N-CSRS 1 a51606.htm AQUILA MUNICIPAL TRUST FORM N-CSRS 9/30/2022

 



UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM N-CSRS


CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES


Investment Company Act file number 811-4503


AQUILA MUNICIPAL TRUST

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)


120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Joseph P. DiMaggio

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(212) 697-6666


Date of fiscal year end: 03/31/22


Date of reporting period: 09/30/22


FORM N-CSRS


 


 
 
 

 

ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

September 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free

Fund of Kentucky

Keeping an Optimistic
Long-Term View

 

Serving Kentucky investors since 1987

     

 

November, 2022

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

The fixed income markets have experienced significant volatility and downward pressure for much of 2022, driven primarily by several key economic factors, including continued high inflation, rising interest rates, and uncertainty about the direction of the U.S. economy. While these factors aren’t necessarily new or unique, they nonetheless have presented challenges for rate-sensitive investments — and, in the process, have made the majority of investors increasingly skittish. While we understand investors’ concerns, we remain optimistic about the municipal bond market.

Despite its inevitable ups and downs, the municipal bond market has historically demonstrated remarkable resiliency across multiple market cycles. We believe today’s market appears reasonably sound at its core in terms of continuing credit fundamentals and current relative valuations. The municipal market’s underpinnings remain deeply rooted in the need and demand for municipal bonds given the important role they play in financing vital local projects, such as schools, hospitals, and roadways that contribute to improving the quality of life for residents of the issuing municipalities.

It’s important to understand what’s driving the current market and maintain perspective. Let’s explore further.

Understanding the Factors Impacting Municipal Bonds

The primary driver of bond yields, prices, and relative performance is interest rates. Since the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) introduced a change in its monetary policy in March of this year to help combat inflation, interest rates began a steady upward climb. This was spurred by the Fed raising the Federal Funds rate (the interest rate that banks charge one another to borrow or lend excess reserves overnight), the first such increase since 2018. To date, through 11/02/2022, the Fed has implemented six rate hikes, totaling 3.75%, bringing the stated target range for the Fed Funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00%. And, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has indicated that additional increases may be deemed necessary going forward, dependent upon the status of the U.S. economy and data driven analytics. Mr. Powell and his colleagues have stated that the Fed will remain vigilant in its efforts to manage inflation, which has topped levels not seen in more than 40 years (as measured by the Consumer Price Index).

In reaction to the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy stance, year to date interest rates have experienced a significant increase. As you may know, bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of rate changes. Therefore, while rising interest rates generally translate to higher yields for bond investments, bond prices or values usually fall. This changing yield/price landscape has created two shifts in the market — a shift for issuers of bonds (who may now be reluctant to issue new debt at increased costs), along with a shift in investor sentiment. For investors, on the one hand, higher yields mean greater income, which is a welcome development for those who during the recent

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

low-yield environment sought opportunities to earn more attractive income levels. On the other hand, investors who are mindful of capital preservation have become wary as they have seen bond prices decline.

When investing in bonds, we believe that generating an attractive risk-adjusted return is a careful balance of the two factors— income and stability of capital. Your Fund’s investment objective, in fact, seeks to provide as high a level of current income exempt (from state and regular federal income taxes) as is consistent with preservation of capital. So, how has the rise in interest rates affected municipal bonds?

Assessing the Current Market Cycle

It’s important, in our view, to evaluate financial markets, performance, and valuations on a relative basis. This is true not only within the municipal bond market, but with and relative to other asset classes as well.

Municipal bonds are oftentimes viewed in comparison with U.S. Treasuries. Let’s take a look at yield curves and the relative Municipal-to-Treasury relationship. During 2022, yields of U.S. Treasury securities have generally risen across the maturity spectrum, but the overall slope of the curve flattened, particularly during the third quarter of 2022. Specifically, there was a greater increase in interest rates on the short-end of the U.S. Treasury curve (shorter maturities) which exceeded increases on the longer-end. Given economic uncertainty and fears of a possible recession, some market participants are concerned that this change in the U.S. Treasury yield curve may signal an impending economic slump. Meanwhile, the municipal bond yield curve has been more positively sloped (with longer term maturities yielding more) throughout the year, in particular, steepening between 10- and 30-year maturities during the third quarter — which may be viewed positively by municipal investors.

The Municipal-to-Treasury relationship (based on the yield of AAA municipal securities as a percentage of the yield of U.S. Treasuries of the same maturity) has fluctuated over the past year, but generally in our view continued to trade in line with historical relationship norms. The chart below illustrates what we believe to be an indication of improved relative valuations for municipal obligations, whereby municipal yields represent a greater percentage in comparison to U.S. Treasury yields. As one would usually anticipate in a rising rate environment, such as now, the relationship ratio compares somewhat favorably for longer maturity municipal bonds (specifically, in the 30-year maturity range) which were yielding greater than U.S. Treasury securities as of September 30th.

 

    January 3, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
  September 30, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
5-Year   44.1%   77.6%
10-year   63.8%   87.0%
30-year   74.3%   104.0%
Source: Bloomberg

 

Credit spreads among municipal bond issues have begun to widen during the year. (Credit spread is the difference in yield between securities of the same maturity with different credit ratings.) Wider credit spreads generally favor higher-quality issuers in a rising rate environment due to concerns related to lower quality issues during periods of slowing economic growth. This scenario may be viewed as a benefit to higher quality, shorter duration portfolios vis-à-vis lower quality, longer duration holdings. (Duration is

 

 

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a measurement of a bond’s sensitivity or risk to changes in interest rates; shorter duration generally means less risk.) This assumes interest rates continue to rise, as the Fed seems to have signaled in recent press releases. Overall, we view municipal credit fundamentals to be relatively strong, while credit defaults as tracked by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agencies (such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s) generally remain relatively low, particularly among higher quality issues.

At a local level, many state and local economies continue to show signs of improvement and sustained growth. Despite recession risk, local municipalities and governments appear to us to be well-positioned to manage economic challenges. Higher employment, increasing wages, and rising property values in many jurisdictions throughout the country are among key contributors toward bolstering state and local revenue and tax receipts.

Looking Forward

We remain cautiously optimistic about the direction of the municipal bond market. In addition to many of the positive conditions and trends stated above — including what we believe to be potential opportunities for greater income than in recent years, improving relative valuations, strong credit fundamentals, expanding local economies, and sustained investor demand — keep in mind the attractive benefits that municipal bonds offer, such as a high level of current income exempt from state and regular federal income taxes. Although no one can reasonably predict the impact of continued inflation or future Fed actions to curb such inflation, on a tax-equivalent basis, the municipal income benefit may be attractive compared to taxable investments for certain investors.

Remember, too, the Aquila difference. Your portfolio management team is locally-based, which provides them with an up-close perspective on the economy and bond issuers within local municipalities, cities, counties, and across the state. Our investment professionals draw upon their wealth of experience in analyzing securities, navigating market and economic cycles, and seeking to identify both opportunities and risks. The current market cycle is no exception. Our team employs an active portfolio management strategy, with a goal to maintain broadly diversified investment grade municipal portfolios, generally with an intermediate average maturity, to help deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns.

As always, we encourage you to consult with your financial professional to evaluate whether the investment choices you make are aligned with your individual financial goals and risk tolerances.

Thank you for your continued confidence in Aquila Group of Funds.

 

  Sincerely,  
   
   
  Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair and President  

 

 

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Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

Any information in this Shareholder Letter regarding market or economic trends or the factors influencing the Fund’s historical or future performance are statements of opinion as of the date of this report. These statements should not be relied upon for any other purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and there is no guarantee that any market forecasts discussed will be realized.

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (5.7%)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Bowling Green, Kentucky        
$ 1,605,000   2.000%, 09/01/44 Series 2021A   Aa1/NR/NR   $ 920,981
    Lexington-Fayette Urban County, Kentucky        
3,600,000   4.000%, 09/01/29   Aa2/AA/NR   3,650,400
    Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky Metro Government        
2,000,000   4.000%, 04/01/35 Series 2022A   Aa1/NR/AAA   1,996,060
    Newport, Kentucky        
620,000   2.000%, 02/01/38 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   414,073
    Rowan County, Kentucky        
835,000   4.000%, 06/01/30 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   855,224
865,000   4.000%, 06/01/31 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   883,035
    Warren County, Kentucky        
695,000   1.750%, 12/01/35 Series 2020   Aa1/NR/NR   475,602
    Total General Obligation Bonds        9,195,375
             
    Revenue Bonds (88.4%)        
     State Agency (27.3%)         
    Kentucky Asset & Liability Commission Federal Highway Notes        
2,000,000   5.250%, 09/01/25 Series A   A2/AA/A+   2,032,480
2,000,000   5.000%, 09/01/26 Series A   A2/AA/A+   2,055,480
1,000,000   5.000%, 09/01/27 Series A   A2/AA/A+   1,037,960
    Kentucky Rural Water Finance Corp.        
240,000   4.500%, 08/01/23 NPFG Insured   Baa2/A+/NR   240,194
255,000   4.500%, 08/01/24 NPFG Insured   Baa2/A+/NR   255,194
290,000   4.500%, 08/01/27 NPFG Insured   Baa2/A+/NR   290,188
245,000   4.600%, 08/01/28 NPFG Insured   Baa2/A+/NR   245,162
315,000   4.625%, 08/01/29 NPFG Insured   Baa2/A+/NR   315,208
175,000   4.000%, 02/01/28 Series 2012C   NR/A+/NR   175,056
100,000   4.000%, 02/01/29 Series 2012C   NR/A+/NR   100,030
120,000   4.000%, 02/01/26 Series 2012F   NR/A+/NR   120,044
125,000   4.000%, 02/01/27 Series 2012F   NR/A+/NR   125,043
130,000   4.000%, 02/01/28 Series 2012F   NR/A+/NR   130,042
140,000   4.000%, 02/01/29 Series 2012F   NR/A+/NR   140,042

 

 

1  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
     State Agency (continued)         
    Kentucky Rural Water Finance Corp. (continued)        
$ 265,000   2.000%, 02/01/35 Series 2020I   NR/A+/NR   $ 193,681
475,000   2.000%, 02/01/36 Series 2020I   NR/A+/NR   335,397
280,000   2.000%, 02/01/37 Series 2020I   NR/A+/NR   190,560
615,000   3.000%, 08/01/31 Series 2021D   NR/A+/NR   549,103
625,000   3.000%, 08/01/32 Series 2021D   NR/A+/NR   547,762
580,000   3.000%, 08/01/33 Series 2021D   NR/A+/NR   496,909
    Kentucky State Office Building COP        
2,250,000   4.000%, 04/15/27   A1/NR/NR   2,290,342
1,640,000   5.000%, 06/15/34   A1/NR/NR   1,700,631
     Kentucky State Property and Buildings Commission        
625,000   4.000%, 04/01/26 Project 105   A1/A-/A+   627,131
655,000   4.000%, 04/01/27 Project 105   A1/A-/A+   657,135
770,000   5.000%, 08/01/23 Project 108   A1/A-/A+   780,811
3,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/33 Project 108   A1/A-/A+   3,096,180
5,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/32 Project 110   A1/A-/A+   5,163,000
2,040,000   5.000%, 11/01/27 Project 112   A1/A-/A+   2,153,465
1,425,000   5.000%, 11/01/28 Project 112   A1/A-/A+   1,499,271
2,500,000   5.000%, 02/01/31 Project 112   A1/A-/A+   2,597,550
1,400,000   4.000%, 10/01/30 Project 114   A1/A-/A+   1,415,176
1,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/23 Project 115   A1/A-/A+   1,009,010
1,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/29 Project 115   A1/A-/A+   1,058,830
2,000,000   5.000%, 05/01/30 Project 117   A1/NR/A+   2,116,560
500,000   5.000%, 05/01/36 Project 117   A1/NR/A+   521,385
1,490,000   5.000%, 05/01/24 Project 119   A1/A-/A+   1,527,548
1,015,000   5.000%, 05/01/25 Project 119   A1/A-/A+   1,053,265
1,000,000   5.000%, 02/01/28 Project 121   A1/NR/A+   1,066,330
1,000,000   5.000%, 05/01/33 Project 126   A1/NR/A+   1,079,460
3,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/33 Project 127A   A1/NR/A+   3,236,130
    Total State Agency        44,224,745
             

 

 

2  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
     Airports (3.9%)         
    Louisville, Kentucky Regional Airport Authority        
$ 2,070,000   5.000%, 07/01/23 AMT   NR/A+/A+   $ 2,091,839
2,325,000   5.000%, 07/01/26 AMT   NR/A+/A+   2,358,247
1,895,000   5.000%, 07/01/27 Series A AMT   NR/A+/A+   1,921,625
    Total Airports        6,371,711
             
     City (1.1%)         
    River City Parking Authority of River City, Inc., Kentucky First Mortgage Refunding        
780,000   2.000%, 12/01/33 Series 2021A   Aa3/AA-/NR   582,036
800,000   2.000%, 12/01/34 Series 2021A   Aa3/AA-/NR   576,296
810,000   2.000%, 12/01/35 Series 2021A   Aa3/AA-/NR   565,485
    Total City        1,723,817
             
     City & County (0.5%)         
    Louisville & Jefferson County Visitors & Convention Commission (Kentucky International Convention Center Expansion Project)        
1,000,000   3.125%, 06/01/41 Series 2016   Aa3/A/NR   763,270
             
     Excise Tax (1.0%)         
    Kentucky Bond Development Corp. Transient Room Tax Revenue (Lexington Center Corporation) Subordinate        
1,585,000   5.000%, 09/01/27 Series 2018B   A3/NR/NR   1,672,746
             
     Healthcare (6.3%)         
    City of Ashland, Kentucky, Medical Center (King's Daughter)        
460,000   5.000%, 02/01/31 Series 2019   Baa1/BBB+/A-   470,405
450,000   5.000%, 02/01/32 Series 2019   Baa1/BBB+/A-   458,330
2,600,000   3.000%, 02/01/40 Series 2019 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/A-   1,927,718

 

 

3  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
     Healthcare (continued)         
    Louisville & Jefferson County, Kentucky Metropolitan Government Health System, Norton Healthcare, Inc.        
$ 2,710,000   5.000%, 10/01/27 Series A   NR/A/A+   $ 2,736,260
3,500,000   5.000%, 10/01/31 Series A   NR/A/A+   3,575,005
    Louisville & Jefferson County, Kentucky Metropolitan Government, Louisville Medical Center, Laundry Facility Project        
355,000   4.250%, 05/01/23 Series 2012   NR/BBB+/NR   356,384
    Warren County, Kentucky,  Warren County Community Hospital Corp.        
680,000   4.000%, 10/01/29   NR/AA-/NR   674,023
    Total Healthcare        10,198,125
             
     Higher Education (13.4%)         
    Boyle County, Kentucky Educational Facilities Refunding (Centre College)        
2,050,000   5.000%, 06/01/28 Series 2017   A3/A/NR   2,149,404
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/29 Series 2017   A3/A/NR   1,048,030
    Eastern Kentucky University General Receipts        
1,230,000   5.000%, 10/01/30 Series A   A1/NR/NR   1,314,538
870,000   4.500%, 04/01/32 Series A   A1/NR/NR   882,798
    Kentucky Bond Development Corp. Educational Facilities, City of Danville (Centre College)        
305,000   4.000%, 06/01/34 Series 2021   A3/A/NR   281,213
    Kentucky Bond Development Corp. Educational Facilities Revenue Refunding, City of Stamping Ground (Transylvania University Project)        
645,000   3.000%, 03/01/38 Series 2021A   NR/A-/NR   485,395

 

 

4  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
     Higher Education (continued)         
    Kentucky Bond Development Corp. Industrial Building Revenue, City of Stamping Ground (Transylvania University Project)        
$ 510,000   4.000%, 03/01/33 Series 2019B   NR/A-/NR   $ 484,495
610,000   4.000%, 03/01/34 Series 2019B   NR/A-/NR   567,141
    Kentucky State University COP        
300,000   4.000%, 11/01/34 Series 2021 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   298,461
310,000   4.000%, 11/01/36 Series 2021 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   301,060
740,000   4.000%, 11/01/38 Series 2021 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   703,111
    Louisville & Jefferson County, Kentucky Metropolitan Government College Improvement (Bellarmine University Project)        
2,270,000   5.000%, 05/01/33   Ba1/NR/NR   2,189,937
    Morehead State University, Kentucky General Receipts        
1,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/29 Series A   A1/NR/NR   1,033,450
1,000,000   4.000%, 04/01/31 Series A   A1/NR/NR   1,009,370
    Murray State University Project, Kentucky General Receipts        
1,850,000   4.500%, 03/01/30 Series A   A1/NR/NR   1,892,180
1,230,000   3.000%, 09/01/35 Series 2022A   A1/NR/NR   1,018,502
    Northern Kentucky University, Kentucky General Receipts        
990,000   3.000%, 09/01/40 Series A AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   735,085
    University of Kentucky COP        
1,000,000   4.000%, 05/01/39 2011 Series 2019A   Aa3/AA/NR   957,540
    University of Kentucky, Kentucky General Receipts        
2,715,000   3.000%, 04/01/39 Series A   Aa2/AA+/NR   2,189,756

 

 

5  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
     Higher Education (continued)         
    University of Louisville, Kentucky General Receipts        
$ 1,235,000   3.000%, 09/01/32 Series 2021B BAMI Insured   A1/AA/NR   $ 1,087,800
1,275,000   3.000%, 09/01/33 Series 2021B BAMI Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,097,635
    Total Higher Education        21,726,901
             
     Housing (0.6%)         
    Kentucky Housing Multifamily Mortgage Revenue        
1,035,000   5.000%, 06/01/35 AMT (mandatory put 6/01/23)   NR/NR/NR*   1,036,242
             
     Local Public Property (6.4%)         
    Jefferson County, Kentucky Capital Projects        
1,950,000   4.375%, 06/01/24 AGMC Insured   A1/NR/AA+   1,951,657
1,640,000   4.375%, 06/01/28 AGMC Insured   A1/NR/AA+   1,641,050
1,070,000   4.375%, 06/01/27 Series A AGMC Insured   A1/NR/AA+   1,070,760
    Kentucky Association of Counties Finance Corp. Financing Program        
515,000   4.000%, 02/01/25   NR/AA-/NR   515,273
30,000   4.250%, 02/01/24 Series A   NR/AA-/NR   30,016
345,000   5.000%, 02/01/24 Series B   NR/AA-/NR   351,696
365,000   5.000%, 02/01/25 Series B   NR/AA-/NR   377,505
385,000   5.000%, 02/01/26 Series B   NR/AA-/NR   402,106
380,000   3.000%, 02/01/30 Series C   NR/AA-/NR   353,218
460,000   3.000%, 02/01/32 Series D   NR/AA-/NR   409,156
470,000   3.000%, 02/01/33 Series D   NR/AA-/NR   408,228
1,210,000   3.000%, 02/01/38 Series E   NR/AA-/NR   946,656

 

 

6  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
     Local Public Property (continued)         
    Kentucky Bond Corp. Financing Program        
$ 575,000   2.000%, 02/01/37 First Series A   NR/AA-/NR   $ 416,409
590,000   2.000%, 02/01/38 First Series A   NR/AA-/NR   417,537
600,000   2.000%, 02/01/39 First Series A   NR/AA-/NR   415,398
730,000   3.000%, 02/01/41 Series F   NR/AA-/NR   552,209
    Total Local Public Property        10,258,874
             
     School Building (16.1%)         
    Beechwood, Kentucky Independent School District Finance Corp.        
645,000   4.000%, 08/01/31 Series 2022   A1/NR/NR   645,264
    Bullitt County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp.        
970,000   1.875%, 12/01/36 Series 2020   A1/NR/NR   674,422
    Fayette County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp.        
3,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/31   Aa3/AA-/NR   3,123,960
    Franklin County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp.        
1,135,000   4.000%, 04/01/24 Second Series   A1/NR/NR   1,144,988
    Hopkins County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp.        
1,500,000   2.000%, 02/01/39 Series 2021   A1/NR/NR   978,150
    Jefferson County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp.          
805,000   5.000%, 04/01/28 Series A   Aa3/AA-/NR   834,060
1,075,000   4.500%, 04/01/32 Series A   Aa3/AA-/NR   1,096,941
4,000,000   4.000%, 07/01/26 Series B   Aa3/AA-/NR   4,018,760
1,655,000   4.000%, 11/01/29 Series C   Aa3/AA-/NR   1,667,892
    Kenton County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp.        
2,040,000   3.000%, 02/01/31 Series 2022   A1/NR/NR   1,849,586
    Lewis County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp.        
1,600,000   2.000%, 02/01/39 Series 2021   A1/NR/NR   1,080,544

 

 

7  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
     School Building (continued)         
    Logan County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp., Energy Conservation Revenue Bonds        
$ 575,000   4.000%, 04/01/33 Series 2016   A1/NR/NR   $ 575,765
615,000   4.000%, 04/01/34 Series 2016   A1/NR/NR   615,258
    Scott County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp. School Building        
2,000,000   4.000%, 02/01/32   Aa3/NR/NR   2,017,420
    Shelby County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp. School Building        
3,200,000   4.000%, 02/01/28   A1/NR/NR   3,255,648
2,440,000   4.000%, 02/01/29   A1/NR/NR   2,477,137
    Total School Building        26,055,795
             
     Student Loan (2.3%)         
     Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan        
400,000   5.000%, 06/01/24 Senior Series A AMT   NR/A/A   407,332
600,000   5.000%, 06/01/26 Senior Series A AMT   NR/A/A   619,476
500,000   4.000%, 06/01/34 Senior Series A AMT   NR/A/A   448,115
750,000   5.000%, 06/01/28 Senior Series 2019A-1 AMT   NR/A/A   773,730
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/28 Senior Series 2021A-1 AMT   NR/A/A   1,031,640
350,000   5.000%, 06/01/31 Senior Series 2021A-1 AMT   NR/A/A   361,781
    Total Student Loan        3,642,074
             
     Turnpike/Highway (7.0%)         
    Kentucky State Turnpike Authority        
4,030,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 Series A   Aa3/A-/A+   4,180,198
1,200,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 Series A   Aa3/NR/NR   1,318,284
1,715,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 Series B   Aa3/A-/NR   1,798,452
2,925,000   5.000%, 07/01/33 Series B   Aa3/A-/NR   3,064,201
900,000   5.000%, 07/01/28 Series 2022B   Aa3/NR/NR   970,452
    Total Turnpike/Highway        11,331,587
             

 

 

8  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Utilities (2.5%)        
     Boone County, Kentucky Pollution Control        
$ 1,000,000   3.700%, 08/01/27 Series 2008A   Baa1/BBB+/NR   $ 965,070
     Louisville & Jefferson County, Kentucky Metropolitan Sewer District        
1,920,000   4.500%, 05/15/30 Series A   Aa3/AA/NR   1,961,549
     Murray, Kentucky Electric Plant Board        
1,380,000   3.000%, 12/01/35 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,141,246
    Total Utilities        4,067,865
    Total Revenue Bonds        143,073,752
             
    Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds (6.7%)††        
    Pre-Refunded Revenue Bonds\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds (6.7%)        
     State Agency (1.6%)         
     Kentucky State Property and Buildings Commission        
1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/25   A1/A-/A+   1,018,480
1,500,000   5.000%, 10/01/29 Project 106   A1/A-/A+   1,527,720
    Total State Agency        2,546,200
             
     City (0.6%)         
    River City Parking Authority of River City, Inc., Kentucky First Mortgage        
1,000,000   4.750%, 06/01/27 2013 Series B   Aa3/AA-/NR   1,010,670
             
     Healthcare (3.9%)         
    Hardin County, Kentucky, Hardin Memorial Hospital        
675,000   5.500%, 08/01/23 AGMC Insured ETM   A1/AA/NR   687,258
500,000   5.250%, 08/01/24 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   508,070
    Warren County, Kentucky, Warren County Community Hospital Corp.        
4,975,000   5.000%, 04/01/28   NR/AA-/NR   5,022,511
    Total Healthcare       6,217,839
             

 

 

9  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
     School Building (0.6%)         
    Fayette County, Kentucky School District Finance Corp.        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/27 Series A   Aa3/AA-/NR   $ 1,018,280
    Total Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds        10,792,989
    Total Municipal Bonds
(cost $175,415,932)
       163,062,116
             
Shares   Short-Term Investment (1.1%)        
1,776,310   Dreyfus Treasury Obligations Cash Management - Institutional Shares, 2.85%** (cost $1,776,310)   Aaa-mf/AAAm/NR   1,776,310
             
    Total Investments
(cost $177,192,242 - note 4)
  101.9%    164,838,426
    Other assets less liabilities   (1.9)    (3,079,088)
    Net Assets   100.0%   $ 161,759,338

 

 

Portfolio Distribution By Quality Rating   Percentage of
Investments†
AAA of Fitch   1.2%
Pre-refunded bonds\ETM bonds††   6.6
Aa of Moody's or AA of S&P or Fitch   38.2
A of Moody's or S&P or Fitch   51.2
Baa of Moody's or BBB of S&P   0.8
Ba1 of Moody's   1.4
Not Rated*   0.6
    100.0%

 

 

10  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS

AGMC - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

BAMI - Build America Mutual Insurance

COP - Certificates of Participation

ETM - Escrowed to Maturity

NPFG - National Public Finance Guarantee

NR - Not Rated

 

 

* Any security not rated (“NR”) by any of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO”) has been determined by the Investment Adviser to have sufficient quality to be ranked in the top four credit ratings if a credit rating were to be assigned by a NRSRO.
   
** The rate is an annualized seven-day yield at period end.
   
Where applicable, calculated using the highest rating of the three NRSRO. Percentages in this table do not include the Short-Term Investment.
   
†† Pre-refunded bonds are bonds for which U.S. Government Obligations usually have been placed in escrow to retire the bonds at their earliest call date. Escrowed to Maturity bonds are bonds where money has been placed in the escrow account which is used to pay principal and interest through the bond’s originally scheduled maturity date.  Escrowed to Maturity are shown as ETM. All other securities in the category are pre-refunded.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

ASSETS      
Investments at value (cost $177,192,242)   $  164,838,426
Interest receivable     2,082,004
Receivable for Fund shares sold     6,233
Other assets     20,003
Total assets     166,946,666
       
LIABILITIES      
Payable for investment securities purchased     4,341,678
Payable for Fund shares redeemed     636,319
Dividends payable     57,078
Management fee payable     55,474
Distribution and service fees payable     58
Accrued expenses payable     96,721
Total liabilities     5,187,328
NET ASSETS   $  161,759,338
       
Net Assets consist of:      
Capital Stock – Authorized an unlimited number of shares, par value $0.01 per share   $  168,163
Additional paid-in capital     174,521,003
Total distributable earnings (losses)     (12,929,828)
    $  161,759,338
CLASS A      
Net Assets   $  112,003,445
Capital shares outstanding     11,644,984
Net asset value and redemption price per share   $  9.62
Maximum offering price per share (100/97 of $9.62)   $  9.92
       
CLASS C      
Net Assets   $  2,913,234
Capital shares outstanding     302,964
Net asset value and offering price per share   $  9.62
       
CLASS I      
Net Assets   $  5,953,388
Capital shares outstanding     619,142
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  9.62
       
CLASS Y      
Net Assets   $  40,889,271
Capital shares outstanding     4,249,176
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  9.62

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Investment Income            
Interest income         $ 2,561,354
             
Expenses            
Management fee (note 3)   $ 346,616      
Distribution and service fee (note 3)     108,585      
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees (note 3)     52,106      
Fund accounting fees     31,418      
Trustees’ fees and expenses (note 7)     27,634      
Legal fees     20,203      
Auditing and tax fees     11,281      
Compliance services (note 3)     4,690      
Insurance     4,622      
Shareholders’ reports     4,558      
Registration fees and dues     4,183      
Credit facility fees (note 10)     2,223      
Custodian fees     1,836      
Miscellaneous     11,424      
Total expenses           631,379
Net investment income           1,929,975
             
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:            
Net realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (665,771)      
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (10,302,471)      
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments           (10,968,242)
Net change in net assets resulting from operations         $  (9,038,267)

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

13  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
OPERATIONS            
Net investment income   $  1,929,975   $  3,778,341
Realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (665,771)     (5,762)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (10,302,471)     (11,699,561)
Change in net assets resulting from operations     (9,038,267)     (7,926,982)
             
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (note 9):            
Class A Shares     (1,308,728)     (2,777,064)
             
Class C Shares     (22,673)     (56,656)
             
Class I Shares     (64,035)     (129,140)
             
Class Y Shares     (534,717)     (986,166)
Change in net assets from distributions     (1,930,153)     (3,949,026)
             
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (note 6):            
Proceeds from shares sold     9,415,983     23,209,081
Reinvested dividends and distributions     1,577,687     3,208,855
Cost of shares redeemed     (17,171,812)     (22,813,782)
Change in net assets from capital share transactions     (6,178,142)     3,604,154
             
Change in net assets     (17,146,562)     (8,271,854)
             
NET ASSETS:            
Beginning of period     178,905,900     187,177,754
End of period   $  161,759,338   $  178,905,900

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

14  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

1. Organization

Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky (the “Fund”) is one of six series of Aquila Municipal Trust, a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as a non-diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund, which commenced operations on October 12, 2013, is the successor to Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky. Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky transferred all of its assets and liabilities in exchange for shares of the Fund on October 11, 2013 pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization (the “reorganization”). The reorganization was approved by shareholders of Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky on September 17, 2013. The reorganization was accomplished by exchanging the assets and liabilities of the predecessor fund for shares of the Fund. Shareowners holding shares of Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky received corresponding shares of the Fund in a one-to-one exchange ratio in the reorganization. Accordingly, the reorganization, which was a tax-free exchange, had no effect on the Fund’s operations. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. Class A Shares are sold at net asset value plus a sales charge of varying size (depending upon a variety of factors) paid at the time of purchase and bear a distribution fee. Class C Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge payable at the time of purchase but with a level charge for service and distribution fees for six years thereafter. Class C Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after six years. Class Y Shares are sold only through authorized financial institutions acting for investors in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class Y Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge, no redemption fee, no contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) and no distribution fee. Class I Shares are offered and sold only through financial intermediaries and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class I Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge and no redemption fee or CDSC, although a financial intermediary may charge a fee for effecting a purchase or other transaction on behalf of its customers. Class I Shares carry a distribution and a service fee. As of the date of this report, there were no Class F Shares outstanding. All classes of shares represent interests in the same portfolio of investments and are identical as to rights and privileges but differ with respect to the effect of sales charges, the distribution and/or service fees borne by each class, expenses specific to each class, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and the exchange privileges of each class.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies.

a)Portfolio valuation: Municipal securities are valued each business day based upon information provided by a nationally prominent independent pricing service and periodically verified through other pricing services. In the case of securities for which market quotations are readily available, securities are valued by the pricing service at the mean of bid and ask quotations. If a market quotation or a valuation from the pricing service is not readily available, the security is valued using other fair value methods. Aquila Investment Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager, has

 

 

 

15  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

been designated as the Fund’s valuation designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

b)Fair value measurements: The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, based on the best information available.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs, representing 100% of the Fund’s investments, used to value the Fund’s net assets as of September 30, 2022:

 

  Valuation Inputs*   Investments
in Securities
  Level 1 – Quoted Prices — Short-Term Investment   $ 1,776,310
  Level 2 – Other Significant Observable Inputs – Municipal Bonds*     163,062,116
  Level 3 – Significant Unobservable Inputs    
  Total   $ 164,838,426
  * See schedule of investments for a detailed listing of securities.      

 

c)Subsequent events: In preparing these financial statements, the Fund has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date these financial statements were issued.
d)Securities transactions and related investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are reported on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded daily on the accrual basis and is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue and market discount.
e)Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to certain investment companies. The Fund intends to make distributions of

 

 

16  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

income and securities profits sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, Federal income and excise taxes.

Management has reviewed the tax positions for each of the open tax years (2019 – 2021) or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2022 tax returns and has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements.

f)Multiple Class Allocations: All income, expenses (other than class-specific expenses), and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class. Class-specific expenses, which include distribution and service fees and any other items that are specifically attributed to a particular class, are also charged directly to such class on a daily basis.
g)Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
h)Reclassification of capital accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended March 31, 2022, there were no items identified that have been reclassified among components of net assets.
i)The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services-Investment Companies”.

3. Fees and Related Party Transactions

a)Management Arrangements:

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aquila Management Corporation, the Fund’s founder and sponsor, serves as the Manager for the Fund under an Advisory and Administration Agreement with the Fund. Under the Advisory and Administration Agreement, the Manager provides all investment management and administrative services to the Fund. The Manager’s services include providing the office of the Fund and all related services as well as managing relationships with all the various support organizations to the Fund such as the transfer and shareholder servicing agent, custodian, legal counsel, auditors and distributor. For its services, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.40% on the Fund’s net assets.

Under a Compliance Agreement with the Manager, the Manager is compensated by the Fund for compliance related services provided to enable the Fund to comply with Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

 

 

17  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Specific details as to the nature and extent of the services provided by the Manager are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

b)Distribution and Service Fees:

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) under the 1940 Act. Under one part of the Plan, with respect to Class A Shares, the Fund is authorized to make distribution fee payments to broker-dealers or others (“Qualified Recipients”) selected by Aquila Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”) including, but not limited to, any principal underwriter of the Fund, with which the Distributor has entered into written agreements contemplated by the Rule and which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. The Fund makes payment of this distribution fee at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class A Shares. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, distribution fees on Class A Shares amounted to $88,777 of which the Distributor retained $4,861.

Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s Class C shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $12,527. In addition, under a Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to make service fee payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients for providing personal services and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $4,176. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the total of these payments with respect to Class C Shares amounted to $16,703 of which the Distributor retained $4,656.

Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make payments with respect to Class I Shares to Qualified Recipients. Class I payments, under the Plan, may not exceed for any fiscal year of the Fund a rate (currently 0.10%), set from time to time by the Board of Trustees, of not more than 0.25% of the average annual net assets represented by the Class I Shares. In addition, Class I has a Shareholder Services Plan under which it may pay service fees (currently 0.25%) of not more than 0.25% of the average annual net assets represented by Class I Shares. That is, the total payments under both plans will not exceed 0.50% of such net assets. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, these payments were made at the average annual rate of 0.35% of such net assets and amounted to $10,866 of which $3,105 related to the Plan and $7,761 related to the Shareholder Services Plan.

Specific details about the Plans are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Under a Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves as the exclusive distributor of the Fund’s shares. Through agreements between the Distributor and various brokerage and advisory firms (“financial intermediaries”), the Fund’s shares are sold primarily through the facilities of these financial intermediaries having offices within Kentucky, with the bulk of

 

 

18  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

any sales commissions inuring to such financial intermediaries. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, total commissions on sales of Class A Shares amounted to $9,500 of which the Distributor received $2,277.

c)Transfer and shareholder servicing fees:

The Fund occasionally compensates financial intermediaries in connection with the sub-transfer agency related services provided by such entities in connection with their respective Fund shareholders so long as the fees are deemed by the Board of Trustees to be reasonable in relation to (i) the value of the services and the benefits received by the Fund and certain shareholders; and (ii) the payments that the Fund would make to another entity to perform similar ongoing services to existing shareholders.

4. Purchases and Sales of Securities

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases of securities and proceeds from the sales of securities aggregated $11,671,704 and $13,026,274, respectively.

At September 30, 2022, the aggregate tax cost for all securities was $177,192,242. At September 30, 2022, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost amounted to $59,727 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value amounted to $12,413,543 for a net unrealized depreciation of $12,353,816.

5. Portfolio Orientation

Since the Fund invests principally and may invest entirely in double tax-free municipal obligations of issuers within Kentucky, it is subject to possible risks associated with economic, political, or legal developments or industrial or regional matters specifically affecting Kentucky and whatever effects these may have upon Kentucky issuers’ ability to meet their obligations. At September 30, 2022, the Fund had all of its long-term portfolio holdings invested in municipal obligations of issuers within Kentucky.

 

 

19  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

6. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in Capital Shares of the Fund were as follows:

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
    Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount
Class A Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    292,447   $ 2,927,641    649,893   $  7,077,451
Reinvested dividends and distributions    118,747      1,182,729    229,741      2,480,053
Cost of shares redeemed    (813,881)      (8,108,168)   (1,193,302)      (12,856,736)
Net change    (402,687)      (3,997,798)    (313,668)      (3,299,232)
                     
Class C Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    832      8,383    25,109      270,493
Reinvested dividends and distributions    2,139      21,314    4,988      53,912
Cost of shares redeemed    (73,545)      (736,765)    (147,776)      (1,602,993)
Net change    (70,574)      (707,068)    (117,679)      (1,278,588)
                     
Class I Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold   —        —         
Reinvested dividends and distributions    6,433      64,035    11,967      129,139
Cost of shares redeemed    (6,596)      (65,659)    (12,282)      (132,542)
Net change    (163)      (1,624)    (315)      (3,403)
                     
Class Y Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    648,067      6,479,959    1,464,106      15,861,137
Reinvested dividends and distributions    31,082      309,609    50,592      545,751
Cost of shares redeemed    (835,324)      (8,261,220)    (764,925)      (8,221,511)
Net change    (156,175)      (1,471,652)    749,773      8,185,377
Total transactions in Fund shares    (629,599)   $ (6,178,142)    318,111   $  3,604,154

 

7. Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

At September 30, 2022, there were 9 Trustees, one of whom is affiliated with the Manager and is not paid any fees. The total amount of Trustees’ service fees (for carrying out their responsibilities) and attendance fees paid during the six months ended September 30, 2022 was $26,529. Attendance fees are paid to those in attendance at regularly scheduled quarterly Board Meetings and meetings of the independent Trustees held prior to each quarterly Board Meeting, as well as additional meetings (such as

 

 

20  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Audit, Nominating, Shareholder and special meetings). Trustees are reimbursed for their expenses such as travel, accommodations and meals incurred in connection with attendance at Board Meetings and at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such meeting-related expenses were reduced and amounted to $1,105.

8. Securities Traded on a When-Issued Basis

The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.

9. Income Tax Information and Distributions

The Fund declares dividends daily from net investment income and makes payments monthly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed annually and are taxable. Dividends and capital gains distributions are paid in additional shares at the net asset value per share or in cash, at the shareholder’s option.

The Fund intends to maintain, to the maximum extent possible, the tax-exempt status of interest payments received from portfolio municipal securities in order to allow dividends paid to shareholders from net investment income to be exempt from regular Federal and Commonwealth of Kentucky income taxes. Due to differences between financial statement reporting and Federal income tax reporting requirements, distributions made by the Fund may not be the same as the Fund’s net investment income, and/or net realized securities gains. Further, a small portion of the dividends may, under some circumstances, be subject to taxes at ordinary income and/or capital gain rates. For certain shareholders, some dividend income may, under some circumstances, be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax. As a result of the passage of the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), losses incurred in this fiscal year and beyond retain their character as short-term or long-term, have no expiration date and are utilized before capital losses incurred prior to the enactment of the Act.

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

      Year Ended
March 31, 2022
  Year Ended
March 31, 2021
  Net tax-exempt income   $ 3,777,511   $ 3,845,721
  Ordinary Income     329     479
  Capital Gains     171,186    
      $ 3,949,026   $ 3,846,200

 

 

21  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

As of March 31, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were:

 

  Unrealized depreciation   $ (2,040,154)
  Accumulated net realized loss on investments     (5,762)
  Undistributed tax-exempt income     143,011
  Other temporary differences     (58,503)
      $ (1,961,408)

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis undistributed income is due to the timing difference, and other temporary differences, in recognizing dividends paid and the tax treatment of market discount amortization and the deduction of distributions payable.

10. Credit Facility

Since August 30, 2017, Bank of New York Mellon and the Aquila Group of Funds (comprised of nine funds) have been parties to a $40 million credit agreement, which currently terminates on August 23, 2023 (per the August 24, 2022 amendment). In accordance with the Aquila Group of Funds Guidelines for Allocation of Committed Line of Credit, each fund is responsible for payment of its proportionate share of

a)a 0.17% per annum commitment fee; and,
b)interest on amounts borrowed for temporary or emergency purposes by the fund (at the applicable per annum rate selected by the Aquila Group of Funds at the time of the borrowing of either (i) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1% or (ii) the sum of the higher of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate, or (c) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1%).

There were no borrowings under the credit agreement during the six months ended September 30, 2022.

11. Risks

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

 

 

22  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of

 

 

23  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

 

 

24  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class A
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.25   $10.93   $10.79   $10.64   $10.48   $10.55
Income from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.11   0.22   0.23   0.24   0.25   0.26
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.63)   (0.67)   0.14   0.15   0.18   (0.06)
Total from investment operations   (0.52)   (0.45)   0.37   0.39   0.43   0.20
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.11)   (0.22)   (0.23)   (0.24)   (0.25)   (0.26)
Distributions from capital gains     (0.01)       (0.02)   (0.01)
Total distributions   (0.11)   (0.23)   (0.23)   (0.24)   (0.27)   (0.27)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.62   $10.25   $10.93   $10.79   $10.64   $10.48
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (5.10)%(2)   (4.25)%   3.48%   3.72%   4.10%   1.89%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $112   $124   $135   $142   $144   $160
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.75%(3)   0.75%   0.77%   0.80%   0.79%   0.75%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  2.21%(3)   1.99%   2.14%   2.26%   2.36%   2.48%
Portfolio turnover rate   7%(2)   7%   7%        6%        6%   9%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

25  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class C
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.25   $10.93   $10.78   $10.64   $10.47   $10.54
Income from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.07   0.12   0.14   0.15   0.16   0.17
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.63)   (0.67)   0.15   0.14   0.19   (0.06)
Total from investment operations   (0.56)   (0.55)   0.29   0.29   0.35   0.11
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.07)   (0.12)   (0.14)   (0.15)   (0.16)   (0.17)
Distributions from capital gains     (0.01)       (0.02)   (0.01)
Total distributions   (0.07)   (0.13)   (0.14)   (0.15)   (0.18)   (0.18)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.62   $10.25   $10.93   $10.78   $10.64   $10.47
Total return (not reflecting CDSC)   (5.50)%(2)   (5.06%)   2.70%   2.75%   3.32%   1.03%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $3   $4   $5   $6   $7   $9
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.60%(3)   1.60%   1.62%   1.65%   1.64%   1.60%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.36%(3)   1.13%   1.29%   1.41%   1.50%   1.63%
Portfolio turnover rate   7%(2)   7%   7%        6%        6%   9%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

26  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class I
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.25   $10.92   $10.78   $10.64   $10.47   $10.54
Income from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.10   0.20   0.22   0.23   0.23   0.25
Net gain on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.63)   (0.66)   0.14   0.14   0.19   (0.07)
Total from investment operations   (0.53)   (0.46)   0.36   0.37   0.42   0.18
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.10)   (0.20)   (0.22)   (0.23)   (0.23)   (0.24)
Distributions from capital gains     (0.01)       (0.02)   (0.01)
Total distributions   (0.10)   (0.21)   (0.22)   (0.23)   (0.25)   (0.25)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.62   $10.25   $10.92   $10.78   $10.64   $10.47
Total return   (5.17)%(2)   (4.31)%   3.33%   3.48%   4.04%   1.74%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $6   $6   $7   $7   $7   $7
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.89%(3)   0.91%   0.92%   0.93%   0.94%   0.90%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  2.06%(3)   1.84%   1.99%   2.12%   2.20%   2.33%
Portfolio turnover rate   7%(2)   7%   7%        6%        6%   9%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

27  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA CHURCHILL TAX-FREE FUND OF KENTUCKY

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class Y
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.26   $10.93   $10.79   $10.65   $10.48   $10.55
Income from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.12   0.23   0.25   0.26   0.26   0.28
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.64)   (0.66)   0.14   0.14   0.19   (0.06)
Total from investment operations   (0.52)   (0.43)   0.39   0.40   0.45   0.22
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.12)   (0.23)   (0.25)   (0.26)   (0.26)   (0.28)
Distributions from capital gains     (0.01)       (0.02)   (0.01)
Total distributions   (0.12)   (0.24)   (0.25)   (0.26)   (0.28)   (0.29)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.62   $10.26   $10.93   $10.79   $10.65   $10.48
Total return   (5.12)%(2)   (4.01)%   3.64%   3.78%   4.35%   2.04%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $41   $45   $40   $27   $30   $43
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.60%(3)   0.60%   0.62%   0.65%   0.64%   0.60%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  2.36%(3)   2.14%   2.28%   2.41%   2.50%   2.63%
Portfolio turnover rate   7%(2)   7%   7%        6%        6%   9%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

28  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

Additional Information:

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, requires open-end management investment companies to adopt and implement written liquidity risk management programs that are reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is defined in the rule as the risk that a fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the fund. In accordance with Rule 22e-4, Aquila Municipal Trust (“AMT”) has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management (“LRM”) program (the “program”). AMT’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has designated an LRM Committee consisting of employees of Aquila Investment Management LLC as the administrator of the program (the “Committee”).

The Board met on June 17, 2022 to review the program. At the meeting, the Committee provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, and any material changes to the program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period”).

During the Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure taking into account less liquid and illiquid assets.

The Committee reviewed each Fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. In classifying and reviewing each Fund’s investments, the Committee considered whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class in sizes the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, would be reasonably expected to significantly affect liquidity. The Committee considered the following information when determining the sizes in which each Fund would reasonably anticipate trading: historical net redemption activity, the Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, Fund performance, Fund size, and distribution channels.

The Committee considered each Fund’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered the terms of the credit facility applicable to the Funds, the financial health of the institution providing the facility and the fact that the credit facility is shared among multiple Funds. The Committee also considered other types of borrowing available to the Funds, such as the ability to use interfund lending arrangements.

The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether a Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”), and determined that the requirement to maintain an HLIM was inapplicable to the Funds because each Fund primarily holds highly liquid investments.

There were no material changes to the program during the Reporting Period. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that the program is reasonably designed and operated effectively throughout the Review Period.

 

 

29  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

Additional Information (unaudited):

Renewal of the Advisory and Administration Agreement

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Advisory and Administration Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). In order for the Manager to remain the investment adviser of the Fund, the Trustees of the Fund must determine annually whether to renew the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees requested and obtained such information as they deemed reasonably necessary. The independent Trustees met via video conference on August 25, 2022 and in person on September 10, 2022 to review and discuss the contract review materials that were provided in advance of the August 25, 2022 meeting. The Trustees considered, among other things, information presented by the Manager. They also considered information presented in a report prepared by an independent consultant with respect to the Fund’s fees, expenses and investment performance, which included comparisons of the Fund’s investment performance against peers and the Fund’s benchmark and comparisons of the advisory fee payable under the Advisory Agreement against the advisory fees paid by the Fund’s peers (the “Consultant’s Report”). In addition, the Trustees took into account the performance and other information related to the Fund provided to the Trustees at each regularly scheduled meeting. The Trustees also discussed the memorandum provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other considerations that are relevant to the Trustees in their deliberations regarding the renewal of the Advisory Agreement.

At the meeting held on September 10, 2022, based on their evaluation of the information provided by the Manager and the independent consultant, the Trustees of the Fund, including the independent Trustees voting separately, unanimously approved the renewal of the Advisory Agreement until September 30, 2023. In considering the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees considered various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors described below. The Trustees did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in determining to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement.

The nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Manager

The Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services that had been provided by the Manager to the Fund, taking into account the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. The Trustees reviewed the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

The Trustees reviewed the Manager’s investment approach for the Fund and its research process. The Trustees considered that the Manager had provided all advisory and administrative services to the Fund that the Trustees deemed necessary or appropriate, including the specific services that the Trustees have determined are required for the Fund, given that it seeks to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Kentucky state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital. The Trustees considered the personnel of the Manager who provide investment management services to the Fund. The Manager has employed Messrs. Royden Durham,

 

 

30  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

Tony Tanner and James Thompson as portfolio managers for the Fund and has established facilities and capabilities for credit analysis of the Fund’s portfolio securities. They considered that Mr. Durham, the Fund’s lead portfolio manager, is based in Louisville, Kentucky and that he has a comprehensive understanding regarding the economy of the State of Kentucky and the securities in which the Fund invests, including those securities with less than the highest ratings from the rating agencies.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has additionally provided all administrative services to the Fund and provided the Fund with personnel (including Fund officers) and other resources that are necessary for the Fund’s business management and operations. The Trustees considered the nature and extent of the Manager’s supervision of third-party service providers, including the Fund’s fund accountant, shareholder servicing agent and custodian.

Based on these considerations, the Trustees concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services that had been provided by the Manager to the Fund were satisfactory and consistent with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

The investment performance of the Fund

The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) and compared its performance to the performance of:

·the funds in the Municipal Single State Intermediate-Term Bond category as assigned by Morningstar, Inc. (the “Morningstar Category”); and
·the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond: Quality Intermediate Total Return Index Unhedged USD.

The Trustees considered that the materials included in the Consultant’s Report indicated that the Fund’s average annual total return was higher than the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the one, three, five and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2022. They noted that the Fund’s return for each of the six months and the one, three and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022 was in the second quintile, in each case relative to the funds in the Morningstar Category for the same periods. (Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group and first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.) The Trustees further considered that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the one, three, five and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2022. They further noted, as reflected in the Consultant’s Report, that the Fund’s total return for 2021 outperformed both the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category and the annual return of its benchmark index for 2021.

The Trustees noted that the Fund invests primarily in municipal obligations issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, its counties and various other local authorities, while the funds in the Morningstar Category invest in, and the Fund’s benchmark index includes, municipal bonds of issuers throughout the United States and that approximately 1% of the benchmark index consists of Kentucky bonds. The Trustees also noted that, unlike the Fund’s returns, the performance of the benchmark index did not reflect any fees or expenses.

The Trustees considered the Fund’s investment performance to be consistent with the investment objectives of the Fund. Evaluation of the investment performance of the Fund indicated to the Trustees that renewal of the Advisory Agreement would be appropriate.

 

 

31  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

Advisory Fees and Fund Expenses

The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses and compared them to the advisory fee and expense data for the 21 funds in the Fund’s expense group (the “Expense Group”), as selected by the independent consultant (the Fund and 14 other Municipal Single-State Intermediate-Term Bond Funds, one Municipal Massachusetts Bond fund, one Municipal Minnesota Bond fund, three Municipal New Jersey Bond funds, and one Municipal Pennsylvania Bond fund, each categorized by Morningstar, Inc. with portfolio assets ranging between $93 million and $457 million). Only front-end load and retail no-load funds were considered for inclusion in the Expense Group. In addition, peer selection focused on municipal bond funds with an intermediate duration across comparable categories. The Trustees also compared the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses to advisory fee data for the Fund’s Morningstar Category (as defined above). Certain of the peer group comparisons referred to below are organized in quintiles. Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group. In all peer group comparisons referred to below, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net management fee for its most recent fiscal year was in the second quintile relative to the management fees paid by the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period (after giving effect to fee waivers in effect for those funds). They also considered that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee was lower than the average and median contractual advisory fees of the funds in the Morningstar Category (at the Fund’s current asset level and at various asset levels up to $10 billion).

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net total expenses for the most recent fiscal year were in the second quintile relative to the net total expenses of the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period (after giving effect to fee waivers in effect for those funds).

The Trustees reviewed management fees charged by the Manager to its other clients. It was noted that the Manager does not have any other clients except for other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds. The Trustees noted that in most instances the fee rates for those clients were comparable to the fees paid to the Manager with respect to the Fund. In evaluating the fees associated with the other funds, the Trustees took into account the respective demands, resources and complexity associated with the Fund and those funds.

The Trustees concluded that the advisory fee and expenses of the Fund were reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager to the Fund.

Profitability

The Trustees received materials from the Manager elated to profitability. The Manager provided information which showed the profitability to the Manager of its services to the Fund, as well as the profitability of Aquila Distributors LLC of distribution services provided to the Fund. The Manager also provided other financial information to the members of the financial review committee of the Fund and the other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds.

The Trustees considered the information provided by the Manager regarding the profitability of the Manager with respect to the advisory services provided by the Manager to the Fund, including the methodology used by the Manager in allocating certain of its

 

 

32  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

costs to the management of the Fund. The Trustees concluded that profitability to the Manager with respect to the advisory services provided to the Fund did not argue against approval of the fees to be paid under the Advisory Agreement.

The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows

The Trustees considered the extent to which the Manager may realize economies of scale or other efficiencies in managing the Fund. The Trustees considered that the materials indicated that the Fund’s fees are already generally lower than those of its peers, including those funds with breakpoints. The Trustees noted that the Manager’s profitability also may be an indicator of the availability of any economies of scale. Accordingly, the Trustees concluded that economies of scale, if any, were being appropriately shared with the Fund.

Benefits derived or to be derived by the Manager and its affiliate from the relationship with the Fund

The Trustees observed that, as is generally true of most fund complexes, the Manager and its affiliates, by providing services to a number of funds including the Fund, were able to spread costs as they would otherwise be unable to do. The Trustees noted that while that produces efficiencies and increased profitability for the Manager and its affiliates, it also makes their services available to the Fund at favorable levels of quality and cost which are more advantageous to the Fund than would otherwise have been possible.

 

 

 

 

33  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

Your Fund’s Expenses (unaudited)

As a Fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including front-end sales charges with respect to Class A shares or contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) with respect to Class C shares; and (2) ongoing costs including management fees; distribution “12b-1” and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. The table below is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The table below assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Under the heading, “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.

 

  Actual   Hypothetical
  (actual return after expenses)   (5% annual return before expenses)
Share
Class
Beginning Account
Value
4/1/22

Ending(1)

Account
Value
9/30/22

Expenses(2)
Paid During Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
  Ending
Account
Value
9/30/22
Expenses(2)
Paid During
Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio
A $1,000 $ 949.00 $3.66   $1,021.31 $3.80 0.75%
C $1,000 $ 945.00 $7.80   $1,017.05 $8.09 1.60%
I $1,000 $ 948.30 $4.35   $1,020.61 $4.51 0.89%
Y $1,000 $ 948.80 $2.93   $1,022.06 $3.04 0.60%

 

(1) Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable sales charges with respect to Class A or the applicable CDSC with respect to Class C shares. Total return is not annualized and as such, it may not be representative of the total return for the year.
   
(2) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above - in the far right column - multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

 

 

34  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

Information Available (unaudited)

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and Complete Portfolio Holding Schedules

Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are filed with the SEC twice a year. Each Report contains a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings, along with full financial statements and other important financial statement disclosures. Additionally, your Fund files a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its Reports on Form N-PORT. Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and N-PORT reports are available free of charge on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. You may also review or, for a fee, copy the forms at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

In addition, your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and complete Portfolio Holdings Schedules for each fiscal quarter end are also available, free of charge, on your Fund’s website, www.aquilafunds.com (under the prospectuses & reports tab) or by calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

Portfolio Holdings Reports

In accordance with your Fund’s Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy, the Manager also prepares a Portfolio Holdings Report as of each quarter end, which is typically posted to your Fund’s individual page at www.aquilafunds.com by the 15th day after the end of each calendar quarter. Such information will remain accessible until the next Portfolio Holdings Report is made publicly available by being posted to www.aquilafunds.com. The quarterly Portfolio Holdings Report may be accessed, free of charge, by visiting www.aquilafunds.com or calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

 

 

Proxy Voting Record (unaudited)

During the 12 month period ended June 30, 2022, there were no proxies related to any portfolio instruments held by the Fund. As such, the Fund did not vote any proxies. Applicable regulations require us to inform you that the Fund’s proxy voting information is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

Federal Tax Status of Distributions (unaudited)

This information is presented in order to comply with a requirement of the Internal Revenue Code. No action on the part of shareholders is required.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, $3,777,511 of dividends paid by Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky, constituting 95.6% of total dividends paid, were exempt-interest dividends; $171,186 of dividends paid by the Fund constituting 4.3% of total dividends paid were capital gains distributions and the balance was ordinary income.

Prior to February 15, 2023, shareholders will be mailed the appropriate tax form(s) which will contain information on the status of distributions paid for the 2022 calendar year.

 

 

35  |  Aquila Churchill Tax-Free Fund of Kentucky

 

 
 
 

 

 

Founders

Lacy B. Herrmann (1929-2012)

Aquila Management Corporation, Sponsor

 

Manager

AQUILA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Board of Trustees

Thomas A. Christopher, Chair

Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair

Ernest Calderón

Gary C. Cornia

Grady Gammage, Jr.

Patricia L. Moss

Glenn P. O’Flaherty

Heather R. Overby

Laureen L. White

 

Officers

Diana P. Herrmann, President

Paul G. O’Brien, Senior Vice President

Royden P. Durham, Vice President
and Lead Portfolio Manager

Anthony A. Tanner, Vice President

and Portfolio Manager

James T. Thompson, Vice President and
Portfolio Manager

Troy Miller, Vice President

Randall S. Fillmore, Chief Compliance Officer

Joseph P. DiMaggio, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Anita Albano, Secretary

 

Distributor

AQUILA DISTRIBUTORS LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent

BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, Massachusetts 01581

 

Custodian

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 

 

Further information is contained in the Prospectus,
which must precede or accompany this report.

 

AQL-KYSAR-1122

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

September 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Aquila Narragansett

Tax-Free Income Fund

Keeping an Optimistic
Long-Term View

 

Serving Rhode Island investors since 1992

     

 

November, 2022

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

The fixed income markets have experienced significant volatility and downward pressure for much of 2022, driven primarily by several key economic factors, including continued high inflation, rising interest rates, and uncertainty about the direction of the U.S. economy. While these factors aren’t necessarily new or unique, they nonetheless have presented challenges for rate-sensitive investments — and, in the process, have made the majority of investors increasingly skittish. While we understand investors’ concerns, we remain optimistic about the municipal bond market.

Despite its inevitable ups and downs, the municipal bond market has historically demonstrated remarkable resiliency across multiple market cycles. We believe today’s market appears reasonably sound at its core in terms of continuing credit fundamentals and current relative valuations. The municipal market’s underpinnings remain deeply rooted in the need and demand for municipal bonds given the important role they play in financing vital local projects, such as schools, hospitals, and roadways that contribute to improving the quality of life for residents of the issuing municipalities.

It’s important to understand what’s driving the current market and maintain perspective. Let’s explore further.

Understanding the Factors Impacting Municipal Bonds

The primary driver of bond yields, prices, and relative performance is interest rates. Since the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) introduced a change in its monetary policy in March of this year to help combat inflation, interest rates began a steady upward climb. This was spurred by the Fed raising the Federal Funds rate (the interest rate that banks charge one another to borrow or lend excess reserves overnight), the first such increase since 2018. To date, through 11/02/2022, the Fed has implemented six rate hikes, totaling 3.75%, bringing the stated target range for the Fed Funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00%. And, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has indicated that additional increases may be deemed necessary going forward, dependent upon the status of the U.S. economy and data driven analytics. Mr. Powell and his colleagues have stated that the Fed will remain vigilant in its efforts to manage inflation, which has topped levels not seen in more than 40 years (as measured by the Consumer Price Index).

In reaction to the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy stance, year to date interest rates have experienced a significant increase. As you may know, bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of rate changes. Therefore, while rising interest rates generally translate to higher yields for bond investments, bond prices or values usually fall. This changing yield/price landscape has created two shifts in the market — a shift for issuers of bonds (who may now be reluctant to issue new debt at increased costs), along with a shift in investor sentiment. For investors, on the one hand, higher yields mean greater income, which is a welcome development for those who during the recent

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

low-yield environment sought opportunities to earn more attractive income levels. On the other hand, investors who are mindful of capital preservation have become wary as they have seen bond prices decline.

When investing in bonds, we believe that generating an attractive risk-adjusted return is a careful balance of the two factors— income and stability of capital. Your Fund’s investment objective, in fact, seeks to provide as high a level of current income exempt (from state and regular federal income taxes) as is consistent with preservation of capital. So, how has the rise in interest rates affected municipal bonds?

Assessing the Current Market Cycle

It’s important, in our view, to evaluate financial markets, performance, and valuations on a relative basis. This is true not only within the municipal bond market, but with and relative to other asset classes as well.

Municipal bonds are oftentimes viewed in comparison with U.S. Treasuries. Let’s take a look at yield curves and the relative Municipal-to-Treasury relationship. During 2022, yields of U.S. Treasury securities have generally risen across the maturity spectrum, but the overall slope of the curve flattened, particularly during the third quarter of 2022. Specifically, there was a greater increase in interest rates on the short-end of the U.S. Treasury curve (shorter maturities) which exceeded increases on the longer-end. Given economic uncertainty and fears of a possible recession, some market participants are concerned that this change in the U.S. Treasury yield curve may signal an impending economic slump. Meanwhile, the municipal bond yield curve has been more positively sloped (with longer term maturities yielding more) throughout the year, in particular, steepening between 10- and 30-year maturities during the third quarter — which may be viewed positively by municipal investors.

The Municipal-to-Treasury relationship (based on the yield of AAA municipal securities as a percentage of the yield of U.S. Treasuries of the same maturity) has fluctuated over the past year, but generally in our view continued to trade in line with historical relationship norms. The chart below illustrates what we believe to be an indication of improved relative valuations for municipal obligations, whereby municipal yields represent a greater percentage in comparison to U.S. Treasury yields. As one would usually anticipate in a rising rate environment, such as now, the relationship ratio compares somewhat favorably for longer maturity municipal bonds (specifically, in the 30-year maturity range) which were yielding greater than U.S. Treasury securities as of September 30th.

 

    January 3, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
  September 30, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
5-Year   44.1%   77.6%
10-year   63.8%   87.0%
30-year   74.3%   104.0%
Source: Bloomberg

 

Credit spreads among municipal bond issues have begun to widen during the year. (Credit spread is the difference in yield between securities of the same maturity with different credit ratings.) Wider credit spreads generally favor higher-quality issuers in a rising rate environment due to concerns related to lower quality issues during periods of slowing economic growth. This scenario may be viewed as a benefit to higher quality, shorter duration portfolios vis-à-vis lower quality, longer duration holdings. (Duration is

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

a measurement of a bond’s sensitivity or risk to changes in interest rates; shorter duration generally means less risk.) This assumes interest rates continue to rise, as the Fed seems to have signaled in recent press releases. Overall, we view municipal credit fundamentals to be relatively strong, while credit defaults as tracked by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agencies (such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s) generally remain relatively low, particularly among higher quality issues.

At a local level, many state and local economies continue to show signs of improvement and sustained growth. Despite recession risk, local municipalities and governments appear to us to be well-positioned to manage economic challenges. Higher employment, increasing wages, and rising property values in many jurisdictions throughout the country are among key contributors toward bolstering state and local revenue and tax receipts.

Looking Forward

We remain cautiously optimistic about the direction of the municipal bond market. In addition to many of the positive conditions and trends stated above — including what we believe to be potential opportunities for greater income than in recent years, improving relative valuations, strong credit fundamentals, expanding local economies, and sustained investor demand — keep in mind the attractive benefits that municipal bonds offer, such as a high level of current income exempt from state and regular federal income taxes. Although no one can reasonably predict the impact of continued inflation or future Fed actions to curb such inflation, on a tax-equivalent basis, the municipal income benefit may be attractive compared to taxable investments for certain investors.

Remember, too, the Aquila difference. Your portfolio management team is locally-based, which provides them with an up-close perspective on the economy and bond issuers within local municipalities, cities, counties, and across the state. Our investment professionals draw upon their wealth of experience in analyzing securities, navigating market and economic cycles, and seeking to identify both opportunities and risks. The current market cycle is no exception. Our team employs an active portfolio management strategy, with a goal to maintain broadly diversified investment grade municipal portfolios, generally with an intermediate average maturity, to help deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns.

As always, we encourage you to consult with your financial professional to evaluate whether the investment choices you make are aligned with your individual financial goals and risk tolerances.

Thank you for your continued confidence in Aquila Group of Funds.

 

  Sincerely,  
   
   
  Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair and President  

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                                                  

 

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

Any information in this Shareholder Letter regarding market or economic trends or the factors influencing the Fund’s historical or future performance are statements of opinion as of the date of this report. These statements should not be relied upon for any other purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and there is no guarantee that any market forecasts discussed will be realized.

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (26.1%)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Barrington, Rhode Island        
$ 840,000   2.500%, 08/01/25   Aa1/NR/NR   $ 812,927
    Bristol, Rhode Island        
865,000   3.500%, 08/01/31   NR/AA+/NR   852,890
1,900,000   3.000%, 08/01/38 Series 2021A   NR/AA+/NR   1,515,288
    Coventry, Rhode Island        
1,605,000   3.625%, 03/15/27 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,608,258
    Cranston, Rhode Island        
1,325,000   4.000%, 07/01/28   A1/AA-/AA+   1,358,787
1,170,000   5.000%, 08/01/32 Series 2018 A   A1/AA-/AA+   1,268,420
1,000,000   4.000%, 08/01/33 Series 2019 A BAMI Insured   A1/AA/AA+   1,008,880
615,000   4.000%, 08/01/35 Series 2019 A BAMI Insured   A1/AA/AA+   615,646
860,000   4.000%, 08/15/34 Series 2021 A   NR/AA-/AA+   845,552
455,000   4.000%, 08/15/35 Series 2021 A   NR/AA-/AA+   444,330
475,000   4.000%, 08/15/36 Series 2021 A   NR/AA-/AA+   460,185
1,515,000   4.250%, 07/15/24 Series B BAMI Insured   A1/AA/AA+   1,542,800
1,000,000   4.250%, 07/15/25 Series B BAMI Insured   A1/AA/AA+   1,027,750
    Cumberland, Rhode Island          
500,000   4.250%, 11/01/27 Series 2011 A   NR/AA+/NR   500,375
500,000   4.625%, 11/01/31 Series 2011 A   NR/AA+/NR   500,465
700,000   4.500%, 03/15/32 Series 2018 A   NR/AA+/NR   734,636
    Hopkinton, Rhode Island        
450,000   4.375%, 08/15/31   Aa3/NR/NR   450,274
    Johnston, Rhode Island        
1,020,000   3.450%, 06/01/29 Series A   A1/AA/NR   1,020,541
1,020,000   3.700%, 06/01/33 Series A   A1/AA/NR   980,954
    Lincoln, Rhode Island          
1,500,000   3.500%, 08/01/24 Series A   Aa2/NR/AAA   1,503,435
2,225,000   3.500%, 08/01/25 Series A   Aa2/NR/AAA   2,232,409
    Middleton, Rhode Island        
435,000   4.000%, 02/01/31 Series 2021A   Aa1/NR/NR   452,126
    Narragansett, Rhode Island        
1,025,000   3.500%, 07/15/28   Aa2/AA+/NR   1,027,542

 

 

1  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    North Kingstown, Rhode Island        
$ 375,000   3.000%, 04/15/24 Series A   Aa2/AA+/NR   $ 372,990
1,500,000   3.500%, 04/01/37 Series 2021 A   NR/AA+/NR   1,293,090
    North Smithfield, Rhode Island        
825,000   3.000%, 06/15/26 Series A   Aa2/NR/NR   803,616
1,075,000   3.500%, 05/15/34   Aa2/NR/NR   986,871
    Pawtucket, Rhode Island        
1,010,000   4.000%, 11/01/25 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/A+   1,022,090
890,000   4.500%, 07/15/33 Series C AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   935,880
935,000   4.500%, 07/15/34 Series C AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   978,122
975,000   4.500%, 07/15/35 Series C AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,005,118
    Portsmouth, Rhode Island        
1,140,000   3.750%, 02/01/31 Series A   Aa2/AAA/NR   1,132,955
    Providence, Rhode Island          
975,000   3.625%, 01/15/29 Series A AGMC Insured   A1/AA/A-   975,478
2,010,000   3.750%, 01/15/30 Series A AGMC Insured   A1/AA/A-   2,011,166
1,000,000   3.750%, 01/15/32 Series A AGMC Insured   A1/AA/A-   1,000,060
    Richmond, Rhode Island        
525,000   3.000%, 08/01/24   Aa3/NR/NR   524,055
    State of Rhode Island        
2,000,000   3.750%, 11/01/23 Series A   Aa2/AA/AA   2,012,000
2,000,000   3.000%, 05/01/31 Series A   Aa2/AA/AA   1,853,500
2,500,000   4.000%, 04/01/32 Series A   Aa2/AA/AA   2,580,825
2,000,000   3.000%, 05/01/32 Series A   Aa2/AA/AA   1,814,300
1,500,000   3.000%, 05/01/36 Series A   Aa2/AA/AA   1,273,365
2,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/23 Series D   Aa2/AA/AA   2,029,720
2,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/24 Series D   Aa2/AA/AA   2,063,220
2,260,000   4.000%, 08/01/30 Series 2021C   Aa2/AA/AA   2,378,899
1,000,000   4.000%, 08/01/33 Series 2021E   Aa2/AA/AA   1,009,090
    Warren, Rhode Island          
1,170,000   4.000%, 02/15/33 Series 2018 A   Aa3/NR/NR   1,180,507

 

 

2  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    West Greenwich, Rhode Island        
$ 1,175,000   3.000%, 08/15/26   NR/AA+/NR   $ 1,156,670
    West Warwick, Rhode Island        
795,000   5.000%, 10/01/32 Series A BAMI Insured   A3/AA/NR   828,970
    Westerly, Rhode Island          
345,000   5.000%, 11/15/31 Series 2021 A   NR/AA/NR   382,357
    Total General Obligation Bonds        56,369,384
             
    Revenue Bonds (67.7%)        
    Development (6.2%)        
    Providence, Rhode Island Public Building Authority (Capital Improvement Program Projects)        
3,000,000   4.000%, 09/15/34 Series A  AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   3,002,940
3,500,000   4.000%, 09/15/35 Series A  AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   3,413,095
    Providence, Rhode Island Redevelopment Agency Refunding Public Safety Building Project        
1,680,000   5.000%, 04/01/26 Series A AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,747,166
    Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund        
 935,000   4.000%, 10/01/33 Series 2019 A   NR/AA/NR   943,368
 845,000   4.000%, 10/01/34 Series 2019 A   NR/AA/NR   846,301
 1,010,000   4.000%, 10/01/35 Series 2019 A   NR/AA/NR   987,184
    Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Efficient Buildings Fund, Green Bonds        
 1,110,000   4.000%, 10/01/29 Series 2018 A   NR/AA/NR   1,140,736
 1,555,000   3.000%, 10/01/37 Series 2020 A   NR/AA/NR   1,288,831
    Total Development        13,369,621
             

 

 

3  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Healthcare (3.2%)        
    Rhode Island Health & Education Building Corp., Hospital Financing, Lifespan Obligated Group        
$ 875,000   5.000%, 05/15/28 Series 2016   NR/BBB+/BBB+   $ 890,234
1,000,000   5.000%, 05/15/31 Series 2016   NR/BBB+/BBB+   1,013,730
1,000,000   5.000%, 05/15/33 Series 2016   NR/BBB+/BBB+   1,009,630
1,250,000   5.000%, 05/15/34 Series 2016   NR/BBB+/BBB+   1,260,000
1,750,000   5.000%, 05/15/39 Series 2016   NR/BBB+/BBB+   1,746,973
    Rhode Island State & Providence Plantations Lease COP (Eleanor Slater Hospital Project)        
1,000,000   4.000%, 11/01/32 Series B   Aa3/AA-/AA-   1,026,290
    Total Healthcare        6,946,857
             
    Higher Education (5.4%)        
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Higher Educational Facility        
2,500,000   5.000%, 09/15/30 Series 2010 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/NR/NR   2,503,575
    Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility, Brown University        
2,000,000   4.000%, 09/01/37 Series 2017   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,932,200
    Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility, Providence College        
2,490,000   4.000%, 11/01/24 Series 2015   A2/A/NR   2,521,772
250,000   4.000%, 11/01/37 Series 2021B   A2/A/NR   230,030
250,000   4.000%, 11/01/38 Series 2021B   A2/A/NR   228,180
    Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility, University of Rhode Island        
1,000,000   4.250%, 09/15/31 Series A   Aa3/A+/NR   1,029,980

 

 

4  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Higher Education (continued)        
    Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility, University of Rhode Island Auxiliary Enterprise        
$ 500,000   4.000%, 09/15/31 Series 2016 B   A1/A+/NR   $ 506,430
2,000,000   4.000%, 09/15/42 Series 2017 A   A1/A+/NR   1,772,760
1,000,000   4.000%, 09/15/32 Series 2017 B   A1/A+/NR   1,002,240
    Total Higher Education        11,727,167
             
    Housing (6.2%)        
    Rhode Island Housing & Mortgage Finance Corp. Homeownership Opportunity        
155,000   3.000%, 10/01/39 Series 71   Aa1/AA+/NR   128,813
2,000,000   2.100%, 10/01/35 Series 73 A   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,522,640
2,000,000   2.300%, 10/01/40 Series 73 A   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,410,340
2,000,000   2.050%, 10/01/36 Series 75 A   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,481,920
750,000   2.350%, 10/01/36 Series 76 A   Aa1/AA+/NR   568,987
    Rhode Island Housing & Mortgage Finance Corp. Multi-Family Development Sustainability          
770,000   2.750%, 10/01/34 Series 1-B   Aa2/NR/NR   641,333
1,000,000   3.100%, 10/01/44 Series 1-B   Aa2/NR/NR   750,500
    Rhode Island Housing & Mortgage Finance Corp. Multi-Family Development Sustainability          
1,125,000   0.450%**, 10/01/40 Series 2021 1-A (Mandatory Tender Date 10/01/23)   Aa2/NR/NR   1,083,667
    Rhode Island Housing & Mortgage Finance Corp. Multi-Family Housing        
1,400,000   4.625%, 10/01/25 Series 2010 A   Aaa/NR/NR   1,400,980
1,260,000   5.000%, 10/01/30 Series 2010 A   Aaa/NR/NR   1,262,218
1,255,000   3.450%, 10/01/36 Series 2016 1B   Aa2/NR/NR   1,104,024
1,000,000   3.250%, 10/01/27 Series 1B   Aa2/NR/NR   966,150
1,000,000   3.400%, 10/01/29 Series 3B   Aa2/NR/NR   971,080
    Total Housing        13,292,652
             

 

 

5  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Public School (33.0%)        
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public Schools Financing Program        
$ 795,000   5.000%, 05/15/27 Series 2015 C   Aa2/NR/NR   $ 828,207
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Burrillville        
 730,000   5.000%, 05/15/35 Series 2022D   NR/AA/NR   786,933
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Chariho Regional School District        
 1,520,000   4.000%, 05/15/31 Series 2017 J-2 B   Aa3/NR/NR   1,544,001
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Coventry        
 1,000,000   3.750%, 05/15/28 Series 2013 B AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   1,000,170
 1,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/33 AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   1,000,120
    Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, City of Cranston        
 1,170,000   4.000%, 05/15/30 Series 2015 B BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,191,844
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, City of East Providence        
 1,000,000   3.625%, 05/15/32 Series B   Aa3/NR/NR   985,770
 2,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/37 Series 2021F   NR/AA/NR   1,893,360
 3,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/38 Series 2021F   NR/AA/NR   2,780,640
 2,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/41 Series 2021F   NR/AA/NR   1,818,960
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District        
 1,455,000   3.500%, 05/15/37 Series 2021 G   Aa3/NR/NR   1,256,931
 2,100,000   4.000%, 05/15/41 Series 2021 G   Aa3/NR/NR   1,909,908

 

 

6  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Public School (continued)        
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Jamestown        
$ 1,020,000   3.000%, 05/15/35 Series 2019 C   Aa1/NR/NR   $ 876,292
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Johnston        
 1,045,000   5.000%, 05/15/34 Series 2022F   NR/AA/NR   1,135,069
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Lincoln        
 3,245,000   5.000%, 05/15/33 Series 2020 B   Aa2/NR/AAA   3,543,832
 1,610,000   4.000%, 05/15/35 Series 2020 B   Aa2/NR/AAA   1,572,696
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Little Compton        
 1,620,000   4.000%, 05/15/25 Series 2013 H   NR/AAA/NR   1,630,465
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, City of Newport        
 2,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/36 Series 2022C   NR/AA+/NR   1,946,880
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of North Kingston        
 370,000   4.000%, 05/15/29 Series 2021 A   NR/AA+/NR   382,776
 405,000   4.000%, 05/15/30 Series 2021 A   NR/AA+/NR   418,470
 355,000   3.000%, 05/15/33 Series 2021 A   NR/AA+/NR   318,836
 415,000   3.000%, 05/15/34 Series 2021 A   NR/AA+/NR   363,519

 

 

7  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Public School (continued)        
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of North Providence        
$ 1,100,000   4.500%, 11/15/22 Series 2013 I   Aa3/AA-/NR   $ 1,101,859
 750,000   5.000%, 05/15/31 Series 2017 G AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   801,082
 500,000   5.000%, 05/15/32 Series 2019 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   540,135
 500,000   5.000%, 05/15/33 Series 2019 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   538,250
 500,000   5.000%, 05/15/34 Series 2019 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   536,140
 500,000   4.000%, 05/15/37 Series 2019 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   478,960
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, City of Pawtucket        
 1,570,000   4.000%, 05/15/26 Series 2014 C   Aa3/NR/NR   1,583,800
 1,000,000   4.250%, 05/15/29 Series 2017 E BAMI Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   1,038,280
 1,045,000   4.000%, 05/15/31 Series 2018 B   Aa3/NR/NR   1,063,664
 1,090,000   4.000%, 05/15/32 Series 2018 B   Aa3/NR/NR   1,106,187
 1,455,000   4.000%, 05/15/35 Series 2022A   Aa3/NR/NR   1,412,980
 1,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/36 Series 2022A   Aa3/NR/NR   949,250
 1,635,000   4.000%, 05/15/38 Series 2022A   Aa3/NR/NR   1,519,602
 500,000   4.000%, 05/15/42 Series 2022A   Aa3/NR/NR   452,740
 2,350,000   3.000%, 05/15/39 Series 2019 B   Aa3/NR/NR   1,785,577
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Portsmouth        
 500,000   5.000%, 05/15/32 Series 2022E   NR/AAA/NR   562,780
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, City of Providence        
 2,250,000   4.000%, 05/15/37 Series 2021D BAMI Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   2,135,700

 

 

8  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Public School (continued)        
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Scituate        
$ 1,285,000   4.500%, 05/15/33 Series 2018 A   NR/AA/NR   $ 1,321,957
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Smithfield        
 1,000,000   3.000%, 05/15/37 Series 2021H   NR/AA/NR   800,300
 1,000,000   3.000%, 05/15/38 Series 2021H   NR/AA/NR   780,180
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Tiverton        
 1,630,000   5.000%, 05/15/27 Series 2015 D   A1/NR/NR   1,696,015
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, City of Warwick        
 1,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/36 Series 2022B   NR/AA/NR   969,030
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of Westerly        
 500,000   4.000%, 05/15/30 Series 2021E   NR/AA/NR   511,210
 500,000   4.000%, 05/15/31 Series 2021E   NR/AA/NR   509,030
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Pooled Issue        
 445,000   5.000%, 05/15/35 Series 2019 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   476,123
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Pooled Issue - Tiverton, Foster-Glocester, Cranston, East Greenwich        
 3,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/28 Series A   Aa3/NR/NR   3,053,940

 

 

9  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Public School (continued)        
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Pooled Issue - Narragansett & Scituate        
$ 1,665,000   4.250%, 05/15/28 Series 2017 B   Aa2/NR/NR   $ 1,718,064
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Providence Public Buildings Authority        
 1,500,000   3.750%, 05/15/27 Series 2015 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   1,512,135
 1,500,000   4.000%, 05/15/28 Series 2015 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   1,524,570
 2,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/30 Series 2015 B AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   2,023,300
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Providence Public Schools        
 2,000,000   4.500%, 05/15/24 Series 2013 A   Aa3/NR/NR   2,013,260
 1,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/35 Series 2019 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   992,270
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, City of Warwick        
 1,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/32 Series 2017 I   NR/AA/NR   1,017,520
 1,340,000   4.000%, 05/15/35 Series 2019 D   NR/AA/NR   1,323,129
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, City of Woonsocket        
 500,000   5.000%, 05/15/27 Series 2017 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   538,535
 500,000   5.000%, 05/15/28 Series 2017 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   535,615
 500,000   5.000%, 05/15/29 Series 2017 A AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   533,175

 

 

10  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Public School (continued)        
    Rhode Island Health and Education Building Corp., Public School Financing Program, Town of South Kingstown        
$ 780,000   3.500%, 05/15/34 Series 2020A   Aa1/NR/NR   $ 733,387
    Total Public School        71,375,410
             
    Secondary Education (1.1%)        
    Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., Educational Institution, St. George's School        
600,000   4.000%, 10/01/36 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   566,346
600,000   4.000%, 10/01/37 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   561,342
1,265,000   4.000%, 10/01/38 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   1,171,048
    Total Secondary Education        2,298,736
             
    Transportation (7.1%)        
    Rhode Island Commerce Corp., Airport        
 635,000   5.000%, 07/01/36 2016 Series D   Baa1/A-/BBB+   649,694
 1,015,000   5.000%, 07/01/37 2016 Series D   Baa1/A-/BBB+   1,035,371
    Rhode Island Commerce Corp., First Lien Special Facility Refunding Bonds (Rhode Island Airport Corporation Intermodal Facility Project)        
 1,425,000   5.000%, 07/01/24 Series 2018   Baa1/BBB+/NR   1,456,421
 1,500,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 Series 2018   Baa1/BBB+/NR   1,575,030
    Rhode Island Commerce Corp., Grant Anticipation Refunding Bonds (Rhode Island Department of Transportation)        
 1,850,000   4.000%, 06/15/24 Series 2016 A   A2/AA-/NR   1,863,616
 1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/31 Series 2016 B   A2/AA-/NR   1,048,150
    Rhode Island State Economic Development Corp., Airport        
 1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/24 Series B   Baa1/A-/BBB+   1,010,480
 2,000,000   4.000%, 07/01/24 Series B   Baa1/A-/BBB+   2,007,200

 

 

11  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Transportation (continued)        
    Rhode Island State Turnpike & Bridge Authority, Motor Fuel Tax        
$ 1,240,000   4.000%, 10/01/27 Series 2016 A   NR/A+/A   $ 1,261,278
 1,500,000   4.000%, 10/01/34 Series 2016 A   NR/A+/A   1,469,175
 1,000,000   4.000%, 10/01/36 Series 2016 A   NR/A+/A   953,680
 300,000   4.000%, 10/01/33 Series 2019 A   NR/A+/A   294,660
 300,000   4.000%, 10/01/34 Series 2019 A   NR/A+/A   293,007
 495,000   4.000%, 10/01/35 Series 2019 A   NR/A+/A   481,071
    Total Transportation        15,398,833
             
    Water and Sewer (4.5%)        
    Narragansett, Rhode Island Bay Commission Wastewater System        
 3,145,000   4.000%, 02/01/28 Series A   NR/AA-/NR   3,193,559
    Rhode Island Clean Water Protection Finance Agency Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund        
 1,085,000   3.500%, 10/01/25   NR/AAA/AAA   1,087,615
    Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Water, City of Pawtucket        
 1,730,000   5.000%, 10/01/28 Series 2015 NPFG Insured   Baa2/A+/NR   1,774,219
    Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Water, Pollution Control        
 2,575,000   4.000%, 10/01/29 Series A   NR/AAA/AAA   2,638,783
 500,000   4.000%, 10/01/32 Series A   NR/AAA/AAA   506,215
    Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Water, Safe Drinking Water        
 500,000   3.000%, 10/01/31 Series A   NR/AAA/AAA   473,205
    Total Water and Sewer        9,673,596
             

 

 

12  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Other Revenue (1.0%)        
    Providence, Rhode Island Public Building Authority (Capital Improvement Program Projects)        
$ 2,000,000   5.000%, 09/15/31 Series A  AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   $ 2,136,500
    Total Revenue Bonds        146,219,372
             
    Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds (3.6%)††        
    Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds (1.7%)        
    Rhode Island State & Providence Plantations Consolidated Capital Development Loan        
2,110,000   4.250%, 10/15/25 Series A   Aa2/AA/AA   2,133,484
1,500,000   5.000%, 11/01/34 Series B   Aa2/AA/AA   1,555,365
    Total Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds        3,688,849
             
    Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Revenue Bonds (1.9%)        
    Development (0.5%)        
    Rhode Island Convention Center Authority Refunding        
1,000,000   4.000%, 05/15/23 Series A ETM   A1/AA-/AA-   1,004,530
             
    Higher Education (0.5%)        
    Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp., Higher Education Facility, Bryant University        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/32 Series 2014   A2/NR/NR   1,029,050
             

 

 

13  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity
Revenue Bonds (continued)
  Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Water and Sewer (0.9%)        
    Rhode Island Clean Water Protection Finance Agency Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund        
$ 1,000,000   3.750%, 10/01/33   NR/AAA/AAA   $ 1,005,190
 1,000,000   3.750%, 10/01/34   NR/AAA/AAA   1,005,190
    Total Water and Sewer        2,010,380
    Total Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Revenue Bonds        4,043,960
    Total Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds        7,732,809
    Total Municipal Bonds
(cost $229,374,121)
       210,321,565
             
Shares   Short-Term Investment (1.5%)        
3,315,461   Dreyfus Treasury Obligations Cash Management - Institutional Shares, 2.85%* (cost $3,315,461)   Aaa-mf/AAAm/NR   3,315,461
             
    Total Investments
(cost $232,689,582 - note 4)
  98.9%    213,637,026
    Other assets less liabilities   1.1    2,414,138
    Net Assets   100.0%   $ 216,051,164

 

 

Portfolio Distribution By Quality Rating   Percentage of
Investments†
Aaa of Moody's or AAA of S&P or Fitch   9.3%
Pre-refunded bonds\ETM bonds††   3.7
Aa of Moody's or AA of S&P or Fitch   73.6
A of Moody's or S&P or Fitch   9.1
Baa of Moody’s or BBB of S&P or Fitch   4.3
    100.0%

 

 

14  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS

AGMC - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

BAMI - Build America Mutual Insurance

COP - Certificates of Participation

ETM - Escrowed to Maturity

NPFG - National Public Finance Guarantee

NR - Not Rated

 

 

* The rate is an annualized seven-day yield at period end.
   
** Variable rate.
   
Where applicable, calculated using the highest rating of the three NRSRO.  Percentages in this table do not include the Short-Term Investment.
   
†† Pre-refunded bonds are bonds for which U.S. Government Obligations usually have been placed in escrow to retire the bonds at their earliest call date.  Escrowed to Maturity bonds are bonds where money has been placed in the escrow account which is used to pay principal and interest through the bond’s originally scheduled maturity date.  Escrowed to Maturity are shown as ETM.  All other securities in the category are pre-refunded.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

15  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

ASSETS      
Investments at value (cost $232,689,582)   $  213,637,026
Interest receivable     2,818,321
Receivable for Fund shares sold     328,656
Other assets     19,466
Total assets     216,803,469
       
LIABILITIES      
Payable for Fund shares redeemed     408,514
Dividends payable     167,740
Management fees payable     86,979
Distribution and service fees payable     449
Accrued expenses payable     88,623
Total liabilities     752,305
NET ASSETS   $  216,051,164
       
Net Assets consist of:      
Capital Stock – Authorized an unlimited number of shares, par value $0.01 per share   $  223,182
Additional paid-in capital     235,959,411
Total distributable earnings (losses)     (20,131,429)
    $  216,051,164
CLASS A      
Net Assets   $  102,088,410
Capital shares outstanding     10,544,992
Net asset value and redemption price per share   $  9.68
Maximum offering price per share (100/97 of $9.68)   $  9.98
       
CLASS C      
Net Assets   $  1,250,362
Capital shares outstanding     129,137
Net asset value and offering price per share   $  9.68
       
CLASS F      
Net Assets   $  4,712,477
Capital shares outstanding     487,834
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  9.66
       
CLASS I      
Net Assets   $  290,072
Capital shares outstanding     29,944
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  9.69
       
CLASS Y      
Net Assets   $  107,709,843
Capital shares outstanding     11,126,248
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  9.68

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

16  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Investment Income            
Interest income         $ 3,190,218
             
Expenses            
Management fee (note 3)   $ 584,254      
Distribution and service fee (note 3)     90,210      
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees     70,021      
Legal fees     43,626      
Trustees’ fees and expenses (note 7)     37,026      
Fund accounting fees     32,003      
Registration fees and dues     21,609      
Auditing and tax fees     12,100      
Shareholders’ reports     7,601      
Insurance     6,484      
Compliance services (note 3)     4,690      
Custodian fees     4,575      
Credit facility fees (note 10)     3,051      
Miscellaneous     13,406      
Total expenses     930,656      
             
Management fee waived (note 3)     (87,638)      
Net expenses           843,018
Net investment income           2,347,200
             
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:            
Net realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (455,669)      
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (15,138,174)      
             
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments           (15,593,843)
Net change in net assets resulting from operations         $ (13,246,643)

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

17  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
OPERATIONS            
Net investment income   $  2,347,200   $  5,004,659
Net realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (455,669)     308,280
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (15,138,174)     (16,421,738)
Change in net assets resulting from operations     (13,246,643)     (11,108,799)
             
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (note 9):            
Class A Shares     (1,059,564)     (2,295,832)
             
Class C Shares     (8,722)     (25,202)
             
Class F Shares     (51,372)     (65,977)
             
Class I Shares     (2,778)     (5,562)
             
Class Y Shares     (1,224,761)     (2,612,075)
Change in net assets from distributions     (2,347,197)     (5,004,648)
             
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (note 6):            
Proceeds from shares sold     14,076,085     38,048,274
Reinvested dividends and distributions     1,269,190     2,685,054
Cost of shares redeemed     (33,041,482)     (32,139,187)
Change in net assets from capital share transactions     (17,696,207)     8,594,141
             
Change in net assets     (33,290,047)     (7,519,306)
             
NET ASSETS:            
Beginning of period     249,341,211     256,860,517
End of period   $  216,051,164   $ 249,341,211

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

18  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

1. Organization

Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund (the “Fund”) is one of six series of Aquila Municipal Trust, a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as a non-diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund, which commenced operations on October 12, 2013, is the successor to Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund. Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund transferred all of its assets and liabilities in exchange for shares of the Fund on October 11, 2013 pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization (the “reorganization”). The reorganization was approved by shareholders of Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund on September 17, 2013. The reorganization was accomplished by exchanging the assets and liabilities of the predecessor fund for shares of the Fund. Shareowners holding shares of Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund received corresponding shares of the Fund in a one-to-one exchange ratio in the reorganization. Accordingly, the reorganization, which was a tax-free exchange, had no effect on the Fund’s operations. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. Class A Shares are sold at net asset value plus a sales charge of varying size (depending upon a variety of factors) paid at the time of purchase and bear a distribution fee. Class C Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge payable at the time of purchase but with a level charge for service and distribution fees for six years thereafter. Class C Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after six years. Class F Shares and Class Y Shares are sold only through authorized financial institutions acting for investors in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity, and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class F Shares and Class Y Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge, no redemption fee, no contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) and no distribution fee. Class I Shares are offered and sold only through financial intermediaries and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class I Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge and no redemption fee or CDSC, although a financial intermediary may charge a fee for effecting a purchase or other transaction on behalf of its customers. Class I Shares carry a distribution and a service fee. All classes of shares represent interests in the same portfolio of investments and are identical as to rights and privileges but differ with respect to the effect of sales charges, the distribution and/or service fees borne by each class, expenses specific to each class, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and the exchange privileges of each class.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies.

a)Portfolio valuation: Municipal securities are valued each business day based upon information provided by a nationally prominent independent pricing service and periodically verified through other pricing services. In the case of securities for which market quotations are readily available, securities are valued by the pricing service at the mean of bid and ask quotations. If a market quotation or a valuation from the pricing service is not readily available, the security is valued using other fair value methods. Aquila Investment Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager, has been designated as the Fund’s valuation designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

 

 

19  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

b)Fair value measurements: The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, based on the best information available.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs, representing 100% of the Fund’s investments, used to value the Fund’s net assets as of September 30, 2022:

 

  Valuation Inputs*   Investments
in Securities
  Level 1 – Quoted Prices – Short-Term Investment   $ 3,315,461
  Level 2 – Other Significant Observable Inputs – Municipal Bonds*     210,321,565
  Level 3 – Significant Unobservable Inputs    
  Total   $ 213,637,026
  * See schedule of investments for a detailed listing of securities.      

 

c)Subsequent events: In preparing these financial statements, the Fund has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date these financial statements were issued.
d)Securities transactions and related investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are reported on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded daily on the accrual basis and is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue and market discount.
e)Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to certain investment companies. The Fund intends to make distributions of income and securities profits sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, Federal income and excise taxes.

 

20  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Management has reviewed the tax positions for each of the open tax years (2019 – 2021) or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2022 tax returns and has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements.

f)Multiple Class Allocations: All income, expenses (other than class-specific expenses), and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class. Class-specific expenses, which include distribution and service fees and any other items that are specifically attributed to a particular class, are also charged directly to such class on a daily basis.
g)Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
h)Reclassification of capital accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended March 31, 2022, there were no items identified that have been reclassified among components of net assets.
i)The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services-Investment Companies”.

3. Fees and Related Party Transactions

a)Management Arrangements:

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aquila Management Corporation, the Fund’s founder and sponsor, serves as the Manager for the Fund under an Advisory and Administration Agreement with the Fund. The portfolio management of the Fund has been delegated to a Sub-Adviser as described below. Under the Advisory and Administration Agreement, the Manager provides all administrative services to the Fund, other than those relating to the day-to-day portfolio management. The Manager’s services include providing the office of the Fund and all related services as well as overseeing the activities of the Sub-Adviser and managing relationships with all the various support organizations to the Fund such as the transfer and shareholder servicing agent, custodian, legal counsel, fund accounting agent, auditor and distributor. For its services, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.50% on the Fund’s net assets.

Clarfeld Financial Advisors, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Bank, N.A. (the “Sub-Adviser”), serves as the Investment Sub-Adviser for the Fund under a Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. Under this agreement, the Sub-Adviser continuously provides, subject to oversight of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the investment program of the Fund and the composition of its portfolio, arranges for the purchases and sales of portfolio securities, and provides for daily pricing of the Fund’s portfolio. For the six months ended September 30, 2022 for its services,

 

21  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

the Sub-Adviser was entitled to receive a fee from the Manager which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.23% on the Fund’s net assets. The Sub-Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fee through September 30, 2023 such that its annual rate shall be equivalent to 0.175% on the Fund’s net assets.

