EXHIBIT 17(e) INDEPENDENCE SQUARE INCOME SECURITIES, INC. Robert R. Fortune Chairman and President February 5, 1999 Dear Shareholder: I am pleased to enclose the Annual Report of Independence Square Income Securities, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1998. Our Fund earned $1.30 per share from net investment income in 1998 compared to $1.36 per share in 1997. In recent years, several higher coupon bonds were called and the proceeds reinvested at a lower coupon. As the Adviser's Letter indicates, purchases of higher yielding non-investment grade bonds were made in 1998 to enhance earnings. Dividends from net investment income declared in 1998 amounted to $1.32 per share, compared to $1.38 per share in 1997. In addition, a long-term capital gain distribution of $.0917 per share was declared in 1998 and paid in January 1999. The gains on securities were realized as bond prices increased due to the continued decline in interest rates. The amounts taxable in 1998 include the $0.11 per share regular dividend and the $0.0917 per share capital gain distribution received by you in January 1999. The accompanying Investment Adviser's Report provides a comparison of our Fund's performance to key indexes and other closed-end bond funds on a total return basis. Yours sincerely, /s/ Robert R. Fortune Robert R. Fortune [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] INVESTMENT ADVISER'S REPORT The Fund emphasized adding non-investment grade (or "high yield") corporate bonds during 1998 to enhance the portfolio's income earning capability. The high yield sector experienced significant price weakness between August and October, which was driven by a credit panic precipitated by the Russian default and hedge fund de-leveraging, but provided the Fund an opportunity to add bonds at attractive prices. For the year, the Fund underperformed the Lehman Corporate Index but outperformed its Lipper peer group average. Investment returns are shown in the table below: TOTAL RETURNS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998: Annualized ----------------------------- Quarter 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years 5 Years ------- ------ ------- ------- ------- Independence Square Income Securities*............. 1.34% 7.34% 9.28% 7.08% 7.58% Lehman Corporate Index............................. 0.60% 8.57% 9.40% 7.32% 7.74% Lipper Investment Grade Funds Avg.................. 0.81% 6.66% 8.91% 7.37% 7.45% ISIS Rank........................................ 7/16 5/16 7/16 10/16 7/16 ISIS Percentile.................................. 42 30 42 59 42 ______________ Source: Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. * The cumulative total returns are based on the net asset values on the first and last day of the periods presented and assume (i) no payment of any sales load or commissions and (ii) reinvestment of dividends and distributions at the net asset value next determined after each ex-dividend date in the period. The U.S. economy in 1998 was a study in contrast, as economic growth boomed but inflation declined, which is an unusual combination. This is a result of the high investment spending undertaken by businesses and very strong consumer- driven retail sales and housing activity. Both these phenomena have been fueled by record equity market gains, which calls into question the sustainability of this growth. U.S. Treasury yields fell dramatically during the year, as demand for those securities rose due to the flight-to-quality between August and October and a net reduction in Treasury supply. For example, the yield of the 10-year Treasury posted a net decline of 109 basis points (1.09%), beginning 1998 at 5.74% and ending the year at 4.65%. Not surprisingly, both investment grade and non-investment grade corporate bonds underperformed Treasuries during the reporting period, as investors favored government issues and shunned credit risk. Interest rates decreased dramatically across the yield curve as indicated in the table below: 12/31/97 12/31/98 Change -------- -------- -------- 2-year Treasury Note........................ 5.64% 4.53% -1.11% 5-year Treasury Note........................ 5.71% 4.54% -1.17% 10-year Treasury Note....................... 5.74% 4.65% -1.09% 30-year Treasury Bond....................... 5.92% 5.09% -0.83% We believe that non-Treasury securities, including corporate bonds, are currently attractively valued and offer historically high yield premiums. Even though we expect economic growth to slow during 1999 from its current rate of 3.5% to approximately 2.0%. we expect that corporate bonds will post strong performance versus Treasuries. February 1, 1999 BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation INDEPENDENCE SQUARE INCOME SECURITIES, INC. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1998 Principal Amount Cost Value - --------- ----------- ----------- U.S. AGENCY OBLIGATIONS 8.0% $1,680,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 4.70%, 01/04/99............................... $ 1,679,342 $ 1,679,342 900,000 Federal National Mortgage Association, 7.50%, 8/01/2006......................... 931,235 942,269 ----------- ----------- TOTAL U.S. AGENCY OBLIGATIONS................................................... 2,610,577 2,621,611 ----------- ----------- BONDS AND OTHER DEBT OBLIGATIONS 92.0% 1,000,000 Ahmanson (H.F.) & Company, 9.875%, 11/15/1999................................... 995,465 1,033,099 500,000 BankAmerica, 9.50%, 4/01/2001................................................... 497,265 542,067 550,000 Calpine Corp., 9.25%, 2/01/2004................................................. 555,500 566,500 1,000,000 Citicorp Capital Sub Notes, 9.75%, 8/01/1999.................................... 