, $514,392, $374, $499, $2,144 and $3,866 respectively) $11,656,803 $78,359,578 Affiliated issuers (Non-controlled) (net of withholding taxes of $21,839 for Lindner Growth Fund) 2,823,480 727,891 Amortization 5,479,798 10,893,029 Interest 6,034,277 50,474,268 ---------------------- -------------------- Total income 25,994,358 140,454,766 ---------------------- -------------------- Expenses: Management fees (Note 3) 4,861,169 11,332,992 Registration and regulatory fees 48,327 70,938 Dividend expense - short sales -- 221,958 Professional fees 90,119 128,353 Custodian fees 271,022 207,014 Transfer agent fees (Note 3) 510,352 746,243 Organizational expense (Note 4) -- -- Other expenses 475,229 698,101 12b-1 fees - Institutional shares 66 2,158 Expenses reimbursed by advisor -- -- ---------------------- -------------------- Total expenses 6,256,284 13,407,757 Fees paid indirectly (Note 6) (53,816) (81,076) ---------------------- -------------------- Net expenses 6,202,468 13,326,681 ---------------------- -------------------- Net investment income/(loss) 19,791,890 127,128,085 ---------------------- -------------------- REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS: Net realized gain on investments of unaffiliated issuers 127,716,487 140,955,046 Net realized gain on investments of affiliated issuers (Non-controlled) 36,649,095 86,089 Net realized gain (loss) on securities sold short -- 1,416,968 Net realized loss on option transactions -- -- Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions (15,282) (1,153) ---------------------- -------------------- Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions 164,350,300 142,456,950 ---------------------- -------------------- Change in unrealized appreciation on investments (10,308,143) (87,193,197) Net unrealized depreciation on securities sold short -- (767,768) Net unrealized depreciation on options -- -- Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (887) (533) ---------------------- -------------------- Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (10,309,030) (87,961,498) ---------------------- -------------------- NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $173,833,160 $181,623,537 ====================== ==================== 30 See Notes to Financial Statements 31 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 LINDNER/RYBACK LINDNER LINDNER UTILITY FUND SMALL-CAP FUND LINDNER BULWARK FUND INTERNATIONAL FUND -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------ INVESTMENT INCOME Income: Dividends Unaffiliated issuers (net of withholding taxes of $178,869, $514,392, $374, $499, $2,144 and $3,866 respectively) $1,175,226 $ 120,402 $ 1,541,305 $ 34,383 Affiliated issuers (Non-controlled) (net of withholding taxes of $21,839 for Lindner Growth Fund) -- -- -- -- Amortization 77,954 103,405 719,475 11,339 Interest 177,025 -- 1,734,114 1,873 ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- Total income 1,430,205 223,807 3,994,894 47,595 ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- Expenses: Management fees (Note 3) 271,898 110,953 805,475 25,886 Registration and regulatory fees 17,235 13,042 17,922 9,897 Dividend expense - short sales -- -- 34,775 -- Professional fees 2,945 1,013 8,909 314 Custodian fees 4,168 1,372 7,509 6,182 Transfer agent fees (Note 3) 22,580 8,287 26,395 2,819 Organizational expense (Note 4) 6,566 5,917 12,742 7,278 Other expenses 19,470 11,051 23,998 2,661 12b-1 fees - Institutional shares 117 -- 3,276 -- Expenses reimbursed by advisor -- -- -- (3,860) ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- Total expenses 344,979 151,635 941,001 51,177 Fees paid indirectly (Note 6) (1,456) (661) (2,325) (57) ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- Net expenses 343,523 150,974 938,676 51,120 ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- Net investment income/(loss) 1,086,682 72,833 3,056,218 (3,525) ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS: Net realized gain on investments of unaffiliated issuers 2,371,490 1,324,888 16,142,828 84,935 Net realized gain on investments of affiliated issuers (Non-controlled) -- -- -- -- Net realized gain (loss) on securities sold short -- -- (69,478) -- Net realized loss on option transactions -- -- (16,438,092) -- Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions (419) -- (1,353) (278) ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions 2,371,071 1,324,888 (366,095) 84,657 ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- Change in unrealized appreciation on investments 1,512,780 2,624,124 (13,393,035) 391,636 Net unrealized depreciation on securities sold short -- -- (2,692,124) -- Net unrealized depreciation on options -- -- (4,817,353) -- Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies 1 -- (194) (59) ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies 1,512,781 2,624,124 (20,902,706) 391,577 ---------- ---------- ------------ -------- NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $4,970,534 $4,021,845 $(18,212,583) $472,709 ========== ========== ============ ======== See Notes to Financial Statements 31 32 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 LINDNER GROWTH FUND LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1997 1996 1997 1996 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS: OPERATIONS: Net investment income (loss) $19,791,890 $21,998,188 $127,128,085 $139,276,377 Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions 164,350,300 193,157,135 142,456,950 69,705,849 Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (10,309,030) 66,478,515 (87,961,498) 103,169,388 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets $173,833,160 $281,633,838 $181,623,537 $312,151,614 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: From net investment income: Investors shares ($20,932,704) ($27,562,263) ($131,109,911) ($138,030,345) Institutional shares (235) -- (64,347) -- From net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions: Investors shares (166,339,554) (78,994,844) (62,624,754) 17,445,338 Institutional shares (1,972) -- (10,487) -- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Net decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders ($187,274,465) ($106,557,107) ($193,809,499) ($155,475,683) ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 7:) Investors shares $62,327,472 ($175,166,676) ($263,821,666) $233,337,062 Institutional shares 95,895 -- 1,979,699 -- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Fund Share Transactions 62,423,367 (175,166,676) (261,841,967) 233,337,062 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS $48,982,062 ($89,945) ($274,027,929) $390,012,993 Net Assets at the Beginning of the Period $1,446,094,329 $1,446,184,274 $2,292,933,462 $1,902,920,469 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Net Assets at the End of the Period $1,495,076,391 $1,446,094,329 $2,018,905,533 $2,292,933,462 ================ ================ ================ ================ Undistributed Net Investment Income (Loss) Included in Net Assets at the End of the Period $9,710,325 $10,851,374 ($1,805,630) $2,240,544 ================ ================ ================ ================ 32 See Notes to Financial Statements 33 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 LINDNER/RYBACK LINDNER UTILITY FUND SMALL-CAP FUND ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1997 1996 1997 1996 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS: OPERATIONS: Net investment income (loss) $1,086,682 $674,643 $72,833 ($3,065) Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions 2,371,071 3,104,248 1,324,888 (206,452) Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies 1,512,781 3,009,888 2,624,124 1,871,886 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets $4,970,534 $6,788,779 $4,021,845 $1,662,369 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: From net investment income: Investors shares ($1,156,654) (631,299) (26,731) -- Institutional shares (2,247) -- -- -- From net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions: Investors shares (36,612) -- -- ($981,949) Institutional shares (246) -- -- -- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Net decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders ($1,195,759) ($631,299) ($26,731) ($981,949) ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 7:) Investors shares $10,645,924 $8,559,763 $10,705,810 $1,561,514 Institutional shares 44,337 -- 150 -- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Fund Share Transactions 10,690,261 8,559,763 10,705,960 1,561,514 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS $14,465,036 $14,717,243 $14,701,074 $2,241,934 Net Assets at the Beginning of the Period $32,298,880 $17,581,637 $10,109,289 $7,867,355 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Net Assets at the End of the Period $46,763,916 $32,298,880 $24,810,363 $10,109,289 ================ ================ ================ ================ Undistributed Net Investment Income (Loss) Included in Net Assets at the End of the Period $31,617 $103,836 $5,434 ($40,668) ================ ================ ================ ================ LINDNER BULWARK FUND LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 1997 1996 1997 1996 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS: OPERATIONS: Net investment income (loss) $3,056,218 $1,085,530 ($3,525) $334 Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions (366,095) (2,627,863) 84,657 27,092 Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (20,902,706) 6,273,469 391,577 93,217 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets ($18,212,583) $4,731,136 $472,709 $120,643 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: From net investment income: Investors shares ($1,311,535) ($1,664,244) ($281) ($2,124) Institutional shares (28,351) -- -- -- From net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions: Investors shares -- -- (27,129) (11) Institutional shares -- -- (2) -- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- Net decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders ($1,339,886) ($1,664,244) ($27,412) ($2,135) ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 7:) Investors shares $25,436,861 ($5,859,516) $3,063,117 $788,346 Institutional shares 1,938,107 -- 383 -- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Fund Share Transactions 27,374,968 (5,859,516) 3,063,500 788,346 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS $7,822,499 ($2,792,624) $3,508,797 $906,854 Net Assets at the Beginning of the Period $62,257,846 $65,050,470 $1,201,980 $295,126 ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- Net Assets at the End of the Period $70,080,345 $62,257,846 $4,710,777 $1,201,980 ================ ================ ================ =============== Undistributed Net Investment Income (Loss) Included in Net Assets at the End of the Period $2,224,739 $508,405 ($3,480) $327 ================ ================ ================ =============== See Notes to Financial Statements 33 34 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Lindner Investments, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Funds"), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. Six series of shares are currently issued: (1) Lindner Growth Fund, (2) Lindner Dividend Fund, (3) Lindner Utility Fund, (4) Lindner/Ryback Small-Cap Fund, (5) Lindner Bulwark Fund, and (6) Lindner International Fund. The Funds offer both Investor and Institutional classes of shares. Investor shares are sold without a 12b-1 fee. Institutional shares are sold with a 12b-1 fee. Institutional shares sold have their own distribution/administrative service plan and certain expenses are directly allocated to that class. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds. Security Valuation Investments in securities traded on a national securities exchange or in the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the last reported sales price as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange; securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sale was reported on the day are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices. The value of foreign securities is converted into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the valuation date. When market quotes are not readily available, such securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. Foreign Currency Translation The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars as follows: (1) the foreign currency market value of investment securities is translated at the current exchange rates; and (2) purchases, sales, income, and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Reported net realized foreign currency gains or losses arise from currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds' books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign currency gains or losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities, resulting from changes in the exchange rate. Income Taxes It is the Funds' policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Short Sales The Lindner Bulwark series may invest in short sales of securities in order to profit from declines in stock prices. When a Fund engages in a short sale, an amount equal to the proceeds received by the Fund is reflected as an asset and equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the market value of the short sale. The Fund maintains a segregated account of securities and cash as collateral for the short sales. The Fund is exposed to market risk based on the amount, if any, that the market value of the stock exceeds the proceeds received. Other Funds may engage in short sales of securities if they own or have the right to acquire, without the payment of further consideration, an approximately equal amount of such securities ("short sales against the box"). 34 35 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued) Use of Management Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires that management make certain 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. The reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period may also be affected by the estimates and assumptions management is required to make. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Allocation of Income, Expenses and Gains and Losses The Funds allocate income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and gains and losses daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of shares represented by each class. Operating expenses directly attributable to a specific class are charged against the operation of that class. Other The Funds follow industry practice and record security transactions on the trade date. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Dividend and interest income is recorded net of foreign taxes where recovery of such taxes is not assured. Premiums and discounts, if any, on securities purchases are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. 2. Investment Transactions For the year ended June 30, 1997, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities, other than options, securities sold short, and short-term obligations were as follows: - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Purchases Sales --------- ----- LINDNER GROWTH FUND $502,927,871 $ 657,901,274 LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND 834,794,524 1,350,983,238 LINDNER UTILITY FUND 42,054,719 32,075,758 LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND 15,824,476 6,806,212 LINDNER BULWARK FUND 235,030,034 237,219,712 LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND 3,719,988 633,207 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For the year ended June 30, 1997, aggregate purchases and sales of U.S. Government securities were as follows: - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Purchases Sales --------- ----- LINDNER GROWTH FUND $1,123,138,935 $1,099,159,113 LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND 1,216,759,221 1,145,513,743 LINDNER UTILITY FUND 35,768,196 36,541,377 LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND 35,087,946 32,893,940 LINDNER BULWARK FUND 275,449,504 282,682,104 LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND 6,284,801 6,196,113 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35 36 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Investment Transactions (continued) For the year ended June 30, 1997, aggregate purchases and sales of options in the Lindner Bulwark Fund were $53,323,588 and $32,745,197, respectively. For the year ended June 30, 1997, the cost of investments purchased to cover short sales and the proceeds from investments sold short were as follows: - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Short Sales Covers ----------- ------ LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND $ 5,531,873 $ 1,348,675 LINDNER BULWARK FUND 49,807,330 48,421,320 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ On June 30, 1997, the composition of unrealized appreciation and (depreciation) of investment securities based on the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was as follows: - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appreciation (Depreciation) Net Federal Tax Cost ------------ -------------- ------------ ---------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND $423,054,986 $ (98,300,604) $324,754,382 $ 1,952,971,979 LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND 176,395,659 (132,588,086) 43,807,573 1,947,535,027 LINDNER UTILITY FUND 7,181,419 (1,581,401) 5,600,018 39,723,776 LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND 4,591,080 (222,331) 4,368,750 20,581,466 LINDNER BULWARK FUND 2,121,067 (14,141,172) (12,020,102) 47,064,494 LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND 740,152 (255,319) 484,833 4,117,714 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates The management fee for Lindner Growth Fund series is payable to Ryback Management (the "Adviser") (before reimbursement of expenses to the Funds, if any) at the annual rate of .7% of average net assets up to $50 million, .6% of the next $350 million and .5% of the excess over $400 million. Depending on Lindner Growth Fund's performance compared to the S&P 500 Composite Index, the fee may be increased or decreased by up to .2%. For the year ended June 30, 1997, the Lindner Growth Fund under performed the S&P. Accordingly, the basic Advisor's