The Manager has contractually undertaken to waive its fees so that management fees are equivalent to 0.48 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.46 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.44 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000. This contractual undertaking is in effect until September 30, 2023. The Manager may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Fund incurred management fees of $584,254 of which $87,638 was waived, which included supplemental fee waivers of $64,268 above and beyond the contractual expense cap. These waivers are not reimbursable.

Under a Compliance Agreement with the Manager, the Manager is compensated by the Fund for compliance related services provided to enable the Fund to comply with Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

Specific details as to the nature and extent of the services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

b)Distribution and Service Fees:

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) under the 1940 Act. Under one part of the Plan, with respect to Class A Shares, the Fund is authorized to make distribution fee payments to broker-dealers or others (“Qualified Recipients”) selected by Aquila Distributors LLC (“the Distributor”), including, but not limited to, any principal underwriter of the Fund with which the Distributor has entered into written agreements contemplated by the Rule and which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. The Fund makes payment of this distribution fee at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class A Shares. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, distribution fees on Class A Shares amounted to $81,975, of which the Distributor retained $5,589.

Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s Class C Shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $6,060. In addition, under a Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to make service fee payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients for providing personal services and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $2,020. The total of these payments with respect to Class C Shares amounted to $8,080, of which the Distributor retained $2,310.

Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make payments with respect to Class I Shares to Qualified Recipients. Class I payments, under the Plan, may not exceed,

 

22  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

for any fiscal year of the Fund a rate (currently 0.10%) set from time to time by the Board of Trustees of not more than 0.25% of the average annual net assets represented by the Class I Shares. In addition, the Fund has a Shareholder Services Plan under which it may pay service fees (currently 0.25%) of not more than 0.25% of the average annual net assets of the Fund represented by Class I Shares. That is, the total payments under both plans will not exceed 0.50% of such net assets. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, these payments were made at the average annual rate of 0.35% of such net assets amounting to $542 of which $155 related to the Plan and $387 related to the Shareholder Services Plan.

Specific details about the Plans are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Under a Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves as the exclusive distributor of the Fund’s shares. Through agreements between the Distributor and various brokerage and advisory firms (“financial intermediaries”), the Fund’s shares are sold primarily through the facilities of these financial intermediaries having offices within Rhode Island, with the bulk of any sales commissions inuring to such financial intermediaries. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, total commissions on sales of Class A Shares amounted to $12,327, of which the Distributor received $3,501.

c)Transfer and shareholder servicing fees:

The Fund occasionally compensates financial intermediaries in connection with the sub-transfer agency related services provided by such entities in connection with their respective Fund shareholders so long as the fees are deemed by the Board of Trustees to be reasonable in relation to (i) the value of the services and the benefits received by the Fund and certain shareholders; and (ii) the payments that the Fund would make to another entity to perform similar ongoing services to existing shareholders.

4. Purchases and Sales of Securities

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases of securities and proceeds from the sales of securities aggregated $3,661,804 and $19,184,754, respectively.

At September 30, 2022, the aggregate tax cost for all securities was $232,689,528. At September 30, 2022, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost amounted to $91,703 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value amounted to $19,144,259 for a net unrealized depreciation of $19,052,556.

5. Portfolio Orientation

Since the Fund invests principally and may invest entirely in double tax-free municipal obligations of issuers within Rhode Island, it is subject to possible risks associated with economic, political, or legal developments or industrial or regional matters specifically affecting Rhode Island and whatever effects these may have upon Rhode Island issuers’ ability to meet their obligations.

The Fund is also permitted to invest in U.S. territorial municipal obligations meeting comparable quality standards and providing income which is exempt from both regular Federal and Rhode Island income taxes. The general policy of the Fund is to invest in such securities only when comparable securities of Rhode Island issuers are not available in the market. At September 30, 2022, the Fund had all of its long-term portfolio holdings invested in the securities of Rhode Island issuers.

 

23  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

6. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in Capital Shares of the Fund were as follows:

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
    Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount
Class A Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    327,921   $  3,294,139    1,048,369   $  11,565,836
Reinvested dividends and distributions    75,651      760,289    154,577      1,689,451
Cost of shares redeemed    (1,135,766)      (11,452,295)    (1,306,729)     (14,281,994)
Net change    (732,194)      (7,397,867)    (103,783)      (1,026,707)
                     
Class C Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    5,407      54,255    18,043      199,732
Reinvested dividends and distributions    653      6,576    1,633      17,857
Cost of shares redeemed    (69,632)      (699,873)    (95,456)      (1,045,867)
Net change    (63,572)      (639,042)    (75,780)      (828,278)
                     
Class F Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    186,514      1,872,752    302,732      3,309,773
Reinvested dividends and distributions    5,122      51,372    6,072      65,977
Cost of shares redeemed    (107,936)      (1,087,912)    (97,357)      (1,055,187)
Net change    83,700      836,212    211,447      2,320,563
                     
Class I Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    1      13    4,733      51,977
Reinvested dividends and distributions    250      2,514    461      5,038
Cost of shares redeemed    (899)      (8,879)    (4,947)      (54,223)
Net change    (648)      (6,352)    247      2,792
                     
Class Y Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    877,356      8,854,926    2,084,899     22,920,956
Reinvested dividends and distributions    44,626      448,439    83,039      906,731
Cost of shares redeemed    (1,960,683)      (19,792,523)   (1,443,311)     (15,701,916)
Net change    (1,038,701)      (10,489,158)    724,627      8,125,771
Total transactions in Fund shares    (1,751,415)   $  (17,696,207)    756,758   $  8,594,141

 

 

24  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

7. Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

At September 30, 2022, there were 9 Trustees, one of whom is affiliated with the Manager and is not paid any fees. The total amount of Trustees’ service fees (for carrying out their responsibilities) and attendance fees paid during the six months ended September 30, 2022 was $34,644. Attendance fees are paid to those in attendance at regularly scheduled quarterly Board Meetings and meetings of the independent Trustees held prior to each quarterly Board Meeting, as well as additional meetings (such as Audit, Nominating, Shareholder and special meetings). Trustees are reimbursed for their expenses such as travel, accommodations and meals incurred in connection with attendance at Board Meetings and at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such meeting-related expenses were reduced and amounted to $2,382.

8. Securities Traded on a When-Issued Basis

The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.

9. Income Tax Information and Distributions

The Fund declares dividends daily from net investment income and makes payments monthly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed annually and are taxable. These distributions are paid in additional shares at the net asset value per share or in cash, at the shareholder’s option.

The Fund intends to maintain, to the maximum extent possible, the tax-exempt status of interest payments received from portfolio municipal securities in order to allow dividends paid to shareholders from net investment income to be exempt from regular Federal and State of Rhode Island income taxes. Due to differences between financial statement reporting and Federal income tax reporting requirements, distributions made by the Fund may not be the same as the Fund’s net investment income, and/or net realized securities gains. Further, a small portion of the dividends may, under some circumstances, be subject to taxes at ordinary income rates. As a result of the passage of the Regulated Investment Company Act of 2010 (“the Act”), losses incurred in this fiscal year and beyond retain their character as short-term or long-term, have no expiration date and are utilized before capital losses incurred prior to the enactment of the Act.

At March 31, 2022, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards of $680,357 where the $680,357 retains its character of short-term and has no expiration. This carryover is available to offset future net realized gains on securities transactions to the extent provided for in the Internal Revenue Code.

 

 

25  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

      Year Ended
March 31, 2022
  Year Ended
March 31, 2021
  Net tax-exempt income   $ 5,004,124   $ 5,211,017
  Ordinary Income     524     2,755
      $ 5,004,648   $ 5,213,772

 

As of March 31, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were:

 

  Undistributed tax-exempt income     248,368
  Accumulated net realized loss     (680,357)
  Unrealized depreciation     (3,914,170)
  Other temporary differences     (191,430)
      $ (4,537,589)

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis undistributed income is due to the timing difference, and other temporary differences, in recognizing dividends paid and the tax treatment of market discount amortization and the deduction of distributions payable.

10. Credit Facility

Since August 30, 2017, Bank of New York Mellon and the Aquila Group of Funds (comprised of nine funds) have been parties to a $40 million credit agreement, which currently terminates on August 23, 2023 (per the August 24, 2022 amendment). In accordance with the Aquila Group of Funds Guidelines for Allocation of Committed Line of Credit, each fund is responsible for payment of its proportionate share of

a)a 0.17% per annum commitment fee; and,
b)interest on amounts borrowed for temporary or emergency purposes by the fund (at the applicable per annum rate selected by the Aquila Group of Funds at the time of the borrowing of either (i) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1% or (ii) the sum of the higher of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate, or (c) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1%).

There were no borrowings under the credit agreement during the six months ended September 30, 2022.

11. Risks

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations

 

26  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments

 

 

27  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

 

 

28  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class A
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.36   $11.02   $10.91   $10.74   $10.57   $10.61
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.10   0.20   0.23   0.25   0.26   0.27
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.68)   (0.66)   0.11   0.17   0.17   (0.04)
Total from investment operations   (0.58)   (0.46)   0.34   0.42   0.43   0.23
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.10)   (0.20)   (0.23)   (0.25)   (0.26)   (0.27)
Distributions from capital gains            
Total distributions   (0.10)   (0.20)   (0.23)   (0.25)   (0.26)   (0.27)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.68   $10.36   $11.02   $10.91   $10.74   $10.57
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (5.65)%(2)   (4.26)%   3.09%   3.89%   4.18%   2.18%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $102   $117   $125   $120   $115   $116
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.79%(3)   0.76%   0.78%   0.79%   0.79%   0.76%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.94%(3)   1.82%   2.04%   2.25%   2.51%   2.53%
Portfolio turnover rate   2%(2)   12%   7%       6%       9%   4%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual expense cap and/or contractual fee waiver, as well as additional voluntary fee waivers were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.87%(3)   0.84%   0.86%   0.87%   0.86%   0.84%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.86%(3)   1.75%   1.96%   2.17%   2.43%   2.45%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

29  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class C
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.36   $11.02   $10.91   $10.74   $10.57   $10.61
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.05   0.11   0.13   0.15   0.17   0.18
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.68)   (0.66)   0.11   0.17   0.17   (0.04)
Total from investment operations   (0.63)   (0.55)   0.24   0.32   0.34   0.14
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.05)   (0.11)   (0.13)   (0.15)   (0.17)   (0.18)
Distributions from capital gains       ––      
Total distributions   (0.05)   (0.11)   (0.13)   (0.15)   (0.17)   (0.18)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.68   $10.36   $11.02   $10.91   $10.74   $10.57
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (6.05)%(2)   (5.07)%   2.21%   3.01%   3.30%   1.31%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $1   $2   $3   $5   $7   $9
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.64%(3)   1.61%   1.64%   1.65%   1.63%   1.61%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.08%(3)   0.97%   1.20%   1.41%   1.66%   1.68%
Portfolio turnover rate   2%(2)   12%   7%        6%        9%   4%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual expense cap and/or contractual fee waiver, as well as additional voluntary fee waivers were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.72%(3)   1.69%   1.71%   1.73%   1.71%   1.69%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.00%(3)   0.90%   1.13%   1.33%   1.58%   1.60%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

30  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

        Class F
            For the
            Period
    Six       November 30,
    Months       2018*
    Ended       through
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,   March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.34   $11.00   $10.89   $10.72   $10.48
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income(1)   0.11   0.22   0.24   0.26   0.09
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.68)   (0.66)   0.11   0.17   0.24
Total from investment operations   (0.57)   (0.44)   0.35   0.43   0.33
Less distributions (note 9):                    
Dividends from net investment income   (0.11)   (0.22)   (0.24)   (0.26)   (0.09)
Distributions from capital gains          
Total distributions   (0.11)   (0.22)   (0.24)   (0.26)   (0.09)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.66   $10.34   $11.00   $10.89   $10.72
Total return   (5.57)%(2)   (4.10)%   3.27%   4.08%   3.18%(2)
Ratios/supplemental data                    
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $5   $4   $2   $1.5   $0.6
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.61%(3)   0.58%   0.60%   0.61%   0.63%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.12%(3)   1.99%   2.21%   2.41%   2.58%(3)
Portfolio turnover rate   2%(2)   12%   7%   6%   9%(3)

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual fee waiver, as well as additional voluntary fee waivers were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.68%(3)   0.66%   0.68%   0.69%   0.71%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.05%(3)   1.92%   2.13%   2.33%   2.50%(3)

 

 

                                       

 

*     Commencement of operations.

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

31  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class I
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.37   $11.03   $10.91   $10.74   $10.56   $10.61
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.09   0.18   0.21   0.23   0.26   0.26
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.68)   (0.66)   0.12   0.17   0.18   (0.05)
Total from investment operations   (0.59)   (0.48)   0.33   0.40   0.44   0.21
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.09)   (0.18)   (0.21)   (0.23)   (0.26)   (0.26)
Distributions from capital gains       ––      
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.18)   (0.21)   (0.23)   (0.26)   (0.26)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.69   $10.37   $11.03   $10.91   $10.74   $10.56
Total return   (5.71)%(2)   (4.39)%   3.03%   3.74%   4.24%   1.95%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $0.3   $0.3   $0.3   $0.2   $0.2   $0.1
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.93%(3)   0.91%   0.93%   0.94%   0.83%   0.89%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.80%(3)   1.67%   1.89%   2.10%   2.47%   2.41%
Portfolio turnover rate   2%(2)   12%   7%   6%   9%   4%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual expense cap and/or contractual fee waiver, as well as additional voluntary fee waivers were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.01%(3)   0.99%   1.00%   1.02%   0.91%   0.97%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.72%(3)   1.60%   1.81%   2.02%   2.39%   2.33%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

32  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA NARRAGANSETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class Y
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.36   $11.02   $10.91   $10.74   $10.57   $10.61
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.11   0.22   0.24   0.26   0.28   0.29
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.68)   (0.66)   0.11   0.17   0.17   (0.04)
Total from investment operations   (0.57)   (0.44)   0.35   0.43   0.45   0.25
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.11)   (0.22)   (0.24)   (0.26)   (0.28)   (0.29)
Distributions from capital gains       ––      
Total distributions   (0.11)   (0.22)   (0.24)   (0.26)   (0.28)   (0.29)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.68   $10.36   $11.02   $10.91   $10.74   $10.57
Total return   (5.58)%(2)   (4.11)%   3.24%   4.05%   4.34%   2.34%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $108   $126   $126   $117   $105   $106
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.64%(3)   0.61%   0.63%   0.64%   0.64%   0.61%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  2.09%(3)   1.97%   2.19%   2.40%   2.66%   2.69%
Portfolio turnover rate   2%(2)   12%   7%       6%       9%   4%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual expense cap and/or contractual fee waiver, as well as additional voluntary fee waivers were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.72%(3)   0.69%   0.71%   0.72%   0.72%   0.69%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  2.01%(3)   1.90%   2.11%   2.32%   2.58%   2.61%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

33  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

Additional Information:

 

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

 

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, requires open-end management investment companies to adopt and implement written liquidity risk management programs that are reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is defined in the rule as the risk that a fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the fund. In accordance with Rule 22e-4, Aquila Municipal Trust (“AMT”) has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management (“LRM”) program (the “program”). AMT’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has designated an LRM Committee consisting of employees of Aquila Investment Management LLC as the administrator of the program (the “Committee”).

The Board met on June 17, 2022 to review the program. At the meeting, the Committee provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, and any material changes to the program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period”).

During the Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure taking into account less liquid and illiquid assets.

The Committee reviewed each Fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. In classifying and reviewing each Fund’s investments, the Committee considered whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class in sizes the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, would be reasonably expected to significantly affect liquidity. The Committee considered the following information when determining the sizes in which each Fund would reasonably anticipate trading: historical net redemption activity, the Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, Fund performance, Fund size, and distribution channels.

The Committee considered each Fund’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered the terms of the credit facility applicable to the Funds, the financial health of the institution providing the facility and the fact that the credit facility is shared among multiple Funds. The Committee also considered other types of borrowing available to the Funds, such as the ability to use interfund lending arrangements.

The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether a Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”), and determined that the requirement to maintain an HLIM was inapplicable to the Funds because each Fund primarily holds highly liquid investments.

There were no material changes to the program during the Reporting Period. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that the program is reasonably designed and operated effectively throughout the Review Period.

 

 

34  |  Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 
 
 

 

 

Additional Information (unaudited):

 

Renewal of the Advisory and Administration Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement

 

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Advisory and Administration Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Manager has retained Clarfeld Financial Advisors, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Bank, N.A. (the “Sub-Adviser”) to serve as the sub-adviser to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). In order for the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to continue to serve in their respective roles, the Trustees of the Fund must determine annually whether to renew the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Trustees requested and obtained such information as they deemed reasonably necessary. The independent Trustees met via video conference on August 25, 2022 and in person on September 10, 2022 to review and discuss the contract review materials that were provided in advance of the August 25, 2022 meeting. The Trustees considered, among other things, information presented by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. They also considered information presented in a report prepared by an independent consultant with respect to the Fund’s fees, expenses and investment performance, which included comparisons of the Fund’s investment performance against peers and the Fund’s benchmark and comparisons of the advisory fee payable by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement against the advisory fees paid by the Fund’s peers (the “Consultant’s Report”). In addition, the Trustees took into account the performance and other information related to the Fund provided to the Trustees at each regularly scheduled meeting. The Trustees considered the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement separately as well as in conjunction with each other to determine their combined effects on the Fund. The Trustees also discussed the memorandum provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other considerations that are relevant to the Trustees in their deliberations regarding the renewal of the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements.

At the meeting held on September 10, 2022, based on their evaluation of the information provided by the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and the independent consultant, the Trustees of the Fund present at the meeting, including the independent Trustees voting separately, unanimously approved the renewal of each of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement until September 30, 2023.

In considering the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Trustees considered various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors described below. The Trustees did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in determining to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement or the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser

The Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services that had been provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund, taking into account the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. The Trustees reviewed the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

 

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The Manager has retained the Sub-Adviser to provide investment management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Trustees reviewed the Sub-Adviser’s investment approach for the Fund. The Trustees considered the personnel of the Sub-Adviser who provide investment management services to the Fund. The Trustees noted the extensive experience of the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio manager, Mr. Jeffrey Hanna. They considered that Mr. Hanna is based in Providence, Rhode Island and that he has a comprehensive understanding regarding the economy of the State of Rhode Island and the securities in which the Fund invests, including those securities with less than the highest ratings from the rating agencies.

The Trustees considered that the Manager supervised and monitored the performance of the Sub-Adviser. The Trustees also considered that the Manager and the Sub-Adviser had provided all advisory services to the Fund that the Trustees deemed necessary or appropriate, including the specific services that the Trustees have determined are required for the Fund, given that it seeks to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Rhode Island state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager has additionally provided all administrative services to the Fund and provided the Fund with personnel (including Fund officers) and other resources that are necessary for the Fund’s business management and operations. The Trustees considered the nature and extent of the Manager’s supervision of third-party service providers, including the Fund’s fund accountant, shareholder servicing agent and custodian.

Based on these considerations, the Trustees concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services that had been provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund were satisfactory and consistent with the terms of the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively.

The investment performance of the Fund

The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) and compared its performance to the performance of:

·the funds in the Municipal Single State Intermediate-Term Bond category as assigned by Morningstar, Inc. (the “Morningstar Category”); and
·the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond: Quality Intermediate Total Return Index Unhedged US.

The Trustees considered that the materials included in the Consultant’s Report indicated that the Fund’s average annual total return was higher than the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the three, five, and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2022, but lower than the average annual return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the one-year period ended June 30, 2022. They noted that the Fund’s return for each of the one, three and five-year periods and six months ended June 30, 2022 was in the third quintile, in each case relative to the funds in the Morningstar Category for the same periods. (Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group and first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.) The Trustees further considered that the Fund’s average annual return was lower than that of its benchmark index for the one, three and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022, and equal to the benchmark index for the ten-year period ended June 30, 2022. The Trustees further noted, as reflected in

 

 

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the Consultant’s Report, that the Fund’s total return for 2021 was lower than the average total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category but higher than the total return of its benchmark index for 2021.

The Trustees noted that the Fund invests primarily in municipal obligations issued by the State of Rhode Island, its counties and various other local authorities, while the funds in the Morningstar Category invest in, and the Fund’s benchmark index includes, municipal bonds of issuers throughout the United States. They noted that only 0.16% of the benchmark index consists of Rhode Island bonds and that none of the funds in the Morningstar Category invests primarily in Rhode Island municipal obligations. They further noted that, unlike the Fund’s returns, the performance of the benchmark index did not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.

The Trustees considered the Fund’s investment performance to be consistent with the investment objectives of the Fund. Evaluation of the investment performance of the Fund indicated to the Trustees that renewal of the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement would be appropriate.

Advisory Fees and Sub-Advisory Fees and Fund Expenses

The Trustees evaluated the fee payable under the Advisory Agreement. They noted that the Manager, and not the Fund, paid the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Trustees evaluated both the fee under the Sub-Advisory Agreement and the portion of the advisory fee paid under the Advisory Agreement and retained by the Manager. The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses and compared them to the advisory fee and expense data for the 21 funds in the Fund’s expense group (the “Expense Group”), as selected by the independent consultant (the Fund and 13 other Municipal Single-State Intermediate-Term Bond funds, two Municipal Massachusetts Bond funds, two Municipal Minnesota Bond funds, two Municipal New Jersey Bond funds, and one Municipal Pennsylvania Bond fund, each categorized by Morningstar, Inc. with portfolio assets ranging between $130 million and $692 million). Only front-end load and retail no-load funds were considered for inclusion in the Expense Group. In addition, peer selection focused on municipal bond funds with an intermediate duration across comparable categories. The Trustees also compared the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses to advisory fee data for the Fund’s Morningstar Category (as defined above). Certain of the peer group comparisons referred to below are organized in quintiles. Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group. In all peer group comparisons referred to below, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net management fee for its most recent fiscal year was in the third quintile relative to the management fees paid by the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period and was equal to the median actual net management fee of the funds in the Expense Group (after giving effect to fee waivers in effect for those funds). They also considered that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee was higher than the average and median contractual advisory fees of the funds in the Morningstar Category (at the Fund’s current asset level and all asset levels up to $10 billion).

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net total expenses (for Class A shares), after giving effect to fee waivers and expense reimbursements, for the most recent fiscal year were in the third quintile relative to the net total expenses of the other funds in its Expense

 

 

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Group for the comparable period and lower than the median net total expenses of the funds in the Expense Group (after giving effect to fee waivers and expense reimbursements in effect for those funds).

The Trustees further noted that the Manager has contractually undertaken to waive its fees so that management fees are equivalent to 0.48 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.46 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.44 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000. This contractual undertaking is in effect until September 30, 2023. The Manager may not terminate these arrangements without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

The Trustees reviewed management fees charged by each of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to its other clients. It was noted that the Manager does not have any other clients except for other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds. The Trustees noted that, in most instances, the fee rates for those clients were comparable to the fees paid to the Manager by the Fund. With respect to the Sub-Adviser, the Trustees noted that the fee rates for its other clients were generally lower than the fees paid to the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund. In evaluating the fees associated with the client accounts, the Trustees took into account the respective demands, resources and complexity associated with the Fund and those client accounts.

The Trustees considered that the Manager and, in turn, the Sub-Adviser was currently voluntarily waiving a portion of its fees and had been since the Fund’s inception. Additionally, it was noted that the Manager had indicated that it intended to continue to voluntarily waive fees as necessary for the Fund to remain competitive.

The Trustees concluded that the advisory and sub-advisory fees were reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser.

Profitability

The Trustees received materials from the Manager related to profitability. The Manager provided information which showed the profitability to the Manager of its services to the Fund, as well as the profitability of Aquila Distributors LLC of distribution services provided to the Fund. The Manager also provided other financial information to the members of the financial review committee of the Fund and the other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds.

The Trustees considered the information provided by the Manager regarding the profitability of the Manager with respect to the advisory services provided by the Manager to the Fund, including the methodology used by the Manager in allocating certain of its costs to the management of the Fund. The Trustees concluded that profitability to the Manager with respect to advisory services provided to the Fund did not argue against approval of the fees to be paid under the Advisory Agreement.

The Trustees also considered information provided by the Sub-Adviser regarding the profitability of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the sub-advisory services provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of the Sub-Adviser with respect to sub-advisory services provided to the Fund did not argue against approval of the fees to be paid under the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

 

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The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows

The Trustees considered the extent to which the Manager and the Sub-Adviser may realize economies of scale or other efficiencies in managing the Fund. They noted that the Manager has agreed, through a contractual advisory fee waiver, to include breakpoints in its advisory fee schedule based on the size of the Fund. The Trustees noted that the Manager’s profitability also may be an indicator of the availability of any economies of scale. Accordingly, the Trustees concluded that economies of scale, if any, were being appropriately shared with the Fund.

Benefits derived or to be derived by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates from their relationships with the Fund

The Trustees observed that, as is generally true of most fund complexes, the Manager and Sub-Adviser and their affiliates, by providing services to a number of funds or other investment clients including the Fund, were able to spread costs as they would otherwise be unable to do. The Trustees noted that while that could produce efficiencies and increased profitability for the Manager and Sub-Adviser and their affiliates, it also makes their services available to the Fund at favorable levels of quality and cost which are more advantageous to the Fund than would otherwise have been possible.

 

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Your Fund’s Expenses (unaudited)

As a Fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including front-end sales charges with respect to Class A shares or contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) with respect to Class C shares; and (2) ongoing costs including management fees; distribution “12b-1” and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. The table below is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The table below assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Under the heading, “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.

 

  Actual   Hypothetical
  (actual return after expenses)   (5% annual return before expenses)
Share
Class
Beginning Account
Value
4/1/22

Ending(1)

Account
Value
9/30/22

Expenses(2)
Paid During Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
  Ending
Account
Value
9/30/22
Expenses(2)
Paid During
Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio
A $1,000 $ 943.50 $3.85   $1,021.11 $4.00 0.79%
C $1,000 $ 939.50 $7.97   $1,016.85 $8.29 1.64%
F $1,000 $ 944.30 $2.97   $1,022.01 $3.09 0.61%
I $1,000 $ 942.90 $4.53   $1,020.41 $4.71 0.93%
Y $1,000 $ 944.20 $3.12   $1,021.86 $3.24 0.64%

 

(1) Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable sales charges with respect to Class A or the applicable CDSC with respect to Class C shares. Total return is not annualized and as such, it may not be representative of the total return for the year.
   
(2) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above - in the far right column - multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

 

 

 

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Information Available (unaudited)

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and Complete Portfolio Holding Schedules

Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are filed with the SEC twice a year. Each Report contains a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings, along with full financial statements and other important financial statement disclosures. Additionally, your Fund files a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its Reports on Form N-PORT. Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and N-PORT reports are available free of charge on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. You may also review or, for a fee, copy the forms at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

In addition, your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and complete Portfolio Holdings Schedules for each fiscal quarter end are also available, free of charge, on your Fund’s website, www.aquilafunds.com (under the prospectuses & reports tab) or by calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

Portfolio Holdings Reports

In accordance with your Fund’s Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy, the Manager also prepares a Portfolio Holdings Report as of each quarter end, which is typically posted to your Fund’s individual page at www.aquilafunds.com by the 15th day after the end of each calendar quarter. Such information will remain accessible until the next Portfolio Holdings Report is made publicly available by being posted to www.aquilafunds.com. The quarterly Portfolio Holdings Report may be accessed, free of charge, by visiting www.aquilafunds.com or calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

 

 

Proxy Voting Record (unaudited)

During the 12 month period ended June 30, 2022, there were no proxies related to any portfolio instruments held by the Fund. As such, the Fund did not vote any proxies. Applicable regulations require us to inform you that the Fund’s proxy voting information is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

Federal Tax Status of Distributions (unaudited)

This information is presented in order to comply with a requirement of the Internal Revenue Code. No action on the part of shareholders is required.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, $5,004,124 of dividends paid by Aquila Narragansett Tax-Free Income Fund, constituting 99.9% of total dividends paid, were exempt-interest dividends; and the balance was ordinary income.

Prior to February 15, 2023, shareholders will be mailed the appropriate tax form(s) which will contain information on the status of distributions paid for the 2022 calendar year.

 

 

 

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Founders

Lacy B. Herrmann (1929-2012)

Aquila Management Corporation, Sponsor

 

Manager

AQUILA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Investment Sub-Adviser

CLARFELD FINANCIAL ADVISORS, LLC

One Citizens Plaza

Providence, Rhode Island 02903

 

Board of Trustees

Thomas A. Christopher, Chair

Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair

Ernest Calderón

Gary C. Cornia

Grady Gammage, Jr.

Patricia L. Moss

Glenn P. O’Flaherty

Heather R. Overby

Laureen L. White

 

Officers

Diana P. Herrmann, President

Stephen J. Caridi, Senior Vice President

Paul G. O’Brien, Senior Vice President

Randall S. Fillmore, Chief Compliance Officer

Joseph P. DiMaggio, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer

Anita Albano, Secretary

 

Distributor

AQUILA DISTRIBUTORS LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent

BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, Massachusetts 01581

 

Custodian

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 

 

Further information is contained in the Prospectus,
which must precede or accompany this report.

 

AQL-RISAR-1122

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

September 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free

Fund of Colorado

Keeping an Optimistic
Long-Term View

 

Serving Colorado investors since 1987

     

 

November, 2022

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

The fixed income markets have experienced significant volatility and downward pressure for much of 2022, driven primarily by several key economic factors, including continued high inflation, rising interest rates, and uncertainty about the direction of the U.S. economy. While these factors aren’t necessarily new or unique, they nonetheless have presented challenges for rate-sensitive investments — and, in the process, have made the majority of investors increasingly skittish. While we understand investors’ concerns, we remain optimistic about the municipal bond market.

Despite its inevitable ups and downs, the municipal bond market has historically demonstrated remarkable resiliency across multiple market cycles. We believe today’s market appears reasonably sound at its core in terms of continuing credit fundamentals and current relative valuations. The municipal market’s underpinnings remain deeply rooted in the need and demand for municipal bonds given the important role they play in financing vital local projects, such as schools, hospitals, and roadways that contribute to improving the quality of life for residents of the issuing municipalities.

It’s important to understand what’s driving the current market and maintain perspective. Let’s explore further.

Understanding the Factors Impacting Municipal Bonds

The primary driver of bond yields, prices, and relative performance is interest rates. Since the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) introduced a change in its monetary policy in March of this year to help combat inflation, interest rates began a steady upward climb. This was spurred by the Fed raising the Federal Funds rate (the interest rate that banks charge one another to borrow or lend excess reserves overnight), the first such increase since 2018. To date, through 11/02/2022, the Fed has implemented six rate hikes, totaling 3.75%, bringing the stated target range for the Fed Funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00%. And, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has indicated that additional increases may be deemed necessary going forward, dependent upon the status of the U.S. economy and data driven analytics. Mr. Powell and his colleagues have stated that the Fed will remain vigilant in its efforts to manage inflation, which has topped levels not seen in more than 40 years (as measured by the Consumer Price Index).

In reaction to the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy stance, year to date interest rates have experienced a significant increase. As you may know, bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of rate changes. Therefore, while rising interest rates generally translate to higher yields for bond investments, bond prices or values usually fall. This changing yield/price landscape has created two shifts in the market — a shift for issuers of bonds (who may now be reluctant to issue new debt at increased costs), along with a shift in investor sentiment. For investors, on the one hand, higher yields mean greater income, which is a welcome development for those who during the recent

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

low-yield environment sought opportunities to earn more attractive income levels. On the other hand, investors who are mindful of capital preservation have become wary as they have seen bond prices decline.

When investing in bonds, we believe that generating an attractive risk-adjusted return is a careful balance of the two factors— income and stability of capital. Your Fund’s investment objective, in fact, seeks to provide as high a level of current income exempt (from state and regular federal income taxes) as is consistent with preservation of capital. So, how has the rise in interest rates affected municipal bonds?

Assessing the Current Market Cycle

It’s important, in our view, to evaluate financial markets, performance, and valuations on a relative basis. This is true not only within the municipal bond market, but with and relative to other asset classes as well.

Municipal bonds are oftentimes viewed in comparison with U.S. Treasuries. Let’s take a look at yield curves and the relative Municipal-to-Treasury relationship. During 2022, yields of U.S. Treasury securities have generally risen across the maturity spectrum, but the overall slope of the curve flattened, particularly during the third quarter of 2022. Specifically, there was a greater increase in interest rates on the short-end of the U.S. Treasury curve (shorter maturities) which exceeded increases on the longer-end. Given economic uncertainty and fears of a possible recession, some market participants are concerned that this change in the U.S. Treasury yield curve may signal an impending economic slump. Meanwhile, the municipal bond yield curve has been more positively sloped (with longer term maturities yielding more) throughout the year, in particular, steepening between 10- and 30-year maturities during the third quarter — which may be viewed positively by municipal investors.

The Municipal-to-Treasury relationship (based on the yield of AAA municipal securities as a percentage of the yield of U.S. Treasuries of the same maturity) has fluctuated over the past year, but generally in our view continued to trade in line with historical relationship norms. The chart below illustrates what we believe to be an indication of improved relative valuations for municipal obligations, whereby municipal yields represent a greater percentage in comparison to U.S. Treasury yields. As one would usually anticipate in a rising rate environment, such as now, the relationship ratio compares somewhat favorably for longer maturity municipal bonds (specifically, in the 30-year maturity range) which were yielding greater than U.S. Treasury securities as of September 30th.

 

    January 3, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
  September 30, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
5-Year   44.1%   77.6%
10-year   63.8%   87.0%
30-year   74.3%   104.0%
Source: Bloomberg

 

Credit spreads among municipal bond issues have begun to widen during the year. (Credit spread is the difference in yield between securities of the same maturity with different credit ratings.) Wider credit spreads generally favor higher-quality issuers in a rising rate environment due to concerns related to lower quality issues during periods of slowing economic growth. This scenario may be viewed as a benefit to higher quality, shorter duration portfolios vis-à-vis lower quality, longer duration holdings. (Duration is

 

 

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a measurement of a bond’s sensitivity or risk to changes in interest rates; shorter duration generally means less risk.) This assumes interest rates continue to rise, as the Fed seems to have signaled in recent press releases. Overall, we view municipal credit fundamentals to be relatively strong, while credit defaults as tracked by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agencies (such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s) generally remain relatively low, particularly among higher quality issues.

At a local level, many state and local economies continue to show signs of improvement and sustained growth. Despite recession risk, local municipalities and governments appear to us to be well-positioned to manage economic challenges. Higher employment, increasing wages, and rising property values in many jurisdictions throughout the country are among key contributors toward bolstering state and local revenue and tax receipts.

Looking Forward

We remain cautiously optimistic about the direction of the municipal bond market. In addition to many of the positive conditions and trends stated above — including what we believe to be potential opportunities for greater income than in recent years, improving relative valuations, strong credit fundamentals, expanding local economies, and sustained investor demand — keep in mind the attractive benefits that municipal bonds offer, such as a high level of current income exempt from state and regular federal income taxes. Although no one can reasonably predict the impact of continued inflation or future Fed actions to curb such inflation, on a tax-equivalent basis, the municipal income benefit may be attractive compared to taxable investments for certain investors.

Remember, too, the Aquila difference. Your portfolio management team is locally-based, which provides them with an up-close perspective on the economy and bond issuers within local municipalities, cities, counties, and across the state. Our investment professionals draw upon their wealth of experience in analyzing securities, navigating market and economic cycles, and seeking to identify both opportunities and risks. The current market cycle is no exception. Our team employs an active portfolio management strategy, with a goal to maintain broadly diversified investment grade municipal portfolios, generally with an intermediate average maturity, to help deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns.

As always, we encourage you to consult with your financial professional to evaluate whether the investment choices you make are aligned with your individual financial goals and risk tolerances.

Thank you for your continued confidence in Aquila Group of Funds.

 

  Sincerely,  
   
   
  Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair and President  

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                                                  

 

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

Any information in this Shareholder Letter regarding market or economic trends or the factors influencing the Fund’s historical or future performance are statements of opinion as of the date of this report. These statements should not be relied upon for any other purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and there is no guarantee that any market forecasts discussed will be realized.

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (41.8%)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    City & County (2.9%)        
    Crested Butte, Colorado Fire Protection District        
$ 1,040,000   4.000%, 12/01/36 Series 2022   A1/NR/NR   $ 987,844
    Denver, Colorado City & County Elevate        
2,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/33 Series 2022A   Aaa/AAA/AAA   2,245,880
    Englewood, Colorado        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/30   NR/AA+/NR   1,071,330
    Wheat Ridge, Colorado Urban Renewal Authority Tax Increment        
1,270,000   5.000%, 12/01/31   NR/AA-/NR   1,391,209
    Total City & County        5,696,263
             
    Lease (0.5%)        
    Colorado State Rural COP        
1,000,000   4.000%, 12/15/35 Series 2020A   Aa2/AA-/NR   948,980
             
    Metropolitan District (3.1%)        
    Denver, Colorado Urban Renewal Authority, Tax Increment Revenue, Stapleton Senior        
2,600,000   5.000%, 12/01/25 Series A-1   NR/NR/AA-   2,604,758
    Denver, Colorado Urban Renewal Authority, Tax Increment Revenue, Stapleton Senior        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/25 Series B-1   Aa3/NR/NR   1,048,210
    Midcities Metropolitan District No.2 Colorado, Special Revenue        
2,365,000   5.000%, 12/01/31 Series 2022 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   2,552,663
    Total Metropolitan District        6,205,631
             
    School Districts (34.7%)        
    Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Colorado        
3,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/25   Aa1/AA/NR   3,114,870
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/25   Aa1/AA/NR   1,054,960
1,435,000   5.000%, 12/15/29   Aa1/AA/NR   1,524,386
1,000,000   5.500%, 12/15/31   Aa1/AA/NR   1,116,980

 

 

1  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School Districts (continued)        
    Adams & Arapahoe Counties, Colorado Joint School District #28J        
$ 4,125,000   5.000%, 12/01/30   Aa1/NR/AA   $ 4,369,984
    Adams & Weld Counties, Colorado School District #27J        
1,030,000   5.000%, 12/01/22   Aa2/AA/NR   1,033,286
2,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/24   Aa2/AA/NR   2,006,000
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/25   Aa2/AA/NR   1,037,230
1,060,000   5.000%, 12/01/28   Aa2/AA/NR   1,110,456
3,895,000   5.000%, 12/01/29   Aa2/AA/NR   4,069,691
1,150,000   5.000%, 12/01/29   Aa2/AA/NR   1,235,399
    Arapahoe County, Colorado School District #001 Englewood        
1,465,000   5.000%, 12/01/27   Aa2/NR/NR   1,537,869
    Arapahoe County, Colorado School District #006 Littleton        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/27   Aa1/NR/NR   1,060,740
    Boulder, Larimer & Weld Counties, Colorado Series A        
2,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/24   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,077,440
    Boulder, Larimer & Weld Counties, Colorado Series C        
2,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/28   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,132,640
    Boulder, Larimer & Weld Counties, Colorado, St. Vrain Valley School District   RE-1J        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/29 Series C   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,063,500
    Costilla County, Colorado School District No. R-30 Sierra Grande        
2,180,000   5.000%, 12/01/32   Aa2/NR/NR   2,368,744
    Denver, Colorado City & County School District No. 1        
2,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/29   Aa1/AA+/AA+   2,125,960
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/34 Series 2022A   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,097,840
    Denver, Colorado City & County School District No. 1        
2,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/25 Series B   Aa1/AA+/AA+   2,077,440
4,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/27 Series B   Aa1/AA+/AA+   4,149,760

 

 

2  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School Districts (continued)        
    Eagle County School District, Colorado, Eagle, Garfield & Routt School District #50J        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/29   Aa1/AA/NR   $ 1,062,980
    El Paso County, Colorado School District #2, Harrison        
2,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/31   Aa2/AA/NR   2,175,440
    El Paso County, Colorado School District #20 Refunding        
2,255,000   5.000%, 12/15/29   Aa1/NR/NR   2,392,735
1,250,000   5.000%, 12/15/31   Aa1/NR/NR   1,320,337
    Jefferson County, Colorado School District #R-1 Refunding        
2,225,000   5.000%, 12/15/30   Aa1/AA/NR   2,388,026
1,500,000   5.000%, 12/15/30   Aa1/AA/NR   1,638,075
2,600,000   5.000%, 12/15/31   Aa1/AA/NR   2,809,404
    La Plata County, Colorado School District #9-R Durango Refunding        
3,000,000   4.500%, 11/01/23   Aa2/NR/NR   3,003,060
    Larimer County, Colorado School District No. R 1 Poudre        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/30   Aa1/NR/AA+   1,094,980
800,000   5.000%, 12/15/30   Aa1/NR/NR   875,984
    Larimer, Weld & Boulder Counties, Colorado School District No. R-2J, Thompson Refunding        
1,500,000   4.250%, 12/15/24   Aa2/NR/NR   1,503,150
    Mesa County, Colorado Valley School District No. 051, Grand Junction        
3,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/23   Aa2/NR/NR   3,063,930
    Pueblo County, Colorado School District No. 70        
1,390,000   4.000%, 12/01/32 Series 2021A   Aa2/AA/NR   1,425,084
    Summit County, Colorado School District No. RE 1 Refunding        
2,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/28   Aaa/NR/NR   2,133,960
    Total School Districts        68,252,320
             

 

 

3  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Water & Sewer (0.6%)        
    Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, Adams Morgan & Weld Counties        
$ 1,185,000   5.000%, 12/01/24   NR/A/NR   $ 1,207,539
    Total General Obligation Bonds        82,310,733
             
    Revenue Bonds (50.1%)        
    City & County (1.4%)        
    Denver, Colorado City & County COP, Convention Center Expansion Project        
1,500,000   5.000%, 06/01/30 Series 2018A   Aa2/AA+/AA+   1,575,765
    Grand Junction, Colorado  COP        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/31   NR/AA-/NR   1,087,090
    Total City & County        2,662,855
             
    Electric (1.8%)        
    Colorado Springs, Colorado Utilities Revenue, Refunding        
1,000,000   5.000%, 11/15/27 Series A   Aa2/AA+/AA   1,054,260
    Colorado Springs, Colorado Utilities Revenue Refunding        
450,000   5.000%, 11/15/33 Series 2022B   Aa2/AA+/NR   499,887
450,000   5.000%, 11/15/34 Series 2022B   Aa2/AA+/NR   497,781
    Estes Park, Colorado Power & Communications Enterprise Revenue Refunding & Improvement        
1,310,000   5.000%, 11/01/30 Series 2019A   NR/A+/NR   1,437,882
    Total Electric        3,489,810
             
    Higher Education (15.2%)          
    Colorado Educational & Cultural Facility Authority, University of Denver Project        
845,000   4.000%, 03/01/24   A1/NR/NR   847,560
7,000,000   5.250%, 03/01/25 NPFG Insured   A1/A+/NR   7,214,900
    Colorado Educational & Cultural Facility Authority Refunding, University of Denver Project        
1,000,000   5.250%, 03/01/26 NPFG Insured   A1/A+/NR   1,058,670

 

 

4  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Higher Education (continued)          
    Colorado Mountain College COP        
$ 685,000   4.000%, 12/01/33 Series 2021   Aa3/NR/NR   $ 672,999
    Colorado School of Mines Institutional Enterprise        
1,845,000   5.000%, 12/01/29 Series B   A1/A+/NR   1,980,386
    Colorado State Board Community Colleges & Occupational Education, Refunding & Improvement, Arapahoe Community College        
1,000,000   5.000%, 11/01/30 Series 2017A   Aa3/NR/NR   1,067,560
    Colorado State Board Community Colleges & Occupational Education, Refunding & Improvement, System Wide Refunding        
1,110,000   5.000%, 11/01/30 Series 2019A   Aa3/NR/NR   1,215,439
1,710,000   5.000%, 11/01/32 Series 2019A   Aa3/NR/NR   1,857,180
835,000   5.000%, 11/01/33 Series 2019A   Aa3/NR/NR   903,370
    Colorado State Board of Governors University Enterprise System        
2,905,000   5.000%, 03/01/26 Series C SHEIPInsured   Aa2/AA/NR   3,016,755
1,250,000   5.000%, 03/01/28 Series C SHEIP Insured   Aa2/AA/NR   1,343,825
2,100,000   5.000%, 03/01/29 Series C SHEIP Insured   Aa2/AA/NR   2,256,576
    University of Colorado Enterprise System        
1,165,000   5.000%, 06/01/26 Series A NPFG Insured   Aa1/NR/AA+   1,236,170
    University of Colorado Enterprise System        
2,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/28 Series A-1   Aa1/NR/AA+   2,173,900
    University of Colorado Enterprise System        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/32 Series 2019B   Aa1/NR/AA+   1,081,200
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/33 Series 2019B   Aa1/NR/AA+   1,077,380
    University of Northern Colorado Greeley Institutional Enterprise Refunding        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/25 Series A SHEIP Insured   Aa2/AA/NR   1,025,460
    Total Higher Education        30,029,330
             

 

 

5  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Hospital (1.7%)        
    Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Sanford        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 11/01/32 Series 2019A   NR/A+/AA-   $ 1,035,480
2,165,000   5.000%, 11/01/34 Series 2019A   NR/A+/AA-   2,219,558
    Total Hospital        3,255,038
             
    Lease (12.7%)        
    Arapahoe County, Colorado School District No. 5 Cherry Creek COP        
2,295,000   5.000%, 12/15/33 Series 2022   NR/AA/NR   2,539,899
    Arvada, Colorado COP        
1,190,000   4.000%, 12/01/29   NR/AA+/NR   1,216,751
    Colorado State BEST COP        
3,500,000   5.000%, 03/15/30 Series K   Aa2/AA-/NR   3,704,470
2,500,000   5.000%, 03/15/31 Series K   Aa2/AA-/NR   2,638,675
    Colorado State BEST COP        
2,000,000   5.000%, 03/15/31 Series M   Aa2/AA-/NR   2,146,540
    Colorado State Higher Education Capital Construction Lease        
1,690,000   5.000%, 11/01/26   Aa2/AA-/NR   1,803,179
    Denver, Colorado City & County COP (Fire Station & Library Facilities)        
1,065,000   5.000%, 12/01/25   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,119,603
    Douglas County, Colorado COP (Libraries)        
1,570,000   5.000%, 12/01/27   Aa2/NR/NR   1,620,491
    Foothills Park and Recreation District, Colorado COP        
1,405,000   4.000%, 12/01/35 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   1,400,729
    Foothills Park and Recreation District, Colorado COP Refunding & Improvement        
1,380,000   5.000%, 12/01/26 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,447,799
    Jefferson County, Colorado School District No. R-1 COP        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/27   Aa3/AA-/NR   1,047,820

 

 

6  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Lease (continued)        
    South Suburban Park and Recreation District, Colorado COP        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/31   NR/AA-/NR   $ 1,079,390
1,010,000   4.000%, 12/15/35 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   999,486
    Thompson School District No R2-J (Larimer, Weld And Boulder Counties, Colorado COP        
750,000   4.500%, 12/01/26 Series 2014   A1/NR/NR   764,910
    Westminster, Colorado COP        
1,480,000   4.250%, 12/01/22 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,481,184
    Total Lease        25,010,926
             
    Sales Tax (3.3%)        
    Broomfield, Colorado Sales & Use Tax        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/30   Aa3/NR/NR   1,070,840
    City of Fruita, Colorado Sales & Use Tax          
1,110,000   4.000%, 10/01/33   NR/AA-/NR   1,124,985
    Commerce City, Colorado Sales & Use Tax        
1,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/26 BAMAC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   1,045,160
    Denver, Colorado City & County Dedicated Tax Revenue        
1,165,000   4.000%, 08/01/33 Series 2021A   Aa3/AA-/AA-   1,196,653
1,000,000   4.000%, 08/01/35 Series 2021A   Aa3/AA-/AA-   1,002,790
    Westminster, Colorado Economic Development Authority, Mandalay Gardens Urban Renewal Project        
1,090,000   4.000%, 12/01/22   NR/AA-/NR   1,091,722
    Total Sales Tax        6,532,150
             
    Tax Increment (0.9%)        
    Park Creek, Colorado Metropolitan District Senior Limited Property Tax Supported        
1,850,000   4.000%, 12/01/34 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/A   1,852,553
             

 

 

7  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Transportation (4.5%)        
    E-470 Public Highway Authority, Colorado Senior Revenue        
$ 1,265,000   5.000%, 09/01/36   A2/A/NR   $ 1,347,744
1,250,000   5.000%, 09/01/35 Series 2020A   A2/A/NR   1,333,825
    Regional Transportation District, Colorado COP        
2,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/26 Series A   A1/AA/AA-   2,079,160
    Regional Transportation District, Colorado Sales Tax Refunding, Fastracks Project        
3,000,000   5.000%, 11/01/32 Series 2013A   Aa2/AA+/AA   3,362,940
    Roaring Fork Transportation Authority Property Tax Revenue        
650,000   4.000%, 12/01/34 Series 2021A   NR/AA-/NR   658,691
    Total Transportation        8,782,360
             
    Water & Sewer (8.6%)        
    Arapahoe, Colorado Water & Wastewater Public Improvement District        
1,320,000   5.000%, 12/01/24   NR/AA-/NR   1,370,266
1,020,000   5.000%, 12/01/25   NR/AA-/NR   1,057,332
    Broomfield, Colorado Sewer and Waste Water          
1,550,000   5.000%, 12/01/24 AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   1,554,696
    Central Weld County, Colorado Water District        
200,000   4.000%, 12/01/33 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   203,088
    Colorado Water Resource & Power Development Authority        
925,000   5.000%, 09/01/25   Aaa/AAA/AAA   970,279
    Denver, Colorado City and County Board Water Commissioners Master Resolution, Refunding        
1,000,000   4.000%, 12/15/22 Series B   Aaa/AAA/AAA   1,000,760
    Denver, Colorado City and County Board Water Commissioners        
850,000   5.000%, 09/15/29 Series B   Aaa/AAA/AAA   917,286
    Firestone, Colorado Water Enterprise        
750,000   5.000%, 12/01/32 Series 2020 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   819,990

 

 

8  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Water & Sewer (continued)        
    Greeley, Colorado Water Revenue        
$ 1,705,000   5.000%, 08/01/28   Aa2/AA+/NR   $ 1,805,885
    North Weld County, Colorado Water District Enterprise Revenue Refunding        
1,465,000   4.000%, 11/01/22 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,466,128
    Parker, Colorado Water & Sanitation District Water & Sewer Enterprise Refunding        
1,000,000   4.000%, 11/01/33   NR/AA+/NR   1,016,960
    Parker, Colorado Water & Sanitation District Water & Sewer Enterprise Refunding & Improvement        
500,000   5.000%, 11/01/33 Series 2022   NR/AA+/NR   555,365
865,000   5.000%, 11/01/34 Series 2022   NR/AA+/NR   956,655
    St. Vrain, Colorado Sanitation District Wastewater Revenue Refunding and Improvement Bonds        
800,000   4.000%, 12/01/31 Series 2020   NR/AA/NR   818,928
    Thornton, Colorado Water Enterprise Revenue        
1,970,000   4.000%, 12/01/24 Series 2013   Aa2/AA/NR   1,992,517
    Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority, Eagle County, Colorado Refunding and Improvement        
500,000   4.000%, 12/01/32 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   511,810
    Total Water & Sewer        17,017,945
    Total Revenue Bonds        98,632,967
             
    Pre-Refunded Bonds (5.6%)††        
    Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds (1.1%)        
    School Districts (1.1%)        
    Larimer County, Colorado School District No. R 1 Poudre        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/27   Aa1/NR/NR   1,053,730
    San Miguel County, Colorado School District R-1 Telluride        
1,055,000   5.000%, 12/01/25   Aa1/AA/NR   1,095,396
    Total Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds        2,149,126
             

 

 

9  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Pre-Refunded Revenue Bonds (4.5%)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Electric (1.3%)        
    Colorado Springs, Colorado Utilities Revenue Refunding        
$ 2,600,000   5.000%, 11/15/23 Series B   Aa2/AA+/AA   $ 2,605,590
             
    Higher Education (1.4%)          
    University of Colorado Enterprise System, Series A        
2,620,000   5.000%, 06/01/29   Aa1/NR/AA+   2,742,040
             
    Lease (1.3%)        
    Rangeview Library District Project, Colorado COP        
2,515,000   5.000%, 12/15/27 AGMC Insured   Aa2/AA/NR   2,646,233
             
    Sales Tax (0.5%)        
    Castle Rock, Colorado Sales & Use Tax          
1,015,000   4.000%, 06/01/25   Aa3/AA/NR   1,020,917
    Total Pre-Refunded Revenue Bonds        9,014,780
    Total Pre-Refunded Bonds        11,163,906
    Total Municipal Bonds
(cost $201,585,158)
       192,107,606
             
             
Shares   Short-Term Investment (1.9%)        
3,764,468   Dreyfus Treasury Obligations Cash Management - Institutional Shares, 2.85%* (cost $3,764,468)   Aaa-mf/AAAm/NR   3,764,468
             
    Total Investments
(cost $205,349,626 - note 4)
  99.4%    195,872,074
    Other assets less liabilities   0.6    1,086,570
    Net Assets   100.0%   $ 196,958,644
             

 

 

10  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

Portfolio Distribution By Quality Rating   Percentage of
Investments†
Aaa of Moody's or AAA of S&P or Fitch   3.8%
Prerefunded bonds\ETM bonds ††   5.8
Aa of Moody's or AA of S&P or Fitch   80.9
A of Moody's or S&P   9.5
    100.0%

 

 

PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS

AGMC - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

BAMAC - Build America Mutual Assurance Company

BEST - Building Excellent Schools Today

COP - Certificates of Participation

NPFG - National Public Finance Guarantee

NR - Not Rated

SHEIP - State Higher Education Intercept Program

 

 

* The rate is an annualized seven-day yield at period end.
   