983,110 1,024,310 1,000,000 Cleveland Electric Illuminating, 9.00%, 7/01/2023............................... 1,061,810 1,080,000 850,000 Comcast Cable Communications, 8.375%, 5/01/2007................................. 944,324 975,669 1,000,000 Comerica Bank, 8.375%, 7/15/2024................................................ 983,750 1,145,747 300,000 Comerica, Inc., 9.75%, 5/01/1999................................................ 288,840 303,409 500,000 Commonwealth Edison Co., 8.625%, 2/01/2022...................................... 537,500 548,437 1,000,000 Delta Airlines, Inc., 9.25%, 3/15/2022.......................................... 1,141,490 1,155,737 500,000 Federal Express, 9.625%, 10/15/2019............................................. 551,345 531,779 500,000 First Chicago NBD Corp., 8.875%, 3/15/2002...................................... 503,660 547,270 1,000,000 First Interstate Bancorp., 9.00%, 11/15/2004.................................... 1,000,000 1,030,000 500,000 First Union Corp., 8.00%, 8/15/2009............................................. 498,965 549,506 1,000,000 Ford Motor Credit Co., 9.14%, 12/30/2014........................................ 997,660 1,150,080 500,000 Great Western Financial Senior Notes, 8.60%, 2/01/2002.......................... 494,710 539,028 300,000 GTE California, Inc., 8.07%, 4/15/2024.......................................... 322,233 329,512 1,000,000 Gulf States Utilities 8.70%, 4/01/2024.......................................... 1,057,420 1,081,250 500,000 Harris Bancorp, 9.375%, 6/01/2001............................................... 493,285 541,715 250,000 Horton (D.R.), Inc. Guarantee Notes, 10.00%, 4/15/2006.......................... 257,500 265,000 500,000 Hydro-Quebec, 8.40%, 1/15/2022.................................................. 508,395 610,123 1,000,000 Hydro-Quebec, 8.875%, 3/01/2026................................................. 1,195,260 1,279,887 1,000,000 Jersey Central Power and Light, 8.45%, 3/24/2025................................ 1,026,150 1,130,400 800,000 New York State Electric & Gas Corp., 9.875%, 5/01/2020.......................... 793,000 839,000 1,000,000 News America Holdings, 9.50%, 7/15/2024......................................... 1,178,140 1,275,831 1,000,000 Nextlink Communications, Inc. Sr. Notes, 12.50%, 4/15/2006...................... 1,065,000 1,080,000 6,369 +Participation in Asset Exchange, 7.00%, 12/01/2020.............................. 6,369 6,369 500,000 Penney (J.C.) & Company, 8.25%, 8/15/2022....................................... 497,445 526,250 200,000 Sinclair Broadcast Group Sr. Sub. Notes, 10.00%, 9/30/2005...................... 205,250 209,000 INDEPENDENCE SQUARE INCOME SECURITIES, INC. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) December 31, 1998 Principal Amount Cost Value - --------- ----------- ----------- $1,000,000 TCI Communications, 8.75%, 2/15/2023........................................ $ 957,060 $ 1,127,707 1,000,000 Texas Utilities Co., 8.875%, 2/01/2022...................................... 1,029,240 1,123,500 500,000 Texas Utilities Co., 8.75%, 11/01/2023...................................... 546,545 568,946 1,000,000 Time Warner Entertainment, Inc., 8.375%, 7/15/2033.......................... 990,210 1,234,448 500,000 Time Warner, Inc. Debentures, 9.150%, 2/01/2023............................. 527,845 658,874 1,000,000 U.S. West, 8.875%, 6/01/2031................................................ 1,060,720 1,104,294 450,000 United Air Lines, 9.210%, 1/21/2017......................................... 522,329 510,345 1,000,000 Veritas DGC, Inc., 9.75%, 10/15/2003........................................ 1,023,750 1,015,000 1,000,000 Virginia Electric & Power Corp. Series B, 8.625%, 10/01/2024................ 1,014,120 1,079,813 ----------- ----------- TOTAL BONDS AND OTHER DEBT OBLIGATIONS...................................... 28,312,660 30,319,902 ----------- ----------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS 100.0%.................................................... $30,923,237* $32,941,513 =========== =========== ________________ + Non-income producing. * Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 1998 was $30,923,237. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for all securities is as follows: excess of value over tax cost $2,058,576; excess of tax cost over value ($40,300). STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES December 31, 1998 ASSETS Investments, at value (cost -- $30,923,237)............................... $32,941,513 Cash...................................................................... 17,640 Accrued interest receivable............................................... 726,705 ----------- Total Assets............................................................ 33,685,858 ----------- LIABILITIES Dividend payable.......................................................... 367,649 Investment advisory fees payable.......................................... 149,786 Other accrued expenses.................................................... 8,140 ----------- Total Liabilities....................................................... 525,575 ----------- NET ASSETS applicable to 1,822,752 capital shares outstanding, $0.10 par value (Authorized 10,000,000 shares)............................ $33,160,283 =========== NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ($33,160,283 divided by 1,822,752 shares)......... $ 18.19 =========== See accompanying notes to financial statements. INDEPENDENCE SQUARE INCOME SECURITIES, INC STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Year Ended December 31, 1998 INVESTMENT INCOME Interest............................................ $2,636,453 ---------- Expenses Fees Investment adviser.............................. 119,712 Directors and officers.......................... 29,501 Custodian....................................... 16,499 Transfer agent.................................. 17,500 Legal and audit................................. 44,614 Taxes (other than income)........................... 2,498 Printing............................................ 15,209 Insurance........................................... 1,406 Miscellaneous....................................... 7,813 ---------- Total expenses................................ 254,752 ---------- Net investment income............................... $2,381,701 ========== REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS Net realized gain on investment securities......................................... $ 167,192 ---------- Unrealized appreciation of investments: Beginning of year.................................. 2,183,586 End of year........................................ 2,018,276 ---------- Decrease in unrealized appreciation...................................... (165,310) ---------- Net realized and unrealized gain on investments....................................... 1,882 ---------- NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS.......................... $2,383,583 ========== STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS Years Ended December 31 1998 1997 ----------- ----------- INCREASE IN NET ASSETS: Operations: Net investment income............................................................. $ 2,381,701 $ 2,470,307 Net realized gain from security transactions...................................... 167,192 185,346 Increase(decrease) in unrealized appreciation of investments...................... (165,310) 833,709 ----------- ----------- Net increase in net assets resulting from operations............................ 2,383,583 3,489,362 Dividends to shareholders: From net investment income ($1.32 in 1998 and $1.38 in 1997)...................... (2,403,446) (2,512,305) From net realized gains ($.09 in both 1998 and 1997).............................. (167,146) (165,302) Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends (2,241 shares in 1998).......................................................... 40,841 -- ----------- ----------- Total increase(decrease) in net assets.......................................... (146,168) 811,755 NET ASSETS Beginning of year.................................................................. 33,306,451 32,494,696 ----------- ----------- End of year (including undistributed net investment income of $39,021 in 1998 and $60,766 in 1997)....................................................... $33,160,283 $33,306,451 =========== =========== See accompanying notes to financial statements. INDEPENDENCE SQUARE INCOME SECURITIES, INC. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (For a Share of the Fund Outstanding Throughout Each Period) Year Ended December 31 ------------------------------------------------ 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Per Share Operating Performance Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year.......................... $ 18.30 $ 17.85 $ 18.77 $ 16.58 $ 18.57 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net Investment Income...................................... 1.30 1.36 1.40 1.38 1.38 Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (realized and unrealized)........................................... -- 0.56 (0.94) 2.19 (1.99) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total From Investment Operations......................... 1.30 1.92 0.46 3.57 (0.61) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Less Distributions Dividends (from net investment income)..................... (1.32) (1.38) (1.38) (1.38) (1.38) Dividends (from net realized gains)........................ (0.09) (0.09) -- -- -- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total Distributions...................................... (1.41) (1.47) (1.38) (1.38) (1.38) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net Asset Value, End of Year................................ $ 18.19 $ 18.30 $ 17.85 $ 18.77 $ 16.58 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Per Share Market Value, End of Year......................... $17.875 $ 17.75 $ 16.25 $ 17.25 $ 15.25 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Total Investment Return, based on market value/1/................................................... 7.88% 19.22% 3.72% 22.71% (4.00%) Ratios/Supplemental Data Net Assets, End of Year (000's)............................ $33,160 $33,306 $32,495 $34,163 $30,179 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets.................... 0.76% 0.79% 0.68% 0.76% 0.85% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets................................................ 7.11% 7.52% 7.80% 7.64% 7.88% Portfolio Turnover Rate.................................... 10% 20% 33% 22% 28% ___________________ /1/ See Note F. See accompanying notes to financial statements. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A. Independence Square Income Securities, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified closed-end management investment company. Significant accounting policies are as follows: Investments are carried at value in the accompanying financial statements (See Note D). Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes. Premiums and discounts on bonds held for investment are not amortized for financial reporting or federal income tax purposes. For federal income tax purposes, discounts on original issue bonds are amortized over the life of the issue. No provision is made for federal taxes as it is the Fund's policy to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and to make the requisite distribution of taxable income to its shareholders which will relieve it from all or substantially all federal income and excise taxes. Dividends payable are recorded on the ex- dividend and record date. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. B. Under Agreements among the Fund, PNC Bank, National Association (PNC Bank), and BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation ("BIMC", formerly known as PNC Institutional Management Corporation), an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of PNC Bank, BIMC manages the Fund's portfolio and serves as its administrative agent. The Fund pays BIMC, as investment adviser, an annual fee of .20% of the Fund's average net assets and 2% of the Fund's gross income. BIMC has agreed to reimburse the Fund to the extent that the aggregate expenses borne by the Fund in any fiscal year, exclusive of brokerage commissions, interest and taxes, exceed 1 1/2% of average net assets up to $30,000,000 and 1% of any excess. No such fee reimbursement was necessary during the year ended December 31, 1998. C. Purchases and sales of investment securities other than short term obligations for the year ended December 31, 1998 were $4,048,586 and $3,128,384, respectively. D. Values for securities listed on a national securities exchange are based on the latest quoted sale prices on December 31, 1998. Securities not so listed or not traded on that date are valued at their most recent quoted bid prices or at prices determined by investment bankers or brokers. Short- term obligations are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. E. At December 31, 1998, net assets consisted of: Paid-in capital........................................... $31,102,858 Undistributed net investment income....................... 39,021 Accumulated net realized gain on investments.............. 128 Net unrealized appreciation of investments................ 2,018,276 ----------- Total..................................................... $33,160,283 =========== F. The "Total Investment Return" is based on a purchase (or sale) at the market price on the first (or last) day of the period assuming (i) no payment of any sales load or commissions and (ii) reinvestment of dividends and distributions at prices obtained by the Fund's Automatic Dividend Investment Plan. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Independence Square Income Securities, Inc.: In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets, and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Independence Square Income Securities, Inc. (the "Fund") at December 31, 1998, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years presented, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 2400 Eleven Penn Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania January 22, 1999 INDEPENDENCE SQUARE INCOME SECURITIES, INC. Summary of the Fund's Dividend Investment Plan The Fund has an Automatic Dividend Investment Plan which permits participating shareholders to receive income dividends and capital gain distributions ("Distributions") in additional shares of the Fund's Common Stock. A shareholder may elect to participate in the Plan by completing an Authorization Form. Under the Plan, the number of shares allocated to a shareholder's account in the Plan is determined generally as follows: (i) if the net asset value ("NAV") per share on the Determination Date is higher than the market value per share, shares are purchased on the open market and allocated to each Participant based on the average cost per share, including brokerage commissions; and (ii) if the NAV per share on the Determination Date is equal to or lower than the market price, shares are issued by the company based on NAV on the Payment Date, subject to certain adjustments. Shareholders will receive confirmations of Distributions transactions. Distributions of dividend income and capital gain are treated as being realized for tax purposes, even though received in additional shares of Common Stock rather than cash. The Fund presently pays the costs of participating in the Plan other than brokerage commissions, although Participants may be charged for extra services requested by them in connection with the Plan. The Plan may be modified at any time by the Fund upon 30-days' prior notice to shareholders. Participants may terminate participation in the Plan at any time on 15-days' prior notice, and will receive certificates for shares held in their accounts and cash for any fractional share. Additional information about the Automatic Dividend Investment Plan and an Authorization Form may be obtained by writing: Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, Wilmington, Delaware 19890, Attention: Corporate Trust Department. [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] INDEPENDENCE SQUARE INCOME SECURITIES, INC. One Aldwyn Center Villanova, PA 19085 (610) 964-8882 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROBERT R. FORTUNE G. WILLING PEPPER LANGHORNE B. SMITH DAVID R. WILMERDING, JR. OFFICERS ROBERT R. FORTUNE, Chairman and President EDWARD J. ROACH, Vice President and Treasurer GARY M. GARDNER, Secretary INVESTMENT ADVISER BLACKROCK INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION 400 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 TRANSFER AGENT PNC BANK, N.A. c/o PFPC INC. P.O. Box 8950 Wilmington, DE 19899 (800) 852-4750 (302) 791-2748 (Delaware) INDEPENDENCE SQUARE INCOME SECURITIES, INC. Annual Report to Shareholders December 31, 1998