fee of $7,800,529 was reduced by a performance penalty of .2% of average net assets, or $2,939,360. This resulted in a net Advisor's fee of $4,861,169. The management fee for Lindner Dividend Fund series is payable quarterly to the Adviser (before reimbursement of expenses to the Funds, if any) at the annual rate of .7% of average net assets up to $50 million, .6% of the next $150 million and .5% of the excess over $200 million. The management fee is payable monthly to the Adviser by Lindner Utility Fund and Lindner/Ryback Small-Cap Fund according to the following annual percentage rate of daily net asset values averaged monthly (before reimbursement of expenses to the Funds, if any) of each of the Funds: .7% on the first $50,000,000, .6% on the next $150,000,000 and .5% of the excess of $200,000,000. The management fee from Lindner Bulwark Fund and Lindner International Fund is payable monthly to the Adviser at the annual percentage rate of 1% of daily net asset values averaged monthly (before reimbursement of expenses to the Funds, if any) of each of the Funds. Annual operating and management expenses for the Lindner Growth Fund and Lindner Dividend Fund, excluding taxes and interest, may not exceed 1.5% of the first $30 million of average net assets plus 1% of average net assets in excess of $30 million of the respective funds. 36 37 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued) Annual operating and management expenses for the Lindner Utility Fund, Lindner/Ryback Small-Cap Fund, Lindner Bulwark Fund, and Lindner International Fund, excluding taxes and interest, may not exceed the most stringent limitation imposed by state law on expense limitations in a state in which the Funds' shares are qualified for sale. For the year ended June 30, 1997, the Advisor reimbursed Lindner International Fund $3,860. Ryback Management Corporation, acting as stock transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds, is compensated at a rate of 75 cents per shareholder account per month. During the year ended June 30, 1997, the following transfer agent fees were paid to Ryback Management Corporation: Lindner Growth Fund ($468,020), Lindner Dividend Fund ($680,117), Lindner Utility Fund ($20,099), Lindner/Ryback Small-Cap Fund ($7,159), Lindner Bulwark Fund ($23,692), and Lindner International Fund ($2,190). Certain officers and directors of the Funds are affiliated with Ryback Management Corporation. 4. Organizational Expense The following is a schedule of expenses in connection with the organization and registration of the Funds which are being amortized and reimbursed to the Adviser on a straight line basis over a period of five years: - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Original Accumulated 1997 Expense Amortization Expense -------- ------------ ------- LINDNER UTILITY FUND $32,377 $24,557 $ 6,566 LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND 29,182 20,311 5,917 LINDNER BULWARK FUND 62,831 43,079 12,742 LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND 35,889 18,185 7,278 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Any redemption by the shareholders of the Adviser of their initial investment in Lindner Utility Fund of $100,000 will reduce the reimbursement by a pro rata portion of any of the then unamortized expenses. 5. Transactions with Affiliates Issuers of whose voting stock the Funds own more than 5% but less than 25% are classified as "affiliates (Non-controlled"). Following is an analysis of transactions for the year ended June 30, 1997, with "affiliated companies" as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940: Gain (Loss) Realized Dividend on Sale Security Name Activity Income of Shares - -------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------- Value at Purchases, Sales, Value Beginning of Additions Reductions at End of Period at Cost at Cost Period ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ LINDNER GROWTH FUND 7th Level, Inc. <F++> $ 2,584,855 $ 158,060 $ 2,800,746 $ 36,165 Acordia, Inc. $ 34,384,500 1,714,559 25,400,196 0 $ 204,460 5,337,054 AlarmGuard Holdings (formerly Triton Group Ltd) <F++> 1,003,275 3,371,049 Alliant Techsystems, Inc. 40,527,500 234,675 47,575,000 Allied Healthcare Products, Inc. <F#> 3,269,306 4,258,800 American Media, Inc., Class A 11,813,025 2,075,349 135,375 18,248,300 32,369 37 38 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gain (Loss) Realized Dividend on Sale Security Name Activity Income of Shares - -------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------- Value at Purchases, Sales, Value Beginning of Additions Reductions at End of Period at Cost at Cost Period ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ LINDNER GROWTH FUND (CONTINUED) Anvil Range Mining $ 5,324,326 $ 1,970,968 Atlantic Realty Trust 2,418,382 $ 204,755 $ 204,755 0 $ 120,066 $ 3,326,304 Autoinfo, Inc. 2,228,125 927,023 1,123,688 (282,229) Bancfirst Corporation 7,056,300 1,047,000 <F##> 116,516 932,821 Bitech Petroleum Corporation - Rule 144A <F++> 3,062,787 3,986,952 Buffton Corporation <F++> 1,373,817 1,127,250 Butler Manufacturing Company 14,850,000 2,163,681 <F##> 134,400 4,552,857 Canyon Resources Corporation <F++> 6,380,825 5,807,100 Cardiometrics, Inc. <F++> 3,193,365 306,097 4,742,419 220,733 Centigram Communications 10,175,875 11,168,910 0 (2,409,479) Charming Shoppes, Inc. 40,213,875 13,405,580 43,446,721 Chempower, Inc. 2,843,750 2,290,938 0 1,739,063 CML Group, Inc. <F++> 8,970,423 5,113,606 18,598 The Coast Distribution Company <F++> 1,820,029 1,690,875 Community Financial Corporation 2,448,500 899,750 0 15,340 1,542,290 Comprehensive Care Corporation Common stock 119,250 918,777 1,054,278 0 152,668 Common stock - Rule 144A 1,875,000 3,031,250 CPI Corporation <F#> 11,347,759 20,099,100 444,892 Dayton Mining Corporation 16,427,622 5,360,713 1,836,140 9,086,075 1,466,608 Durakon Industries, Inc. 6,945,412 625,000 7,561,065 <F##> (3,172,373) Eagle Point Software Corporation <F++> 937,500 1,140,625 EMCON <F#> 930,208 732,756 1,803,425 8,313 Eskimo Pie Corporation <F++> 2,513,125 2,970,625 36,750 Fiberstars, Inc. <F++> 1,727,599 1,638,488 Gateway Industries, Inc. <F++> 