Where applicable, calculated using the highest rating of the three NRSRO.  Percentages in this table do not include the Short-Term Investment.
   
†† Pre-refunded bonds are bonds for which U.S. Government Obligations usually have been placed in escrow to retire the bonds at their earliest call date.  

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

ASSETS      
Investments at value (cost $205,349,626)   $  195,872,074
Interest receivable     2,613,166
Receivable for Fund shares sold     94,549
Other assets     23,356
Total assets     198,603,145
       
LIABILITIES      
Payable for investment securities purchased     1,036,512
Payable for Fund shares redeemed     396,827
Management fee payable     79,738
Dividends payable     52,211
Distribution and service fees payable     364
Accrued expenses payable     78,849
Total liabilities     1,644,501
NET ASSETS   $  196,958,644
       
Net Assets consist of:      
Capital Stock – Authorized an unlimited number of shares, par value $0.01 per share   $  206,946
Additional paid-in capital     212,004,782
Total distributable earnings (losses)     (15,253,084)
    $  196,958,644
CLASS A      
Net Assets   $  137,764,273
Capital shares outstanding     14,483,299
Net asset value and redemption price per share   $  9.51
Maximum offering price per share (100/97 of $9.51)   $  9.80
       
CLASS C      
Net Assets   $  3,048,042
Capital shares outstanding     321,222
Net asset value and offering price per share   $  9.49
       
CLASS Y      
Net Assets   $  56,146,329
Capital shares outstanding     5,890,034
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  9.53

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Investment Income            
Interest income         $ 2,639,463
             
Expenses            
Management fees (note 3)   $ 537,402      
Distribution and service fees (note 3)     58,440      
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees     49,581      
Trustees’ fees and expenses (note 7)     33,855      
Legal fees     33,079      
Auditing and tax fees     12,133      
Registration fees and dues     11,269      
Shareholders’ reports     7,113      
Insurance     6,623      
Compliance services (note 3)     4,690      
Custodian fees     3,442      
Credit facility fees (note 10)     2,840      
Miscellaneous     20,964      
Total Expenses     781,431      
             
Management fee waived (note 3)     (21,496)      
Net expenses           759,935
Net investment income           1,879,528
             
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:            
Net realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (2,826,543)      
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (7,529,196)      
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments           (10,355,739)
Net change in net assets resulting from operations         $ (8,476,211)

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

13  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
OPERATIONS            
Net investment income   $  1,879,528   $  4,105,552
Realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (2,826,543)     (1,051,297)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (7,529,196)     (14,794,591)
Change in net assets resulting from operations     (8,476,211)     (11,740,336)
             
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (note 9):            
Class A Shares     (1,285,555)     (2,612,113)
             
Class C Shares     (14,562)     (31,867)
             
Class Y Shares     (579,953)     (1,455,510)
Change in net assets from distributions     (1,880,070)     (4,099,490)
             
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (note 6):            
Proceeds from shares sold     12,423,946     20,695,264
Reinvested dividends and distributions     1,536,129     3,295,515
Cost of shares redeemed     (41,769,865)     (54,699,699)
Change in net assets from capital share transactions     (27,809,790)     (30,708,920)
Change in net assets     (38,166,071)     (46,548,746)
             
NET ASSETS:            
Beginning of period     235,124,715     281,673,461
End of period   $  196,958,644   $  235,124,715

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

14  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

1. Organization

Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado (the “Fund”) is one of six series of Aquila Municipal Trust, a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act“) as a non-diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund, which commenced operations on October 12, 2013, is the successor to Tax-Free Fund of Colorado. Tax-Free Fund of Colorado transferred all of its assets and liabilities in exchange for shares of the Fund on October 11, 2013 pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization (the “reorganization”). The reorganization was approved by shareholders of Tax-Free Fund of Colorado on September 17, 2013. The reorganization was accomplished by exchanging the assets and liabilities of the predecessor fund for shares of the Fund. Shareowners holding shares of Tax-Free Fund of Colorado received corresponding shares of the Fund in a one-to-one exchange ratio in the reorganization. Accordingly, the reorganization, which was a tax-free exchange, had no effect on the Fund’s operations. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. Class A Shares are sold at net asset value plus a sales charge of varying size (depending upon a variety of factors) paid at the time of purchase and bear a distribution fee. Class C Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge payable at the time of purchase but with a level charge for service and distribution fees for six years thereafter. Class C Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after six years. Class Y Shares are sold only through authorized financial institutions acting for investors in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity, and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class Y Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge, no redemption fee, no contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) and no distribution fee. As of the date of this report, there were no Class F Shares outstanding. All classes of shares represent interests in the same portfolio of investments and are identical as to rights and privileges but differ with respect to the effect of sales charges, the distribution and/or service fees borne by each class, expenses specific to each class, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and the exchange privileges of each class.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies.

a)Portfolio valuation: Municipal securities are valued each business day based upon information provided by a nationally prominent independent pricing service and periodically verified through other pricing services. In the case of securities for which market quotations are readily available, securities are valued by the pricing service at the mean of bid and ask quotations. If a market quotation or a valuation from the pricing service is not readily available, the security is valued using other fair value methods. Aquila Investment Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager, has been designated as the Fund’s valuation designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
b)Fair value measurements: The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

 

15  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, based on the best information available.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs, representing 100% of the Fund’s investments, used to value the Fund’s net assets as of September 30, 2022:

 

  Valuation Inputs*   Investments
in Securities
  Level 1 – Quoted Prices   $ 3,764,468
  Level 2 – Other Significant Observable Inputs – Municipal Bonds*     192,107,606
  Level 3 – Significant Unobservable Inputs    
  Total   $ 195,872,074
  * See schedule of investments for a detailed listing of securities.      

 

c)Subsequent events: In preparing these financial statements, the Fund has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date these financial statements were issued.
d)Securities transactions and related investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are reported on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded daily on the accrual basis and is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue and market discount.
e)Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to certain investment companies. The Fund intends to make distributions of income and securities profits sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, Federal income and excise taxes.

Management has reviewed the tax positions for each of the open tax years (2019 – 2021) or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2022 tax returns and has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements.

 

16  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

f)Multiple Class Allocations: All income, expenses (other than class-specific expenses), and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class. Class-specific expenses, which include distribution and service fees and any other items that are specifically attributed to a particular class, are also charged directly to such class on a daily basis.
g)Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
h)Reclassification of capital accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended March 31, 2022, there were no items identified that have been reclassified among components of net assets.
i)The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services-Investment Companies”.

3. Fees and Related Party Transactions

a)Management Arrangements:

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aquila Management Corporation, the Fund’s founder and sponsor, serves as the Manager for the Fund under an Advisory and Administration Agreement with the Fund. The portfolio management of the Fund has been delegated to a Sub-Adviser as described below. Under the Advisory and Administration Agreement, the Manager provides all administrative services to the Fund, other than those relating to the day-to-day portfolio management. The Manager’s services include providing the office of the Fund and all related services as well as overseeing the activities of the Sub-Adviser and managing relationships with all the various support organizations to the Fund such as the transfer and shareholder servicing agent, custodian, legal counsel, auditors and distributor and additionally maintaining the Fund’s accounting books and records. For its services, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.50% of net assets of the Fund.

The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees through September 30, 2023 to the extent necessary in order to pass savings through to the shareholders with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s contractual fee waiver such that its fees are as follows: the annual rate shall be equivalent to 0.48% of net assets of the Fund up to $400 million; 0.46% of the Fund’s net assets above that amount to $1 billion and 0.44% of the Fund’s net assets above $1 billion. The Manager may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board

 

17  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Fund incurred management fees of $537,402 of which $21,496 was waived under the contractual fee waiver.

Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Investment Sub-Adviser for the Fund under a Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. Under this agreement, the Sub-Adviser continuously provides, subject to oversight of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the investment program of the Fund and the composition of its portfolio, arranges for the purchases and sales of portfolio securities, and provides for daily pricing of the Fund’s portfolio. For its services, the Sub-Adviser is entitled to receive a fee from the Manager which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.20%. The Sub-Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fee through September 30, 2023 such that its annual rate of fees is at 0.16% of net assets of the Fund up to $400 million; 0.14% of net assets above $400 million up to $1 billion; and 0.12% of net assets above $1 billion.

Under a Compliance Agreement with the Manager, the Manager is compensated by the Fund for compliance related services provided to enable the Fund to comply with Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

Specific details as to the nature and extent of the services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

b)Distribution and Service Fees:

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) under the 1940 Act. Under one part of the Plan, with respect to Class A Shares, the Fund is authorized to make distribution fee payments to broker-dealers or others (“Qualified Recipients”) selected by Aquila Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”), including, but not limited to, any principal underwriter of the Fund, with which the Distributor has entered into written agreements contemplated by the Rule and which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. While the Fund’s Distribution Plan applicable to Class A Shares permits the Fund to make distribution fee payments at the rate of up to 0.15% on the entire net assets represented by Class A Shares, the Fund currently makes payment of this distribution fee at the annual rate of 0.075%. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, distribution fees on Class A Shares amounted to $40,156 of which the Distributor retained $2,784.

Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s Class C shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $13,713. In addition, under a Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to make service fee payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients for providing personal services and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average

 

18  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $4,571. The total of these payments with respect to Class C Shares amounted to $18,284 of which the Distributor retained $4,642.

Specific details about the Plans are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Under a Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves as the exclusive distributor of the Fund’s shares. Through agreements between the Distributor and various brokerage and advisory firms (“financial intermediaries”), the Fund’s shares are sold primarily through the facilities of these financial intermediaries having offices within Colorado, with the bulk of any sales commissions inuring to such financial intermediaries. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, total commissions on sales of Class A Shares amounted to $2,417 of which the Distributor received $2,335.

c)Transfer and shareholder servicing fees:

The Fund occasionally compensates financial intermediaries in connection with the sub-transfer agency related services provided by such entities in connection with their respective Fund shareholders so long as the fees are deemed by the Board of Trustees to be reasonable in relation to (i) the value of the services and the benefits received by the Fund and certain shareholders; and (ii) the payments that the Fund would make to another entity to perform similar ongoing services to existing shareholders.

4. Purchases and Sales of Securities

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases of securities and proceeds from the sales of securities aggregated $12,501,976 and $38,929,966, respectively.

At September 30, 2022, the aggregate tax cost for all securities was $205,312,928. At September 30, 2022, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost amounted to $194,421 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value amounted to $9,635,275 for a net unrealized depreciation of $9,440,854.

5. Portfolio Orientation

Since the Fund invests principally and may invest entirely in double tax-free municipal obligations of issuers within Colorado, it is subject to possible risks associated with economic, political, or legal developments or industrial or regional matters specifically affecting Colorado and whatever effects these may have upon Colorado issuers’ ability to meet their obligations. At September 30, 2022, the Fund had all of its long-term portfolio holdings invested in the securities of Colorado issuers.

 

 

19  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

6. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in Capital Shares of the Fund were as follows:

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
    Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount
Class A Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    489,908   $  4,805,940    479,420   $  5,095,327
Reinvested dividends and distributions    113,750      1,113,738    213,994      2,253,402
Cost of shares redeemed    (1,490,520)      (14,637,405)    (2,151,069)      (22,641,448)
Net change    (886,862)      (8,717,727)    (1,457,655)      (15,292,719)
                     
Class C Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    8,852      87,382    40,472      425,735
Reinvested dividends and distributions    1,449      14,161    2,916      30,683
Cost of shares redeemed    (137,200)      (1,347,110)    (224,188)      (2,374,944)
Net change    (126,899)      (1,245,567)    (180,800)      (1,918,526)
                     
Class Y Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    765,275      7,530,624    1,432,179      15,174,202
Reinvested dividends and distributions    41,607      408,230    95,758      1,011,430
Cost of shares redeemed    (2,621,940)      (25,785,350)    (2,815,439)      (29,683,307)
Net change    (1,815,058)      (17,846,496)    (1,287,502)      (13,497,675)
Total transactions in Fund shares    (2,828,819)   $  (27,809,790)    (2,925,957)   $  (30,708,920)

 

7. Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

At September 30, 2022, there were 9 Trustees, one of whom is affiliated with the Manager and is not paid any fees. The total amount of Trustees’ service fees (for carrying out their responsibilities) and attendance fees paid during the six months ended September 30, 2022 was $32,554. Attendance fees are paid to those in attendance at regularly scheduled quarterly Board Meetings and meetings of the independent Trustees held prior to each quarterly Board Meeting, as well as additional meetings (such as Audit, Nominating, Shareholder and special meetings). Trustees are reimbursed for their expenses such as travel, accommodations and meals incurred in connection with attendance at Board Meetings and the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such meeting-related expenses were reduced and amounted to $1,301.

 

 

20  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

8. Securities Traded on a When-Issued Basis

The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.

9. Income Tax Information and Distributions

The Fund declares dividends daily from net investment income and makes payments monthly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed annually and are taxable. Dividends and capital gains distributions are paid in additional shares at the net asset value per share or in cash, at the shareholder’s option.

The Fund intends to maintain, to the maximum extent possible, the tax-exempt status of interest payments received from portfolio municipal securities in order to allow dividends paid to shareholders from net investment income to be exempt from regular Federal and State of Colorado income taxes. Due to the distribution levels maintained by the Fund and the differences between financial statement reporting and Federal income tax reporting requirements, distributions made by the Fund may not be the same as the Fund’s net investment income, and/or net realized securities gains. As a result of the passage of the Regulated Investment Company Act of 2010 (the “Act”), losses incurred in this fiscal year and beyond retain their character as short-term or long-term, have no expiration date and are utilized before capital losses incurred prior to the enactment of the Act. At March 31, 2022, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards of $1,919,671 of which $1,752,283 retains its character of short-term and $167,388 retains its character of long-term; both have no expiration. This carryover is available to offset future net realized gains on securities transactions to the extent provided for in the Internal Revenue Code. As of March 31, 2022, the Fund had post-October losses of $1,057,379, which is deferred until fiscal 2023 for tax purposes.

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

      Year Ended
March 31, 2022
  Year Ended
March 31, 2021
  Net tax-exempt income   $ 4,099,490   $ 4,680,747
  Ordinary Income         1,367
      $ 4,099,490   $ 4,682,114

 

 

21  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

As of March 31, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were:

 

  Undistributed tax-exempt income     57,923
  Unrealized depreciation     (1,913,549)
  Accumulated net realized loss     (1,919,671)
  Post October losses     (1,057,379)
  Other temporary differences     (64,127)
      $ (4,896,803)

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis undistributed income is due to the timing difference, and other temporary differences, in recognizing dividends paid and the tax treatment of market discount amortization and the deduction of distributions payable.

10. Credit Facility

Since August 30, 2017, Bank of New York Mellon and the Aquila Group of Funds (comprised of nine funds) have been parties to a $40 million credit agreement, which currently terminates on August 23, 2023 (per the August 24, 2022 amendment). In accordance with the Aquila Group of Funds Guidelines for Allocation of Committed Line of Credit, each fund is responsible for payment of its proportionate share of

a)a 0.17% per annum commitment fee; and,
b)interest on amounts borrowed for temporary or emergency purposes by the fund (at the applicable per annum rate selected by the Aquila Group of Funds at the time of the borrowing of either (i) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1% or (ii) the sum of the higher of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate, or (c) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1%).

There were no borrowings under the credit agreement during the six months ended September 30, 2022.

11. Risks

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

 

 

22  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments

 

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

 

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

 

    Class A
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $9.99   $10.64   $10.56   $10.46   $10.31   $10.51
Income from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.09   0.16   0.18   0.22   0.24   0.26
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.48)   (0.65)   0.08   0.10   0.15   (0.20)
Total from investment operations   (0.39)   (0.49)   0.26   0.32   0.39   0.06
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.09)   (0.16)   (0.18)   (0.22)   (0.24)   (0.26)
Distributions from capital gains            
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.16)   (0.18)   (0.22)   (0.24)   (0.26)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.51   $9.99   $10.64   $10.56   $10.46   $10.31
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (3.97)%(2)   (4.67)%   2.48%   3.03%   3.86%   0.55%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $138   $154   $179   $186   $188   $196
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.71%(3)   0.69%   0.69%   0.71%   0.70%   0.68%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
  1.75%(3)   1.52%   1.69%   2.04%   2.35%   2.47%
Portfolio turnover rate   6%(2)   14%   7%   13%   7%   9%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.73%(3)   0.71%   0.71%   0.73%   0.72%   0.70%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.73%(3)   1.50%   1.67%   2.02%   2.33%   2.45%

 

 

                                              

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

25  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

 

    Class C
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $9.97   $10.62   $10.54   $10.44   $10.29   $10.49
Income from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.04   0.06   0.08   0.12   0.14   0.16
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.48)   (0.65)   0.08   0.10   0.15   (0.20)
Total from investment operations   (0.44)   (0.59)   0.16   0.22   0.29   (0.04)
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.04)   (0.06)   (0.08)   (0.12)   (0.14)   (0.16)
Distributions from capital gains       ––   ––   ––  
Total distributions   (0.04)   (0.06)   (0.08)   (0.12)   (0.14)   (0.16)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.49   $9.97   $10.62   $10.54   $10.44   $10.29
Total return (not reflecting CDSC)   (4.43)%(2)   (5.58)%   1.51%   2.06%   2.88%   (0.41)%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $3   $4   $7   $8   $9   $15
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.65%(3)   1.63%   1.64%   1.66%   1.65%   1.63%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
  0.80%(3)   0.58%   0.75%   1.09%   1.40%   1.52%
Portfolio turnover rate   6%(2)   14%   7%   13%   7%   9%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.67%(3)   1.65%   1.66%   1.68%   1.67%   1.65%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.78%(3)   0.56%   0.73%   1.07%   1.38%   1.50%

 

 

                                              

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

26  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND OF COLORADO

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

 

    Class Y
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.01   $10.66   $10.58   $10.49   $10.34   $10.54
Income from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.09   0.17   0.19   0.22   0.25   0.27
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.48)   (0.65)   0.08   0.09   0.15   (0.20)
Total from investment operations   (0.39)   (0.48)   0.27   0.31   0.40   0.07
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.09)   (0.17)   (0.19)   (0.22)   (0.25)   (0.27)
Distributions from capital gains       ––   ––   ––  
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.17)   (0.19)   (0.22)   (0.25)   (0.27)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.53   $10.01   $10.66   $10.58   $10.49   $10.34
Total return   (3.93)%(2)   (4.60)%   2.53%   2.98%   3.90%   0.61%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $56   $77   $96   $72   $70   $76
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.65%(3)   0.63%   0.64%   0.66%   0.65%   0.63%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
  1.80%(3)   1.58%   1.74%   2.09%   2.40%   2.52%
Portfolio turnover rate   6%(2)   14%   7%   13%   7%   9%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.67%(3)   0.65%   0.66%   0.68%   0.67%   0.65%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.78%(3)   1.56%   1.72%   2.07%   2.38%   2.50%

 

 

                                              

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

27  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

Additional Information:

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, requires open-end management investment companies to adopt and implement written liquidity risk management programs that are reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is defined in the rule as the risk that a fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the fund. In accordance with Rule 22e-4, Aquila Municipal Trust (“AMT”) has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management (“LRM”) program (the “program”). AMT’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has designated an LRM Committee consisting of employees of Aquila Investment Management LLC as the administrator of the program (the “Committee”).

The Board met on June 17, 2022 to review the program. At the meeting, the Committee provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, and any material changes to the program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period”).

During the Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure taking into account less liquid and illiquid assets.

The Committee reviewed each Fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. In classifying and reviewing each Fund’s investments, the Committee considered whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class in sizes the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, would be reasonably expected to significantly affect liquidity. The Committee considered the following information when determining the sizes in which each Fund would reasonably anticipate trading: historical net redemption activity, the Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, Fund performance, Fund size, and distribution channels.

The Committee considered each Fund’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered the terms of the credit facility applicable to the Funds, the financial health of the institution providing the facility and the fact that the credit facility is shared among multiple Funds. The Committee also considered other types of borrowing available to the Funds, such as the ability to use interfund lending arrangements.

The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether a Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”), and determined that the requirement to maintain an HLIM was inapplicable to the Funds because each Fund primarily holds highly liquid investments.

There were no material changes to the program during the Reporting Period. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that the program is reasonably designed and operated effectively throughout the Review Period.

 

 

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Additional Information (unaudited):

Renewal of the Advisory and Administration Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Advisory and Administration Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Manager has retained Davidson Fixed Income Management, Inc., doing business as Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management (the “Sub-Adviser”), to serve as the sub-adviser to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). In order for the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to continue to serve in their respective roles, the Trustees of the Fund must determine annually whether to renew the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Trustees requested and obtained such information as they deemed reasonably necessary. The independent Trustees met via video conference on August 25, 2022 and in person on September 10, 2022 to review and discuss the contract review materials that were provided in advance of the August 25, 2022 meeting. The Trustees considered, among other things, information presented by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. They also considered information presented in a report prepared by an independent consultant with respect to the Fund’s fees, expenses and investment performance, which included comparisons of the Fund’s investment performance against peers and the Fund’s benchmark and comparisons of the advisory fee payable by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement against the advisory fees paid by the Fund’s peers (the “Consultant’s Report”). In addition, the Trustees took into account the performance and other information related to the Fund provided to the Trustees at each regularly scheduled meeting. The Trustees considered the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement separately as well as in conjunction with each other to determine their combined effects on the Fund. The Trustees also discussed the memorandum provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other considerations that are relevant to the Trustees in their deliberations regarding the renewal of the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements.

At the meeting held on September 10, 2022, based on their evaluation of the information provided by the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and the independent consultant, the Trustees of the Fund present at the meeting, including the independent Trustees voting separately, unanimously approved the renewal of each of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement until September 30, 2023. In considering the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Trustees considered various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors described below. The Trustees did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in determining to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement or the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser

The Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services that had been provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund, taking into account the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. The Trustees reviewed the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

 

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The Manager has retained the Sub-Adviser to provide investment management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Trustees reviewed the Sub-Adviser’s investment approach for the Fund. The Trustees considered the personnel of the Sub-Adviser who provide investment management services to the Fund. The Trustees noted the extensive experience of the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio manager, Mr. Christopher Johns. They considered that Mr. Johns is based in Denver, Colorado and that he has a comprehensive understanding regarding the economy of the State of Colorado and the securities in which the Fund invests, including those securities with less than the highest ratings from the rating agencies.

The Trustees considered that the Manager supervised and monitored the performance of the Sub-Adviser. The Trustees also considered that the Manager and the Sub-Adviser had provided all advisory services to the Fund that the Trustees deemed necessary or appropriate, including the specific services that the Trustees have determined are required for the Fund, given that it seeks to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Colorado state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager has additionally provided all administrative services to the Fund and provided the Fund with personnel (including Fund officers) and other resources that are necessary for the Fund’s business management and operations. The Trustees considered the nature and extent of the Manager’s supervision of third-party service providers, including the Fund’s fund accountant, shareholder servicing agent and custodian.

Based on these considerations, the Trustees concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services that had been provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund were satisfactory and consistent with the terms of the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively.

The investment performance of the Fund

The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s performance (Class A Shares) and compared its performance to the performance of:

·the funds in the Municipal Single State Intermediate-Term Bond category as assigned by Morningstar, Inc. (the “Morningstar Category”); and
·the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond: Quality Intermediate Total Return Index Unhedged USD.

The Trustees considered that the materials included in the Consultant’s Report indicated that the Fund’s average annual total return was lower than the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the three, five and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2022, but higher than average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for Performance for the one-year period ended June 30, 2022. They noted that the Fund’s return for each of the one-year period and six months ended June 30, 2022 was in the first quintile and that its average annual return for each of the three and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022 was in the fourth quintile, in each case relative to the funds in the Morningstar Category for the same periods. (Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group and first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.) The Trustees further considered that the Fund’s average annual return was lower than the average annual total return of the benchmark index for the one, three, five

 

 

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and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2022. The Trustees further noted, as reflected in the Consultant’s Report, that the Fund’s total return for 2021 was lower than both the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category and the total return of its benchmark index for 2021.

The Trustees considered that the Fund invests primarily in municipal obligations issued by the State of Colorado, its counties and various other local authorities, while the funds in the Morningstar Category invest in, and the Fund’s benchmark index includes, municipal bonds of issuers throughout the United States and that less than 2% of the benchmark index consists of Colorado bonds. The Trustees noted that, unlike the Fund’s returns, the performance of the benchmark index did not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.

The Trustees discussed the Fund’s performance record with the Manager and the Sub-Adviser and considered the Manager’s and Sub-Adviser’s view that the Fund’s performance, as compared to its peer group, was explained in part by the Fund’s somewhat higher-quality portfolio and lower duration. The Trustees also considered the steps taken by the Sub-Adviser in recent months in an effort to improve the Fund’s investment performance.

The Trustees considered the Fund’s investment performance to be consistent with the investment objectives of the Fund. Evaluation of the investment performance of the Fund indicated to the Trustees that renewal of the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement would be appropriate.

Advisory and Sub-Advisory Fees and Fund Expenses

The Trustees evaluated the fee payable under the Advisory Agreement. They noted that the Manager, and not the Fund, paid the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Trustees evaluated both the fee under the Sub-Advisory Agreement and the portion of the advisory fee paid under the Advisory Agreement and retained by the Manager. The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses and compared them to the advisory fee and expense data for the 21 funds in the Fund’s expense group (the “Expense Group”), as selected by the independent consultant (the Fund and 13 other Municipal Single-State Intermediate-Term Bond funds, two Municipal Massachusetts Bond funds, two Municipal Minnesota Bond funds, two Municipal New Jersey Bond funds, and one Municipal Pennsylvania Bond fund, each categorized by Morningstar, Inc. with portfolio assets ranging between $130 million and $692 million). Only front-end load and retail no-load funds were considered for inclusion in the Expense Group. In addition, peer selection for the Expense Group focused on municipal bond funds with an intermediate duration across comparable categories. The Trustees also compared the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses to advisory fee data for the Fund’s Morningstar Category (as defined above). Certain of the peer group comparisons referred to below are organized in quintiles. Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group. In all peer group comparisons referred to below, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net management fee (after giving effect to the fee waiver) for its most recent fiscal year was in the fourth quintile relative to the management fees paid by the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period (after giving effect to fee waivers in effect for those funds). They also considered that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee was higher than the average and median contractual

 

 

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advisory fee of the funds in the Morningstar Category (at the Fund’s current asset level and all asset levels up to $10 billion).

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net total expenses (for Class A shares), after giving effect to fee waivers and expense reimbursements, for the most recent fiscal year were in the second quintile relative to the net total expenses of the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period (after giving effect to fee waivers and expense reimbursements in effect for those funds).

The Trustees reviewed management fees charged by each of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to its other clients. It was noted that the Manager does not have any other clients except for other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds. The Trustees noted that, in most instances, the fee rates for those clients were comparable to the fees paid to the Manager by the Fund. With respect to the Sub-Adviser, the Trustees noted that the fee rates for its other clients were generally lower than the fees paid to the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund. In evaluating the fees associated with the client accounts, the Trustees took into account the respective demands, resources and complexity associated with the Fund and those client accounts.

The Trustees concluded that the advisory and sub-advisory fees were reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser.

Profitability

The Trustees received materials from the Manager related to profitability. The Manager provided information which showed the profitability to the Manager of its services to the Fund, as well as the profitability of Aquila Distributors LLC of distribution services provided to the Fund. The Manager also provided other financial information to the members of the financial review committee of the Fund and the other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds.

The Trustees considered the information provided by the Manager regarding the profitability of the Manager with respect to the advisory services provided by the Manager to the Fund, including the methodology used by the Manager in allocating certain of its costs to the management of the Fund. The Trustees concluded that profitability to the Manager with respect to advisory services provided to the Fund did not argue against approval of the fees to be paid under the Advisory Agreement.

The Trustees also considered information provided by the Sub-Adviser regarding the profitability of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the sub-advisory services provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of the Sub-Adviser with respect to sub-advisory services provided to the Fund did not argue against approval of the fees to be paid under the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows

The Trustees considered the extent to which the Manager and the Sub-Adviser may realize economies of scale or other efficiencies in managing the Fund. They noted that the Sub-Adviser has agreed, through a contractual waiver of its sub-advisory fees, to include breakpoints in its fee schedule based on the size of the Fund. In addition, it was noted

 

 

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that the Manager had contractually agreed to waive its fees to the extent necessary in order to pass the benefits of the breakpoints in the Sub-Adviser’s fee waiver under the Sub-Advisory Agreement to the shareholders of the Fund. Accordingly, the Trustees concluded that economies of scale, if any, were being appropriately shared with the Fund.

Benefits derived or to be derived by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates from their relationships with the Fund

The Trustees observed that, as is generally true of most fund complexes, the Manager and Sub-Adviser and their affiliates, by providing services to a number of funds or other investment clients including the Fund, were able to spread costs as they would otherwise be unable to do. The Trustees noted that while that could produce efficiencies and increased profitability for the Manager and Sub-Adviser and their affiliates, it also makes their services available to the Fund at favorable levels of quality and cost which are more advantageous to the Fund than would otherwise have been possible.

 

 

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Your Fund’s Expenses (unaudited)

As a Fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including front-end sales charges with respect to Class A shares or contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) with respect to Class C shares; and (2) ongoing costs including management fees; distribution “12b-1” and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. The table below is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The table below assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Under the heading, “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.

 

  Actual   Hypothetical
  (actual return after expenses)   (5% annual return before expenses)
Share
Class
Beginning Account
Value
4/1/22

Ending(1)

Account
Value
9/30/22

Expenses(2)
Paid During Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
  Ending
Account
Value
9/30/22
Expenses(2)
Paid During
Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio
A $1,000 $ 960.30 $3.49   $1,021.51 $3.60 0.71%
C $1,000 $ 955.70 $8.09   $1,016.80 $8.34 1.65%
Y $1,000 $ 960.70 $3.19   $1,021.81 $3.29 0.65%

 

(1) Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable sales charges with respect to Class A or the applicable CDSC with respect to Class C shares. Total return is not annualized and as such, it may not be representative of the total return for the year.
   
(2) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above - in the far right column - multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

 

 

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Information Available (unaudited)

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and Complete Portfolio Holding Schedules

Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are filed with the SEC twice a year. Each Report contains a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings, along with full financial statements and other important financial statement disclosures. Additionally, your Fund files a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its Reports on Form N-PORT. Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and N-PORT reports are available free of charge on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. You may also review or, for a fee, copy the forms at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

In addition, your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and complete Portfolio Holdings Schedules for each fiscal quarter end are also available, free of charge, on your Fund’s website, www.aquilafunds.com (under the prospectuses & reports tab) or by calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

Portfolio Holdings Reports

In accordance with your Fund’s Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy, the Manager also prepares a Portfolio Holdings Report as of each quarter end, which is typically posted to your Fund’s individual page at www.aquilafunds.com by the 15th day after the end of each calendar quarter. Such information will remain accessible until the next Portfolio Holdings Report is made publicly available by being posted to www.aquilafunds.com. The quarterly Portfolio Holdings Report may be accessed, free of charge, by visiting www.aquilafunds.com or calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

 

 

 

Proxy Voting Record (unaudited)

During the 12 month period ended June 30, 2022, there were no proxies related to any portfolio instruments held by the Fund. As such, the Fund did not vote any proxies. Applicable regulations require us to inform you that the Fund’s proxy voting information is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

Federal Tax Status of Distributions (unaudited)

This information is presented in order to comply with a requirement of the Internal Revenue Code. No action on the part of shareholders is required.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, $4,099,490 of dividends paid by Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado, constituting 100% of total dividends paid, were exempt-interest dividends.

Prior to February 15, 2023, shareholders will be mailed the appropriate tax form(s) which will contain information on the status of distributions paid for the 2022 calendar year.

 

 

35  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund of Colorado

 

 
 
 

 

 

Founders

Lacy B. Herrmann (1929-2012)

Aquila Management Corporation, Sponsor

 

Manager

AQUILA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Investment Sub-Adviser

KIRKPATRICK PETTIS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

1550 Market Street, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

 

Board of Trustees

Thomas A. Christopher, Chair

Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair

Ernest Calderón

Gary C. Cornia

Grady Gammage, Jr.

Patricia L. Moss

Glenn P. O’Flaherty

Heather R. Overby

Laureen L. White

 

Officers

Diana P. Herrmann, President

Paul G. O’Brien, Senior Vice President

Craig T. DiRuzzo, Vice President

Randall S. Fillmore, Chief Compliance Officer

Joseph P. DiMaggio, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer

Anita Albano, Secretary

 

Distributor

AQUILA DISTRIBUTORS LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent

BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, Massachusetts 01581

 

Custodian

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 

 

Further information is contained in the Prospectus,
which must precede or accompany this report.

AQL-COSAR-1122

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

September 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free

Fund for Utah

Keeping an Optimistic
Long-Term View

 

Serving Utah investors since 1992

     

 

November, 2022

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

The fixed income markets have experienced significant volatility and downward pressure for much of 2022, driven primarily by several key economic factors, including continued high inflation, rising interest rates, and uncertainty about the direction of the U.S. economy. While these factors aren’t necessarily new or unique, they nonetheless have presented challenges for rate-sensitive investments — and, in the process, have made the majority of investors increasingly skittish. While we understand investors’ concerns, we remain optimistic about the municipal bond market.

Despite its inevitable ups and downs, the municipal bond market has historically demonstrated remarkable resiliency across multiple market cycles. We believe today’s market appears reasonably sound at its core in terms of continuing credit fundamentals and current relative valuations. The municipal market’s underpinnings remain deeply rooted in the need and demand for municipal bonds given the important role they play in financing vital local projects, such as schools, hospitals, and roadways that contribute to improving the quality of life for residents of the issuing municipalities.

It’s important to understand what’s driving the current market and maintain perspective. Let’s explore further.

Understanding the Factors Impacting Municipal Bonds

The primary driver of bond yields, prices, and relative performance is interest rates. Since the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) introduced a change in its monetary policy in March of this year to help combat inflation, interest rates began a steady upward climb. This was spurred by the Fed raising the Federal Funds rate (the interest rate that banks charge one another to borrow or lend excess reserves overnight), the first such increase since 2018. To date, through 11/02/2022, the Fed has implemented six rate hikes, totaling 3.75%, bringing the stated target range for the Fed Funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00%. And, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has indicated that additional increases may be deemed necessary going forward, dependent upon the status of the U.S. economy and data driven analytics. Mr. Powell and his colleagues have stated that the Fed will remain vigilant in its efforts to manage inflation, which has topped levels not seen in more than 40 years (as measured by the Consumer Price Index).

In reaction to the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy stance, year to date interest rates have experienced a significant increase. As you may know, bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of rate changes. Therefore, while rising interest rates generally translate to higher yields for bond investments, bond prices or values usually fall. This changing yield/price landscape has created two shifts in the market — a shift for issuers of bonds (who may now be reluctant to issue new debt at increased costs), along with a shift in investor sentiment. For investors, on the one hand, higher yields mean greater income, which is a welcome development for those who during the recent

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

low-yield environment sought opportunities to earn more attractive income levels. On the other hand, investors who are mindful of capital preservation have become wary as they have seen bond prices decline.

When investing in bonds, we believe that generating an attractive risk-adjusted return is a careful balance of the two factors— income and stability of capital. Your Fund’s investment objective, in fact, seeks to provide as high a level of current income exempt (from state and regular federal income taxes) as is consistent with preservation of capital. So, how has the rise in interest rates affected municipal bonds?

Assessing the Current Market Cycle

It’s important, in our view, to evaluate financial markets, performance, and valuations on a relative basis. This is true not only within the municipal bond market, but with and relative to other asset classes as well.

Municipal bonds are oftentimes viewed in comparison with U.S. Treasuries. Let’s take a look at yield curves and the relative Municipal-to-Treasury relationship. During 2022, yields of U.S. Treasury securities have generally risen across the maturity spectrum, but the overall slope of the curve flattened, particularly during the third quarter of 2022. Specifically, there was a greater increase in interest rates on the short-end of the U.S. Treasury curve (shorter maturities) which exceeded increases on the longer-end. Given economic uncertainty and fears of a possible recession, some market participants are concerned that this change in the U.S. Treasury yield curve may signal an impending economic slump. Meanwhile, the municipal bond yield curve has been more positively sloped (with longer term maturities yielding more) throughout the year, in particular, steepening between 10- and 30-year maturities during the third quarter — which may be viewed positively by municipal investors.

The Municipal-to-Treasury relationship (based on the yield of AAA municipal securities as a percentage of the yield of U.S. Treasuries of the same maturity) has fluctuated over the past year, but generally in our view continued to trade in line with historical relationship norms. The chart below illustrates what we believe to be an indication of improved relative valuations for municipal obligations, whereby municipal yields represent a greater percentage in comparison to U.S. Treasury yields. As one would usually anticipate in a rising rate environment, such as now, the relationship ratio compares somewhat favorably for longer maturity municipal bonds (specifically, in the 30-year maturity range) which were yielding greater than U.S. Treasury securities as of September 30th.

 

    January 3, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
  September 30, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
5-Year   44.1%   77.6%
10-year   63.8%   87.0%
30-year   74.3%   104.0%
Source: Bloomberg

 

Credit spreads among municipal bond issues have begun to widen during the year. (Credit spread is the difference in yield between securities of the same maturity with different credit ratings.) Wider credit spreads generally favor higher-quality issuers in a rising rate environment due to concerns related to lower quality issues during periods of slowing economic growth. This scenario may be viewed as a benefit to higher quality, shorter duration portfolios vis-à-vis lower quality, longer duration holdings. (Duration is

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

a measurement of a bond’s sensitivity or risk to changes in interest rates; shorter duration generally means less risk.) This assumes interest rates continue to rise, as the Fed seems to have signaled in recent press releases. Overall, we view municipal credit fundamentals to be relatively strong, while credit defaults as tracked by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agencies (such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s) generally remain relatively low, particularly among higher quality issues.

At a local level, many state and local economies continue to show signs of improvement and sustained growth. Despite recession risk, local municipalities and governments appear to us to be well-positioned to manage economic challenges. Higher employment, increasing wages, and rising property values in many jurisdictions throughout the country are among key contributors toward bolstering state and local revenue and tax receipts.

Looking Forward

We remain cautiously optimistic about the direction of the municipal bond market. In addition to many of the positive conditions and trends stated above — including what we believe to be potential opportunities for greater income than in recent years, improving relative valuations, strong credit fundamentals, expanding local economies, and sustained investor demand — keep in mind the attractive benefits that municipal bonds offer, such as a high level of current income exempt from state and regular federal income taxes. Although no one can reasonably predict the impact of continued inflation or future Fed actions to curb such inflation, on a tax-equivalent basis, the municipal income benefit may be attractive compared to taxable investments for certain investors.

Remember, too, the Aquila difference. Your portfolio management team is locally-based, which provides them with an up-close perspective on the economy and bond issuers within local municipalities, cities, counties, and across the state. Our investment professionals draw upon their wealth of experience in analyzing securities, navigating market and economic cycles, and seeking to identify both opportunities and risks. The current market cycle is no exception. Our team employs an active portfolio management strategy, with a goal to maintain broadly diversified investment grade municipal portfolios, generally with an intermediate average maturity, to help deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns.

As always, we encourage you to consult with your financial professional to evaluate whether the investment choices you make are aligned with your individual financial goals and risk tolerances.

Thank you for your continued confidence in Aquila Group of Funds.

 

  Sincerely,  
   
   
  Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair and President  

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                                                  

 

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

Any information in this Shareholder Letter regarding market or economic trends or the factors influencing the Fund’s historical or future performance are statements of opinion as of the date of this report. These statements should not be relied upon for any other purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and there is no guarantee that any market forecasts discussed will be realized.

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (9.9%)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    City and County (3.4%)        
    Brownsville, Texas Combination Tax        
$ 500,000   5.000%, 02/15/26 Series 2022   Aa3/AA/NR   $ 525,205
    Carson City, Nevada        
1,000,000   5.000%, 05/01/28   Aa3/AA/NR   1,037,200
    Clark County, Nevada, Refunding        
1,000,000   4.000%, 06/01/37 Series 2019   Aa1/AA+/NR   939,760
1,000,000   3.000%, 06/01/38 Series 2019   Aa1/AA+/NR   816,520
    Corsicana, Texas Combination Tax COP        
410,000   4.000%, 02/15/29 Series 2022   NR/AA-/NR   422,558
    Houston, Texas Public Improvement        
1,000,000   5.000%, 03/01/35 Series A   Aa3/AA/NR   1,039,680
    Mission, Texas Combination Tax & Revenue Certificates of Obligation        
500,000   4.000%, 02/15/32 Series 2021 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   507,360
    North Las Vegas, Nevada Limited Tax        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/31 Series 2018 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,075,020
    Port of Olympia, Washington Limited Tax        
1,385,000   5.000%, 12/01/31 AMT Series B   Aa2/NR/NR   1,479,748
    Port of Vancouver, Washington Limited Tax        
555,000   5.000%, 12/01/33 AMT Series 2022A   Aa2/NR/NR   577,422
    Reno, Nevada Capital Improvement Refunding        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/28   A1/AA-/NR   1,010,070
    Rio Grande City, Texas Combination Tax Certificates of Obligation        
855,000   4.000%, 02/15/33 Series 2020 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   857,385
    Washoe County, Nevada Limited Tax        
1,500,000   4.000%, 07/01/32 Series 2021   Aa2/AA/NR   1,543,710
    West University Place City, Texas Certificates of Obligation        
535,000   5.000%, 02/01/26 Series 2022   NR/AAA/NR   563,612
    Total City and County       12,395,250
             

 

1  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Healthcare (0.3%)        
    King County, Washington Public Hospital District No. 001, Refunding, Valley Medical Center        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/28   A2/NR/NR   $ 1,078,550
             
    Public Schools (4.8%)        
    Alvin, Texas Independent School District        
1,000,000   4.000%, 02/15/34 PSF Guaranteed   Aaa/NR/AAA   1,011,080
    Bushland, Texas Independent School District Unlimited Tax        
900,000   5.000%, 02/15/29 Series 2022   NR/AAA/NR   985,554
    Canyons School District Utah (School Board Guaranty Program)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/31 Series 2022   Aaa/NR/AAA   1,119,710
    Clark County, Nevada School District Limited Tax        
80,000   5.000%, 06/15/29 Series B   A1/A+/NR   86,638
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/35 Series B   A1/A+/NR   1,056,960
1,500,000   3.000%, 06/15/37 Series B AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,188,675
1,645,000   5.000%, 06/15/28 Series D   A1/A+/NR   1,720,604
2,000,000   4.000%, 06/15/30 Series D   A1/A+/NR   2,021,200
    Deuel, South Dakota School District 19-4 Limited Tax COP        
1,375,000   2.000%, 08/01/29 Series 2022   NR/AA+/NR   1,216,572
    Grant County, Washington School District No. 161 Moses Lake (School Board Guaranty Program)        
500,000   4.000%, 12/01/35   Aaa/NR/NR   497,040
    Lewis County, Washington School District No. 302 Chehalis (School Board Guaranty Program)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/34   Aaa/NR/NR   1,034,690

 

2  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Public Schools (continued)        
    Lewis & Thurston Counties, Washington School District No. 401 Centalia (School Board Guaranty Program)        
$ 1,230,000   5.000%, 12/01/35   Aaa/NR/NR   $ 1,288,474
    Minnehaha County, South Dakota COP Limited Tax        
900,000   3.000%, 12/01/29 Series 2022A   Aa1/NR/NR   869,076
    Port Arthur, Texas Independent School District Unlimited Tax        
1,000,000   4.000%, 02/15/35 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/A+   992,240
    Washoe County, Nevada School District Limited Tax Improvement        
1,000,000   4.000%, 10/01/34 Series 2020A   Aa3/AA/NR   1,008,330
    Weatherford, Texas Independent School District Unlimited Tax Refunding        
365,000   zero coupon, 02/15/23 Series 2019 PSF Guaranteed   Aaa/NR/NR   361,007
530,000   zero coupon, 02/15/28 Series 2019 PSF Guaranteed   Aaa/NR/NR   438,867
    Wink-Loving, Texas Independent School District Unlimited Tax        
300,000   5.000%, 02/15/25 Series 2022 PSF Guaranteed   Aaa/NR/NR   301,986
    Total Public Schools       17,198,703
             
    State (1.2%)        
    Texas State Transportation Commission Mobility Fund        
1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/31 Series 2015A   Aaa/AAA/AAA   1,045,620
    Texas State Water Financial Assistance        
1,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/30 Series E   Aaa/AAA/AAA   1,045,430
    Utah State        
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/28   Aaa/AAA/AAA   1,080,330
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/29   Aaa/AAA/AAA   1,079,870
    Total State       4,251,250
             

 

3  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Water and Sewer (0.2%)        
    Central Utah Water Conservancy District Limited Tax        
$ 700,000   5.000%, 04/01/34 Series 2022A   NR/AA+/AA+   $ 781,214
    Total General Obligation Bonds       35,704,967
             
    Revenue Bonds (84.0%)        
    Airport (7.5%)        
    Broward County, Florida Port Facilities        
1,000,000   4.000%, 09/01/38 AMT Series B   A1/A/NR   917,850
    Brownsville, Texas Combination Tax and Airport, Certificates of Obligation        
500,000   5.000%, 02/15/28 AMT Series 2018   Aa3/AA/NR   525,065
             
             
    Clark County, Nevada Airport System Junior Subordinate Lien        
745,000   5.000%, 07/01/26 AMT Series 2021 B   A1/NR/A+   768,862
    Greater Orlando, Florida Aviation Authority Airport Facilities        
675,000   5.000%, 10/01/31 AMT Series 2022A   Aa3/AA-/AA-   709,999
    Hillsborough County, Florida Aviation Authority Airport, Tampa International Airport        
1,500,000   5.000%, 10/01/28 AMT Series 2022A   Aa3/NR/AA-   1,573,890
    Houston, Texas Airport System Subordinate Lien Refunding        
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/29 AMT Series C   A1/NR/A+   1,041,760
    Metropolitan Washington District of Columbia Airport Authority System, Revenue Refunding        
1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/38 AMT Series 2019A   Aa3/AA-/AA-   1,014,330

 

4  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Airport (continued)        
    Salt Lake City, Utah Airport Revenue, Salt Lake City International Airport        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/26 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   $ 1,032,030
3,750,000   5.000%, 07/01/27 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   3,885,450
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/27 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   1,036,120
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/28 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   1,042,310
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/29 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   1,041,760
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/29 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   1,044,500
3,100,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   3,190,024
40,000   5.000%, 07/01/32 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   41,516
410,000   5.000%, 07/01/34 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   414,932
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/47 AMT Series A   A2/A/NR   1,000,040
1,240,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 Series B   A2/A/NR   1,311,957
850,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 Series B   A2/A/NR   896,435
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 Series B   A2/A/NR   532,495
1,525,000   5.000%, 07/01/37 Series B   A2/A/NR   1,563,003
    Williston City, North Dakota Airport Revenue Infrastructure Sales Tax        
2,365,000   4.000%, 11/01/28   NR/A+/NR   2,375,784
    Total Airport       26,960,112
             
    Charter Schools (9.9%)        
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Entheos Academy (School Board Guaranty Program)        
1,375,000   4.000%, 10/15/30 Series 2020A   Aa2/NR/NR   1,373,116
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority George Washington Academy        
1,500,000   5.000%, 04/15/35 Series 2015   NR/AA/NR   1,518,225
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Good Foundations Academy        
345,000   4.750%, 11/15/24 Series A 144A   NR/NR/NR*   341,640
1,655,000   5.550%, 11/15/34 Series A 144A   NR/NR/NR*   1,655,099
3,280,000   5.850%, 11/15/44 Series A 144A   NR/NR/NR*   3,279,934

 

5  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Charter Schools (continued)        
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Hawthorn Academy Project        
$ 1,865,000   5.000%, 10/15/29 Series 2014   NR/AA/NR   $ 1,907,336
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Lakeview Academy        
1,300,000   5.000%, 10/15/35 Series 2015   NR/AA/NR   1,328,392
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Legacy Preparatory Academy        
300,000   4.000%, 04/15/24   NR/AA/NR   301,143
1,710,000   5.000%, 04/15/29   NR/AA/NR   1,749,826
1,000,000   4.000%, 04/15/32 Series 2022   NR/AA/NR   961,130
1,000,000   4.000%, 04/15/37 Series 2022   NR/AA/NR   917,510
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Monticello Academy (School Board Guaranty Program)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 04/15/37 Series 2014   NR/AA/NR   1,010,970
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Ogden Preparatory Academy (School Board Guaranty Program)        
190,000   4.000%, 10/15/22   NR/AA/NR   190,044
150,000   4.000%, 10/15/23   NR/AA/NR   150,042
260,000   4.000%, 10/15/24   NR/AA/NR   260,031
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Providence Hall        
1,000,000   4.000%, 10/15/46 Series 2021A   Aa2/NR/NR   839,620
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Quest Academy        
500,000   5.000%, 04/15/37   NR/AA/NR   511,955
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Salt Lake Arts Academy (School Board Guaranty Program)        
1,000,000   3.000%, 04/15/40 Series 2020A   NR/AA/NR   759,370
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Spectrum Academy        
625,000   4.000%, 04/15/33 Series 2020   Aa2/NR/NR   580,631
655,000   4.000%, 04/15/34 Series 2020   Aa2/NR/NR   604,703

 

6  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Charter Schools (continued)        
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Utah Charter Academies        
$ 500,000   5.000%, 10/15/25 Series 2018   NR/AA/NR   $ 518,115
500,000   5.000%, 10/15/27 Series 2018   NR/AA/NR   527,110
475,000   5.000%, 10/15/28 Series 2018   NR/AA/NR   499,425
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Venture Academy        
420,000   4.000%, 10/15/24   NR/AA/NR   421,042
855,000   5.000%, 10/15/29   NR/AA/NR   874,409
1,095,000   5.000%, 10/15/34   NR/AA/NR   1,113,221
1,095,000   5.000%, 10/15/38   NR/AA/NR   1,110,867
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Vista School        
1,080,000   4.000%, 10/15/35   Aa2/NR/NR   1,005,966
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Voyage Academy        
820,000   5.000%, 03/15/27 144A   NR/NR/NR*   820,098
2,440,000   5.500%, 03/15/37 144A   NR/NR/NR*   2,440,195
4,785,000   5.600%, 03/15/47 144A   NR/NR/NR*   4,784,904
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Wasatch Peak Academy Project (School Board Guaranty Program)        
740,000   5.000%, 10/15/29   NR/AA/NR   744,470
700,000   5.000%, 10/15/36   NR/AA/NR   703,129
    Total Charter Schools       35,803,668
             
    Electric (5.1%)        
    Consolidated Wyoming Municipalities Electric Facilities Improvement Lease, Gillette        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/31   A1/AA-/NR   1,020,110
    Heber Light & Power Co., Utah Electric Revenue Refunding        
500,000   4.000%, 12/15/36 Series 2019 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/AA-   490,405

 

7  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Electric (continued)        
    Heber Light & Power Co., Utah Electric Revenue Refunding (continued)        
$ 645,000   4.000%, 12/15/38 Series 2019 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/AA-   $ 603,501
    Intermountain Power Agency, Utah Power Supply Revenue        
250,000   5.000%, 07/01/30   Aa3/NR/AA-   277,647
375,000   5.000%, 07/01/33   Aa3/NR/AA-   414,836
375,000   5.000%, 07/01/35   Aa3/NR/AA-   411,484
    Lehi, Utah Electric Utility Revenue        
520,000   5.000%, 06/01/29   NR/A+/NR   561,855
850,000   5.000%, 06/01/31   NR/A+/NR   913,767
    Lower Colorado River Authority, Texas Revenue Refunding        
1,000,000   5.000%, 05/15/36 Series 2020   NR/A/AA-   1,055,720
    Lower Colorado River Authority, Texas Transmission Contract Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 05/15/30   NR/A/A+   1,038,430
    San Antonio, Texas Electric & Gas Revenue System        
1,250,000   4.000%, 02/01/33   Aa2/AA-/AA-   1,261,700
    Southeast Alaska Power Agency Electric Refunding & Improvement        
1,170,000   5.250%, 06/01/30   NR/A/NR   1,209,218
    St. George, Utah Electric Revenue        
1,620,000   4.000%, 06/01/32 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,638,711
    Utah Associated Municipal Power System Revenue, Horse Butte Wind Project        
750,000   5.000%, 09/01/24 Series A   NR/A-/AA-   773,325
445,000   5.000%, 09/01/25 Series A   NR/A-/AA-   464,896
375,000   5.000%, 09/01/30 Series 2017B   NR/A-/AA-   400,136
    Utah Associated Municipal Power System Revenue, Veyo Heat Recovery Project        
795,000   5.000%, 03/01/30   NR/A/AA-   817,220
905,000   5.000%, 03/01/32   NR/A/AA-   927,779
745,000   5.000%, 03/01/34   NR/A/AA-   763,066

 

8  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Electric (continued)        
    Utah State Municipal Power Agency Power Supply System Revenue        
$ 330,000   5.000%, 07/01/23   NR/A+/AA-   $ 334,330
3,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/38 Series B   NR/A+/AA-   3,111,930
    Total Electric       18,490,066
             
    Healthcare (0.5%)        
    Hale Center, Texas Educational Facilities Corporation, Wayland Baptist University        
700,000   5.000%, 03/01/29 Series 2022   NR/BBB+/NR   713,034
    Miami-Dade County, Florida Public Facilities, Jackson Health System        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/29 Series A   Aa3/A+/AA-   1,037,140
    Total Healthcare       1,750,174
             
    Higher Education (7.8%)        
    Salt Lake County, Utah Westminster College Project        
790,000   5.000%, 10/01/22   NR/BBB/NR   790,000
1,970,000   5.000%, 10/01/25   NR/BBB/NR   2,009,755
955,000   5.000%, 10/01/28   NR/BBB/NR   976,172
1,845,000   5.000%, 10/01/29   NR/BBB/NR   1,892,859
1,005,000   5.000%, 10/01/29   NR/BBB/NR   1,026,788
1,055,000   5.000%, 10/01/30   NR/BBB/NR   1,075,330
    South Dakota Board of Regents, Housing & Auxiliary Facilities System        
500,000   5.000%, 04/01/28   A1/NR/NR   526,930
    University of South Florida Financing Corp., Florida COP Refunding Master Lease Program        
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 Series A   A1/A+/NR   1,036,690
    Utah State Board of Higher Education, University of Utah Green Bond        
1,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/39 Series 2022B   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,071,710

 

9  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Higher Education (continued)        
    Utah State Board of Regents, Dixie State University        
$ 1,800,000   5.000%, 06/01/30 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   $ 1,861,524
660,000   5.000%, 06/01/35 Series B AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   695,653
690,000   5.000%, 06/01/36 Series B AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   726,529
1,375,000   3.000%, 06/01/36 Series 2019   NR/AA/NR   1,116,693
    Utah State Board of Regents Lease Revenue        
120,000   4.650%, 05/01/23 AMBAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   120,128
    Utah State Board of Regents, Student Building Fee, Salt Lake Community College        
1,295,000   5.000%, 03/01/26 Series 2018   NR/AA/NR   1,346,036
1,000,000   5.000%, 03/01/27 Series 2018   NR/AA/NR   1,037,770
    Utah State Board of Regents, Student Facilities System Revenue, Weber State University        
750,000   5.000%, 04/01/29 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   802,650
200,000   5.000%, 04/01/30 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   215,494
1,000,000   3.000%, 04/01/35 Series 2021 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   836,310
    Utah State Board of Regents, University of Utah        
500,000   5.000%, 08/01/29 Series A   Aa1/AA+/NR   537,280
480,000   5.000%, 08/01/33 Series A   Aa1/AA+/NR   495,778
600,000   5.000%, 08/01/35 Series A   Aa1/AA+/NR   617,940
500,000   4.000%, 08/01/36 Series A   Aa1/AA+/NR   480,750
1,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/35 Series B-1   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,041,640
1,500,000   5.000%, 08/01/36 Series B-1   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,561,380
    Utah State Board of Regents, Utah State University        
1,105,000   4.000%, 12/01/30 Series B   NR/AA/NR   1,115,486
2,055,000   3.000%, 12/01/36 Series B   NR/AA/NR   1,676,942

 

10  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Higher Education (continued)        
    Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue, Whitman College Project        
$ 1,345,000   5.000%, 01/01/32   Aa3/NR/NR   $ 1,394,214
    Total Higher Education       28,086,431
             
    Housing (2.5%)        
    King County, Washington Housing Authority Pooled Refunding        
1,760,000   4.000%, 11/01/34 Series 2019   NR/AA/NR   1,682,067
910,000   4.000%, 11/01/36 Series 2019   NR/AAA/NR   883,228
500,000   4.000%, 06/01/35 Series 2020   NR/AA/NR   469,375
    North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, Home Mortgage Finance Program        
400,000   3.000%, 07/01/27 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   395,824
775,000   3.000%, 01/01/30 Series 2022A   Aa1/NR/NR   720,223
    South Dakota Housing Development Authority Homeownership Mortgage        
250,000   1.000%, 05/01/26 Series 2020C   Aaa/AAA/NR   226,150
500,000   1.350%, 05/01/28 Series 2020C   Aaa/AAA/NR   434,120
500,000   1.400%, 11/01/28 Series 2020C   Aaa/AAA/NR   430,100
    Utah Housing Corporation Single Family Mortgage        
5,000   4.950%, 01/01/32 Series A Class II   Aa2/AA+/AA   5,002
10,000   4.500%, 01/01/24 Series A Class III   Aa3/AA/AA   10,002
640,000   4.600%, 07/01/34 Series B-1 Class I   Aaa/AAA/AAA   640,166
25,000   4.625%, 07/01/32 Series B-1 Class II   Aa2/AA+/AA   25,011
5,000   4.500%, 07/01/23 Series C   Aa3/AA/AA   5,002
1,930,000   3.850%, 01/01/31 AMT Series D Class III FHA Insured   Aa3/AA-/AA   1,893,909
480,000   4.000%, 01/01/36 Series D FHA Insured   Aa3/AA-/AA   474,226

 

11  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Housing (continued)        
    Vancouver, Washington Housing Authority, Anthem Park and Columbia House Projects        
$ 500,000   4.000%, 06/01/35 Series 2020   NR/AA/NR   $ 467,100
500,000   3.000%, 06/01/38 Series 2020   NR/AA/NR   397,115
    Total Housing       9,158,620
             
    Local Public Property (18.0%)        
    Alaska State Municipal Bond Bank        
540,000   5.000%, 02/01/30 AMT   NR/A+/A   564,764
565,000   5.000%, 02/01/31 AMT   NR/A+/A   589,035
590,000   5.000%, 02/01/32 AMT   NR/A+/A   613,211
770,000   4.000%, 12/01/33   A1/A+/NR   773,088
    Bluffdale, Utah Local Building Authority Lease Revenue        
1,215,000   4.000%, 03/01/35   A1/NR/NR   1,202,328
    Broward County, Florida Convention Center Hotel First Tier        
1,750,000   5.000%, 01/01/32 Series 2022   Aa1/AAA/AA+   1,926,225
    City of Cape Coral, Florida Special Obligation Refunding Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/37 Series 2017   Aa3/AA/NR   1,052,220
    CIVICVentures, Alaska Revenue Refunding, Anchorage Convention Center        
1,000,000   5.000%, 09/01/28   NR/A+/AA-   1,007,700
1,000,000   5.000%, 09/01/29   NR/A+/AA-   1,006,080
1,000,000   5.000%, 09/01/30   NR/A+/AA-   1,004,190
    Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Texas Tax Increment Contract Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 09/01/30 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,041,860
    Eagle Mountain, Utah Special Assessment Area        
165,000   5.250%, 05/01/28 Series 2013   NR/AA-/NR   166,302
    Harris County, Texas Sports Refunding Senior Lien        
500,000   5.000%, 11/15/30 Series A   A3/BBB/NR   510,155

 

12  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Local Public Property (continued)        
    Jacksonville, Florida Special Revenue Bonds        
$ 1,000,000   5.250%, 10/01/37 Series 2022C   NR/AA/AA-   $ 1,079,850
    Jacksonville, Florida Special Revenue and Refunding Bonds        
1,015,000   5.250%, 10/01/32 Series A   Aa3/AA/AA-   1,029,352
    Manatee County, Florida Revenue Improvement & Refunding        
500,000   5.250%, 10/01/34 Series 2022C   Aa1/NR/AA+   561,310
    Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska Lease Revenue Refunding, Goose Creek Correctional Center        
1,085,000   5.000%, 09/01/32 Series 2015   A1/A+/A   1,116,215
    Mesquite, Nevada New Special Improvement District        
100,000   5.500%, 08/01/25   NR/NR/NR*   100,281
    Midvale, Utah Redevelopment Agency Tax Increment & Sales Tax Revenue Refunding        
750,000   5.000%, 05/01/28   NR/AA+/NR   799,477
1,230,000   5.000%, 05/01/31   NR/AA+/AA   1,327,908
1,000,000   5.000%, 05/01/32   NR/AA+/NR   1,048,260
    Murray City, Utah Municipal Building Authority Lease Revenue        
380,000   4.000%, 12/01/30 Series 2020   Aa3/NR/NR   391,297
480,000   4.000%, 12/01/31 Series 2020   Aa3/NR/NR   490,675
300,000   4.000%, 12/01/32 Series 2020   Aa3/NR/NR   303,339
    North Davis, Utah Fire District Local Building Authority Lease Revenue        
765,000   3.000%, 04/01/37 BAMI Insured   A1/AA/NR   624,737
    Old Spanish Trail/Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority, Texas Tax Increment Contract Revenue        
1,000,000   4.000%, 09/01/35 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,004,430

 

13  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Local Public Property (continued)        
    Orange County, Florida Tourist Development Tax Revenue Refunding        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/30   Aa2/AA-/AA   $ 1,040,010
    Saint George Place, Texas Redevelopment Authority Tax Increment Contract        
605,000   4.000%, 09/01/30 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   616,023
    Salt Lake City, Utah Local Building Authority Lease Revenue        
650,000   4.000%, 10/15/23 Series A   Aa1/NR/AA+   653,185
600,000   5.000%, 04/15/32 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   632,292
395,000   4.000%, 04/15/32 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   399,159
425,000   4.000%, 04/15/34 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   427,214
1,075,000   5.000%, 04/15/35 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   1,127,374
460,000   4.000%, 04/15/36 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   447,474
    Salt Lake City, Utah Mosquito Abatement District Local Building Authority Lease Revenue        
730,000   5.000%, 02/15/29   Aa3/NR/NR   781,275
810,000   5.000%, 02/15/31   Aa3/NR/NR   870,126
    Salt Lake City, Utah Municipal Building Authority Lease Revenue        
975,000   4.000%, 01/15/34   NR/AA+/AA+   989,567
    South Jordan, Utah Special Assessment (Daybreak Assessment Area No. 1)        
985,000   4.000%, 11/01/27   NR/AA+/NR   1,008,965
1,240,000   4.000%, 11/01/28   NR/AA+/NR   1,269,673
1,070,000   4.000%, 11/01/30   NR/AA+/NR   1,092,844
    South Salt Lake, Utah Redevelopment Agency Excise Tax & Tax Increment Revenue Refunding        
1,000,000   4.000%, 11/01/28 Series 2020   NR/AA/NR   1,015,050
1,035,000   4.000%, 11/01/29 Series 2020   NR/AA/NR   1,052,305
1,080,000   4.000%, 11/01/30 Series 2020   NR/AA/NR   1,096,070
    St. Augustine, Florida Capital Improvement Refunding        
500,000   5.000%, 10/01/34   Aa3/AA/AA-   508,700

 

14  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Local Public Property (continued)        
    St. Lucie County, Florida School Board COP Master Lease Program        
$ 500,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 Series A   A1/A/A+   $ 505,860
    Tooele County, Utah Municipal Building Authority Lease Revenue Cross-Over        
850,000   4.000%, 12/15/28   NR/AA-/NR   876,384
885,000   4.000%, 12/15/29   NR/AA-/NR   909,125
920,000   4.000%, 12/15/30   NR/AA-/NR   941,675
    Unified Utah Fire Service Area Local Building Authority Lease Revenue        
1,800,000   4.000%, 04/01/31   Aa2/NR/NR   1,856,646
2,350,000   4.000%, 04/01/32   Aa2/NR/NR   2,384,051
1,875,000   4.000%, 04/01/32   Aa2/NR/NR   1,926,581
    Vineyard Redevelopment Agency, Utah Tax Increment Revenue And Refunding Bonds        
750,000   5.000%, 05/01/25 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   779,963
350,000   4.000%, 05/01/33 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   350,998
    Wasatch County, Utah Municipal Building Authority Lease Revenue        
560,000   4.000%, 12/01/28 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   576,402
585,000   4.000%, 12/01/29 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   603,931
605,000   4.000%, 12/01/30 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   624,572
    Washington County, Utah Municipal Building Authority Lease Revenue        
500,000   5.000%, 10/01/32   Aa3/NR/NR   524,650
500,000   5.000%, 10/01/37   Aa3/NR/NR   521,065
    Weber County, Utah Special Assessment Summit Mountain Area        
1,520,000   5.500%, 01/15/28   NR/AA/NR   1,529,637
3,935,000   5.750%, 01/15/33   NR/AA/NR   3,959,791
    West Jordan, Utah Municipal Building Authority Lease Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/29   Aa3/NR/NR   1,055,010
1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/34   Aa3/NR/NR   1,046,280

 

15  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Local Public Property (continued)        
    West Palm Beach, Florida Community Redevelopment Agency Tax Increment Revenue Refunding        
$ 1,500,000   5.250%, 03/01/31   NR/A/AA-   $ 1,574,400
    West Valley City, Utah Municipal Building Authority Lease Revenue Refunding        
900,000   4.000%, 02/01/33 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/AA-   903,942
1,000,000   5.000%, 02/01/34 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/AA-   1,040,280
300,000   5.000%, 02/01/34 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/AA-   318,519
1,000,000   5.000%, 02/01/37 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,049,310
810,000   4.000%, 02/01/38 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/AA-   761,635
    West Valley City, Utah Redevelopment Agency Revenue Refunding        
1,885,000   5.000%, 11/01/36   NR/AA/NR   1,970,164
    Total Local Public Property       64,952,466
             
    Public Schools (3.2%)        
    Alpine, Utah Local Building Authority School District Lease Revenue        
985,000   4.000%, 03/15/28   Aa1/NR/NR   1,011,250
    Canyons School District Utah, Local Building Authority Lease        
725,000   4.000%, 06/15/33 Series 2021   Aa1/NR/NR   727,559
750,000   4.000%, 06/15/34 Series 2021   Aa1/NR/NR   745,822
    Davis County, Utah Municipal Building Authority Crossover Refunding Lease Revenue        
1,085,000   4.000%, 11/01/32 Series 2020   NR/AA/NR   1,107,969
    Duchesne School District Utah, Municipal Building Authority Lease        
750,000   5.000%, 06/01/36 Series 2022   A2/NR/NR   763,132
750,000   4.000%, 06/01/38 Series 2022   A2/NR/NR   656,767
    Grand City, Utah Local Building Authority School District Lease Revenue        
1,665,000   5.000%, 12/15/34 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   1,715,566

 

16  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Public Schools (continued)        
    Ogden City, Utah Municipal Building Authority School District Lease Revenue        
$ 1,125,000   5.000%, 01/15/30   A1/NR/NR   $ 1,197,787
1,315,000   5.000%, 01/15/31   A1/NR/NR   1,335,738
500,000   5.000%, 01/15/32 Series 2018   A1/NR/NR   526,845
    Provo City, Utah Municipal Building Authority School District Lease Revenue        
1,500,000   5.000%, 03/15/33 Series 2022   Aa3/NR/NR   1,656,195
    Total Public Schools       11,444,630
             
    Sales Tax (14.2%)        
    Draper, Utah Sales Tax Revenue        
765,000   4.000%, 11/15/39 Series 2022   NR/AAA/NR   683,451
    Eagle Mountain, Utah Sales Tax Revenue        
200,000   5.000%, 02/01/29 Series 2022   NR/AA+/NR   217,248
    Herriman City, Utah Sales & Franchise Tax Revenue Refunding        
1,080,000   4.000%, 08/01/25 Series B   NR/AA+/NR   1,087,236
2,135,000   4.000%, 08/01/30 Series B   NR/AA+/NR   2,179,600
1,515,000   5.000%, 08/01/33 Series B   NR/AA+/NR   1,569,328
    Holladay, Utah Sales Tax Revenue        
965,000   5.000%, 11/15/29 Series 2022   NR/AA+/NR   1,059,724
1,000,000   5.000%, 11/15/33 Series 2022   NR/AA+/NR   1,088,810
865,000   5.000%, 11/15/37 Series 2022   NR/AA+/NR   930,351
    Lehi, Utah Franchise & Sales Tax Revenue (Broadband Project)        
985,000   5.000%, 02/01/27 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,052,108
1,000,000   4.000%, 02/01/32 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,023,770
1,000,000   4.000%, 02/01/33 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,019,820
500,000   4.000%, 02/01/34 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   505,660
500,000   4.000%, 02/01/35 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   502,150

 

17  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Sales Tax (continued)        
    Lehi, Utah Sales Tax Revenue        
$ 1,220,000   4.000%, 06/01/35 Series 2019   NR/AA+/NR   $ 1,229,492
420,000   4.000%, 06/01/36 Series 2019   NR/AA+/NR   410,474
    Mapleton City, Utah Municipal Energy Sales & Sales Tax & Telecommunications Fee        
1,085,000   3.000%, 06/15/31 Series 2021   NR/A/NR   972,312
780,000   3.000%, 06/15/33 Series 2021   NR/A/NR   672,961
1,255,000   3.000%, 06/15/36 Series 2021   NR/A/NR   1,015,910
    Miami-Dade County, Florida Transit System Sales Surtax Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/34   A1/AA/AA   1,038,060
    Ogden City, Utah Franchise Tax Revenue        
1,625,000   3.000%, 01/15/31   NR/AA/NR   1,524,071
    Providence City, Utah Franchise & Sales Tax Revenue        
1,270,000   3.000%, 03/01/29 Series 2021   NR/A-/NR   1,170,470
    Reno, Nevada Sales Tax Revenue, First Lien, ReTRAC-Reno Transportation Rail Access Corridor Project        
500,000   5.000%, 06/01/26   A3/NR/NR   514,515
    Riverton City, Utah Franchise & Sales Tax Revenue        
750,000   4.000%, 06/01/30   NR/AA+/AAA   764,760
    Salt Lake County, Utah Sales Tax Revenue        
525,000   5.000%, 02/01/24 Series 2012A   NR/AAA/AAA   525,724
1,655,000   4.000%, 02/01/34 Series B   NR/AAA/AAA   1,675,357
    South Jordan, Utah Redevelopment Agency Subordinated Sales Tax & Tax Increment Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/29   NR/AA/AAA   1,039,250
    Spearfish, South Dakota Sales Tax Revenue        
975,000   4.000%, 12/15/29 Series 2022   A1/NR/NR   1,011,055

 

18  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Sales Tax (continued)        
    Summit County, Utah Transportation Sales Tax Revenue        
$ 1,200,000   4.000%, 12/15/28 Series 2018   NR/AA/NR   $ 1,230,492
1,450,000   4.000%, 12/15/29 Series 2018   NR/AA/NR   1,485,916
    Utah County, Utah Excise Tax Revenue Refunding        
1,690,000   4.000%, 12/01/36 Series 2020   NR/AA+/NR   1,648,308
    Utah County, Utah Transportation Sales Tax Revenue Refunding        
3,315,000   4.000%, 12/01/35 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   3,242,501
    Utah Transit Authority Sales Tax Revenue        
2,950,000   4.000%, 12/15/34 Series A   Aa2/AA/AA   2,952,921
3,440,000   4.000%, 12/15/37 Series A   Aa2/AA/AA   3,252,073
3,580,000   4.000%, 12/15/38 Series A   Aa2/AA/AA   3,359,078
    Utah Transit Authority Sales Tax Revenue Subordinated        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/15/32   Aa3/AA-/AA   1,075,850
    Utah Transit Authority Sales Tax Revenue Subordinated, Capital Appreciation        
3,000,000   zero coupon, 12/15/32   Aa3/AA-/AA   1,890,840
    Watertown, South Dakota Sales Tax Revenue        
1,110,000   3.000%, 12/01/34 Series 2021   NR/A/NR   954,145
215,000   5.000%, 12/01/23 Series 2022A BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   219,113
335,000   5.000%, 12/01/24 Series 2022A BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   346,692
350,000   5.000%, 12/01/25 Series 2022A BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   366,874
825,000   4.000%, 12/01/33 Series 2022C BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   829,513
    West Valley City, Utah Sales Tax Revenue Capital Appreciation Bonds, Refunding        
3,500,000   zero coupon, 07/15/35   NR/AA+/NR   1,785,980
    Total Sales Tax       51,123,963
             

 

19  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    State Agency (4.1%)        
    Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications, Franchise & Sales Tax, Cedar Hills Project        
$ 1,230,000   4.000%, 10/15/32 Series 2022   NR/A+/NR   $ 1,210,960
905,000   4.000%, 10/15/37 Series 2022   NR/A+/NR   837,478
1,125,000   4.250%, 10/15/42 Series 2022   NR/A+/NR   1,022,378
    Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications & Franchise Tax, Clearfield City        
315,000   5.000%, 10/15/25 Series 2020   NR/A+/NR   327,329
335,000   5.000%, 10/15/26 Series 2020   NR/A+/NR   351,911
350,000   5.000%, 10/15/27 Series 2020   NR/A+/NR   370,622
    Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications & Franchise Tax, Layton City        
500,000   5.000%, 10/15/30 Series 2018   NR/A+/NR   531,215
    Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications & Franchise Tax, Payson City        
485,000   5.000%, 10/01/29 Series 2019   NR/A+/NR   512,010
640,000   4.000%, 10/01/34 Series 2019   NR/A+/NR   611,571
    Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications, Franchise & Sales Tax, Santa Clara Project        
1,180,000   4.000%, 10/15/32 Series 2022   NR/A/NR   1,160,790
1,010,000   4.000%, 10/15/37 Series 2022   NR/A/NR   942,179
    Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications, Franchise & Sales Tax, Syracuse City Project        
1,000,000   4.000%, 10/15/30 Series 2021   NR/AA-/NR   1,025,720
    Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications Revenue & Refunding Bonds        
640,000   5.000%, 10/15/22 Series A   NR/NR/BBB-   640,083
750,000   4.000%, 10/15/22 Series A   NR/NR/BBB-   749,873

 

20  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    State Agency (continued)        
    Utah State Building Ownership Authority Lease Revenue Refunding State Facilities Master Lease Program        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 05/15/24   Aa1/AA+/NR   $ 1,029,590
905,000   4.000%, 05/15/29   Aa1/AA+/NR   931,471
1,775,000   3.000%, 05/15/29   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,690,031
940,000   4.000%, 05/15/30   Aa1/AA+/NR   963,660
    Total State Agency       14,908,871
             
    Transportation (0.8%)        
    Clark County, Nevada Highway Improvement Revenue Indexed Fuel Tax & Subordinate Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax        
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/36   Aa3/AA-/NR   522,660
    Pharr, Texas International Toll Bridge System Revenue        
1,000,000   4.000%, 08/15/35 Series 2021   A2/A/NR   923,930
    Salt Lake County, Utah Excise Tax Road Revenue        
1,000,000   4.000%, 08/15/31 Series 2017   NR/AAA/AAA   1,023,510
    Utah Transit Authority Sales Tax & Transportation Revenue        
195,000   5.250%, 06/15/32 AGMC Insured   Aa2/AA/AA   218,316
    Total Transportation       2,688,416
             
    Water and Sewer (10.4%)        
    Brian Head, Utah Water Revenue Refunding        
720,000   3.000%, 04/01/36 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   596,369
    Central Utah Water Conservancy District Refunding        
1,785,000   5.000%, 10/01/37 Series 2020D   NR/AA+/AA+   1,928,835
1,000,000   4.000%, 10/01/38 Series 2020D   NR/AA+/AA+   945,220

 

21  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Water and Sewer (continued)        
    Central Valley, Utah Water Reclamation Facility, Green Bond        
$ 1,215,000   3.000%, 03/01/32 Series 2021B   NR/AA/AA   $ 1,118,116
1,255,000   3.000%, 03/01/33 Series 2021B   NR/AA/AA   1,130,680
1,090,000   3.000%, 03/01/34 Series 2021B   NR/AA/AA   962,230
1,080,000   3.000%, 03/01/35 Series 2021B   NR/AA/AA   929,038
    Eagle Mountain, Utah Water & Sewer Revenue Refunding        
420,000   4.000%, 11/15/24 Series A BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   426,733
    El Paso, Texas Water & Sewer Revenue Refunding        
1,000,000   4.500%, 03/01/31 Series C   NR/AA+/AA+   1,026,200
    Fairview City, Utah Water & Sewer Revenue Refunding        
725,000   4.000%, 06/15/46 Series 2022   NR/BBB/NR   574,091
    Florida State Governmental Utility Authority Refunding Revenue Bonds (Lehigh Utility System)        
500,000   5.000%, 10/01/31 Series 2014 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   516,000
    Herriman City, Utah Water Revenue Refunding        
450,000   4.000%, 01/01/35 Series 2021 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   445,522
    Hooper, Utah Water Improvement District Revenue Refunding        
1,000,000   4.000%, 06/15/34 Series 2019   NR/AA-/NR   985,390
220,000   4.000%, 06/15/39 Series 2019   NR/AA-/NR   203,511
    Jordan Valley, Utah Water Conservancy District Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/26 Series B   NR/AA+/AA+   1,066,910
1,000,000   4.000%, 10/01/32 Series B   NR/AA+/AA+   1,017,910
1,145,000   4.000%, 10/01/32 Series 2021A   NR/AA+/AA+   1,170,659
    Jordanelle, Utah Special Service District        
283,000   5.800%, 11/15/22   NR/NR/NR*   282,485
299,000   6.000%, 11/15/23   NR/NR/NR*   295,134

 

22  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Water and Sewer (continued)        
    Lakewood, Washington Water District, Pierce County        
$ 750,000   4.000%, 12/01/37 Series 2019A AMT   NR/AA/NR   $ 736,477
    Okaloosa County, Florida Water and Sewer Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/30   Aa3/NR/AA+   1,040,990
    Orem, Utah Water, Sewer and Storm Sewer        
540,000   4.000%, 07/15/34 Series 2021A   NR/AA+/AAA   547,398
    Park City, Utah Water Revenue Green Bonds        
1,000,000   3.000%, 12/15/33 Series 2020   Aa2/AA/NR   876,950
     Pleasant Grove City, Utah Storm Water Revenue Refunding        
205,000   4.000%, 07/15/27 Series 2020 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   210,906
370,000   4.000%, 07/15/28 Series 2020 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   381,289
485,000   4.000%, 07/15/29 Series 2020 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   501,766
510,000   4.000%, 07/15/30 Series 2020 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   528,385
525,000   4.000%, 07/15/31 Series 2020 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   534,340
    Salt Lake City, Utah Public Utilities Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 02/01/32   Aa1/AAA/NR   1,043,790
1,400,000   5.000%, 02/01/33   Aa1/AAA/NR   1,458,184
1,000,000   5.000%, 02/01/35   Aa1/AAA/NR   1,037,440
500,000   4.000%, 02/01/37   Aa1/AAA/NR   476,495
500,000   4.000%, 02/01/38   Aa1/AAA/NR   473,220
    San Jacinto, Texas River Authority Woodlands Waste Disposal        
1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/30 BAMI Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,011,630
    Texas Water Development Board        
5,000,000   4.000%, 08/01/35 Series 2021   NR/AAA/AAA   4,911,350

 

23  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Water and Sewer (continued)        
    Utah Water Finance Agency Revenue        
$ 950,000   4.000%, 03/01/33   NR/AA/AA+   $ 963,120
1,000,000   4.000%, 03/01/34   NR/AA/AA   1,014,320
1,000,000   5.000%, 03/01/35   NR/AA/AA   1,045,080
1,295,000   5.000%, 03/01/38   NR/AA/AA   1,376,805
    Weber Basin, Utah Water Conservancy District Refunding        
915,000   4.000%, 10/01/31 Series A   NR/AA+/AAA   922,933
    West Harris County, Texas Regional Water Authority        
815,000   5.000%, 12/15/26 Series A   A1/AA-/A+   851,789
    Total Water and Sewer       37,565,690
    Total Revenue Bonds       302,933,107
             
    Pre-Refunded Bonds\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds (4.6%)††        
    Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds (0.7%)        
    City and County (0.3%)        
    Miami Gardens, Florida        
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/29   A1/A+/NR   1,029,560
             
    Public Schools (0.4%)        
    Leander Independent School District, Texas (Williamson & Travis Counties) Unlimited Tax School Building        
2,035,000   zero coupon, 08/15/47 Series 2014 C PSF Guaranteed   NR/NR/NR*   543,019
    Wylie, Texas Independent School District Capital Appreciation        
1,000,000   zero coupon, 08/15/32 PSF Guaranteed   Aaa/NR/NR   695,680
    Total Public Schools       1,238,699
    Total Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds       2,268,259
             

 

24  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity
Revenue Bonds (3.9%)
  Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Charter Schools (0.5%)        
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Legacy Preparatory Academy        
$ 140,000   4.000%, 04/15/24 ETM   NR/NR/NR*   $ 141,806
820,000   5.000%, 04/15/29   NR/NR/NR*   849,668
    Utah State Charter School Finance Authority Ogden Preparatory Academy (School Board Guaranty Program)        
285,000   4.000%, 10/15/22 ETM   NR/NR/NR*   285,077
355,000   4.000%, 10/15/23   NR/NR/NR*   355,092
265,000   4.000%, 10/15/24   NR/NR/NR*   265,069
    Total Charter Schools       1,896,712
             
    Electric (0.2%)        
    Wyoming Municipal Power Agency Power Supply System Revenue        
665,000   5.000%, 01/01/27 Series A BAMI Insured ETM   NR/NR/NR*   710,885
             
    Healthcare (0.2%)        
    Brevard County, Florida Health Facilities Authority Health First Inc. Project        
750,000   5.000%, 04/01/30   A2/A/NR   767,528
             
    Higher Education (1.0%)        
    Florida Higher Education Facilities Authority Revenue, Refunding, Rollins College Project        
1,000,000   5.000%, 12/01/37 Series A   A2/NR/NR   1,003,060
    Utah State University Student Building Fee        
1,285,000   5.000%, 12/01/29 Series B   NR/AA/NR   1,301,050
1,355,000   5.000%, 12/01/30 Series B   NR/AA/NR   1,371,924
    Total Higher Education       3,676,034
             

 

25  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity
Revenue Bonds (continued)
  Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Sales Tax (0.7%)        
    Riverton City, Utah Franchise & Sales Tax Revenue        
$ 1,000,000   5.250%, 12/01/36   NR/AA+/NR   $ 1,014,100
    Utah Transit Authority Sales Tax Revenue        
1,560,000   5.000%, 06/15/37 Series A   Aa3/AA-/NR   1,633,679
    Total Sales Tax       2,647,779
             
    State Agency (0.8%)        
    Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications & Franchise Tax        
1,000,000   5.000%, 10/15/33   A2/NR/NR   1,015,920
1,630,000   5.250%, 10/15/38   A2/NR/NR   1,660,041
    Total State Agency       2,675,961
             
    Water and Sewer (0.5%)        
    Ogden City, Utah Sewer & Water Revenue Bonds        
1,160,000   5.250%, 06/15/30 Series B   Aa3/AA-/NR   1,177,307
    Ogden City, Utah Storm Drain Revenue Bonds        
500,000   5.250%, 06/15/28   NR/NR/NR*   507,115
    Total Water and Sewer       1,684,422
    Total Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Revenue Bonds        14,059,321
    Total Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds        16,327,580
    Total Municipal Bonds
(cost $380,167,964)
       354,965,654
             

 

26  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Shares   Short-Term Investment (0.4%)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
1,475,785   Dreyfus Treasury Obligations Cash Management - Institutional Shares, 2.85%** (cost $1,475,785)   Aaa-mf/AAAm/NR   $ 1,475,785
             
    Total Investments
(cost $381,643,749 - note 4)
  98.9%   356,441,439
    Other assets less liabilities   1.1    4,074,397
    Net Assets   100.0%   $ 360,515,836

 

 

Portfolio Distribution By Quality Rating   Percentage of
Investments†
Aaa of Moody's or AAA of S&P and Fitch   9.3%
Pre-refunded bonds\ETM bonds††   4.6
Aa of Moody's or AA of S&P and Fitch   62.4
A of Moody's or S&P and Fitch   16.9
BBB of S&P and Fitch   2.9
Not Rated*   3.9
    100.0%

 

 

PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS

AGMC - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

AMBAC - American Municipal Bond Assurance Corp.

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

BAMAC - Build America Mutual Assurance Co.

BAMI - Build America Mutual Insurance

COP - Certificates of Participation

ETM - Escrowed to Maturity

FHA - Federal Housing Administration

NR - Not Rated

PSF - Permanent School Fund

 

 

27  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

* Any security not rated (“NR”) by any of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO”) has been determined by the Investment Adviser to have sufficient quality to be ranked in the top four credit ratings if a credit rating were to be assigned by a NRSRO.
   
** The rate is an annualized seven-day yield at period end.
   
Where applicable, calculated using the highest rating of the three NRSRO.  Percentages in this table do not include the Short-Term Investment.
   
†† Pre-refunded bonds are bonds for which U.S. Government Obligations usually have been placed in escrow to retire the bonds at their earliest call date.  Escrowed to Maturity bonds are bonds where money has been placed in the escrow account which is used to pay principal and interest through the bond’s originally scheduled maturity date.  Escrowed to Maturity are shown as ETM.  All other securities in the category are pre-refunded.
   
  Note: 144A – Private placement subject to SEC rule 144A, which modifies a two-year holding period requirement to permit qualified institutional buyers to trade these securities among themselves, thereby significantly improving the liquidity of these securities.