747,786 661,968 General Magic, Inc. <F++> 2,059,120 3,252,800 The Good Guys, Inc. <F++> 8,151,074 6,737,625 Gradco Systems, Inc. 3,075,625 13,215 3,618,250 Handleman Company 14,242,937 8,083,678 20,503,275 Health Images, Inc. 12,452,700 115,617 5,593,860 0 33,552 9,901,872 Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company 11,793,750 1,981,292 17,000,000 606,150 International Bancshares Corporation <F#> 660,053 25,515,765 195,336 London & Overseas Freighters Ltd. - ADR 5,296,844 5,702,344 Maynard Oil Company 2,109,375 3,624,819 74,925 7,925,125 151,327 Metricom, Inc. 20,734,875 400,743 8,580,750 Micronics Computers, Inc. 3,476,544 284,671 4,011,569 (120,876) MFRI, Inc. 2,429,625 3,239,500 MK Gold Company <F++> 2,447,759 1,883,906 2,826,875 (992,756) The Morningstar Group, Inc. 16,177,975 4,089,875 5,128,250 26,878,125 12,298,012 MTL, Inc. 5,737,500 2,553,900 <F##> 1,366,144 National Insurance Group 2,800,800 3,149,921 0 93,872 Noodle Kidoodle, Inc. <F#> 1,026,862 2,302,125 OMI, Inc. 19,357,950 1,273,516 23,189,063 Puerto Rican Cement Company 9,813,712 5,026,796 0 107,202 3,927,425 Quixote Corporation 3,388,500 1,821,831 5,636,000 162,637 Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust 8,951,637 517,587 9,574,341 284,647 103,814 Recycling Industries, Inc. <F++> 2,637,359 1,937,500 Rightchoice Managed Care, Inc. <F++> 3,464,526 3,515,400 Rose's Stores, Inc. <F++> 1,680,287 1,139,506 Scientific Software-Intercomp, Inc. 1,449,000 31,388 412,212 38 39 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gain (Loss) Realized Dividend on Sale Security Name Activity Income of Shares - -------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------- Value at Purchases, Sales, Value Beginning of Additions Reductions at End of Period at Cost at Cost Period ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ LINDNER GROWTH FUND (CONTINUED) South American Gold and Copper Company Ltd. <F++> $ 990,468 $ 447,626 Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc. $ 2,015,087 936,210 $ 28,740 3,377,400 $ 1,019 Stewart Information Services Corporation 7,647,500 5,965,196 0 $ 82,800 3,509,487 Streamlogic Corporation (formerly Micropolis Corp.) <F#> 2,838,914 7,136,165 0 (7,053,073) Summit Medical Systems, Inc. <F++> 1,673,588 1,553,200 Superior Surgical Mfg. Co. Inc. <F++> 6,073,950 5,792,750 63,503 Tanknology Environmental, Inc. 3,228,197 1,708 2,566,680 Transtechnology Corporation <F#> 1,280,500 6,825,000 72,878 Triton Group Ltd. 1,161,731 99,409 7,850 0 7,150 Uni-Marts, Inc. <F++> 3,003,656 2,935,500 Unilab Corporation 3,066,406 6,904,748 0 (4,953,877) United Grain Growers Ltd. 4,979,496 2,382,727 <F##> 123,753 1,885,876 United Retail Group, Inc. <F++> 3,080,886 2,591,500 Uranium Resources, Inc. 11,969,994 262,375 5,026,209 Vertex Communications Corporation 7,822,500 11,235,000 Wave Technologies International, Inc. 1,115,313 171,250 1,627,500 Westmoreland Coal 8.5% Conv. Pfd.-voting <F++> 996,148 733,950 Wharf Resources, Ltd. 11,533,393 9,363,449 0 474,223 Zapata Corporation 7,848,488 4,083,021 10,620,594 <F##> 2,566,292 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------- ----------- $405,328,896 $143,457,164 $122,509,309 $413,905,495 $2,823,480 $36,649,095 ============ ============ ============ ============ ========== =========== LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND American Bank of Connecticut $ 3,011,638 $ 4,395,155 $ 188,342 Bitech Petroleum Corp. <F++> $ 5,200,982 5,304,430 Comprehensive Care Corporation <F++> 3,605,982 $ 3,605,982 0 $ 904,532 El Paso Electric Company 23,130,000 335,852 26,837,500 (53,977) Handleman Company <F#> 8,728,194 18,483,038 Harken Energy Corporation <F++> 20,419,475 45,500,000 Metricom, Inc. <F#> 5,472,409 7,143,188 Pimco Commercial Mortgage Securities 7,181,638 7,753,749 0 539,549 (21,858) Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc. <F++> 2,399,500 2,879,400 Streamlogic Corporation (formerly Micropolis Corp.) <F#> 3,742,360 5,979,653 0 (2,898,487) Uranium Resources, Inc. Common stock 5,000,250 1,991,625 Common stock - Rule 144A 7,375,000 2,937,500 Zapata Corporation 6,638,461 4,443,694 11,008,608 0 2,155,879 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------- ----------- $ 52,336,987 $ 54,012,596 $ 28,683,844 $115,471,836 $ 727,891 $ 86,089 ============ ============ ============ ============ ========== =========== LINDNER BULWARK FUND Buffton Corporation <F++> $ 1,194,635 $ 1,064,250 Gateway Industries, Inc. <F++> 559,002 475,910 Rose's Stores, Inc. <F#> 901,259 1,148,870 Scientific Software Intercomp, Inc. <F#> 526,890 409,364 Triton Group Ltd.<F^^> <F#> 532,534 $ 885,763 0 Westmoreland Coal 8.5% Conv. Pfd. (Vote) <F#> 793,428 626,325 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------- ----------- $ 0 $ 4,507,748 $ 885,763 $ 3,724,719 $ 0 $ 0 ============ ============ ============ ============ ========== =========== <FN> <F#> - At June 30, 1996, was not affiliated. <F++> - At June 30, 1996, was not owned. <F##> - At June 30, 1997, was not affiliated. <F^^> - Investment merged into a non-affiliated security resulting in no gain or loss. 39 40 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Expense Offset Arrangements The Funds have an arrangement whereby custodian expenses are reduced by maintaining a compensating balance with the custodian. The Funds could have invested the assets used by the custodian in an income-producing asset if it had not agreed to a reduction in fees under the expense offset arrangement. In the Statements of Operations and expense ratio in the Financial Highlights, total expenses include the expense which had been offset. The following are the aggregate amounts for the year ended June 30, 1997, by which expenses have been increased for financial statement presentation: - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND $53,816 LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND 81,076 LINDNER UTILITY FUND 1,456 LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND 661 LINDNER BULWARK FUND 2,325 LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND 57 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Capital Stock The Funds have authorized unlimited shares