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

28  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

ASSETS      
Investments at value (cost $381,643,749)   $  356,441,439
Interest receivable     4,746,017
Receivable for investment securities sold     1,131,305
Receivable for Fund Shares sold     420,161
Other assets     29,618
Total assets     362,768,540
       
LIABILITIES      
Payable for Fund shares redeemed     1,308,036
Payable for investment securities purchased     564,446
Management fee payable     147,159
Dividends payable     87,571
Distribution and service fees payable     990
Accrued expenses payable     144,502
Total liabilities     2,252,704
NET ASSETS   $  360,515,836
       
Net Assets consist of:      
Capital Stock – Authorized an unlimited number of shares, par value $0.01 per share   $  385,836
Additional paid-in capital     393,250,180
Total distributable earnings (losses)     (33,120,180)
    $  360,515,836
CLASS A      
Net Assets   $  188,742,803
Capital shares outstanding     20,223,488
Net asset value and redemption price per share   $  9.33
Maximum offering price per share (100/97 of $9.33)   $  9.62
       
CLASS C      
Net Assets   $  11,502,965
Capital shares outstanding     1,232,746
Net asset value and offering price per share   $  9.33
       
CLASS F      
Net Assets   $  9,178,109
Capital shares outstanding     977,871
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  9.39
       
CLASS Y      
Net Assets   $  151,091,959
Capital shares outstanding     16,149,483
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  9.36

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

29  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Investment Income            
Interest income         $ 5,672,418
             
Expenses            
Management fee (note 3)   $  993,589      
Distribution and service fee (note 3)     277,468      
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees     103,692      
Trustees’ fees and expenses (note 6)     58,367      
Legal fees     54,253      
Fund accounting fees     47,393      
Registration fees and dues     20,571      
Auditing and tax fees     14,300      
Insurance     11,652      
Shareholders’ reports     10,248      
Custodian fees     7,638      
Compliance services (note 3)     5,247      
Credit facility fees (note 10)     4,687      
Miscellaneous     13,736      
Total expenses     1,622,841      
             
Management fee waived (note 3)     (40,251)      
Net expenses           1,582,590
Net investment income           4,089,828
             
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:            
Net realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (3,366,505)      
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (21,589,933)      
             
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments           (24,956,438)
Net change in net assets resulting from operations         $  (20,866,610)

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

30  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
OPERATIONS            
Net investment income   $  4,089,828   $  8,552,781
Realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (3,366,505)     (2,624,580)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (21,589,933)     (26,740,268)
Change in net assets resulting from operations     (20,866,610)     (20,812,067)
             
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (note 9):            
Class A Shares     (2,082,709)     (4,259,623)
             
Class C Shares     (82,500)     (210,585)
             
Class F Shares     (107,163)     (134,309)
             
Class Y Shares     (1,817,481)     (3,948,171)
Change in net assets from distributions     (4,089,853)     (8,552,688)
             
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (note 7):            
Proceeds from shares sold     44,880,590     106,208,547
Reinvested dividends and distributions     3,542,053     7,420,222
Cost of shares redeemed     (100,036,113)     (126,549,085)
Change in net assets from capital share transactions     (51,613,470)     (12,920,316)
             
Change in net assets     (76,569,933)     (42,285,071)
             
NET ASSETS:            
Beginning of period     437,085,769     479,370,840
End of period   $  360,515,836   $  437,085,769

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

31  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

1. Organization

Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah (the “Fund”) is one of six series of Aquila Municipal Trust, a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as a non-diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund, which commenced operations on October 12, 2013, is the successor to Tax-Free Fund For Utah. Tax-Free Fund For Utah transferred all of its assets and liabilities in exchange for shares of the Fund on October 11, 2013 pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization (the “reorganization”). The reorganization was approved by shareholders of Tax-Free Fund For Utah on September 17, 2013. The reorganization was accomplished by exchanging the assets and liabilities of the predecessor fund for shares of the Fund. Shareowners holding shares of Tax-Free Fund For Utah received corresponding shares of the Fund in a one-to-one exchange ratio in the reorganization. Accordingly, the reorganization, which was a tax-free exchange, had no effect on the Fund’s operations. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. Class A Shares are sold at net asset value plus a sales charge of varying size (depending upon a variety of factors) paid at the time of purchase and bear a distribution fee. Class C Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge payable at the time of purchase but with a level charge for service and distribution fees for six years thereafter. Class C Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after six years. Class F Shares and Class Y Shares are sold only through authorized financial institutions acting for investors in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity, and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class F Shares and Class Y Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge, no redemption fee, no contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) and no distribution fee. All classes of shares represent interests in the same portfolio of investments and are identical as to rights and privileges but differ with respect to the effect of sales charges, the distribution and/or service fees borne by each class, expenses specific to each class, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and the exchange privileges of each class.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies.

a)Portfolio valuation: Municipal securities are valued each business day based upon information provided by a nationally prominent independent pricing service and periodically verified through other pricing services. In the case of securities for which market quotations are readily available, securities are valued by the pricing service at the mean of bid and ask quotations. If a market quotation or a valuation from the pricing service is not readily available, the security is valued using other fair value methods. Aquila Investment Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager, has been designated as the Fund’s valuation designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
b)Fair value measurements: The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in

 

 

32  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

determining the value of the Fund’s investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, based on the best information available.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs, representing 100% of the Fund’s investments, used to value the Fund’s net assets as of September 30, 2022:

 

  Valuation Inputs*   Investments
in Securities
  Level 1 – Quoted Prices – Short-Term Investment   $ 1,475,785
  Level 2 – Other Significant Observable Inputs – Municipal Bonds*     354,965,654
  Level 3 – Significant Unobservable Inputs    
  Total   $ 356,441,439
  * See schedule of investments for a detailed listing of securities.      

 

c)Subsequent events: In preparing these financial statements, the Fund has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date these financial statements were issued.
d)Securities transactions and related investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are reported on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded daily on the accrual basis and is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue and market discount.
e)Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to certain investment companies. The Fund intends to make distributions of income and securities profits sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, Federal income and excise taxes.

 

33  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Management has reviewed the tax positions for each of the open tax years (2019 – 2021) or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2022 tax returns and has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements.

f)Multiple class allocations: All income, expenses (other than class-specific expenses), and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class. Class-specific expenses, which include distribution and service fees and any other items that are specifically attributed to a particular class, are also charged directly to such class on a daily basis.
g)Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
h)Reclassification of capital accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended March 31, 2022, there were no items identified that have been reclassified among components of net assets.
i)The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services-Investment Companies”.

3. Fees and Related Party Transactions

a)Management Arrangements:

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aquila Management Corporation, the Fund’s founder and sponsor, serves as the Manager for the Fund under an Advisory and Administration Agreement with the Fund. Under the Advisory and Administration Agreement, the Manager provides all investment management and administrative services to the Fund. The Manager’s services include providing the office of the Fund and all related services as well as managing relationships with all the various support organizations to the Fund such as the transfer and shareholder servicing agent, custodian, legal counsel, fund accounting agent, auditors and distributor. For its services, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.50% on the Fund’s net assets.

The Manager has contractually undertaken to waive its fees so that management fees are equivalent to 0.48 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.46 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.44 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000. This contractual undertaking is currently in effect until

 

34  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

September 30, 2023. The Manager may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Fund incurred management fees of $993,589 of which $40,251 was waived.

Under a Compliance Agreement with the Manager, the Manager is compensated by the Fund for compliance related services provided to enable the Fund to comply with Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

Specific details as to the nature and extent of the services provided by the Manager are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

b)Distribution and Service Fees:

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) under the 1940 Act. Under one part of the Plan, with respect to Class A Shares, the Fund is authorized to make distribution fee payments to broker-dealers or others (“Qualified Recipients”) selected by Aquila Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”) including, but not limited to, any principal underwriter of the Fund, with which the Distributor has entered into written agreements contemplated by the Rule and which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. The Fund makes payment of this distribution fee at the annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class A Shares. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, distribution fees on Class A Shares amounted to $208,338, of which the Distributor retained $9,663.

Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s Class C shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, these payments amounted to $51,847. In addition, under a Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to make service fee payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients for providing personal services and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $17,283. The total of these payments with respect to Class C Shares amounted to $69,130, of which the Distributor retained $16,894.

Specific details about the Plans are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Under a Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves as the exclusive distributor of the Fund’s shares. Through agreements between the Distributor and various brokerage and advisory firms (“financial intermediaries”), the Fund’s shares are sold primarily through the facilities of these financial intermediaries having offices within Utah, with the bulk of any sales commissions inuring to such financial intermediaries. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, total commissions on sales of Class A Shares amounted to $22,378, of which the Distributor received $8,864.

 

35  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

c)Transfer and shareholder servicing fees:

The Fund occasionally compensates financial intermediaries in connection with the sub-transfer agency related services provided by such entities in connection with their respective Fund shareholders so long as the fees are deemed by the Board of Trustees to be reasonable in relation to (i) the value of the services and the benefits received by the Fund and certain shareholders; and (ii) the payments that the Fund would make to another entity to perform similar ongoing services to existing shareholders.

4. Purchases and Sales of Securities

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases of securities and proceeds from the sales of securities aggregated $27,236,751 and $72,222,127, respectively.

At September 30, 2022, the aggregate tax cost for all securities was $381,643,749. At September 30, 2022, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost amounted to $250,050 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value amounted to $25,452,360, for a net unrealized depreciation of $25,202,310.

5. Portfolio Orientation

At least 50% of the Fund’s assets will always consist of obligations of Utah-based issuers. At September 30, 2022, the Fund had 72% of its portfolio holdings invested in municipal obligations of issuers within Utah. The Fund is also permitted to invest in tax-free municipal obligations of non-Utah-based issuers that are exempt from regular Federal income taxes and, pursuant to Utah statutory authority, the interest on which is currently exempt from Utah individual income taxes. There can be no certainty as to the ongoing exemption from Utah individual income tax of the interest of non-Utah-based issuers. Since the Fund invests principally and may invest entirely in double tax-free municipal obligations of issuers within Utah, it is subject to possible risks associated with economic, political, or legal developments or industrial or regional matters specifically affecting Utah and whatever effects these may have upon Utah issuers’ ability to meet their obligations.

6. Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

At September 30, 2022, there were 9 Trustees, one of whom is affiliated with the Manager and is not paid any fees. The total amount of Trustees’ service fees (for carrying out their responsibilities) and attendance fees paid during the six months ended September 30, 2022 was $56,276. Attendance fees are paid to those in attendance at regularly scheduled quarterly Board Meetings and meetings of the Independent Trustees held prior to each quarterly Board Meeting, as well as additional meetings (such as Audit, Nominating, Shareholder and special meetings). Trustees are reimbursed for their expenses such as travel, accommodations and meals incurred in connection with attendance at Board Meetings and the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such meeting-related expenses were reduced and amounted to $2,091.

 

 

36  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

7. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in Capital Shares of the Fund were as follows:

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
    Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount
Class A Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    1,730,484   $   16,811,255   2,830,581   $  29,901,292
Reinvested dividends and distributions    185,789      1,797,414   352,591     3,706,334
Cost of shares redeemed    (4,175,413)      (40,486,574)   (4,467,167)     (46,921,757)
Net change    (2,259,140)      (21,877,905)   (1,283,995)     (13,314,131)
                     
Class C Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    81,028      782,663   217,099     2,297,467
Reinvested dividends and distributions    8,034      77,728   18,341     193,168
Cost of shares redeemed    (498,792)      (4,844,831)   (1,158,889)     (12,230,928)
Net change    (409,730)      (3,984,440)   (923,449)     (9,740,293)
                     
Class F Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    263,537      2,576,101   802,416     8,244,770
Reinvested dividends and distributions    11,017      107,163   12,746     134,253
Cost of shares redeemed    (406,943)      (4,004,066)   (201,626)     (2,095,592)
Net change    (132,389)      (1,320,802)   613,536     6,283,431
                     
Class Y Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    2,543,751      24,710,571   6,217,767     65,765,018
Reinvested dividends and distributions    160,830      1,559,748   321,349     3,386,467
Cost of shares redeemed    (5,219,612)      (50,700,642)   (6,198,834)     (65,300,808)
Net change    (2,515,031)      (24,430,323)   340,282     3,850,677
Total transactions in Fund shares    (5,316,290)   $   (51,613,470)   (1,253,626)   $  (12,920,316)

 

8. Securities Traded on a When-Issued Basis

The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.

 

 

37  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

9. Income Tax Information and Distributions

The Fund declares dividends daily from net investment income and makes payments monthly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed annually and are taxable. These distributions are paid in additional shares at the net asset value per share or in cash, at the shareholder’s option.

The Fund intends to maintain, to the maximum extent possible, the tax-exempt status of interest payments received from portfolio municipal securities in order to allow dividends paid to shareholders from net investment income to be exempt from regular Federal and State of Utah income taxes. Due to differences between financial statement reporting and Federal income tax reporting requirements, distributions made by the Fund may not be the same as the Fund’s net investment income, and/or net realized securities gains. Further, a small portion of the dividends may, under some circumstances, be subject to taxes at ordinary income rates. For certain shareholders some dividend income may, under some circumstances, be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax. As a result of the passage of the Regulated Investment Company Act of 2010 (the “Act”), losses incurred in this fiscal year and beyond retain their character as short-term or long-term, have no expiration and are utilized before capital losses incurred prior to the enactment of the Act. At March 31, 2022, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards of $2,483,446 of which $1,681,431 retains its character of short-term and $802,015 retains its character of long-term; both have no expiration. As of March 31, 2022, the Fund had post-October losses of $2,299,054, which is deferred until fiscal 2023 for tax purposes.

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

      Year Ended
March 31, 2022
  Year Ended
March 31, 2021
  Net tax-exempt income   $ 8,551,851   $ 8,901,506
  Ordinary Income     837     5,769
      $ 8,552,688   $ 8,907,275

 

As of March 31, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were:

 

  Undistributed tax-exempt income   $ 325,726
  Accumulated net realized loss on investments     (2,483,446)
  Unrealized depreciation     (3,611,808)
  Post October Losses     (2,299,054)
  Other temporary differences     (95,135)
      $ (8,163,717)

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation and undistributed income is due to the timing difference, and other temporary differences, in recognizing dividends paid, the tax treatment of market discount amortization, and the deduction of distributions payable.

 

 

38  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

10. Credit Facility

Since August 30, 2017, Bank of New York Mellon and the Aquila Group of Funds (comprised of nine funds) have been parties to a $40 million credit agreement, which currently terminates on August 23, 2023 (per the August 24, 2022 amendment). In accordance with the Aquila Group of Funds Guidelines for Allocation of Committed Line of Credit, each fund is responsible for payment of its proportionate share of

a)a 0.17% per annum commitment fee; and,
b)interest on amounts borrowed for temporary or emergency purposes by the fund (at the applicable per annum rate selected by the Aquila Group of Funds at the time of the borrowing of either (i) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1% or (ii) the sum of the higher of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate, or (c) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1%).

There were no borrowings under the credit agreement during the six months ended September 30, 2022.

11. Risks

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or

 

39  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class A
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $9.94   $10.60   $10.50   $10.36   $10.18   $10.26
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.10   0.18   0.21   0.24   0.26   0.27
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.61)   (0.66)   0.10   0.14   0.18   (0.08)
Total from investment operations   (0.51)   (0.48)   0.31   0.38   0.44   0.19
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.10)   (0.18)   (0.21)   (0.24)   (0.26)   (0.27)
Distributions from capital gains            
Total distributions   (0.10)   (0.18)   (0.21)   (0.24)   (0.26)   (0.27)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.33   $9.94   $10.60   $10.50   $10.36   $10.18
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (5.19)%(2)   (4.58)%   2.93%   3.72%   4.36%   1.84%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $189   $224   $252   $229   $204   $213
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.86%(3)   0.82%   0.85%   0.88%   0.86%   0.84%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  2.00%(3)   1.73%   1.94%   2.31%   2.52%   2.61%
Portfolio turnover rate        7%(2)   19%   6%        8%      14%      15%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual expense cap and/or fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.88%(3)   0.84%   0.87%   0.90%   0.89%   0.87%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.98%(3)   1.71%   1.92%   2.29%   2.49%   2.58%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

41  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class C
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $9.94   $10.60   $10.49   $10.35   $10.17   $10.25
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.06   0.10   0.12   0.16   0.17   0.19
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.61)   (0.66)   0.11   0.14   0.19   (0.08)
Total from investment operations   (0.55)   (0.56)   0.23   0.30   0.36   0.11
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.06)   (0.10)   (0.12)   (0.16)   (0.18)   (0.19)
Distributions from capital gains       ––      
Total distributions   (0.06)   (0.10)   (0.12)   (0.16)   (0.18)   (0.19)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.33   $9.94   $10.60   $10.49   $10.35   $10.17
Total return (not reflecting CDSC)   (5.57)%(2)   (5.35)%   2.21%   2.90%   3.53%   1.03%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $12   $16   $27   $31   $37   $58
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.66%(3)   1.62%   1.65%   1.68%   1.65%   1.64%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.19%(3)   0.93%   1.14%   1.52%   1.72%   1.81%
Portfolio turnover rate        7%(2)   19%   6%        8%        14%   15%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual expense cap and/or fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.68%(3)   1.64%   1.67%   1.70%   1.68%   1.66%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.17%(3)   0.90%   1.12%   1.50%   1.69%   1.78%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

        Class F
            For the
            Period
    Six       November 30,
    Months       2018*
    Ended       through
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,   March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.00   $10.65   $10.54   $10.39   $10.12
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income(1)   0.11   0.21   0.23   0.26   0.09
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.61)   (0.65)   0.11   0.16   0.27
Total from investment operations   (0.50)   (0.44)   0.34   0.42   0.36
Less distributions (note 9):                    
Dividends from net investment income   (0.11)   (0.21)   (0.23)   (0.27)   (0.09)
Distributions from capital gains          
Total distributions   (0.11)   (0.21)   (0.23)   (0.27)   (0.09)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.39   $10.00   $10.65   $10.54   $10.39
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (5.04)%(2)   (4.24)%   3.26%   4.05%   3.58%(2)
Ratios/supplemental data                    
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $9   $11   $5.3   $2.0   $0.7
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.63%(3)   0.59%   0.61%   0.65%   0.65%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.23%(3)   1.96%   2.15%   2.51%   2.71%(3)
Portfolio turnover rate        7%(2)   19%        6%        8%      14%(3)

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual expense cap and/or fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.65%(3)   0.61%   0.63%   0.67%   0.68%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.21%(3)   1.93%   2.12%   2.49%   2.68%(3)

 

 

                                              

 

*     Commencement of operations.

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE FUND FOR UTAH

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class Y
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $9.97   $10.63   $10.52   $10.39   $10.22   $10.29
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.11   0.20   0.23   0.26   0.28   0.29
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.61)   (0.66)   0.11   0.14   0.17   (0.07)
Total from investment operations   (0.50)   (0.46)   0.34   0.40   0.45   0.22
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.11)   (0.20)   (0.23)   (0.27)   (0.28)   (0.29)
Distributions from capital gains       ––      
Total distributions   (0.11)   (0.20)   (0.23)   (0.27)   (0.28)   (0.29)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.36   $9.97   $10.63   $10.52   $10.39   $10.22
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (5.08)%(2)   (4.38)%   3.23%   3.82%   4.46%   2.15%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $151   $186   $195   $154   $136   $129
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.66%(3)   0.62%   0.65%   0.68%   0.66%   0.64%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  2.20%(3)   1.93%   2.14%   2.51%   2.72%   2.81%
Portfolio turnover rate        7%(2)   19%   6%       8%       14%   15%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual expense cap and/or fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.68%(3)   0.64%   0.67%   0.70%   0.69%   0.67%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  2.18%(3)   1.91%   2.11%   2.49%   2.69%   2.78%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Additional Information:

 

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

 

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, requires open-end management investment companies to adopt and implement written liquidity risk management programs that are reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is defined in the rule as the risk that a fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the fund. In accordance with Rule 22e-4, Aquila Municipal Trust (“AMT”) has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management (“LRM”) program (the “program”). AMT’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has designated an LRM Committee consisting of employees of Aquila Investment Management LLC as the administrator of the program (the “Committee”).

The Board met on June 17, 2022 to review the program. At the meeting, the Committee provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, and any material changes to the program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period”).

During the Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure taking into account less liquid and illiquid assets.

The Committee reviewed each Fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. In classifying and reviewing each Fund’s investments, the Committee considered whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class in sizes the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, would be reasonably expected to significantly affect liquidity. The Committee considered the following information when determining the sizes in which each Fund would reasonably anticipate trading: historical net redemption activity, the Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, Fund performance, Fund size, and distribution channels.

The Committee considered each Fund’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered the terms of the credit facility applicable to the Funds, the financial health of the institution providing the facility and the fact that the credit facility is shared among multiple Funds. The Committee also considered other types of borrowing available to the Funds, such as the ability to use interfund lending arrangements.

The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether a Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”), and determined that the requirement to maintain an HLIM was inapplicable to the Funds because each Fund primarily holds highly liquid investments.

There were no material changes to the program during the Reporting Period. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that the program is reasonably designed and operated effectively throughout the Review Period.

 

 

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Additional Information (unaudited):

Renewal of the Advisory and Administration Agreement

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Advisory and Administration Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). In order for the Manager to remain the investment adviser of the Fund, the Trustees of the Fund must determine annually whether to renew the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees requested and obtained such information as they deemed reasonably necessary. The independent Trustees met via video conference on August 25, 2022 and in person on September 10, 2022 to review and discuss the contract review materials that were provided in advance of the August 25, 2022 meeting. The Trustees considered, among other things, information presented by the Manager. They also considered information presented in a report prepared by an independent consultant with respect to the Fund’s fees, expenses and investment performance, which included comparisons of the Fund’s investment performance against peers and the Fund’s benchmark and comparisons of the advisory fee payable under the Advisory Agreement against the advisory fees paid by the Fund’s peers (the “Consultant’s Report”). In addition, the Trustees took into account the performance and other information related to the Fund provided to the Trustees at each regularly scheduled meeting. The Trustees also discussed the memorandum provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other considerations that are relevant to the Trustees in their deliberations regarding the renewal of the Advisory Agreement.

At the meeting held on September 10, 2022, based on their evaluation of the information provided by the Manager and the independent consultant, the Trustees of the Fund present at the meeting, including the independent Trustees voting separately, unanimously approved the renewal of the Advisory Agreement until September 30, 2023.

In considering the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees considered various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors described below. The Trustees did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in determining to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement.

The nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Manager

The Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services that had been provided by the Manager to the Fund, taking into account the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. The Trustees reviewed the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

The Trustees reviewed the Manager’s investment approach for the Fund and its research process. The Trustees considered that the Manager had provided all advisory and administrative services to the Fund that the Trustees deemed necessary or appropriate, including the specific services that the Trustees have determined are required for the Fund, given that it seeks to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Utah state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital. The Trustees considered the personnel of the Manager who provide investment management services to the Fund. The Manager has employed Messrs. James Thompson,

 

 

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Tony Tanner and Royden Durham as portfolio managers for the Fund and has established facilities and capabilities for credit analysis of the Fund’s portfolio securities. They considered that Mr. Thompson, the Fund’s lead portfolio manager, is based in Salt Lake City, Utah and that he has a comprehensive understanding regarding the economy of the State of Utah and the securities in which the Fund invests, including non-rated securities and those securities with less than the highest ratings from the rating agencies.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has additionally provided all administrative services to the Fund and provided the Fund with personnel (including Fund officers) and other resources that are necessary for the Fund’s business management and operations. The Trustees considered the nature and extent of the Manager’s supervision of third-party service providers, including the Fund’s fund accountant, shareholder servicing agent and custodian.

Based on these considerations, the Trustees concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services that had been provided by the Manager to the Fund were satisfactory and consistent with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

The investment performance of the Fund

The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) and compared its performance to the performance of:

·the funds in the Municipal Single State Intermediate-Term Bond category as assigned by Morningstar, Inc. (the “Morningstar Category”); and
·the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond: Quality Intermediate Total Return Index Unhedged USD.

The Trustees considered that the materials included in the Consultant’s Report indicated that the Fund’s average annual total return was higher than the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the five and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2022, but lower than the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the one and three-year periods ended June 30, 2022. They noted that the Fund’s return for each of the one, three and five-year periods and six months ended June 30, 2022 was in the third quintile, in each case relative to the funds in the Morningstar Category for the same periods. (Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group and first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.) The Trustees further considered that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for ten-year period ended June 30, 2022, but underperformed its benchmark index for each of the one, three and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022. The Trustees further noted, as reflected in the Consultant’s Report, that the Fund’s total return for 2021 was higher than the average total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for 2021, but underperformed the benchmark index for 2021.

The Trustees noted that the Fund invests primarily in municipal obligations issued by the State of Utah, its counties and various other local authorities, while the funds in the Morningstar Category invest in, and the Fund’s benchmark index includes, municipal bonds of issuers throughout the United States and that less than 1% of the benchmark index consists of Utah bonds. The Trustees noted that, unlike the Fund’s returns, the performance of the benchmark index did not reflect any fees or expenses.

 

 

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The Trustees considered the Fund’s investment performance to be consistent with the investment objectives of the Fund. Evaluation of the investment performance of the Fund indicated to the Trustees that renewal of the Advisory Agreement would be appropriate.

Advisory Fees and Fund Expenses

The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses and compared them to the advisory fee and expense data for the 21 funds in the Fund’s expense group (the “Expense Group”), as selected by the independent consultant (the Fund and 13 other Municipal Single-State Intermediate-Term Bond funds, one Massachusetts Municipal Bond fund, three Municipal Minnesota Bond funds, two Municipal New Jersey Bond funds and one Pennsylvania Municipal Bond fund, each categorized by Morningstar, Inc. with portfolio assets ranging between $157 million and $987 million). Only front-end load and retail no-load funds were considered for inclusion in the Expense Group. In addition, peer selection focused on municipal bond funds with an intermediate duration across comparable categories. The Trustees also compared the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses to advisory fee data for the Fund’s Morningstar Category (as defined above). Certain of the peer group comparisons referred to below are organized in quintiles. Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group. In all peer group comparisons referred to below, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net management fee (after giving effect to the fee waiver) for its most recent fiscal year was in the fourth quintile relative to the management fees paid by the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period and higher than the median net management fee of the funds in the Expense Group (after giving effect to fee waivers in effect for those funds). They also considered that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee was higher than the average and median contractual advisory fee of the funds in the Morningstar Category (at the Fund’s current asset level and all asset levels up to $10 billion).

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net total expenses (for Class A shares), after giving effect to fee waivers and expense reimbursements, for the most recent fiscal year were in the fourth quintile relative to the net total expenses of the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period and higher than the median net total expenses of the funds in Expense Group (after giving effect to fee waivers and expense reimbursements in effect for those funds).

The Trustees further noted that the Manager has contractually undertaken to waive its fees so that management fees are equivalent to 0.48 of 1% of net assets of the Fund up to $400,000,000; 0.46 of 1% of net assets above $400,000,000 up to $1,000,000,000; and 0.44 of 1% of net assets above $1,000,000,000. This contractual undertaking is in effect until September 30, 2023. The Manager may not terminate these arrangements without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

The Trustees reviewed management fees charged by the Manager to its other clients. It was noted that the Manager does not have any other clients except for other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds. The Trustees noted that, in most instances, the fee rates for those clients were comparable to the fees paid to the Manager with respect to the Fund. In evaluating the fees associated with the other funds, the Trustees took into account the respective demands, resources and complexity associated with the Fund and those funds.

 

 

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The Trustees considered that the Manager was currently voluntarily waiving a portion of its fees and had been since the Fund’s inception. Additionally, it was noted that the Manager had indicated that it intended to continue to voluntarily waive fees as necessary for the Fund to remain competitive. The Trustees concluded that the advisory fee was reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager to the Fund.

Profitability

The Trustees received materials from the Manager related to profitability. The Manager provided information which showed the profitability to the Manager of its services to the Fund, as well as the profitability of Aquila Distributors LLC of distribution services provided to the Fund. The Manager also provided other financial information to the members of the financial review committee of the Fund and the other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds.

The Trustees considered the information provided by the Manager regarding the profitability of the Manager with respect to the advisory services provided by the Manager to the Fund, including the methodology used by the Manager in allocating certain of its costs to the management of the Fund. The Trustees concluded that profitability to the Manager with respect to the advisory services provided to the Fund did not argue against approval of the fees to be paid under the Advisory Agreement.

The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows

The Trustees considered the extent to which the Manager may realize economies of scale or other efficiencies in managing the Fund. They noted that the Manager has agreed, through a contractual advisory fee waiver, to include breakpoints in its fee schedule based on the size of the Fund. The Trustees noted that the Manager’s profitability also may be an indicator of the availability of any economies of scale. Accordingly, the Trustees concluded that economies of scale, if any, were being appropriately shared with the Fund.

Benefits derived or to be derived by the Manager and its affiliate from the relationship with the Fund

The Trustees observed that, as is generally true of most fund complexes, the Manager and its affiliates, by providing services to a number of funds including the Fund, were able to spread costs as they would otherwise be unable to do. The Trustees noted that while that produces efficiencies and increased profitability for the Manager and its affiliates, it also makes their services available to the Fund at favorable levels of quality and cost which are more advantageous to the Fund than would otherwise have been possible.

 

 

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Your Fund’s Expenses (unaudited)

As a Fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including front-end sales charges with respect to Class A shares or contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) with respect to Class C shares; and (2) ongoing costs including management fees; distribution “12b-1” and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. The table below is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The table below assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Under the heading, “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.

 

  Actual   Hypothetical
  (actual return after expenses)   (5% annual return before expenses)
Share
Class
Beginning Account
Value
4/1/22

Ending(1)

Account
Value
9/30/22

Expenses(2)
Paid During Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
  Ending
Account
Value
9/30/22
Expenses(2)
Paid During
Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio
A $1,000 $948.10 $4.20   $1,020.76 $4.36 0.86%
C $1,000 $944.30 $8.09   $1,016.75 $8.39 1.66%
F $1,000 $949.60 $3.08   $1,021.91 $3.19 0.63%
Y $1,000 $949.20 $3.22   $1,021.76 $3.35 0.66%

 

(1) Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable sales charges with respect to Class A or the applicable CDSC with respect to Class C shares. Total return is not annualized and as such, it may not be representative of the total return for the year.
   
(2) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above - in the far right column - multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

 

 

50  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

Information Available (unaudited)

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and Complete Portfolio Holding Schedules

Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are filed with the SEC twice a year. Each Report contains a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings, along with full financial statements and other important financial statement disclosures. Additionally, your Fund files a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its Reports on Form N-PORT. Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and N-PORT reports are available free of charge on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. You may also review or, for a fee, copy the forms at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

In addition, your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and complete Portfolio Holdings Schedules for each fiscal quarter end are also available, free of charge, on your Fund’s website, www.aquilafunds.com (under the prospectuses & reports tab) or by calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

Portfolio Holdings Reports

In accordance with your Fund’s Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy, the Manager also prepares a Portfolio Holdings Report as of each quarter end, which is typically posted to your Fund’s individual page at www.aquilafunds.com by the 15th day after the end of each calendar quarter. Such information will remain accessible until the next Portfolio Holdings Report is made publicly available by being posted to www.aquilafunds.com. The quarterly Portfolio Holdings Report may be accessed, free of charge, by visiting www.aquilafunds.com or calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

 

 

Proxy Voting Record (unaudited)

During the 12 month period ended June 30, 2022, there were no proxies related to any portfolio instruments held by the Fund. As such, the Fund did not vote any proxies. Applicable regulations require us to inform you that the Fund’s proxy voting information is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

Federal Tax Status of Distributions (unaudited)

This information is presented in order to comply with a requirement of the Internal Revenue Code. No action on the part of shareholders is required.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, $8,551,851 of dividends paid by Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah, constituting 99.9% of total dividends paid, were exempt-interest dividends; and the balance was ordinary income.

Prior to February 15, 2023, shareholders will be mailed the appropriate tax form(s) which will contain information on the status of distributions paid for the 2022 calendar year.

 

 

51  |  Aquila Tax-Free Fund For Utah

 

 
 
 

 

 

Founders

Lacy B. Herrmann (1929-2012)

Aquila Management Corporation, Sponsor

 

Manager

AQUILA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Board of Trustees

Thomas A. Christopher, Chair

Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair

Ernest Calderón

Gary C. Cornia

Grady Gammage, Jr.

Patricia L. Moss

Glenn P. O’Flaherty

Heather R. Overby

Laureen L. White

 

Officers

Diana P. Herrmann, President

Paul G. O’Brien, Senior Vice President

James T. Thompson, Vice President
and Lead Portfolio Manager

Royden P. Durham, Vice President
and Portfolio Manager

Anthony A. Tanner, Vice President
and Portfolio Manager

M. Kayleen Willis, Vice President

Randall S. Fillmore, Chief Compliance Officer

Joseph P. DiMaggio, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
Anita Albano, Secretary

 

Distributor

AQUILA DISTRIBUTORS LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent

BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, Massachusetts 01581

 

Custodian

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 

 

Further information is contained in the Prospectus,
which must precede or accompany this report.

 

AQL-UTSAR-1122

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

September 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free

Trust of Arizona

Keeping an Optimistic
Long-Term View

 

Serving Arizona investors since 1986

     

 

November, 2022

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

The fixed income markets have experienced significant volatility and downward pressure for much of 2022, driven primarily by several key economic factors, including continued high inflation, rising interest rates, and uncertainty about the direction of the U.S. economy. While these factors aren’t necessarily new or unique, they nonetheless have presented challenges for rate-sensitive investments — and, in the process, have made the majority of investors increasingly skittish. While we understand investors’ concerns, we remain optimistic about the municipal bond market.

Despite its inevitable ups and downs, the municipal bond market has historically demonstrated remarkable resiliency across multiple market cycles. We believe today’s market appears reasonably sound at its core in terms of continuing credit fundamentals and current relative valuations. The municipal market’s underpinnings remain deeply rooted in the need and demand for municipal bonds given the important role they play in financing vital local projects, such as schools, hospitals, and roadways that contribute to improving the quality of life for residents of the issuing municipalities.

It’s important to understand what’s driving the current market and maintain perspective. Let’s explore further.

Understanding the Factors Impacting Municipal Bonds

The primary driver of bond yields, prices, and relative performance is interest rates. Since the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) introduced a change in its monetary policy in March of this year to help combat inflation, interest rates began a steady upward climb. This was spurred by the Fed raising the Federal Funds rate (the interest rate that banks charge one another to borrow or lend excess reserves overnight), the first such increase since 2018. To date, through 11/02/2022, the Fed has implemented six rate hikes, totaling 3.75%, bringing the stated target range for the Fed Funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00%. And, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has indicated that additional increases may be deemed necessary going forward, dependent upon the status of the U.S. economy and data driven analytics. Mr. Powell and his colleagues have stated that the Fed will remain vigilant in its efforts to manage inflation, which has topped levels not seen in more than 40 years (as measured by the Consumer Price Index).

In reaction to the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy stance, year to date interest rates have experienced a significant increase. As you may know, bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of rate changes. Therefore, while rising interest rates generally translate to higher yields for bond investments, bond prices or values usually fall. This changing yield/price landscape has created two shifts in the market — a shift for issuers of bonds (who may now be reluctant to issue new debt at increased costs), along with a shift in investor sentiment. For investors, on the one hand, higher yields mean greater income, which is a welcome development for those who during the recent

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

low-yield environment sought opportunities to earn more attractive income levels. On the other hand, investors who are mindful of capital preservation have become wary as they have seen bond prices decline.

When investing in bonds, we believe that generating an attractive risk-adjusted return is a careful balance of the two factors— income and stability of capital. Your Fund’s investment objective, in fact, seeks to provide as high a level of current income exempt (from state and regular federal income taxes) as is consistent with preservation of capital. So, how has the rise in interest rates affected municipal bonds?

Assessing the Current Market Cycle

It’s important, in our view, to evaluate financial markets, performance, and valuations on a relative basis. This is true not only within the municipal bond market, but with and relative to other asset classes as well.

Municipal bonds are oftentimes viewed in comparison with U.S. Treasuries. Let’s take a look at yield curves and the relative Municipal-to-Treasury relationship. During 2022, yields of U.S. Treasury securities have generally risen across the maturity spectrum, but the overall slope of the curve flattened, particularly during the third quarter of 2022. Specifically, there was a greater increase in interest rates on the short-end of the U.S. Treasury curve (shorter maturities) which exceeded increases on the longer-end. Given economic uncertainty and fears of a possible recession, some market participants are concerned that this change in the U.S. Treasury yield curve may signal an impending economic slump. Meanwhile, the municipal bond yield curve has been more positively sloped (with longer term maturities yielding more) throughout the year, in particular, steepening between 10- and 30-year maturities during the third quarter — which may be viewed positively by municipal investors.

The Municipal-to-Treasury relationship (based on the yield of AAA municipal securities as a percentage of the yield of U.S. Treasuries of the same maturity) has fluctuated over the past year, but generally in our view continued to trade in line with historical relationship norms. The chart below illustrates what we believe to be an indication of improved relative valuations for municipal obligations, whereby municipal yields represent a greater percentage in comparison to U.S. Treasury yields. As one would usually anticipate in a rising rate environment, such as now, the relationship ratio compares somewhat favorably for longer maturity municipal bonds (specifically, in the 30-year maturity range) which were yielding greater than U.S. Treasury securities as of September 30th.

 

    January 3, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
  September 30, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
5-Year   44.1%   77.6%
10-year   63.8%   87.0%
30-year   74.3%   104.0%
Source: Bloomberg

 

Credit spreads among municipal bond issues have begun to widen during the year. (Credit spread is the difference in yield between securities of the same maturity with different credit ratings.) Wider credit spreads generally favor higher-quality issuers in a rising rate environment due to concerns related to lower quality issues during periods of slowing economic growth. This scenario may be viewed as a benefit to higher quality, shorter duration portfolios vis-à-vis lower quality, longer duration holdings. (Duration is

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

a measurement of a bond’s sensitivity or risk to changes in interest rates; shorter duration generally means less risk.) This assumes interest rates continue to rise, as the Fed seems to have signaled in recent press releases. Overall, we view municipal credit fundamentals to be relatively strong, while credit defaults as tracked by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agencies (such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s) generally remain relatively low, particularly among higher quality issues.

At a local level, many state and local economies continue to show signs of improvement and sustained growth. Despite recession risk, local municipalities and governments appear to us to be well-positioned to manage economic challenges. Higher employment, increasing wages, and rising property values in many jurisdictions throughout the country are among key contributors toward bolstering state and local revenue and tax receipts.

Looking Forward

We remain cautiously optimistic about the direction of the municipal bond market. In addition to many of the positive conditions and trends stated above — including what we believe to be potential opportunities for greater income than in recent years, improving relative valuations, strong credit fundamentals, expanding local economies, and sustained investor demand — keep in mind the attractive benefits that municipal bonds offer, such as a high level of current income exempt from state and regular federal income taxes. Although no one can reasonably predict the impact of continued inflation or future Fed actions to curb such inflation, on a tax-equivalent basis, the municipal income benefit may be attractive compared to taxable investments for certain investors.

Remember, too, the Aquila difference. Your portfolio management team is locally-based, which provides them with an up-close perspective on the economy and bond issuers within local municipalities, cities, counties, and across the state. Our investment professionals draw upon their wealth of experience in analyzing securities, navigating market and economic cycles, and seeking to identify both opportunities and risks. The current market cycle is no exception. Our team employs an active portfolio management strategy, with a goal to maintain broadly diversified investment grade municipal portfolios, generally with an intermediate average maturity, to help deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns.

As always, we encourage you to consult with your financial professional to evaluate whether the investment choices you make are aligned with your individual financial goals and risk tolerances.

Thank you for your continued confidence in Aquila Group of Funds.

 

  Sincerely,  
   
   
  Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair and President  

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                                                  

 

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

Any information in this Shareholder Letter regarding market or economic trends or the factors influencing the Fund’s historical or future performance are statements of opinion as of the date of this report. These statements should not be relied upon for any other purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and there is no guarantee that any market forecasts discussed will be realized.

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (37.6%)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    City (5.3%)        
    Buckeye Jackrabbit Trail Sanitary Sewer Improvement District        
$ 199,000   6.250%, 01/01/29   NR/A-/NR   $ 200,512
    Gilbert Improvement District No. 20        
460,000   5.100%, 01/01/29   Aa1/AA-/NR   462,401
    Goodyear McDowell Road Commercial Corridor Improvement District          
840,000   3.250%, 01/01/27 BAMAC Insured   Aa2/AA/NR   837,673
    Mesa, Arizona        
425,000   4.000%, 07/01/32   Aa2/AA/AAA   429,382
425,000   4.000%, 07/01/33   Aa2/AA/AAA   428,030
    Phoenix, Arizona        
3,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/27   Aa1/AA+/AAA   3,228,660
    Scottsdale, Arizona          
500,000   4.000%, 07/01/34   Aaa/AAA/AAA   506,185
    Tempe Improvement District (Pier Town Lake)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 01/01/29   Aa2/NR/NR   1,013,850
    Tolleson, Arizona          
1,000,000   4.000%, 07/01/38   NR/AA/AAA   939,700
    Tucson, Arizona          
3,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/24   Aa3/AA/AA+   3,092,280
    Total City        11,138,673
             
    Community College (1.1%)        
    Pinal Co. Community College District          
500,000   4.000%, 07/01/33   NR/AA-/NR   510,385
1,000,000   3.000%, 07/01/34   NR/AA-/NR   876,930
    Yuma/ La Paz Counties Community College District (Arizona Western College), Refunding          
1,000,000   4.000%, 07/01/28 2014A   Aa3/A+/NR   1,007,800
    Total Community College       2,395,115
             

 

 

1  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    County (7.7%)        
    Maricopa Co. Daisy Mountain Fire District          
$ 340,000   4.000%, 07/01/27 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   $ 348,282
    Maricopa Co. Special Health Care District          
2,500,000   5.000%, 07/01/25   Aa3/NR/AA-   2,612,475
3,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/32   Aa3/NR/AA-   3,209,430
1,500,000   5.000%, 07/01/34   Aa3/NR/AA-   1,591,020
4,345,000   5.000%, 07/01/34   Aa3/NR/AA-   4,658,622
    Yavapai Co. Jail District          
1,180,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/AA   1,284,324
1,650,000   4.000%, 07/01/33 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/AA   1,658,696
    Yuma Co. Free Library District          
1,000,000   4.000%, 07/01/29   Aa3/NR/AAA   1,019,190
    Total County       16,382,039
             
    School District (21.2%)        
    Buckeye Union High School District No. 201           
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/33 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,033,830
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/36 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   525,085
    Gila Co. Unified School District No. 10 (Payson)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/28   Aa2/NR/NR   1,027,500
    Glendale Union High School District No. 205           
525,000   5.000%, 07/01/27 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   531,814
    Maricopa Co. Elementary School District No. 1 (Phoenix)          
500,000   4.000%, 07/01/31 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   508,290
460,000   4.000%, 07/01/32 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   465,778
    Maricopa Co. Elementary School District No. 2 (Riverside)          
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,082,170
    Maricopa Co. Elementary School District No. 3 (Tempe)          
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/30   Aa1/NR/NR   532,675
5,615,000   5.000%, 07/01/31   Aa1/NR/NR   6,055,160

 

 

2  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School District (continued)        
    Maricopa Co. Elementary School District No. 8 (Osborn)          
$ 500,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   $ 528,640
    Maricopa Co. Elementary School District No. 25 (Liberty)          
350,000   4.000%, 07/01/35 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   351,040
300,000   4.000%, 07/01/36 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   300,435
375,000   4.000%, 07/01/37 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   372,360
    Maricopa Co. Elementary School District No. 40 (Glendale)          
2,050,000   2.000%, 07/01/35 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/AA+   1,504,556
    Maricopa Co. Elementary School District No. 62 (Union)          
315,000   4.000%, 07/01/29 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   324,129
580,000   4.000%, 07/01/32 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   594,059
300,000   4.000%, 07/01/33 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   306,441
375,000   4.000%, 07/01/34 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   382,091
    Maricopa Co. Elementary School District No. 65 (Littleton)          
125,000   3.000%, 07/01/35 BAMAC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   102,031
    Maricopa Co. High School District No. 210 (Phoenix)          
500,000   4.000%, 07/01/26   Aa1/AA/AAA   510,575
    Maricopa Co. High School District No. 214 (Tolleson)          
200,000   3.000%, 07/01/35   Aaa/AA/NR   169,834
    Maricopa Co. Unified School District No. 4 (Mesa)          
4,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/29   Aa2/AA-/NR   4,417,160
    Maricopa Co. Unified School District No. 11 (Peoria)          
1,490,000   4.000%, 07/01/25   Aa3/AA-/NR   1,490,909
675,000   4.500%, 07/01/33 AGMC Insured   Aa3/AA/NR   688,621
    Maricopa Co. Unified School District No. 41 (Gilbert)          
3,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/26   Aa1/AA-/NR   3,179,430

 

 

3  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School District (continued)        
    Maricopa Co. Unified School District No. 60 (Higley)          
$ 1,615,000   5.000%, 07/01/29   Aa2/AA-/NR   $ 1,657,491
    Maricopa Co. Unified School District No. 66 (Roosevelt)          
910,000   4.000%, 07/01/31 BAMAC Insured   A1/AA/NR   928,273
    Maricopa Co. Unified School District No. 69 (Paradise Valley)          
1,500,000   5.000%, 07/01/27   Aa1/NR/AAA   1,607,505
425,000   4.000%, 07/01/35   Aa1/NR/AAA   425,340
    Maricopa Co. Unified School District No. 80 (Chandler)          
545,000   4.000%, 07/01/36   Aaa/AA/NR   548,542
    Maricopa Co. Unified School District No. 89 (Dysart)          
500,000   4.000%, 07/01/28   NR/A+/AAA   504,560
    Maricopa Co. Unified School District No. 90 (Saddle Mountain)        
1,350,000   5.000%, 07/01/28 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,464,467
    Mohave Co. Unified School District No. 1 (Lake Havasu)        
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/35   Aa1/NR/NR   525,530
    Navajo Co. Unified School District No. 10 (Show Low)          
500,000   4.000%, 07/01/31 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   507,855
    Navajo Co. Unified School District No. 32 (Blue Ridge)          
400,000   5.000%, 07/01/29 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   425,060
    Pima Co. Unified School District No. 6 (Marana)        
955,000   5.000%, 07/01/25   NR/A/NR   959,765
950,000   5.250%, 07/01/25 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   955,301
1,000,000   4.250%, 07/01/32 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,018,870
1,000,000   4.000%, 07/01/37 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   992,960

 

 

4  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School District (continued)        
    Pima Co. Unified School District No. 8 (Flowing Wells)        
$ 1,000,000   4.500%, 07/01/37 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   $ 1,027,280
250,000   4.000%, 07/01/28 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   255,958
250,000   4.000%, 07/01/29 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   256,403
    Pima Co. Unified School District No. 12 (Sunnyside)        
1,050,000   4.000%, 07/01/28 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,056,668
    Pima Co. Unified School District No. 20 (Vail)        
700,000   5.000%, 07/01/28 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   755,559
    Santa Cruz Co. Unified School District No. 35 (Santa Cruz Valley)          
300,000   3.000%, 07/01/36 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   259,095
    Western Maricopa Education Center District No. 402          
1,200,000   4.000%, 07/01/28   NR/AA-/NR   1,205,952
    Yavapai Co. Elementary School District No. 6 (Cottonwood-Oak Creek)        
720,000   5.000%, 07/01/34 BAMAC Insured   A2/AA/NR   743,407
    Total School District       45,066,454
             
    Special District (2.3%)        
    Eastmark Community Facilities District No. 1        
345,000   4.000%, 07/15/33 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   347,129
360,000   4.000%, 07/15/34 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   361,314
    Estrella Mountain Ranch Community Facilities District          
155,000   5.000%, 07/15/32 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   163,455
    Festival Ranch Community Facilities District          
950,000   5.000%, 07/15/37 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   982,120
    Goodyear Community Facilities Utilities District No. 1        
500,000   4.000%, 07/15/28   A1/A-/NR   502,165
460,000   4.000%, 07/15/32   A1/A-/NR   462,190

 

 

5  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Special District (continued)        
    Merrill Ranch Community Facilities District #2          
$ 680,000   6.750%, 07/15/38   NR/BBB/NR   $ 695,409
    Verrado Community Facilities Utilities District No. 1        
500,000   6.000%, 07/15/33 144A   NR/NR/NR*   495,260
    Vistancia Community Facilities District          
850,000   4.000%, 07/15/25 BAMAC Insured   A1/AA/NR   864,119
    Total Special District       4,873,161
    Total General Obligation Bonds        79,855,442
             
    Revenue Bonds (56.4%)        
    Airport (6.5%)        
    Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. Airport Bonds          
4,000,000   4.000%, 07/01/40   A1/A/NR   3,693,880
2,595,000   5.000%, 07/01/27 AMT   Aa3/A+/NR   2,709,180
185,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 AMT   Aa3/A+/NR   191,495
3,850,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 AMT   Aa3/A+/NR   3,967,425
2,900,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 AMT   Aa3/A+/NR   3,004,980
200,000   5.000%, 07/01/33 AMT   Aa3/A+/NR   205,468
    Total Airport        13,772,428
             
    Charter Schools (3.5%)        
    Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Basis Schools)          
240,000   5.000%, 07/01/37 State Enhanced   NR/AA-/NR   245,671
    Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Candeo Schools)          
500,000   3.375%, 07/01/41 State Enhanced   NR/AA-/NR   405,325
    Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Equitable Schools)          
1,000,000   4.000%, 11/01/36   NR/A/NR   918,770
2,000,000   4.000%, 11/01/38   NR/A/NR   1,799,920
2,000,000   4.000%, 11/01/40   NR/A/NR   1,768,760

 

 

6  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Charter Schools (continued)        
    Arizona Industrial Development Authority (Greathearts Academies)        
$ 1,000,000   3.000%, 07/01/37 State Enhanced   NR/AA-/NR   $ 809,440
    Maricopa Co. Industrial Development Authority (Great Hearts Arizona Projects)          
250,000   5.000%, 07/01/26 State Enhanced   NR/AA-/NR   259,767
315,000   5.000%, 07/01/37 State Enhanced   NR/AA-/NR   321,902
    Phoenix Industrial Development Authority (Macombs Facility Project)          
315,000   5.000%, 07/01/33   NR/BBB-/NR   314,880
325,000   4.000%, 07/01/34   NR/BBB-/NR   290,180
315,000   4.000%, 07/01/35   NR/BBB-/NR   278,268
    Total Charter Schools        7,412,883
             
    Excise Tax (9.5%)        
    Buckeye Excise Tax          
400,000   4.000%, 07/01/36   NR/AA/AA   402,268
    Buckeye Roosevelt Street Improvement District        
85,000   4.000%, 01/01/32   NR/A-/NR   85,056
    Cottonwood Pledged Revenue Obligations          
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   521,160
    Flagstaff Pledged Revenue        
1,395,000   4.250%, 07/01/33   NR/AA/NR   1,425,941
    Gila Co. Pledged Revenue Obligations        
555,000   4.000%, 07/01/30   NR/AA/NR   567,621
    Graham Co. Jail District Revenue Pledged Obligation          
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/35   NR/A-/NR   1,023,860
    Marana Pledged Excise Tax          
275,000   4.000%, 07/01/30   NR/AA/NR   277,161
1,400,000   5.000%, 07/01/33   NR/AA/NR   1,414,770
    Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp.        
3,490,000   5.000%, 07/01/42   Aa2/AAA/AA+   3,734,370

 

 

7  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Excise Tax (continued)        
    Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. (Civic Plaza)        
$ 2,000,000   5.500%, 07/01/27 BHAC/FGIC Insured   Aa1/AA+/NR   $ 2,182,260
2,000,000   5.500%, 07/01/30 BHAC/FGIC Insured   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,245,340
1,000,000   5.500%, 07/01/23 NPFG/FGIC Insured   Aa2/AA/NR   1,016,750
2,300,000   5.500%, 07/01/33 NPFG/FGIC Insured   Aa2/AA/NR   2,597,919
    Santa Cruz Co. Jail District          
1,655,000   5.000%, 07/01/28 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,746,124
885,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   925,887
    Total Excise Tax        20,166,487
             
    Healthcare (6.2%)        
    Arizona Health Facilities Authority (Scottsdale Lincoln Hospitals)        
1,360,000   5.000%, 12/01/26   A2/NR/A+   1,397,903
    Maricopa Co. Industrial Development Authority (Banner Health)          
1,600,000   5.000%, 01/01/38   NR/AA-/AA-   1,643,120
500,000   4.000%, 01/01/48   NR/AA-/AA-   432,785
    Maricopa Co. Industrial Development Authority (HonorHealth)          
2,250,000   4.125%, 09/01/38   A2/NR/A+   2,079,517
    Phoenix Industrial Development Authority (Mayo Clinic) VRDO***          
2,650,000   2.720%, 11/15/52   Aa2/AA/NR   2,650,000
    Pima Co. Industrial Development Authority (Tucson Medical Center)          
1,150,000   5.000%, 04/01/33   NR/A/NR   1,195,356
880,000   4.000%, 04/01/37   NR/A/NR   800,756
250,000   3.000%, 04/01/51   NR/A/NR   162,975
    Yavapai Co. Industrial Development Authority (Yavapai Regional Medical Center)          
1,000,000   5.250%, 08/01/33   A2/NR/A+   1,009,540

 

 

8  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Healthcare (continued)        
    Yuma Industrial Development Authority (Yuma Regional Medical Center)          
$ 1,635,000   5.000%, 08/01/23   NR/A/NR   $ 1,653,950
200,000   5.000%, 08/01/32   NR/A/NR   202,086
    Total Healthcare        13,227,988
             
    Higher Education (7.2%)        
    Arizona Board of Regents (Arizona State University System) Green Bonds          
1,500,000   5.000%, 07/01/36   Aa2/AA/NR   1,614,720
    Arizona Board of Regents (Arizona State University System) VRDO***          
4,175,000   2.500%, 07/01/34   Aa2/AA/NR   4,175,000
    Arizona Board of Regents (Northern Arizona University) Speed Stimulus Plan for Economic & Educational Development          
2,090,000   5.000%, 08/01/29 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   2,270,283
    Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona System) Speed Stimulus Plan for Economic & Educational Development          
1,000,000   3.125%, 08/01/39   Aa3/A+/NR   780,470
    Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona System)          
400,000   5.000%, 06/01/29   Aa2/AA-/NR   409,272
105,000   4.000%, 06/01/38   Aa2/AA-/NR   99,306
    Arizona Industrial Development Authority (North Carolina Central University Student Housing)          
250,000   4.000%, 06/01/34 BAMAC Insured   Baa3/AA/NR   240,267
700,000   4.000%, 06/01/39 BAMAC Insured   Baa3/AA/NR   640,584
    Phoenix Industrial Development Authority (Downtown Phoenix Student Housing)          
200,000   5.000%, 07/01/26   Baa3/NR/NR   202,914
400,000   5.000%, 07/01/33   Baa3/NR/NR   393,124
1,250,000   5.000%, 07/01/42   Baa3/NR/NR   1,159,575

 

 

9  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Higher Education (continued)        
    Phoenix Industrial Development Authority (Downtown Phoenix Student Housing II)          
$ 100,000   5.000%, 07/01/26   Baa3/NR/NR   $ 101,457
250,000   5.000%, 07/01/27   Baa3/NR/NR   253,560
150,000   5.000%, 07/01/28   Baa3/NR/NR   151,554
200,000   5.000%, 07/01/30   Baa3/NR/NR   200,438
300,000   5.000%, 07/01/32   Baa3/NR/NR   297,243
    Pima Co. Community College District          
1,075,000   5.000%, 07/01/36   Aa3/NR/AA-   1,142,542
750,000   4.000%, 07/01/37   Aa3/NR/AA-   734,123
500,000   4.000%, 07/01/38   Aa3/NR/AA-   471,810
    Total Higher Education        15,338,242
             
    Housing (1.7%)        
    Arizona Industrial Development Authority Green Bond MTEB (Chandler Village Apartments Project)          
4,837,104   2.120%, 07/01/37 FNMA Insured Series 2020   Aaa/NR/NR   3,617,041
             
    Lease (2.6%)        
    Arizona Board of Regents (Northern Arizona University) COP          
600,000   5.000%, 09/01/27   A2/A/NR   600,798
    Nogales Municipal Development Authority, Inc.          
845,000   4.000%, 06/01/36   NR/AA-/NR   855,182
615,000   5.000%, 06/01/28 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   645,885
810,000   4.000%, 06/01/33 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   814,253
2,000,000   4.000%, 06/01/39 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,871,420
    Prescott Municipal Property Corp.        
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/34   Aa3/AA+/NR   512,815
    State of Arizona COP        
100,000   5.000%, 09/01/27   Aa2/AA-/NR   104,527
    Total Lease        5,404,880
             

 

 

10  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Pollution Control (0.6%)        
    Maricopa Co. Pollution Control (El Paso Electric Co.)          
$ 375,000   3.600%, 02/01/40   Baa2/NR/BBB+   $ 307,492
250,000   3.600%, 04/01/40   Baa2/NR/BBB+   204,740
    Maricopa Co. Pollution Control (Southern California Edison Co.)          
1,000,000   2.400%, 06/01/35   A3/A-/BBB+   746,150
    Total Pollution Control        1,258,382
             
    Resource Recovery (2.9%)        
    Chandler Industrial Development Authority (Intel Corporation Project)          
4,250,000   2.700%, 12/01/37 AMT (Mandatory Put Date 8/14/23)   A1/A+/NR   4,197,555
    Maricopa Co. Industrial Development Authority, (Waste Management Inc. Project)          
1,500,000   3.375%, 12/01/31 AMT (Mandatory Put Date 6/03/24)   NR/A-/NR   1,489,530
    Yavapai Co. Industrial Development Authority, (Waste Management Inc. Project)          
520,000   2.200%, 03/01/28 AMT (Mandatory Put Date 06/03/24)   NR/A-/NR   505,388
    Total Resource Recovery        6,192,473
             
    Sales Tax (3.0%)        
    Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority (Multipurpose Stadium Facility Project)          
6,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 BAMAC Insured   A1/AA/A   6,418,500

 

 

11  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Senior Living Facilities (1.1%)        
    Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Second Tier (Great Lakes Senior Living Communities)          
$ 620,000   5.000%, 01/01/28   NR/CCC+/NR   $ 513,062
555,000   5.000%, 01/01/29   NR/CCC+/NR   445,621
1,205,000   5.000%, 01/01/30   NR/CCC+/NR   940,430
655,000   4.000%, 01/01/33   NR/CCC+/NR   431,409
    Total Senior Living Facilities       2,330,522
             
    Transportation (0.2%)        
    Pima Co. Regional Transportation Authority Excise Tax          
500,000   5.000%, 06/01/26   NR/AA+/AA+   505,885
             
    Utility (7.2%)        
    Greater Arizona Development Authority Revenue          
500,000   5.000%, 08/01/28 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   510,030
    Mesa Utility System        
1,500,000   4.000%, 07/01/32   Aa2/AA-/NR   1,511,475
3,310,000   4.000%, 07/01/35   Aa2/AA-/NR   3,261,575
5,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/36   Aa3/A+/NR   5,484,550
    Salt Verde Finance Corp. Gas Revenue          
3,000,000   5.250%, 12/01/28   A3/BBB+/NR   3,103,830
    Surprise Utility System Senior Lien Obligations          
470,000   5.000%, 07/01/33   NR/AA+/NR   505,504
    Yuma Utility System          
1,000,000   4.000%, 07/01/34 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/AA-   983,300
    Total Utility        15,360,264
             
    Water/Sewer (4.2%)        
    Gilbert Water Resource Municipal Property Corp.        
1,190,000   4.000%, 07/01/34   NR/AAA/AAA   1,201,817

 

 

12  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Water/Sewer (continued)        
    Glendale Water & Sewer Revenue Refunding Senior Lien        
$ 6,120,000   3.000%, 07/01/24   A1/AA/NR   $ 6,088,788
    Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. Wastewater Revenue        
1,500,000   5.500%, 07/01/24 NPFG/FGIC Insured   Aa2/AAA/NR   1,559,265
    Total Water/Sewer        8,849,870
    Total Revenue Bonds        119,855,845
             
    Pre-Refunded Bonds (4.1%)††        
    Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds (0.7%)        
    City (0.1%)        
    Glendale, Arizona        
200,000   5.000%, 07/01/33   NR/AA/AAA   218,488
             
    School District (0.1%)        
    Maricopa Co. Elementary School District No. 28 (Kyrene Elementary)          
250,000   5.500%, 07/01/30   Aaa/AA/NR   254,393
             
    Special District (0.5%)        
    Estrella Mountain Ranch Community Facilities District          
845,000   5.000%, 07/15/32 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   907,953
    Goodyear Community Facilities Utilities District No. 1        
40,000   4.000%, 07/15/32   NR/NR/NR*   40,962
    Total Special District       948,915
    Total Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds       1,421,796
             
    Pre-Refunded Revenue Bonds (3.4%)        
    Excise Tax (0.2%)        
    Scottsdale Municipal Property Corp.          
375,000   5.000%, 07/01/34   Aa1/AAA/AA+   392,978
             

 

 

13  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Pre-Refunded Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Healthcare (2.3%)        
    Arizona Health Facilities Authority (Banner Health)        
$ 2,000,000   5.000%, 01/01/44   NR/AA-/AA-   $ 2,044,080
    Maricopa Co. Hospital Revenue (Sun Health)        
705,000   5.000%, 04/01/25   NR/NR/NR*   717,859
2,125,000   5.000%, 04/01/35   NR/NR/NR*   2,182,481
    Total Healthcare       4,944,420
             
    Higher Education (0.7%)        
    Northern Arizona University Speed Stimulus Plan for Economic & Educational Development          
1,445,000   5.000%, 08/01/38   A2/A/NR   1,466,588
             
    Lease (0.2%)        
    State of Arizona COP        
400,000   5.000%, 09/01/27   NR/NR/NR*   419,128
    Total Pre-Refunded Revenue Bonds        7,223,114
    Total Pre-Refunded Bonds        8,644,910
    Total Municipal Bonds
(cost $222,655,453)
       208,356,197
             
Shares   Short-Term Investment (1.9%)        
3,992,233   Dreyfus Treasury Obligations Cash Management - Institutional Shares, 2.85%** (cost $3,992,233)   Aaa-mf/AAAm/NR   3,992,233
             
    Total Investments
(cost $226,647,686 - note 4)
  100.0%    212,348,430
    Other assets less liabilities   (0.0)    (46,762)
    Net Assets   100.0%   $ 212,301,668

 

 

14  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

 

Portfolio Distribution By Quality Rating   Percentage of
Investments†
Aaa of Moody's or AAA of S&P or Fitch   9.8%
Pre-refunded bonds††   4.2
Aa of Moody's or AA of S&P or Fitch   67.7
A of Moody's or S&P or Fitch   14.7
Baa of Moody's or BBB of S&P or Fitch   2.3
CCC of S&P   1.1
Not Rated*   0.2
    100.0%

 

PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS

AGMC - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax

BAMAC - Build America Mutual Assurance Co.

BHAC - Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp.

COP- Certificates of Participation

FGIC - Financial Guaranty Insurance Co.

FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association

MTEB - Multifamily Tax-Exempt Mortgage-Backed Bonds

NPFG - National Public Finance Guarantee

NR - Not Rated

VRDO – Variable Rate Demand Obligation

 

* Any security not rated (“NR”) by any of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO”) has been determined by the Investment Adviser to have sufficient quality to be ranked in the top four credit ratings if a credit rating were to be assigned by a NRSRO.
   
** The rate is an annualized seven-day yield at period end.
   
*** Variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”) are payable upon demand within the same day for securities with daily liquidity or seven days for securities with weekly liquidity.
   
Where applicable, calculated using the highest rating of the three NRSRO.  Percentages in this table do not include the Short-Term Investment.
   
†† Pre-refunded bonds are bonds for which U.S. Government Obligations usually have been placed in escrow to retire the bonds at their earliest call date.
   
  Note: 144A – Private placement subject to SEC rule 144A, which modifies a two-year holding period requirement to permit qualified institutional buyers to trade these securities among themselves, thereby significantly improving the liquidity of these securities.

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

15  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

ASSETS      
Investments at value (cost $226,647,686)   $  212,348,430
Interest receivable     2,319,684
Receivable for investment securities sold     835,488
Receivable for Fund Shares sold     282,421
Other assets     22,001
Total assets     215,808,024
       
LIABILITIES      
Payable for investment securities purchased     3,130,643
Payable for Fund shares redeemed     143,784
Management fee payable     72,049
Dividends payable     71,318
Distribution and service fees payable     404
Accrued expenses     88,158
Total liabilities     3,506,356
NET ASSETS   $  212,301,668
       
Net Assets consist of:      
Capital Stock – Authorized an unlimited number of shares, par value $0.01 per share   $  223,631
Additional paid-in capital     228,039,406
Total distributable earnings (losses)     (15,961,369)
    $  212,301,668
CLASS A      
Net Assets   $  155,962,323
Capital shares outstanding     16,433,333
Net asset value and redemption price per share   $  9.49
Maximum offering price per share (100/97 of $9.49)   $  9.78
       
CLASS C      
Net Assets   $  2,832,338
Capital shares outstanding     298,739
Net asset value and offering price per share   $  9.48
       
CLASS Y      
Net Assets   $  53,507,007
Capital shares outstanding     5,631,010
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  9.50

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

16  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Investment Income            
Interest income         $ 3,319,530
             
Expenses            
Investment Adviser fee (note 3)   $ $ 459,794      
Distribution and service fee (note 3)     146,776      
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees     48,912      
Legal fees     43,233      
Trustees’ fees and expenses (note 7)     35,682      
Registration fees and dues     16,576      
Auditing and tax fees     12,284      
Shareholders’ reports     9,070      
Insurance     6,984      
Custodian fees     4,790      
Compliance services (note 3)     4,690      
Credit facility fees (note 10)     3,017      
Miscellaneous     20,377      
Total expenses           812,185
Net investment income           2,507,345
             
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:            
Net realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (1,423,269)      
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (13,631,008)      
             
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments           (15,054,277)
Net change in net assets resulting from operations         $ (12,546,932)

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
OPERATIONS            
Net investment income   $  2,507,345   $  5,984,239
Realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (1,423,269)     (514,009)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (13,631,008)     (17,057,872)
Change in net assets resulting from operations     (12,546,932)     (11,587,642)
             
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (note 9):            
Class A Shares     (1,778,894)     (4,083,825)
             
Class C Shares     (26,857)     (79,168)
             
Class Y Shares     (660,491)     (1,732,704)
             
Change in net assets from distributions     (2,466,242)     (5,895,697)
             
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (note 6):            
Proceeds from shares sold     15,928,749     41,773,669
Reinvested dividends and distributions     2,012,459     4,869,901
Cost of shares redeemed     (39,053,992)     (61,735,189)
Change in net assets from capital share transactions     (21,112,784)     (15,091,619)
             
Change in net assets     (36,125,958)     (32,574,958)
             
NET ASSETS:            
Beginning of period     248,427,626     281,002,584
End of period   $  212,301,668   $  248,427,626

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

18  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

1. Organization

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona (the “Fund”), one of six series of Aquila Municipal Trust (prior to October 12, 2013, the Fund operated under the name Tax-Free Trust of Arizona), a non-diversified, open-end investment company, was organized on October 17, 1985, as a Massachusetts business Trust and commenced operations on March 13, 1986. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. Class A Shares are sold at net asset value plus a sales charge of varying size (depending upon a variety of factors) paid at the time of purchase and bear a distribution fee. Class C Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge payable at the time of purchase but with a level charge for service and distribution fees for six years thereafter. Class C Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after six years. Class Y Shares are sold only through authorized financial institutions acting for investors in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity, and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class Y Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge, no redemption fee, no contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) and no distribution fee. As of the date of this report, there were no Class F Shares outstanding. All classes of shares represent interests in the same portfolio of investments and are identical as to rights and privileges but differ with respect to the effect of sales charges, the distribution and/or service fees borne by each class, expenses specific to each class, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and the exchange privileges of each class.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies.

a)Portfolio valuation: Municipal securities are valued each business day based upon information provided by a nationally prominent independent pricing service and periodically verified through other pricing services. In the case of securities for which market quotations are readily available, securities are valued by the pricing service at the mean of bid and ask quotations. If a market quotation or a valuation from the pricing service is not readily available, the security is valued using other fair value methods. Aquila Investment Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager, has been designated as the Fund’s valuation designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
b)Fair value measurements: The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, based on the best information available.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs, representing 100% of the Fund’s investments, used to value the Fund’s net assets as of September 30, 2022:

 

  Valuation Inputs*   Investments
in Securities
  Level 1 – Quoted Prices – Short-Term Investment   $ 3,992,233
  Level 2 – Other Significant Observable Inputs – Municipal Bonds*     208,356,197
  Level 3 – Significant Unobservable Inputs    
  Total   $ 212,348,430
  * See schedule of investments for a detailed listing of securities.      

 

c)Subsequent events: In preparing these financial statements, the Fund has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date these financial statements were issued.
d)Securities transactions and related investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are reported on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded daily on the accrual basis and is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue and market discount.
e)Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to certain investment companies. The Fund intends to make distributions of income and securities profits sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, Federal income and excise taxes.

Management has reviewed the tax positions for each of the open tax years (2019 – 2021) or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2022 tax returns and has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements.

f)Multiple Class Allocations: All income, expenses (other than class-specific expenses), and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class. Class-specific expenses, which include distribution and service fees and any other items that are specifically attributed to a particular class, are also charged directly to such class on a daily basis.

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

g)Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
h)Reclassification of capital accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended March 31, 2022, there were no items identified that have been reclassified among components of net assets.
i)The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services-Investment Companies”.

3. Fees and Related Party Transactions

a)Management Arrangements:

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aquila Management Corporation, the Fund’s founder and sponsor, serves as the Manager for the Fund under an Advisory and Administration Agreement with the Fund. Under the Advisory and Administration Agreement, the Manager provides all investment management and administrative services to the Fund. The Manager’s services include providing the office of the Fund and all related services as well as managing relationships with all the various support organizations to the Fund such as the transfer and shareholder servicing agent, custodian, legal counsel, auditors and distributor. For its services, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.40% on the Fund’s net assets.

Under a Compliance Agreement with the Manager, the Manager is compensated by the Fund for compliance related services provided to enable the Fund to comply with Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act).

Specific details as to the nature and extent of the services provided by the Manager are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

b)Distribution and Service Fees:

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) under the 1940 Act. Under one part of the Plan, with respect to Class A Shares, the Fund is authorized to make distribution fee payments to broker-dealers or others (“Qualified Recipients”) selected by Aquila Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”) including, but not limited to, any principal underwriter of the Fund, with which the Distributor has entered into written agreements contemplated by the Rule and which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. The Fund makes payment of this distribution fee at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class A Shares. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, distribution fees on Class A Shares amounted to $125,587, of which the Distributor retained $14,360.

 

 

21  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s Class C Shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $15,892. In addition, under a Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to make service fee payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients for providing personal services and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, these payments amounted to $5,297. The total of these payments with respect to Class C Shares amounted to $21,189, of which the Distributor retained $5,247.

Specific details about the Plans are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Under a Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves as the exclusive distributor of the Fund’s shares. Through agreements between the Distributor and various brokerage and advisory firms (“financial intermediaries”), the Fund’s shares are sold primarily through the facilities of these financial intermediaries having offices within Arizona, with the bulk of any sales commissions inuring to such financial intermediaries. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, total commissions on sales of Class A Shares amounted to $9,197, of which the Distributor received $1,995.

c)Transfer and shareholder servicing fees:

The Fund occasionally compensates financial intermediaries in connection with the sub-transfer agency related services provided by such entities in connection with their respective Fund shareholders so long as the fees are deemed by the Board of Trustees to be reasonable in relation to (i) the value of the services and the benefits received by the Fund and certain shareholders; and (ii) the payments that the Fund would make to another entity to perform similar ongoing services to existing shareholders.

4. Purchases and Sales of Securities

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases of securities and proceeds from the sales of securities aggregated $29,498,327 and $46,128,489, respectively.

At September 30, 2022, the aggregate tax cost for all securities was $226,168,441. At September 30, 2022, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost amounted to $1,461,489 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value amounted to $15,281,500 for a net unrealized depreciation of $13,820,011.

5. Portfolio Orientation

Since the Fund invests principally and may invest entirely in double tax-free municipal obligations of issuers within Arizona, it is subject to possible risks associated with economic, political, or legal developments or industrial or regional matters specifically affecting Arizona and whatever effects these may have upon Arizona issuers’ ability to meet their obligations. The general policy of the Fund is to invest in such

 

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

securities only when comparable securities of Arizona issuers are not available in the market. At September 30, 2022, the Fund had all of its long-term portfolio holdings invested in the securities of Arizona issuers.

 

6. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in Capital Shares of the Fund were as follows:

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
    Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount
Class A Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    435,834   $ 4,300,851    1,386,842   $  15,045,831
Reinvested dividends and distributions    148,184      1,457,425   313,418     3,364,280
Cost of shares redeemed   (1,784,209)      (17,595,846)   (2,402,082)      (25,790,639)
Net change   (1,200,191)      (11,837,570)   (701,822)     (7,380,528)
                     
Class C Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    16,157      161,082   33,684     364,928
Reinvested dividends and distributions    2,437      23,992   6,725     72,248
Cost of shares redeemed    (228,502)      (2,244,247)   (214,642)     (2,310,543)
Net change    (209,908)      (2,059,173)   (174,233)     (1,873,367)
                     
Class Y Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    1,162,675      11,466,816   2,438,440     26,362,910
Reinvested dividends and distributions    53,920      531,042   133,270     1,433,373
Cost of shares redeemed   (1,942,690)      (19,213,899)   (3,154,359)      (33,634,007)
Net change    (726,095)      (7,216,041)   (582,649)     (5,837,724)
Total transactions in Fund shares   (2,136,194)   $ (21,112,784)   (1,458,704)   $  (15,091,619)

 

7. Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

At September 30, 2022, there were 9 Trustees, one of whom is affiliated with the Manager and is not paid any fees. The total amount of Trustees’ service fees (for carrying out their responsibilities) and attendance fees paid during the six months ended September 30, 2022 was $34,324. Attendance fees are paid to those in attendance at regularly scheduled quarterly Board Meetings and meetings of the Independent Trustees held prior to each quarterly Board Meeting, as well as additional meetings (such as Audit, Nominating, Shareholder and special meetings). Trustees are reimbursed for their expenses such as travel, accommodations and meals incurred in connection with attendance at Board Meetings and the Annual and Outreach Meetings of Shareholders. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such meeting-related expenses were reduced and amounted to $1,358.

 

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

8. Securities Traded on a When-Issued Basis

The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.

9. Income Tax Information and Distributions

The Fund declares dividends daily from net investment income and makes payments monthly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed annually and are taxable. These distributions are paid in additional shares at the net asset value per share or in cash, at the shareholder’s option.

The Fund intends to maintain, to the maximum extent possible, the tax-exempt status of interest payments received from portfolio municipal securities in order to allow dividends paid to shareholders from net investment income to be exempt from regular Federal and State of Arizona income taxes. Due to differences between financial statement reporting and Federal income tax reporting requirements, distributions made by the Fund may not be the same as the Fund’s net investment income, and/or net realized securities gains. Further, a small portion of the dividends may, under some circumstances, be subject to taxes at ordinary income rates. For certain shareholders, some dividend income may, under some circumstances, be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax. As a result of the passage of the Regulated Investment Company Act of 2010 (the “Act”), losses incurred in this fiscal year and beyond retain their character as short-term or long-term, have no expiration and are utilized before capital losses incurred prior to the enactment of the Act. At March 31, 2022, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards of $326,866, $258,915 is short-term and $67,951 is long-term. Both have no expiration date. As of March 31, 2022, the Fund had post-October losses of $553,142, which is deferred until fiscal 2023 for tax purposes.

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

      Year Ended
March 31, 2022
  Year Ended
March 31, 2021
  Net tax-exempt income   $ 5,844,296   $ 6,190,196
  Ordinary Income     51,401    
      $ 5,895,697   $ 6,190,196

 

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

As of March 31, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were:

 

  Undistributed tax-exempt income   $ 153,512
  Undistributed net realized loss on investments     (326,866)
  Unrealized depreciation     (140,130)
  Post October losses     (553,142)
  Other temporary differences     (81,569
      $ (948,195)

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation and undistributed income is due to the timing difference, and other temporary differences, in recognizing dividends paid, the tax treatment of market discount amortization, and the deduction of distributions payable.

10. Credit Facility

Since August 30, 2017, Bank of New York Mellon and the Aquila Group of Funds (comprised of nine funds) have been parties to a $40 million credit agreement, which currently terminates on August 23, 2023 (per the August 24, 2022 amendment). In accordance with the Aquila Group of Funds Guidelines for Allocation of Committed Line of Credit, each fund is responsible for payment of its proportionate share of

a)a 0.17% per annum commitment fee; and,
b)interest on amounts borrowed for temporary or emergency purposes by the fund (at the applicable per annum rate selected by the Aquila Group of Funds at the time of the borrowing of either (i) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1% or (ii) the sum of the higher of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate, or (c) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1%).

There were no borrowings under the credit agreement during the six months ended September 30, 2022.

11. Risks

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

 

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and

 

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

 

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class A
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.14   $10.82   $10.68   $10.61   $10.47   $10.58
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.11   0.23   0.25   0.27   0.29   0.30
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.65)   (0.69)   0.14   0.07   0.16   (0.10)
Total from investment operations   (0.54)   (0.46)   0.39   0.34   0.45   0.20
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.11)   (0.22)   (0.25)   (0.27)   (0.29)   (0.29)
Distributions from capital gains           (0.02)   (0.02)
Total distributions   (0.11)   (0.22)   (0.25)   (0.27)   (0.31)   (0.31)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.49   $10.14   $10.82   $10.68   $10.61   $10.47
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (5.41)%(2)   (4.32)%   3.63%   3.16%   4.37%   1.93%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $156   $179   $198   $199   $204   $218
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.73%(3)   0.69%   0.71%   0.74%   0.73%   0.69%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
  2.16%(3)   2.11%   2.30%   2.49%   2.74%   2.77%
Portfolio turnover rate   13%(2)   35%   11%   21%   34%   16%

 

 

                                              

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class C
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.13   $10.81   $10.67   $10.61   $10.47   $10.58
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.06   0.14   0.16   0.18   0.20   0.20
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.65)   (0.69)   0.13   0.05   0.15   (0.09)
Total from investment operations   (0.59)   (0.55)   0.29   0.23   0.35   0.11
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.06)   (0.13)   (0.15)   (0.17)   (0.19)   (0.20)
Distributions from capital gains           (0.02)   (0.02)
Total distributions   (0.06)   (0.13)   (0.15)   (0.17)   (0.21)    (0.22)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.48   $10.13   $10.81   $10.67   $10.61   $10.47
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (5.82)%(2)   (5.13)%   2.76%   2.20%   3.49%   1.06%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $3   $5   $7   $8   $9   $14
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.58%(3)   1.54%   1.56%   1.59%   1.58%   1.54%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
  1.30%(3)   1.26%   1.45%   1.65%   1.88%   1.92%
Portfolio turnover rate   13%(2)   35%   11%   21%   34%   16%

 

 

                                              

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

29  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF ARIZONA

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class Y
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.15   $10.84   $10.69   $10.63   $10.49   $10.60
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.11   0.24   0.26   0.28   0.30   0.31
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.65)   (0.69)   0.15   0.06   0.16   (0.09)
Total from investment operations   (0.54)   (0.45)   0.41   0.34   0.46   0.22
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.11)   (0.24)   (0.26)   (0.28)   (0.30)   (0.31)
Distributions from capital gains           (0.02)   (0.02)
Total distributions   (0.11)   (0.24)   (0.26)   (0.28)   (0.32)   (0.33)
Net asset value, end of period   $9.50   $10.15   $10.84   $10.69   $10.63   $10.49
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (5.33)%(2)   (4.26)%   3.88%   3.21%   4.51%   2.08%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $54   $65   $75   $53   $40   $41
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.58%(3)   0.54%   0.56%   0.60%   0.59%   0.55%
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
  2.31%(3)   2.26%   2.44%   2.62%   2.88%   2.92%
Portfolio turnover rate   13%(2)   35%   11%   21%   34%   16%

 

 

                                              

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

30  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

Additional Information:

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, requires open-end management investment companies to adopt and implement written liquidity risk management programs that are reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is defined in the rule as the risk that a fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the fund. In accordance with Rule 22e-4, Aquila Municipal Trust (“AMT”) has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management (“LRM”) program (the “program”). AMT’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has designated an LRM Committee consisting of employees of Aquila Investment Management LLC as the administrator of the program (the “Committee”).

The Board met on June 17, 2022 to review the program. At the meeting, the Committee provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, and any material changes to the program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period”).

During the Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure taking into account less liquid and illiquid assets.

The Committee reviewed each Fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. In classifying and reviewing each Fund’s investments, the Committee considered whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class in sizes the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, would be reasonably expected to significantly affect liquidity. The Committee considered the following information when determining the sizes in which each Fund would reasonably anticipate trading: historical net redemption activity, the Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, Fund performance, Fund size, and distribution channels.

The Committee considered each Fund’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered the terms of the credit facility applicable to the Funds, the financial health of the institution providing the facility and the fact that the credit facility is shared among multiple Funds. The Committee also considered other types of borrowing available to the Funds, such as the ability to use interfund lending arrangements.

The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether a Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”), and determined that the requirement to maintain an HLIM was inapplicable to the Funds because each Fund primarily holds highly liquid investments.

There were no material changes to the program during the Reporting Period. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that the program is reasonably designed and operated effectively throughout the Review Period.

 

 

31  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

Additional Information (unaudited):

Renewal of the Advisory and Administration Agreement

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Advisory and Administration Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). In order for the Manager to remain the investment adviser of the Fund, the Trustees of the Fund must determine annually whether to renew the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees requested and obtained such information as they deemed reasonably necessary. The independent Trustees met via video conference on August 25, 2022 and in person on September 10, 2022 to review and discuss the contract review materials that were provided in advance of the August 25, 2022 meeting. The Trustees considered, among other things, information presented by the Manager. They also considered information presented in a report prepared by an independent consultant with respect to the Fund’s fees, expenses and investment performance, which included comparisons of the Fund’s investment performance against peers and the Fund’s benchmark and comparisons of the advisory fee payable under the Advisory Agreement against the advisory fees paid by the Fund’s peers (the “Consultant’s Report”). In addition, the Trustees took into account the performance and other information related to the Fund provided to the Trustees at each regularly scheduled meeting. The Trustees also discussed the memorandum provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other considerations that are relevant to the Trustees in their deliberations regarding the renewal of the Advisory Agreement.

At the meeting held on September 10, 2022, based on their evaluation of the information provided by the Manager and the independent consultant, the Trustees of the Fund, including the independent Trustees voting separately, unanimously approved the renewal of the Advisory Agreement until September 30, 2023. In considering the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees considered various factors that they determined were relevant, including the factors described below. The Trustees did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in determining to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement.

The nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Manager

The Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services that had been provided by the Manager to the Fund, taking into account the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. The Trustees reviewed the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

The Trustees reviewed the Manager’s investment approach for the Fund and its research process. The Trustees considered that the Manager had provided all advisory and administrative services to the Fund that the Trustees deemed necessary or appropriate, including the specific services that the Trustees have determined are required for the Fund, given that it seeks to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Arizona state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital. The Trustees considered the personnel of the Manager who provide investment

 

 

32  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

management services to the Fund. The Manager has employed Messrs. Tony Tanner, James Thompson and Royden Durham as portfolio managers for the Fund and has established facilities and capabilities for credit analysis of the Fund’s portfolio securities. They considered that Mr. Tanner, the Fund’s lead portfolio manager, is based in Phoenix, Arizona and that he has a comprehensive understanding regarding the economy of the State of Arizona and the securities in which the Fund invests, including those securities with less than the highest ratings from the rating agencies.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has additionally provided all administrative services to the Fund and provided the Fund with personnel (including Fund officers) and other resources that are necessary for the Fund’s business management and operations. The Trustees considered the nature and extent of the Manager’s supervision of third-party service providers, including the Fund’s fund accountant, shareholder servicing agent and custodian.

Based on these considerations, the Trustees concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services that had been provided by the Manager to the Fund were satisfactory and consistent with the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

The investment performance of the Fund

The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) and compared its performance to the performance of:

·the funds in the Municipal Single State Intermediate-Term Bond category as assigned by Morningstar, Inc. (the “Morningstar Category”); and
·the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond: Quality Intermediate Total Return Index Unhedged USD.

The Trustees considered that the materials included in the Consultant’s Report indicated that the Fund’s average annual total return was lower than the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the one and three-year periods, but was higher than the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the five and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2022. They noted that the Fund’s return for each of the one-year period and six months ended June 30, 2022 was in the fourth quintile and that its average annual return for each of the three and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022 was in the third quintile, in each case relative to the funds in the Morningstar Category for the same periods. (Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group and first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.) The Trustees further considered that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the ten-year period, but underperformed its benchmark index for the one, three and five-year periods, all as of June 30, 2022. They further noted, as reflected in the Consultant’s Report, that the Fund’s total return for 2021 outperformed both the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category and the annual return of its benchmark index for 2021.

The Trustees noted that the Fund invests primarily in municipal obligations issued by the State of Arizona, its counties and various other local authorities, while the funds in the Morningstar Category invest in, and the Fund’s benchmark index includes, municipal bonds of issuers throughout the United States and that less than 2% of the benchmark index consists of Arizona bonds. The Trustees also noted that, unlike the Fund’s returns, the performance of the benchmark index did not reflect any fees or expenses.

 

 

33  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

The Trustees considered the Fund’s investment performance to be consistent with the investment objectives of the Fund. Evaluation of the investment performance of the Fund indicated to the Trustees that renewal of the Advisory Agreement would be appropriate.

Advisory Fees and Fund Expenses

The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses and compared them to the advisory fee and expense data for the 21 funds in the Fund’s expense group (the “Expense Group”), as selected by the independent consultant (the Fund and 13 other Municipal Single-State Intermediate-Term Bond funds, two Municipal Massachusetts Bond funds, two Municipal Minnesota Bond funds, two Municipal New Jersey Bond funds, and one Municipal Pennsylvania Bond fund, each categorized by Morningstar, Inc. with portfolio assets ranging between $130 million and $692 million). Only front-end load and retail no-load funds were considered for inclusion in the Expense Group. In addition, peer selection for the Expense Group focused on municipal bond funds with an intermediate duration across comparable categories. The Trustees also compared the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses to advisory fee data for the Fund’s Morningstar Category (as defined above). Certain of the peer group comparisons referred to below are organized in quintiles. Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group. In all peer group comparisons referred to below, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net management fee for its most recent fiscal year was in the third quintile relative to the management fees paid by the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period and lower than the median net management fee of the funds in the Expense Group (after giving effect to fee waivers in effect for those funds). They also considered that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee was lower than the average and median contractual advisory fee of the funds in the Morningstar Category (at the Fund’s current asset level and at various asset levels up to $10 billion).

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net total expenses for the most recent fiscal year were in the second quintile relative the net total expenses of the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period (after giving effect to fee waivers in effect for those funds).

The Trustees reviewed management fees charged by the Manager to its other clients. It was noted that the Manager does not have any other clients except for other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds. The Trustees noted that, in most instances, the fee rates for those clients were comparable to the fees paid to the Manager with respect to the Fund. In evaluating the fees associated with the other funds, the Trustees took into account the respective demands, resources and complexity associated with the Fund and those funds.

The Trustees concluded that the advisory fee and expenses of the Fund were reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager to the Fund.

Profitability

The Trustees received materials from the Manager related to profitability. The Manager provided information which showed the profitability to the Manager of its services to the Fund, as well as the profitability of Aquila Distributors LLC of distribution services provided to the Fund. The Manager also provided other financial information to the members of the financial review committee of the Fund and the other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds.

 

 

34  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

The Trustees considered the information provided by the Manager regarding the profitability of the Manager with respect to the advisory services provided by the Manager to the Fund, including the methodology used by the Manager in allocating certain of its costs to the management of the Fund. The Trustees concluded that profitability to the Manager with respect to the advisory services provided to the Fund did not argue against approval of the fees to be paid under the Advisory Agreement.

The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows

The Trustees considered the extent to which the Manager may realize economies of scale or other efficiencies in managing the Fund. The Trustees considered that the materials indicated that the Fund’s fees are already generally lower than those of its peers, including those with breakpoints. The Trustees noted that the Manager’s profitability also may be an indicator of the availability of any economies of scale. Accordingly, the Trustees concluded that economies of scale, if any, were being appropriately shared with the Fund.

Benefits derived or to be derived by the Manager and its affiliate from the relationship with the Fund

The Trustees observed that, as is generally true of most fund complexes, the Manager and its affiliate, by providing services to a number of funds including the Fund, were able to spread costs as they would otherwise be unable to do. The Trustees noted that while that produces efficiencies and increased profitability for the Manager and its affiliate, it also makes their services available to the Fund at favorable levels of quality and cost which are more advantageous to the Fund than would otherwise have been possible.

 

 

35  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Your Fund’s Expenses (unaudited)

As a Fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including front-end sales charges with respect to Class A shares or contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) with respect to Class C shares; and (2) ongoing costs including management fees; distribution “12b-1” and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. The table below is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The table below assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Under the heading, “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.

 

  Actual   Hypothetical
  (actual return after expenses)   (5% annual return before expenses)
Share
Class
Beginning Account
Value
4/1/22

Ending(1)

Account
Value
9/30/22

Expenses(2)
Paid During Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
  Ending
Account
Value
9/30/22
Expenses(2)
Paid During
Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio
A $1,000 $945.90 $3.56   $1,021.41 $3.70 0.73%
C $1,000 $941.80 $7.69   $1,017.15 $7.99 1.58%
Y $1,000 $946.70 $2.83   $1,022.16 $2.94 0.58%

 

(1) Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable sales charges with respect to Class A or the applicable CDSC with respect to Class C shares.  Total return is not annualized and as such, it may not be representative of the total return for the year.
   
(2) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above - in the far right column - multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

 

 

36  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

Information Available (unaudited)

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and Complete Portfolio Holding Schedules

Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are filed with the SEC twice a year. Each Report contains a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings, along with full financial statements and other important financial statement disclosures. Additionally, your Fund files a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its Reports on Form N-PORT. Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and N-PORT reports are available free of charge on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. You may also review or, for a fee, copy the forms at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

In addition, your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and complete Portfolio Holdings Schedules for each fiscal quarter end are also available, free of charge, on your Fund’s website, www.aquilafunds.com (under the prospectuses & reports tab) or by calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

Portfolio Holdings Reports

In accordance with your Fund’s Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy, the Manager also prepares a Portfolio Holdings Report as of each quarter end, which is typically posted to your Fund’s individual page at www.aquilafunds.com by the 15th day after the end of each calendar quarter. Such information will remain accessible until the next Portfolio Holdings Report is made publicly available by being posted to www.aquilafunds.com. The quarterly Portfolio Holdings Report may be accessed, free of charge, by visiting www.aquilafunds.com or calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

 

 

Proxy Voting Record (unaudited)

During the 12 month period ended June 30, 2022, there were no proxies related to any portfolio instruments held by the Fund. As such, the Fund did not vote any proxies. Applicable regulations require us to inform you that the Fund’s proxy voting information is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

Federal Tax Status of Distributions (unaudited)

This information is presented in order to comply with a requirement of the Internal Revenue Code. No action on the part of shareholders is required.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, $5,844,296 of dividends paid by Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona, constituting 99% of total dividends paid were exempt-interest dividends; and the balance was ordinary income.

Prior to February 15, 2023, shareholders will be mailed the appropriate tax form(s) which will contain information on the status of distributions paid for the 2022 calendar year.

 

 

37  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Arizona

 

 
 
 

 

 

Founders

Lacy B. Herrmann (1929-2012)

Aquila Management Corporation, Sponsor

 

Manager

AQUILA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Board of Trustees

Thomas A. Christopher, Chair

Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair

Ernest Calderón

Gary C. Cornia

Grady Gammage, Jr.

Patricia L. Moss

Glenn P. O’Flaherty

Heather R. Overby

Laureen L. White

 

Officers

Diana P. Herrmann, President

Paul G. O’Brien, Senior Vice President

Anthony A. Tanner, Vice President and
Lead Portfolio Manager

Royden P. Durham, Vice President and
Portfolio Manager

James T. Thompson, Vice President and
Portfolio Manager

Robert C. Arnold, Vice President

Randall S. Fillmore, Chief Compliance Officer

Joseph P. DiMaggio, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
Anita Albano, Secretary

 

Distributor

AQUILA DISTRIBUTORS LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent

BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, Massachusetts 01581

 

Custodian

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 

 

Further information is contained in the Prospectus,
which must precede or accompany this report.

 

 

AQL-AZSAR-1122

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

September 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Aquila Tax-Free

Trust of Oregon

Keeping an Optimistic
Long-Term View

 

Serving Oregon investors since 1986

     

 

November, 2022

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

The fixed income markets have experienced significant volatility and downward pressure for much of 2022, driven primarily by several key economic factors, including continued high inflation, rising interest rates, and uncertainty about the direction of the U.S. economy. While these factors aren’t necessarily new or unique, they nonetheless have presented challenges for rate-sensitive investments — and, in the process, have made the majority of investors increasingly skittish. While we understand investors’ concerns, we remain optimistic about the municipal bond market.

Despite its inevitable ups and downs, the municipal bond market has historically demonstrated remarkable resiliency across multiple market cycles. We believe today’s market appears reasonably sound at its core in terms of continuing credit fundamentals and current relative valuations. The municipal market’s underpinnings remain deeply rooted in the need and demand for municipal bonds given the important role they play in financing vital local projects, such as schools, hospitals, and roadways that contribute to improving the quality of life for residents of the issuing municipalities.

It’s important to understand what’s driving the current market and maintain perspective. Let’s explore further.

Understanding the Factors Impacting Municipal Bonds

The primary driver of bond yields, prices, and relative performance is interest rates. Since the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) introduced a change in its monetary policy in March of this year to help combat inflation, interest rates began a steady upward climb. This was spurred by the Fed raising the Federal Funds rate (the interest rate that banks charge one another to borrow or lend excess reserves overnight), the first such increase since 2018. To date, through 11/02/2022, the Fed has implemented six rate hikes, totaling 3.75%, bringing the stated target range for the Fed Funds rate to 3.75% – 4.00%. And, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has indicated that additional increases may be deemed necessary going forward, dependent upon the status of the U.S. economy and data driven analytics. Mr. Powell and his colleagues have stated that the Fed will remain vigilant in its efforts to manage inflation, which has topped levels not seen in more than 40 years (as measured by the Consumer Price Index).

In reaction to the Federal Reserve’s aggressive monetary policy stance, year to date interest rates have experienced a significant increase. As you may know, bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of rate changes. Therefore, while rising interest rates generally translate to higher yields for bond investments, bond prices or values usually fall. This changing yield/price landscape has created two shifts in the market — a shift for issuers of bonds (who may now be reluctant to issue new debt at increased costs), along with a shift in investor sentiment. For investors, on the one hand, higher yields mean greater income, which is a welcome development for those who during the recent

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

low-yield environment sought opportunities to earn more attractive income levels. On the other hand, investors who are mindful of capital preservation have become wary as they have seen bond prices decline.

When investing in bonds, we believe that generating an attractive risk-adjusted return is a careful balance of the two factors— income and stability of capital. Your Fund’s investment objective, in fact, seeks to provide as high a level of current income exempt (from state and regular federal income taxes) as is consistent with preservation of capital. So, how has the rise in interest rates affected municipal bonds?

Assessing the Current Market Cycle

It’s important, in our view, to evaluate financial markets, performance, and valuations on a relative basis. This is true not only within the municipal bond market, but with and relative to other asset classes as well.