of $.01 par value Investor shares and Institutional shares. Transactions in shares of capital stock for the years ended June 30, 1997 and 1996, were as follows: Year Ended June 30, 1997 Year Ended June 30, 1996 -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Shares Amount Shares Amount ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND Investor shares - --------------- Sold 4,034,285 $ 104,275,859 62,065,616 $ 1,135,061,274 Dividends and Distributions reinvested 7,123,614 174,101,137 4,157,926 98,228,064 Redeemed (8,411,952) (216,049,524) (73,404,006) (1,408,456,014) ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 2,745,947 $ 62,327,472 (7,180,464) $ (175,166,676) ================== ================== =========== =============== Institutional shares - -------------------- Sold 3,917 $ 95,942 -- -- Dividends and Distributions reinvested 1 13 -- -- Redeemed (2) (60) -- -- ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 3,916 $ 95,895 -- -- ================== ================== =========== =============== LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND Investor shares - --------------- Sold 11,601,117 $ 321,785,067 97,757,829 $ 2,552,736,189 Dividends and Distributions reinvested 5,881,248 161,114,417 4,629,712 126,958,767 Redeemed (26,976,613) (746,721,150) (93,903,065) (2,446,357,894) ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase (9,494,248) $ (263,821,666) 8,484,476 $ 233,337,062 ================== ================== =========== =============== Institutional shares - -------------------- Sold 82,348 $ 2,267,410 -- -- Dividends and Distributions reinvested 2,723 74,615 -- -- Redeemed (13,041) (362,326) -- -- ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 72,030 $ 1,979,699 -- -- ================== ================== =========== =============== LINDNER UTILITY FUND Investor shares - --------------- Sold 2,353,165 $ 34,422,373 3,272,220 $ 40,928,674 Dividends and Distributions reinvested 72,998 1,059,599 42,941 556,712 Redeemed (1,734,066) (24,836,048) (2,673,173) (32,925,623) ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 692,097 $ 10,645,924 641,988 $ 8,559,763 ================== ================== =========== =============== 40 41 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Ended June 30, 1997 Year Ended June 30, 1996 -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Shares Amount Shares Amount ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Institutional shares - -------------------- Sold 19,057 $ 268,131 -- -- Dividends and Distributions reinvested 173 2,492 -- -- Redeemed (15,812) (226,286) -- -- ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 3,418 $ 44,337 -- -- ================== ================== =========== =============== LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND Investor shares - --------------- Sold 2,182,401 $ 14,716,844 2,431,078 $ 12,727,249 Dividends and Distributions reinvested 3,864 25,192 149,350 784,089 Redeemed (597,054) (4,036,226) (2,375,091) (11,949,824) ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 1,589,211 $ 10,705,810 205,337 $ 1,561,514 ================== ================== =========== =============== Institutional shares - -------------------- Sold 24 $ 150 -- -- Dividends and Distributions reinvested 0 0 -- -- Redeemed 0 0 -- -- ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 24 $ 150 -- -- ================== ================== =========== =============== LINDNER BULWARK FUND Investor shares - --------------- Sold 11,966,627 $ 100,089,008 9,824,886 $ 78,768,569 Dividends and Distributions reinvested 154,353 1,236,353 231,734 1,543,443 Redeemed (9,346,728) (75,888,500) (11,784,513) (86,171,528) ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 2,774,252 $ 25,436,861 (1,727,893) $ (5,859,516) ================== ================== =========== =============== Institutional shares - -------------------- Sold 286,659 $ 2,316,545 -- -- Dividends and Distributions reinvested 3,547 28,338 -- -- Redeemed (54,929) (406,776) -- -- ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 235,277 $ 1,938,107 -- -- ================== ================== =========== =============== LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND Investor shares - --------------- Sold 508,905 $ 5,215,761 203,243 $ 1,787,712 Dividends and Distributions reinvested 2,851 27,282 235 2,053 Redeemed (212,319) (2,179,926) (114,402) (1,001,419) ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 299,437 $ 3,063,117 89,076 $ 788,346 ================== ================== =========== =============== Institutional shares - -------------------- Sold 38 $ 382 -- -- Dividends and Distributions reinvested 0 1 -- -- Redeemed 0 0 -- -- ------------------ ------------------ ----------- --------------- Net increase 38 $ 383 -- -- ================== ================== =========== =============== 8. Distributions to Shareholders On June 27, 1997, distributions to shareholders were recorded for Lindner Dividend Fund and Lindner Utility Fund. Lindner Dividend Fund declared a $0.44 income dividend and Lindner Utility Fund declared a $0.09 income dividend to shareholders of record on June 26, 1997, which were paid on July 3, 1997. 41 42 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (FOR AN INVESTOR SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD) INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS DISTRIBUTIONS -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Net Realized Distributions and from Net Net Asset Unrealized Total Dividends Realized Value, Net Gains from from Net Gains from Beginning Investment (Losses) on Investment Investment Investment Total of Period Income Investments Operations Income Transactions Distributions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND <F1> ------------------------ Period Ended June 30, 1988 $19.15 $0.66 $0.52 $1.18 $0.98 $1.61 $2.59 1989 $17.74 $0.85 $1.94 $2.79 $0.69 $0.18 $0.87 1990 $19.66 $0.85 $0.66 $1.51 $0.91 $0.84 $1.75 1991 $19.42 $0.75 ($0.88) ($0.13) $0.86 $0.71 $1.57 1992 $17.72 $0.57 $2.47 $3.04 $0.66 $0.00 $0.66 1993 <F8> $20.10 $0.50 $2.40 $2.90 $0.53 $0.15 $0.68 1994 $22.32 $0.38 $0.71 $1.09 $0.46 $0.53 $0.99 1995 $22.42 $0.43 $2.66 $3.09 $0.34 $1.84 $2.18 1996 $23.33 $0.40 $4.47 $4.87 $0.47 $1.34 $1.81 1997 $26.39 $0.36 $2.72 $3.08 $0.39 $3.10 $3.49 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND <F2> -------------------------- Period Ended February 28, 1988 $24.49 $1.68 ($1.95) ($0.27) $1.87 $1.16 $3.03 1989 $21.19 $1.71 $1.65 $3.36 $1.32 $0.06 $1.38 1990 $23.17 $2.02 ($0.30) $1.72 $2.19 $0.01 $2.20 1991 $22.69 $1.92 ($1.17) $0.75 $1.86 $0.02 $1.88 1992 $21.56 $2.15 $2.55 $4.70 $1.99 $0.00 $1.99 1993 <F8> $24.27 $1.72 $2.98 $4.70 $1.86 $0.10 $1.96 1994 $27.01 $1.88 $1.06 $2.94 $1.74 $0.58 $2.32 1995 $27.63 $1.93 ($2.13) ($0.20) $1.90 $0.57 $2.47 Period Ended June 30, 1995 $24.96 $0.95 $1.05 $2.00 $0.96 $0.00 $0.96 1996 $26.00 $1.80 $2.29 $4.09 $1.79 $0.23 $2.02 1997 $28.07 $1.63 $0.70 $2.33 $1.68 $0.78 $2.46 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER UTILITY FUND <F3> ------------------------- Period Ended June 30, 1994 $10.00 $0.05 ($0.01) $0.04 $0.02 $0.00 $0.02 1995 $10.02 $0.39 $0.84 $1.23 $0.39 $0.09 $0.48 1996 $10.77 $0.35 $3.42 $3.77 $0.34 $0.00 $0.34 1997 $14.20 $0.39 $1.60 $1.99 $0.42 $0.02 $0.44 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND <F5> ---------------------------------- Period Ended June 30, 1994 $5.00 $0.01 ($0.22) ($0.21) $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 1995 $4.79 ($0.03) $0.71 $0.68 $0.01 $0.00 $0.01 1996 $5.46 $0.00 $1.30 $1.30 $0.00 $0.61 $0.61 1997 $6.15 $0.04 $1.49 $1.53 $0.01 $0.00 $0.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER BULWARK FUND <F4> ------------------------- Period Ended June 30, 1994 $7.00 $0.01 $0.16 $0.17 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 1995 $7.17 $0.11 ($0.10) $0.01 $0.05 $0.04 $0.09 1996 $7.09 $0.26 $1.32 $1.58 $0.31 $0.00 $0.31 1997 $8.36 $0.29 ($1.81) ($1.52) $0.14 $0.00 $0.14 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ratio of Net Investment Net Net Asset Ratio of Income Assets, Value, Total Expenses to Portfolio Average End of End of Return to Average Average Turnover Commission Period Period <F7> Net Assets Net Assets Rate Rates (In Millions) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND <F1> ------------------------ Period Ended June 30, 1988 $17.74 7.49% 1.07% 3.76% 20.93% $404 1989 $19.66 16.51% 0.92% 4.93% 17.81% $535 1990 $19.42 7.89% 0.74% 4.84% 19.24% $716 1991 $17.72 -0.23% 0.83% 4.64% 12.96% $783 1992 $20.10 17.58% 0.80% 3.05% 11.37% $978 1993 <F8> $22.32 14.87% 0.80% 2.52% 18.71% $1,278 1994 $22.42 4.83% 0.65% 1.69% 37.92% $1,528 1995 $23.33 14.89% 0.54% 1.89% 24.94% $1,446 1996 $26.39 21.95% 0.63% <F9> 1.53% 39.49% $0.0397 $1,446 1997 $25.98 12.50% 0.44% 1.39% 36.39% $0.0437 $1,495 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND <F2> -------------------------- Period Ended February 28, 1988 $21.19 -0.51% 1.04% 7.43% 16.52% $52 1989 $23.17 16.21% 0.97% 7.57% 2.30% $97 1990 $22.69 7.48% 0.87% 8.90% 5.47% $142 1991 $21.56 3.84% 0.87% 8.98% 3.36% $163 1992 $24.27 22.91% 0.80% 9.75% 24.01% $266 1993 <F8> $27.01 20.28% 0.74% 7.10% 13.50% $1,016 1994 $27.63 11.19% 0.64% 7.01% 43.20% $1,532 1995 $24.96 -0.44% 0.61% 7.76% 29.79% $1,697 Period Ended June 30, 1995 $26.00 8.12% 0.21% 2.43% 11.00% $1,903 1996 $28.07 16.14% 0.60% <F9> 6.62% 30.24% $0.0508 $2,293 1997 $27.94 8.75% 0.60% 5.74% 40.32% $0.0443 $2,017 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER UTILITY FUND <F3> ------------------------- Period Ended June 30, 1994 $10.02 0.39% 1.30% 0.76% 44.95% $11 1995 $10.77 12.51% 1.04% 3.02% 190.70% $18 1996 $14.20 35.39% 0.95% <F9> 2.87% 98.58% $0.0422 $32 1997 $15.75 14.29% 0.89% 2.81% 86.44% $0.0376 $47 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND <F5> ---------------------------------- Period Ended June 30, 1994 $4.79 -4.20% 0.96% 0.52% 5.03% $5 1995 $5.46 14.32% 1.65% -0.57% 158.62% $8 1996 $6.15 25.70% 1.22% <F9> -0.04% 103.05% $0.0560 $10 1997 $7.67 24.96% 0.96% 0.46% 49.49% $0.0496 $25 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER BULWARK FUND <F4> ------------------------- Period Ended June 30, 1994 $7.17 2.43% 0.66% 0.26% 0.89% $31 1995 $7.09 0.10% 1.27% 2.45% 122.64% $65 1996 $8.36 23.44% 1.24% <F9> 2.45% 139.82% $0.0320 $62 1997 $6.70 -18.43% 1.20% 3.86% 457.57% $0.0314 $68 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42 43 INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS DISTRIBUTIONS -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Net Realized Distributions and from Net Net Asset Unrealized Total Dividends Realized Value, Net Gains from from Net Gains from Beginning Investment (Losses) on Investment Investment Investment Total of Period Income Investments Operations Income Transactions Distributions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND <F6> ------------------------------- Period Ended June 30, 1995 $9.00 $0.07 $0.02 $0.09 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 1996 $9.09 ($0.01) $0.86 $0.85 $0.05 $0.00 $0.05 1997 $9.89 ($0.01) $1.45 $1.44 $0.00 $0.14 $0.14 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ratio of Net Investment Net Net Asset Ratio of Income Assets, Value, Total Expenses to Portfolio Average End of End of Return to Average Average Turnover Commission Period Period <F7> Net Assets Net Assets Rate Rates (In Millions) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND <F6> ------------------------------- Period Ended June 30, 1995 $9.09 1.00% 1.26% 1.02% 0.00% $0.3 1996 $9.89 9.41% 2.57% <F9> 0.05% 48.40% $0.0293 $1.2 1997 $11.19 14.76% 1.96% -0.14% 37.79% $0.9954 $4.7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <FN> <F1> Historical performance information is for Lindner Fund, Inc. ("LGFI"), the predecessor of the Lindner Growth Fund series of the Trust. The Lindner Growth Fund series of the Trust succeeded to all of the assets and liabilities of LGFI on June 30, 1995, pursuant to a reorganization approved by the shareholders of LGFI on June 29, 1995. <F2> Historical performance information is for Lindner Dividend Fund, Inc. ("LDFI"), the predecessor of the Lindner Dividend Fund series of the Trust. The Lindner Dividend Fund series of the Trust succeeded to all of the assets and liabilities of LDFI on June 30, 1995, pursuant to a reorganization approved by the shareholders of LDFI on June 29, 1995. <F3> Operations commenced on October 4, 1993. <F4> Operations commenced on January 24, 1994. <F5> Operations commenced on February 11, 1994. <F6> Operations commenced on January 1, 1995. <F7> Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Total return is the percentage increase in value for a period, assuming initial investment at the net asset value on the day before the start of the period and assuming all dividends and distributions were reinvested and a redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period. <F8> On January 29, 1993, Lindner Growth Fund and Lindner Dividend Fund changed financial advisors to Ryback Management Corporation from Lindner Management Corporation. <F9> Expense ratio for periods after September 1, 1995, are computed using gross expenses which include fees reduced in connection with specific agreements. (FOR AN INSTITUTIONAL SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND <F1> ----------------------- 1997 $26.39 $0.34 $2.68 $3.02 $0.37 $3.10 $3.47 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND <F2> ------------------------- 1997 $28.07 $1.61 $0.66 $2.27 $1.66 $0.78 $2.44 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER UTILITY FUND <F3> ------------------------ 1997 $14.20 $0.27 $1.59 $1.86 $0.31 $0.02 $0.33 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND <F4> --------------------------------- 1997 $6.15 $0.04 $1.49 $1.53 $0.01 $0.00 $0.01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER BULWARK FUND <F5> ------------------------ 1997 $8.36 $0.26 ($1.81) ($1.55) $0.14 $0.00 $0.14 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND <F6> ------------------------------ 1997 $9.89 ($0.04) $1.45 $1.41 $0.00 $0.14 $0.14 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Assets, End of Period (In Thousands) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER GROWTH FUND <F1> ------------------------ 1997 $25.94 15.36% <F7> 0.46% 1.29% 36.39% $0.0437 $101.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER DIVIDEND FUND <F2> -------------------------- 1997 $27.90 9.84% <F7> 0.85% 5.69% 40.32% 0.0443 $2,010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER UTILITY FUND <F3> ------------------------- 1997 $15.74 14.52% <F7> 0.75% 2.42% 86.44% $0.0376 $53.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER/RYBACK SMALL-CAP FUND <F4> ---------------------------------- 1997 $7.67 21.21% <F7> 0.59% 0.26% 49.49% $0.0496 $0.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER BULWARK FUND <F5> ------------------------- 1997 $6.67 -18.61% <F7> 1.37% 4.45% 457.57% $0.0314 $1.57 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINDNER INTERNATIONAL FUND <F6> ------------------------------- 1997 $11.16 17.06% <F7> 1.48% -0.13% 37.79% $0.9954 $0.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <FN> <F1> For the period July 12, 1996 (initial purchase) to June 30, 1997. <F2> For the period July 9, 1996 (initial purchase) to June 30, 1997. <F3> For the period October 31, 1996 (initial purchase) to June 30, 1997. <F4> For the period November 1, 1996 (initial purchase) to June 30, 1997. <F5> For the period July 11, 1996 (initial purchase) to June 30, 1997. <F6> For the period November 1, 1996 (initial purchase) to June 30, 1997. <F7> Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Total return is the percentage increase in value for a period, assuming initial investment at the net asset value on the day before the start of the period and assuming all dividends and distributions were reinvested and a redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period. 43 44 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT Lindner Growth Fund, Lindner Dividend Fund, Lindner Utility Fund, Lindner/Ryback Small-Cap Fund, Lindner Bulwark Fund, and Lindner International Fund To the Trustees and Shareholders of Lindner Investments: We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of the Lindner Growth Fund, the Lindner Dividend Fund, the Lindner Utility Fund, the Lindner/Ryback Small-Cap Fund, the Lindner Bulwark Fund, and the Lindner International Fund, including the schedules of investments, as of June 30, 1997, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for the years ended June 30, 1997 and 1996, and the financial highlights for the periods then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for each of the years in the six year period ended June 30, 1993 of the Lindner Growth Fund (formally the Lindner Fund, Inc.) and for each of the years in the six year period ended February 28, 1993 of the Lindner Dividend Fund were audited by other auditors, whose reports, dated August 9, 1993 and April 5, 1993 (April 15 as to certain distributions), respectively, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June 30, 1997, by corresponding with the Funds' custodians and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds at June 30, 1997, and the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for the respective stated periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP St. Louis, Missouri August 8, 1997 44 45 [THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY] 46 [THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY] 47 - ----------------------------------- LINDNER INVESTMENTS 7711 Carondelet Avenue, Ste. 700 St. Louis, Missouri 63105 Tel: 314-727-5305 Fax: 314-727-9306 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Robert L. Byman Terence P. Fitzgerald Marc P. Hartstein Peter S. Horos Donald J. Murphy Dennis P. Nash Eric E. Ryback Doug T. Valassis INVESTMENT ADVISER Ryback Management Corporation CUSTODIANS Star Bank, N.A. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. COUNSEL Dykema Gossett PLLC INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Deloitte & Touche LLP TRANSFER AGENT Ryback Management Corporation - ----------------------------------- LINDNER FUNDS [LOGO] ADVISED BY RYBACK MANAGEMENT CORPORATION ---------------------------------------- www.lindnerfunds.com LINDNER FUNDS ADVISED BY RYBACK MANAGEMENT CORPORATION ---------------------------------------- [LOGO] annual report 1997