Municipal bonds are oftentimes viewed in comparison with U.S. Treasuries. Let’s take a look at yield curves and the relative Municipal-to-Treasury relationship. During 2022, yields of U.S. Treasury securities have generally risen across the maturity spectrum, but the overall slope of the curve flattened, particularly during the third quarter of 2022. Specifically, there was a greater increase in interest rates on the short-end of the U.S. Treasury curve (shorter maturities) which exceeded increases on the longer-end. Given economic uncertainty and fears of a possible recession, some market participants are concerned that this change in the U.S. Treasury yield curve may signal an impending economic slump. Meanwhile, the municipal bond yield curve has been more positively sloped (with longer term maturities yielding more) throughout the year, in particular, steepening between 10- and 30-year maturities during the third quarter — which may be viewed positively by municipal investors.

The Municipal-to-Treasury relationship (based on the yield of AAA municipal securities as a percentage of the yield of U.S. Treasuries of the same maturity) has fluctuated over the past year, but generally in our view continued to trade in line with historical relationship norms. The chart below illustrates what we believe to be an indication of improved relative valuations for municipal obligations, whereby municipal yields represent a greater percentage in comparison to U.S. Treasury yields. As one would usually anticipate in a rising rate environment, such as now, the relationship ratio compares somewhat favorably for longer maturity municipal bonds (specifically, in the 30-year maturity range) which were yielding greater than U.S. Treasury securities as of September 30th.

 

    January 3, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
  September 30, 2022
Municipal % of U.S. Treasury
5-Year   44.1%   77.6%
10-year   63.8%   87.0%
30-year   74.3%   104.0%
Source: Bloomberg

 

Credit spreads among municipal bond issues have begun to widen during the year. (Credit spread is the difference in yield between securities of the same maturity with different credit ratings.) Wider credit spreads generally favor higher-quality issuers in a rising rate environment due to concerns related to lower quality issues during periods of slowing economic growth. This scenario may be viewed as a benefit to higher quality, shorter duration portfolios vis-à-vis lower quality, longer duration holdings. (Duration is

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

a measurement of a bond’s sensitivity or risk to changes in interest rates; shorter duration generally means less risk.) This assumes interest rates continue to rise, as the Fed seems to have signaled in recent press releases. Overall, we view municipal credit fundamentals to be relatively strong, while credit defaults as tracked by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agencies (such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s) generally remain relatively low, particularly among higher quality issues.

At a local level, many state and local economies continue to show signs of improvement and sustained growth. Despite recession risk, local municipalities and governments appear to us to be well-positioned to manage economic challenges. Higher employment, increasing wages, and rising property values in many jurisdictions throughout the country are among key contributors toward bolstering state and local revenue and tax receipts.

Looking Forward

We remain cautiously optimistic about the direction of the municipal bond market. In addition to many of the positive conditions and trends stated above — including what we believe to be potential opportunities for greater income than in recent years, improving relative valuations, strong credit fundamentals, expanding local economies, and sustained investor demand — keep in mind the attractive benefits that municipal bonds offer, such as a high level of current income exempt from state and regular federal income taxes. Although no one can reasonably predict the impact of continued inflation or future Fed actions to curb such inflation, on a tax-equivalent basis, the municipal income benefit may be attractive compared to taxable investments for certain investors.

Remember, too, the Aquila difference. Your portfolio management team is locally-based, which provides them with an up-close perspective on the economy and bond issuers within local municipalities, cities, counties, and across the state. Our investment professionals draw upon their wealth of experience in analyzing securities, navigating market and economic cycles, and seeking to identify both opportunities and risks. The current market cycle is no exception. Our team employs an active portfolio management strategy, with a goal to maintain broadly diversified investment grade municipal portfolios, generally with an intermediate average maturity, to help deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns.

As always, we encourage you to consult with your financial professional to evaluate whether the investment choices you make are aligned with your individual financial goals and risk tolerances.

Thank you for your continued confidence in Aquila Group of Funds.

 

  Sincerely,  
   
   
  Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair and President  

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

                                                                                  

 

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

Any information in this Shareholder Letter regarding market or economic trends or the factors influencing the Fund’s historical or future performance are statements of opinion as of the date of this report. These statements should not be relied upon for any other purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and there is no guarantee that any market forecasts discussed will be realized.

 

 

NOT A PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (62.9%)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    City & County (6.7%)        
    Bend, Oregon        
$ 2,690,000   5.000%, 06/01/32   NR/AA+/NR   $ 2,984,582
    Boardman, Oregon Green Bond        
1,000,000   4.000%, 06/15/33 Series 2021 BAMAC Insured   NR/AA/NR   1,013,800
    Clackamas County, Oregon Refunding        
1,135,000   4.000%, 06/01/24   Aaa/NR/NR   1,135,443
    Clackamas County, Oregon (Tax-Exempt)        
1,485,000   5.000%, 06/01/25 Series 2016B   Aaa/NR/NR   1,553,013
    Clatsop County, Oregon        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/32   Aa2/NR/NR   1,089,540
    Deschutes, Oregon Public Library District        
1,000,000   4.000%, 06/01/31 Series 2021   Aa2/NR/NR   1,040,950
    Gresham, Oregon Full Faith and Credit Refunding and Project Obligations        
1,545,000   5.000%, 05/01/23   Aa2/NR/NR   1,561,532
    Hermiston, Oregon Full Faith and Credit Refunding Obligations        
780,000   4.000%, 06/01/32 Series 2020   NR/A+/NR   787,691
    City of Hillsboro, Washington County Oregon Full Faith and Credit Bonds        
465,000   5.000%, 06/01/30   Aa1/NR/NR   511,584
    Lake Oswego, Oregon Refunding        
3,140,000   4.000%, 12/01/30   Aaa/AAA/NR   3,237,434
    Lebanon, Oregon Refunding        
1,050,000   5.000%, 06/01/24   A1/NR/NR   1,063,576
1,165,000   5.000%, 06/01/25   A1/NR/NR   1,210,505
    McMinnville, Oregon Refunding        
2,075,000   5.000%, 02/01/27   Aa3/NR/NR   2,151,256
    Multnomah County, Oregon        
3,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/30   Aaa/AAA/NR   3,202,350
    Portland, Oregon Limited Tax, Build Portland & Fuel Stations Projects        
1,210,000   5.000%, 04/01/36 2017 Series 2022D   Aaa/NR/NR   1,333,323

 

 

1  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    City & County (continued)        
    Portland, Oregon Limited Tax, Sellwood Bridge & Archive Space Projects        
$ 1,640,000   4.000%, 04/01/29 2017 Series A   Aaa/NR/NR   $ 1,690,971
1,710,000   4.000%, 04/01/30 2017 Series A   Aaa/NR/NR   1,760,890
1,775,000   4.000%, 04/01/31 2017 Series A   Aaa/NR/NR   1,818,026
    Portland, Oregon Public Safety        
1,345,000   5.000%, 06/15/25 Series A   Aaa/NR/NR   1,409,923
    Redmond, Oregon Full Faith and Credit Bonds        
1,140,000   5.000%, 06/01/34 Series B-1   Aa2/NR/NR   1,230,185
    Troutdale, Oregon Refunding        
475,000   4.000%, 06/01/30 Series 2021   Aa2/NR/NR   494,370
    Total City & County        32,280,944
             
    Community College (4.1%)        
    Blue Mountain Community College District Umatilla, Oregon Morrow and Baker Counties Oregon (Umatilla and Morrow Counties Service Area)        
970,000   4.000%, 06/15/27 Series 2015   NR/AA+/NR   988,585
    Chemeketa, Oregon Community College District        
2,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/25   NR/AA+/NR   2,059,700
    Clackamas, Oregon Community College District        
1,405,000   5.000%, 06/15/27 Series A   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,468,000
    Columbia Gorge, Oregon Community College District, Refunding        
1,000,000   4.000%, 06/15/24   Aa1/NR/NR   1,000,390
    Lane, Oregon Community College        
1,840,000   5.000%, 06/15/24   NR/AA+/NR   1,842,116
1,750,000   4.000%, 06/15/24   Aa1/NR/NR   1,774,430
1,735,000   4.000%, 06/15/32 Series 2020A   Aa1/NR/NR   1,776,727
1,070,000   4.000%, 06/15/34 Series 2020A   Aa1/NR/NR   1,079,865
    Linn Benton, Oregon Community College        
1,520,000   5.000%, 06/01/27   NR/AA+/NR   1,587,245

 

 

2  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Community College (continued)        
    Mount Hood, Oregon Community College District Refunding        
$ 1,865,000   5.000%, 06/01/27   Aa2/NR/NR   $ 1,977,627
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/29   Aa2/NR/NR   1,056,140
    Oregon Coast Community College District State        
1,770,000   5.000%, 06/15/25   Aa1/NR/NR   1,771,558
    Rogue, Oregon Community College District        
1,375,000   4.000%, 06/15/29 Series B   Aa1/NR/NR   1,407,574
    Total Community College        19,789,957
             
    Hospital (1.0%)        
    Pacific Communities Health District, Oregon        
1,220,000   5.000%, 06/01/29   A1/NR/NR   1,276,925
1,060,000   5.000%, 06/01/30   A1/NR/NR   1,106,131
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/31   A1/NR/NR   1,041,440
1,200,000   5.000%, 06/01/32   A1/NR/NR   1,248,060
    Total Hospital        4,672,556
             
    School District (33.9%)        
    Benton & Linn Counties, Oregon School District #509J (Corvallis)        
2,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/31 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,172,160
1,615,000   5.000%, 06/15/32 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,744,410
    Clackamas County, Oregon School District #12 (North Clackamas)        
1,165,000   5.000%, 06/15/25   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,218,462
3,205,000   5.000%, 06/15/30   Aa1/AA+/NR   3,415,601
4,725,000   5.000%, 06/15/31   Aa1/AA+/NR   5,022,817
1,100,000   5.000%, 06/15/32   Aa1/NR/NR   1,185,195
2,160,000   5.000%, 06/15/29 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,308,694
3,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/34 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   3,165,150
    Clackamas County, Oregon School District #62 (Oregon City)        
1,310,000   5.000%, 06/15/31 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,419,228

 

 

3  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School District (continued)        
    Clackamas County, Oregon School District #86 (Canby)        
$ 1,660,000   4.000%, 06/15/34 Series 2020 A   Aa1/NR/NR   $ 1,644,662
    Clackamas & Washington Counties, Oregon School District No. 3JT (West Linn-Wilsonville)        
3,500,000   5.000%, 06/15/26   Aa1/AA+/NR   3,657,850
5,500,000   5.000%, 06/15/27   Aa1/AA+/NR   5,746,620
1,115,000   5.000%, 06/15/28   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,163,826
    Clatsop County, Oregon School District #1C (Astoria)           
1,080,000   5.000%, 06/15/31 Series B   Aa1/NR/NR   1,184,166
1,215,000   5.000%, 06/15/32 Series B   Aa1/NR/NR   1,320,012
    Clatsop County, Oregon School District #10 (Seaside)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/29 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,070,630
    Clatsop County, Oregon School District #30 (Warrenton-Hammond)           
1,590,000   5.000%, 06/15/31 Series B   Aa1/NR/NR   1,743,356
1,145,000   5.000%, 06/15/32 Series B   Aa1/NR/NR   1,243,962
1,690,000   5.000%, 06/15/34 Series B   Aa1/NR/NR   1,818,170
    Columbia County, Oregon School District #502 (St. Helens)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/34   Aa1/NR/NR   1,049,330
    Columbia & Clatsop Counties, Oregon School District #6J (Clatskanie)        
665,000   4.000%, 06/15/35 Series 2021   NR/AA+/NR   660,910
    Coos County, Oregon School District #9 (Coos Bay)        
1,035,000   5.000%, 06/15/32   NR/AA+/NR   1,117,935
    Deschutes County, Oregon Administrative School District #1 (Bend - La Pine)        
740,000   5.000%, 06/15/30   Aa1/NR/NR   814,414
3,000,000   4.000%, 06/15/30   Aa1/AA+/NR   3,088,920
2,150,000   5.000%, 06/15/31   Aa1/NR/NR   2,364,119
1,470,000   4.000%, 06/15/32   Aa1/NR/NR   1,504,383

 

 

4  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School District (continued)        
    Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, Oregon School District #02J (Redmond)        
$ 1,025,000   zero coupon, 06/15/23   Aa1/NR/NR   $ 1,001,179
    Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, Oregon School District #6 (Sisters)        
750,000   4.000, 06/15/33 Series 2021   Aa1/NR/NR   760,935
    Greater Albany School District #8J (Linn & Benton Counties)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/30   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,065,260
    Hood River County, Oregon School District        
2,260,000   4.000%, 06/15/30   NR/AA+/NR   2,310,398
2,400,000   4.000%, 06/15/31   NR/AA+/NR   2,449,704
    Jackson County, Oregon School District #5 (Ashland)        
1,385,000   5.000%, 06/15/28   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,505,398
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/34   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,072,770
1,620,000   5.000%, 06/15/33 Series 2019   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,743,736
    Jackson County, Oregon School District #6 (Central Point)        
2,665,000   5.000%, 06/15/31   Aa1/NR/NR   2,922,039
    Jackson County, Oregon School District #549C (Medford)        
750,000   4.000%, 12/15/33 Series 2021   Aa3/NR/NR   764,093
570,000   4.000%, 12/15/34 Series 2021   Aa3/NR/NR   578,214
    Lane County, Oregon School District #4J (Eugene) Refunding        
3,300,000   5.000%, 06/15/33   Aa1/NR/NR   3,660,657
1,105,000   4.000%, 06/15/35   Aa1/NR/NR   1,108,691
    Lane County, Oregon School District #19 (Springfield)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/25   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,045,630
    Lane County, Oregon School District #69 (Junction City)        
630,000   5.000%, 06/15/25   Aa1/NR/NR   658,747

 

 

5  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School District (continued)        
    Lane & Douglas Counties, Oregon School District #45J3        
$ 2,665,000   4.000%, 06/15/27 Series B   Aa1/NR/NR   $ 2,738,607
    Lincoln County, Oregon School District        
2,370,000   4.000%, 06/15/24 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   2,370,924
    Linn & Marion Counties, Oregon School District #129J (Santiam Canyon)        
750,000   5.000%, 06/15/34   NR/AA+/NR   806,880
    Marion & Polk Counties, Oregon School District #24J (Salem-Keizer)        
5,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/30   Aa1/AA+/NR   5,445,400
5,525,000   5.000%, 06/15/31   Aa1/AA+/NR   5,982,691
1,135,000   5.000%, 06/15/32 Series 2020B   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,249,896
7,600,000   5.000%, 06/15/33 Series 2020B   Aa1/AA+/NR   8,298,212
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/34 Series 2020B   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,085,650
    Multnomah County, Oregon School District #1J (Portland)        
2,970,000   5.000%, 06/15/26 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   3,104,719
    Multnomah County, Oregon School District #7 (Reynolds)        
5,680,000   5.000%, 06/15/26 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   5,936,168
1,500,000   5.000%, 06/15/27 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   1,567,260
1,825,000   5.000%, 06/15/28 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   1,904,917
    Multnomah County, Oregon School District #40 (David Douglas)        
1,500,000   5.000%, 06/15/23 Series A   NR/AA+/NR   1,501,305
    Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, Oregon School District #10 (Gresham-Barlow)        
1,535,000   5.000%, 06/15/29   Aa1/NR/NR   1,693,212
1,175,000   5.000%, 06/15/31   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,245,406
2,500,000   5.000%, 06/15/29 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,673,225

 

 

6  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School District (continued)        
    Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, Oregon School District #28JT (Centennial)        
$ 1,260,000   5.000%, 06/15/34 Series 2020   Aa1/NR/NR   $ 1,363,534
715,000   5.000%, 06/15/35 Series 2020   Aa1/NR/NR   771,957
    Polk, Marion & Benton Counties, Oregon School District #13J (Central)        
1,515,000   4.000%, 02/01/28   NR/AA+/NR   1,539,907
    Tillamook & Yamhill Counties, Oregon School District #101 (Nestucca Valley)        
1,275,000   5.000%, 06/15/31   NR/AA+/NR   1,384,752
    Umatilla County, Oregon School District #8 (Hermiston)        
2,750,000   5.000%, 06/15/30   NR/AA+/NR   3,058,935
    Washington County, Oregon School District #48J (Beaverton)        
1,500,000   5.000%, 06/15/27 Series C   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,616,760
2,400,000   5.000%, 06/15/35 Series C   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,519,448
    Washington & Clackamas Counties, Oregon School District #23J (Tigard)        
2,405,000   5.000%, 06/15/30   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,558,728
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/31 Series A   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,096,450
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/32 Series A   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,086,430
    Washington, Clackamas & Yamhill Counties, Oregon School District #88J        
2,785,000   5.000%, 06/15/29 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,971,734
2,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/29 Series B   Aa1/AA+/NR   2,178,120
    Washington, Multnomah & Yamhill Counties, Oregon School District #1J (Hillsboro)        
3,105,000   5.000%, 06/15/30   Aa1/NR/NR   3,310,396
2,110,000   5.000%, 06/15/31   Aa1/NR/NR   2,236,431
1,750,000   4.000%, 06/15/32   Aa1/NR/NR   1,786,190
2,175,000   4.000%, 06/15/33   Aa1/NR/NR   2,203,558

 

 

7  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School District (continued)        
    Yamhill, Clackamas & Washington Counties, Oregon School District #29J (Newberg)        
$ 1,000,000   4.000%, 06/15/32   Aa1/NR/NR   $ 1,017,750
3,685,000   4.000%, 06/15/35 Series 2021B   Aa1/NR/NR   3,668,123
    Yamhill County, Oregon School District #8 (Dayton)        
1,045,000   5.000%, 06/15/32   NR/AA+/NR   1,132,080
1,080,000   5.000%, 06/15/33   NR/AA+/NR   1,165,817
900,000   5.000%, 06/15/34   NR/AA+/NR   965,493
    Yamhill County, Oregon School District #40 (McMinnville)        
1,000,000   4.000%, 06/15/29   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,025,090
1,000,000   4.000%, 06/15/30   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,023,700
    Total School District        164,778,288
             
    Special District (5.6%)        
    Bend, Oregon Metropolitan Park & Recreational District        
1,430,000   4.000%, 06/01/27   Aa2/NR/NR   1,437,622
    Clackamas County, Oregon Fire District No. 1        
1,020,000   4.000%, 06/01/30   NR/AA/NR   1,046,969
2,705,000   4.000%, 06/01/31   NR/AA/NR   2,766,295
    Metro, Oregon        
4,000,000   4.000%, 06/01/26 Series A   Aaa/AAA/NR   4,001,520
5,050,000   4.000%, 06/01/33 Series 2020 A   Aaa/AAA/NR   5,130,396
1,400,000   4.000%, 06/01/34 Series 2020 A   Aaa/AAA/NR   1,414,924
    Tualatin Hills, Oregon Park & Recreational District        
3,480,000   5.000%, 06/01/23   Aa1/NR/NR   3,524,370
4,725,000   5.000%, 06/01/24   Aa1/NR/NR   4,861,458
2,775,000   5.000%, 06/01/26   Aa1/NR/NR   2,903,538
    Total Special District        27,087,092

 

 

8  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    State (10.3%)        
    State of Oregon        
$ 750,000   5.000%, 05/01/25 Series A   Aa1/AA+/AA+   $ 771,578
2,000,000   5.000%, 05/01/33 Series 2022A   Aa1/AA+/AA+   2,226,260
    State of Oregon Article XI-F(1) University Project        
835,000   4.000%, 08/01/35 Series H   Aa1/AA+/AA+   838,073
1,250,000   5.000%, 08/01/31 Series I   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,338,687
    State of Oregon Article XI-G Higher Education        
500,000   5.000%, 08/01/25 Series O   Aa1/AA+/AA+   524,510
    State of Oregon Article XI-M Seismic Projects        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/30   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,056,490
    State of Oregon Article XI-M and XI-N Seismic Projects        
765,000   5.000%, 06/01/33 Series E   Aa1/AA+/AA+   838,868
1,125,000   5.000%, 06/01/34 Series E   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,228,961
    State of Oregon Article XI-Q State Projects        
2,140,000   5.000%, 11/01/28   Aa1/AA+/AA+   2,265,853
1,000,000   5.000%, 11/01/30   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,053,970
2,000,000   5.000%, 11/01/31   Aa1/AA+/AA+   2,102,420
1,800,000   5.000%, 05/01/25 Series A   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,880,964
2,920,000   5.000%, 05/01/31 Series A   Aa1/AA+/AA+   3,198,685
4,000,000   5.000%, 05/01/32 Series A   Aa1/AA+/AA+   4,354,160
1,195,000   5.000%, 05/01/28 Series D   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,266,521
1,255,000   5.000%, 05/01/29 Series D   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,327,062
1,000,000   5.000%, 05/01/30 Series D   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,055,350
2,300,000   5.000%, 05/01/28 Series F   Aa1/AA+/AA+   2,400,556
1,500,000   5.000%, 05/01/33 Series N   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,635,690
    State of Oregon Article XI-Q State Projects        
2,340,000   5.000%, 11/01/33 Series 2021K   Aa1/AA+/AA+   2,596,487
1,410,000   5.000%, 11/01/35 Series 2021K   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,549,463

 

 

9  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    State (continued)        
    State of Oregon Higher Education        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/28 Series A   Aa1/AA+/AA+   $ 1,047,360
1,390,000   5.000%, 08/01/31 Series G   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,525,553
1,920,000   5.000%, 08/01/32 Series G   Aa1/AA+/AA+   2,093,990
3,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/33 Series G   Aa1/AA+/AA+   3,259,740
1,900,000   5.000%, 08/01/34 Series G   Aa1/AA+/AA+   2,057,605
1,250,000   5.000%, 08/01/30 Series L   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,342,712
1,300,000   5.000%, 08/01/32 Series L   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,385,670
    State of Oregon Veteran's Welfare        
450,000   1.950%, 06/01/31 Series 2020 I   Aa1/AA+/AA+   381,110
2,000,000   2.150%, 12/01/34 Series 2020 I   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,599,280
    Total State        50,203,628
             
    Transportation (1.3%)        
    Oregon State Department Transportation Highway Usertax
(Senior Lien)
       
5,000,000   5.000%, 11/15/29 Series B   Aa1/AAA/AA+   5,341,050
    State of Oregon ODOT Projects        
1,020,000   5.000%, 11/15/30 Series M   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,091,828
    Total Transportation        6,432,878
    Total General Obligation Bonds        305,245,343
             
    Revenue Bonds (25.0%)        
    City & County (0.2%)        
    Beaverton, Oregon Special Revenue Bonds        
200,000   5.000%, 06/01/32 Series 2020A   Aa3/NR/NR   218,784
500,000   5.000%, 06/01/33 Series 2020A   Aa3/NR/NR   544,780
400,000   5.000%, 06/01/34 Series 2020A   Aa3/NR/NR   434,180
    Total City & County        1,197,744
             
    Electric (1.9%)        
    Eugene, Oregon Electric Utility Refunding System        
2,875,000   5.000%, 08/01/29 Series A   Aa2/AA-/AA-   3,038,760
4,030,000   5.000%, 08/01/30 Series A   Aa2/AA-/AA-   4,244,759

 

 

10  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Electric (continued)        
    Warm Springs Reservation, Oregon Confederated Tribes, Hydroelectric Revenue, Tribal Economic Development, Pelton Round Butte Project (Green Bonds)        
$ 500,000   5.000%, 11/01/32 Series 2019B144A   A3/NR/NR   $ 533,400
1,000,000   5.000%, 11/01/33 Series 2019B144A   A3/NR/NR   1,062,950
500,000   5.000%, 11/01/34 Series 2019B144A   A3/NR/NR   529,875
    Total Electric        9,409,744
             
    Hospital (3.2%)        
    Oregon Health Sciences University        
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 Series A   Aa3/AA-/AA-   542,430
250,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 Series A   Aa3/AA-/AA-   270,122
1,250,000   5.000%, 07/01/28 Series B   Aa3/AA-/AA-   1,310,388
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/33 Series B   Aa3/AA-/AA-   1,039,070
    Oregon Health Sciences University (Green Bonds)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/33 Series 2021A   Aa3/AA-/AA-   1,085,120
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/34 Series 2021A   Aa3/AA-/AA-   1,080,410
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/35 Series 2021A   Aa3/AA-/AA-   1,075,190
    Oregon Health Sciences University        
5,500,000   5.000%, 07/01/46 Series 2021B-2 (Mandatory Put Date 02/01/32)   Aa3/AA-/AA-   5,823,345
    Oregon State Facilities Authority (Legacy Health Project)        
2,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/30 Series 2022B   A1/A+/NR   2,137,460
    Union County, Oregon Hospital Facility Authority (Grande Ronde Hospital Project)        
135,000   5.000%, 07/01/28 Series 2022   NR/BBB/BBB-   138,766
175,000   5.000%, 07/01/29 Series 2022   NR/BBB/BBB-   179,790
200,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 Series 2022   NR/BBB/BBB-   205,348
325,000   5.000%, 07/01/31 Series 2022   NR/BBB/BBB-   330,947
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/32 Series 2022   NR/BBB/BBB-   506,870
    Total Hospital        15,725,256
             

 

 

11  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Housing (0.3%)        
    Clackamas County, Oregon Housing Authority Multifamily Housing Revenue (Easton Ridge Apartments Project)        
$ 1,310,000   4.000%, 09/01/27 Series A   Aa2/NR/NR   $ 1,311,114
             
    Lottery (4.2%)        
    Oregon State Department of Administration Services (Lottery Revenue)        
2,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/32 Series A   Aa2/AAA/NR   2,179,320
1,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/33 Series A   Aa2/AAA/NR   1,085,990
1,500,000   5.000%, 04/01/35 Series A   Aa2/AAA/NR   1,632,315
1,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/25 Series B   Aa2/AAA/NR   1,026,160
4,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/30 Series C   Aa2/AAA/NR   4,247,720
5,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/26 Series D   Aa2/AAA/NR   5,212,100
4,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/28 Series D   Aa2/AAA/NR   4,164,800
1,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/29 Series D   Aa2/AAA/NR   1,040,960
    Total Lottery        20,589,365
             
    Sales Tax (0.2%)        
    Metro, Oregon Dedicated Tax Revenue (Oregon Convention Center Hotel)        
750,000   5.000%, 06/15/31   Aa3/NR/NR   793,942
             
    Transportation (4.0%)        
    Oregon State Department Transportation Highway Usertax (Subordinate Lien)        
2,250,000   5.000%, 11/15/35 Series 2020A   Aa2/AA+/AA+   2,435,737
    Port Portland, Oregon Airport Revenue Refunding, Portland International Airport Series Twenty Three        
2,525,000   5.000%, 07/01/26   NR/AA-/NR   2,630,671
1,000,000   5.000%, 07/01/28   NR/AA-/NR   1,039,830
2,390,000   5.000%, 07/01/29   NR/AA-/NR   2,478,167

 

 

12  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Transportation (continued)        
    Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District, Oregon Capital Grant Receipt        
$ 1,100,000   5.000%, 10/01/27 Series A   A3/A/NR   $ 1,175,240
2,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/30 Series A   A3/A/NR   2,121,240
3,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/31 Series 2018A   A3/A/NR   3,163,440
    Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District, Oregon (Senior Lien Payroll Tax)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 09/01/25 Series A   Aaa/AAA/NR   1,050,370
1,890,000   5.000%, 09/01/28 Series A   Aaa/AAA/NR   2,005,460
    Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District, Oregon (Senior Lien Payroll Tax Green Bond)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 09/01/35 Series 2021A   Aaa/AAA/NR   1,093,740
    Total Transportation        19,193,895
             
    Water and Sewer (11.0%)        
    Beaverton, Oregon Water Revenue        
1,000,000   5.000%, 04/01/32 Series 2020   NR/AA+/NR   1,092,820
    Bend, Oregon Water Revenue, Bridge Creek Project        
695,000   5.000%, 12/01/30   Aa2/AA/NR   731,077
    Clackamas County, Oregon Service District No. 1        
2,240,000   5.000%, 12/01/26   NR/AAA/NR   2,395,434
    Clean Water Services, Oregon Refunding (Senior Lien)        
1,510,000   5.000%, 10/01/27   Aa1/AAA/NR   1,634,847
    Eugene, Oregon Water Utility System        
115,000   5.000%, 08/01/28   Aa2/AA/AA+   121,762
450,000   5.000%, 08/01/29   Aa2/AA/AA+   475,632
    Grants Pass, Oregon        
680,000   4.000%, 12/01/23   NR/AA/NR   680,932
    Hillsboro, Oregon Water System        
1,630,000   5.000%, 06/01/31   Aa2/NR/NR   1,786,708
1,710,000   5.000%, 06/01/32   Aa2/NR/NR   1,862,583

 

 

13  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Revenue Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Water and Sewer (continued)        
    Portland, Oregon Sewer System (Second Lien)        
$ 5,405,000   4.500%, 05/01/31 Series A   Aa2/AA/NR   $ 5,559,151
6,355,000   5.000%, 03/01/32 Series A   Aa2/AA/NR   6,946,714
2,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/25 Series B   Aa2/AA/NR   2,070,260
2,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/26 Series B   Aa2/AA/NR   2,092,120
2,000,000   5.000%, 06/01/27 Series B   Aa2/AA/NR   2,091,600
5,000,000   4.000%, 03/01/34 Series 2020A   Aa2/AA/NR   5,037,750
    Portland, Oregon Water System (First Lien)        
3,230,000   5.000%, 05/01/27 Series A   Aa1/NR/NR   3,318,405
3,500,000   5.000%, 06/01/28 Series A   Aa1/AA+/NR   3,651,200
    Portland, Oregon Water System (Second Lien)        
2,590,000   5.000%, 05/01/31 Series A   Aa2/NR/NR   2,845,322
2,000,000   5.000%, 05/01/32 Series A   Aa2/NR/NR   2,188,980
2,000,000   5.000%, 05/01/33 Series A   Aa2/NR/NR   2,174,400
2,230,000   5.000%, 05/01/35 Series 2019A   Aa2/NR/NR   2,402,825
    Portland, Oregon Water System Revenue Refunding (Junior Lien)        
2,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/23   Aa2/NR/NR   2,018,160
    Total Water and Sewer        53,178,682
    Total Revenue Bonds        121,399,742
             
    Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds (9.1%)††        
    Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds (4.6%)        
    Higher Education (0.8%)        
    Oregon State Higher Education        
1,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/25 Series C   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,032,690
1,795,000   5.000%, 08/01/27 Series C   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,853,679
    Oregon State, Oregon University System        
1,090,000   5.000%, 08/01/25 Series N   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,106,732
    Total Higher Education        3,993,101
             

 

 

14  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds (continued)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    School District (3.1%)        
    Clackamas County, Oregon School District #62 (Oregon City)        
$ 440,000   5.000%, 06/01/29 AGMC Insured   NR/AA/NR   $ 452,782
560,000   5.000%, 06/01/29 AGMC Insured   A1/AA/NR   576,727
    Jefferson County, Oregon School District #509J        
1,400,000   5.000%, 06/15/25   Aa1/NR/NR   1,417,528
    Klamath County, Oregon School District        
1,250,000   5.000%, 06/15/24   NR/AA+/NR   1,266,088
    Lane County, Oregon School District #4J (Eugene) Refunding        
2,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/26   Aa1/NR/NR   2,061,080
    Lane County, Oregon School District #19 (Springfield)        
1,735,000   5.000%, 06/15/27   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,814,654
    Marion County, Oregon School District #103 (Woodburn)        
2,140,000   5.000%, 06/15/27   Aa1/NR/NR   2,235,423
2,260,000   5.000%, 06/15/28   Aa1/NR/NR   2,360,773
    Union County, Oregon School District #1 (La Grande)        
1,000,000   5.000%, 06/15/27   Aa1/NR/NR   1,047,230
    Washington County, Oregon School District #48J (Beaverton)        
1,845,000   5.000%, 06/15/29 Series 2014B   Aa1/AA+/NR   1,901,346
    Total School District        15,133,631
             
    State (0.7%)        
    State of Oregon Article XI-G Community College Projects        
$ 1,160,000   5.000%, 08/01/27 Series J   Aa1/AA+/AA+   $ 1,217,176
    State of Oregon Article XI-G Higher Education        
1,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/26 Series O   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,049,290
1,000,000   5.000%, 08/01/27 Series O   Aa1/AA+/AA+   1,049,290
    Total State        3,315,756
    Total Pre-Refunded General Obligation Bonds        22,442,488
             

 

 

15  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Principal
Amount
  Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity
Revenue Bonds (4.5%)
  Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
    Higher Education (0.6%)        
    Oregon State Facilities Authority (Linfield College Project)        
$ 1,000,000   5.000%, 10/01/23 Series A ETM   Baa2/NR/NR   $ 1,015,340
    Oregon State Facilities Authority (Reed College Project)        
500,000   5.000%, 07/01/30 Series A   Aa2/AA-/NR   533,575
1,135,000   4.000%, 07/01/31 Series A   Aa2/AA-/NR   1,160,481
    Total Higher Education        2,709,396
             
    Transportation (3.8%)        
    Oregon State Department Transportation Highway Usertax
(Senior Lien)
       
625,000   5.000%, 11/15/25 Series A   Aa1/AAA/AA+   626,419
1,000,000   5.000%, 11/15/26 Series A   Aa1/AAA/AA+   1,020,430
1,040,000   5.000%, 11/15/26 Series A   Aa1/AAA/AA+   1,079,073
8,000,000   5.000%, 11/15/28 Series A   Aa1/AAA/AA+   8,300,560
    Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District, Oregon
(Senior Lien Payroll Tax)
       
3,975,000   5.000%, 09/01/30 Series A   Aaa/AAA/NR   4,237,350
1,000,000   5.000%, 09/01/31 Series A   Aaa/AAA/NR   1,080,960
    Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District, Oregon
(Senior Lien Payroll Tax)
       
2,010,000   5.000%, 09/01/29 Series B   Aaa/AAA/NR   2,111,827
    Total Transportation        18,456,619
             
    Water and Sewer (0.1%)        
    Madras, Oregon        
725,000   4.500%, 02/15/27   A3/NR/NR   728,690
    Total Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Revenue Bonds        21,894,705
    Total Pre-Refunded\Escrowed to Maturity Bonds        44,337,193
    Total Municipal Bonds
(cost $498,400,930)
       470,982,278
             

 

 

16  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Shares   Short-Term Investment (1.8%)   Ratings
Moody’s, S&P
and Fitch
  Value
8,558,507   Dreyfus Treasury Obligations Cash Management - Institutional Shares, 2.85%* (cost $8,558,507)   Aaa-mf/AAAm/NR   $ 8,558,507
             
    Total Investments
(cost $506,959,437 - note 4)
  98.8%    479,540,785
    Other assets less liabilities   1.2    5,928,149
    Net Assets   100.0%   $ 485,468,934

 

 

Portfolio Distribution By Quality Rating   Percentage of
Investments†
Aaa of Moody's or AAA of S&P   13.1%
Pre-refunded bonds\ ETM bonds††   9.4
Aa of Moody's or AA of S&P or Fitch   73.3
A of Moody's or S&P   3.9
Baa of Moody's   0.3
    100.0%

 

 

PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS

AGMC - Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

BAMAC - Build America Mutual Assurance Co.

ETM - Escrowed to Maturity

NR - Not Rated

ODOT - Oregon Department of Transportation

 

 

* The rate is an annualized seven-day yield at period end.
   
Where applicable, calculated using the highest rating of the three NRSRO.  Percentages in this table do not include the Short-Term Investment.
   
†† Pre-refunded bonds are bonds for which U.S. Government Obligations usually have been placed in escrow to retire the bonds at their earliest call date.  Escrowed to Maturity bonds are bonds where money has been placed in the escrow account which is used to pay principal and interest through the bond’s originally scheduled maturity date.  Escrowed to Maturity are shown as ETM.  All other securities in the category are pre-refunded.
   
  Note: 144A – Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

17  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

ASSETS      
Investments at value (cost $506,959,437)   $  479,540,785
Interest receivable     6,770,185
Receivable for Fund shares sold     1,207,852
Other assets     38,265
Total assets     487,557,087
       
LIABILITIES      
Payable for Fund shares redeemed     1,642,490
Management fee payable     161,454
Dividends payable     124,925
Distribution and service fees payable     1,367
Accrued expenses payable     157,917
Total liabilities     2,088,153
NET ASSETS   $  485,468,934
       
Net Assets consist of:      
Capital Stock – Authorized an unlimited number of shares, par value $0.01 per share   $  484,363
Additional paid-in capital     524,392,961
Total distributable earnings (losses)     (39,408,390)
    $  485,468,934
CLASS A      
Net Assets   $  299,724,767
Capital shares outstanding     29,895,852
Net asset value and redemption price per share   $  10.03
Maximum offering price per share (100/97 of $10.03)   $  10.34
       
CLASS C      
Net Assets   $  5,030,569
Capital shares outstanding     502,351
Net asset value and offering price per share   $  10.01
       
CLASS F      
Net Assets   $  5,396,224
Capital shares outstanding     538,988
Net asset value and offering price per share   $  10.01
       
CLASS Y      
Net Assets   $  175,317,374
Capital shares outstanding     17,499,126
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $  10.02

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

18  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Investment income            
Interest income         $ 6,112,536
             
Expenses            
Management fee (note 3)   $ 1,047,307      
Distribution and service fee (note 3)     270,869      
Transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees     114,817      
Legal fees     85,637      
Trustees’ fees and expenses (note 6)     75,813      
Registration fees and dues     27,644      
Insurance     16,441      
Auditing and tax fees     16,395      
Custodian fees     9,597      
Credit facility fees (note 10)     6,960      
Shareholders’ reports and proxy statements     5,570      
Compliance services (note 3)     4,690      
Miscellaneous     26,844      
Total expenses     1,708,584      
             
Management fee waived (note 3)     (12,256)      
Net expenses           1,696,328
Net investment income           4,416,208
             
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:            
Net realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (7,713,944)      
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (19,645,271)      
             
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments           (27,359,215)
Net change in net assets resulting from operations         $ (22,943,007)

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

19  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
OPERATIONS            
Net investment income   $  4,416,208   $  9,770,546
Net realized gain (loss) from securities transactions     (7,713,944)     (2,663,848)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments     (19,645,271)     (37,953,616)
Change in net assets resulting from operations     (22,943,007)     (30,846,918)
             
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (note 9):            
Class A Shares     (2,642,333)     (5,282,819)
             
Class C Shares     (23,349)     (62,320)
             
Class F Shares     (46,840)     (70,431)
             
Class Y Shares     (1,703,710)     (4,354,961)
Change in net assets from distributions     (4,416,232)     (9,770,531)
             
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (note 7):            
Proceeds from shares sold     61,620,515     103,699,412
Reinvested dividends and distributions     3,627,509     7,651,616
Cost of shares redeemed     (144,102,165)     (156,794,397)
Change in net assets from capital share transactions     (78,854,141)     (45,443,369)
             
Change in net assets     (106,213,380)     (86,060,818)
             
NET ASSETS:            
Beginning of period     591,682,314     677,743,132
End of period   $  485,468,934   $  591,682,314

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

20  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

1. Organization

Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon (the “Fund”) is one of six series of Aquila Municipal Trust, a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as a non-diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund, which commenced operations on June 27, 2020, is the successor to Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon. Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon transferred all of its assets and liabilities in exchange for shares of the Fund on June 26, 2020 pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization (the “reorganization”). The reorganization was approved by shareholders of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon on May 29, 2020. The reorganization was accomplished by exchanging the assets and liabilities of the predecessor fund for shares of the Fund. Shareowners holding shares of Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon received corresponding shares of the Fund in a one-to-one exchange ratio in the reorganization. Accordingly, the reorganization, which was a tax-free exchange, had no effect on the Fund’s operations. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. Class A Shares are sold at net asset value plus a sales charge of varying size (depending upon a variety of factors) paid at the time of purchase and bear a distribution fee. Class C Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge payable at the time of purchase but with a level charge for service and distribution fees for six years thereafter. Class C Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after six years. Class F Shares and Class Y Shares are sold only through authorized financial institutions acting for investors in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity, and are not offered directly to retail customers. Class F Shares and Class Y Shares are sold at net asset value with no sales charge, no redemption fee, no contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) and no distribution fee. All classes of shares represent interests in the same portfolio of investments and are identical as to rights and privileges but differ with respect to the effect of sales charges, the distribution and/or service fees borne by each class, expenses specific to each class, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and the exchange privileges of each class.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for investment companies.

a)Portfolio valuation: Municipal securities are valued each business day based upon information provided by a nationally prominent independent pricing service and periodically verified through other pricing services. In the case of securities for which market quotations are readily available, securities are valued by the pricing service at the mean of bid and ask quotations. If a market quotation or a valuation from the pricing service is not readily available, the security is valued using other fair value methods. Aquila Investment Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager, has been designated as the Fund’s valuation designee, with responsibility for fair valuation subject to oversight by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
b)Fair value measurements: The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

 

 

 

21  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, based on the best information available.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs, representing 100% of the Fund’s investments, used to value the Fund’s net assets as of September 30, 2022:

 

  Valuation Inputs*   Investments
in Securities
  Level 1 – Quoted Prices   $ 8,558,507
  Level 2 – Other Significant Observable Inputs – Municipal Bonds*     470,982,278
  Level 3 – Significant Unobservable Inputs    
  Total   $ 479,540,785
  * See schedule of investments for a detailed listing of securities.      

 

c)Subsequent events: In preparing these financial statements, the Fund has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date these financial statements were issued.
d)Securities transactions and related investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are reported on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded daily on the accrual basis and is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue and market discount.
e)Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to certain investment companies. The Fund intends to make distributions of income and securities profits sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, Federal income and excise taxes.

Management has reviewed the tax positions for each of the open tax years (2019 – 2021) or expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2022 tax returns and has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements.

 

22  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

f)Multiple Class Allocations: All income, expenses (other than class-specific expenses), and realized and unrealized gains or losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class. Class-specific expenses, which include distribution and service fees and any other items that are specifically attributed to a particular class, are also charged directly to such class on a daily basis.
g)Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
h)Reclassification of capital accounts: Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications had no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended March 31, 2022, there were no items identified that have been reclassified among components of net assets.
i)The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services-Investment Companies”.

3. Fees and Related Party Transactions

a)Management Arrangements:

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aquila Management Corporation, the Fund’s founder and sponsor, serves as the Manager for the Fund under an Advisory and Administration Agreement with the Fund. The portfolio management of the Fund has been delegated to a Sub-Adviser as described below. Under the Advisory and Administrative Agreement, the Manager provides all administrative services to the Fund, other than those relating to the day-to-day portfolio management. The Manager’s services include providing the office of the Fund and all related services as well as overseeing the activities of the Sub-Adviser and managing relationships with all the various support organizations to the Fund such as the transfer and shareholder servicing agent, custodian, legal counsel, auditors and distributor and additionally maintaining the Fund’s accounting books and records. For its services, the Manager is entitled to receive a fee which is payable monthly and computed as of the close of business each day at the annual rate of 0.40% of net assets of the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive its fees through September 30, 2023 to the extent necessary in order to pass savings through to the shareholders recognized under the Sub-Advisory Agreement (as described below) such that its fees are as follows: the annual rate shall be equivalent to 0.40% of net assets of the Fund up to $400 million; 0.38% of the Fund’s net assets above that amount to $1 billion and 0.36% of the Fund’s net assets above $1 billion. The Manager may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Fund incurred management fees of $1,047,307, of which $12,256 was waived.

 

 

 

23  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Investment Sub-Adviser for the Fund under a Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. Under this agreement, the Sub-Adviser continuously provides, subject to oversight of the Manager and the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the investment program of the Fund and the composition of its portfolio, arranges for the purchases and sales of portfolio securities, and provides for daily pricing of the Fund’s portfolio. For its services, the Sub-Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fee through September 30, 2023 such that its annual rate of fees is at 0.16% of net assets of the Fund up to $400 million; 0.14% of net assets above $400 million up to $1 billion; and 0.12% of net assets above $1 billion.

Under a Compliance Agreement with the Manager, the Manager is compensated by the Fund for compliance related services provided to enable the Fund to comply with Rule 38a-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

Specific details as to the nature and extent of the services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

b)Distribution and Service Fees:

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) under the 1940 Act. Under one part of the Plan, with respect to Class A Shares, the Fund is authorized to make distribution fee payments to broker-dealers or others (“Qualified Recipients”) selected by Aquila Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”), including, but not limited to, any principal underwriter of the Fund, with which the Distributor has entered into written agreements contemplated by the Rule and which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. The Fund makes payment of this distribution fee at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class A Shares. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, distribution fees on Class A Shares amounted to $241,166 of which the Distributor retained $10,847.

Under another part of the Plan, the Fund is authorized to make payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients which have rendered assistance in the distribution and/or retention of the Fund’s Class C shares or servicing of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $22,277. In addition, under a Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to make service fee payments with respect to Class C Shares to Qualified Recipients for providing personal services and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts. These payments are made at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average net assets represented by Class C Shares and for the six months ended September 30, 2022, amounted to $7,426. The total of these payments made with respect to Class C Shares amounted to $29,703 of which the Distributor retained $7,974.

Specific details about the Plans are more fully defined in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

24  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

Under a Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves as the exclusive distributor of the Fund’s shares. Through agreements between the Distributor and various brokerage and advisory firms (“financial intermediaries”), the Fund’s shares are sold primarily through the facilities of these financial intermediaries having offices within Oregon, with the bulk of any sales commissions inuring to such financial intermediaries. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, total commissions on sales of Class A Shares amounted to $10,692 of which the Distributor received $6,704.

c)Transfer and shareholder servicing fees:

The Fund occasionally compensates financial intermediaries in connection with the sub-transfer agency related services provided by such entities in connection with their respective Fund shareholders so long as the fees are deemed by the Board of Trustees to be reasonable in relation to (i) the value of the services and the benefits received by the Fund and certain shareholders; and (ii) the payments that the Fund would make to another entity to perform similar ongoing services to existing shareholders.

4. Purchases and Sales of Securities

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases of securities and proceeds from the sales of securities aggregated $39,837,606 and $121,422,854, respectively.

At September 30, 2022, the aggregate tax cost for all securities was $506,959,437. At September 30, 2022, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost amounted to $38,675 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value amounted to $27,457,327 for a net unrealized depreciation of $27,418,652.

5. Portfolio Orientation

Since the Fund invests principally and may invest entirely in double tax-free municipal obligations of issuers within Oregon, it is subject to possible risks associated with economic, political, or legal developments or industrial or regional matters specifically affecting Oregon and whatever effects these may have upon Oregon issuers’ ability to meet their obligations. For example, Measure 5, a 1990 amendment to the Oregon Constitution, as well as Measures 47 and 50, limit the taxing and spending authority of certain Oregon governmental entities. These amendments could have an adverse effect on the general financial condition of certain municipal entities that would impair the ability of certain Oregon issuers to pay interest and principal on their obligations. At September 30, 2022, the Fund had 100% of its long-term portfolio holdings invested in municipal obligations of issuers within Oregon.

6. Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

At September 30, 2022, there were 9 Trustees, one of whom is affiliated with the Manager and is not paid any fees. The total amount of Trustees’ service fees (for carrying out their responsibilities) and attendance fees paid during the six months ended September 30, 2022 was $73,184. Attendance fees are paid to those in attendance at regularly scheduled quarterly Board Meetings and meetings of the Independent Trustees

 

 

25  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

held prior to each quarterly Board Meeting, as well as additional meetings (such as Audit, Nominating, Shareholder and special meetings). Trustees are reimbursed for their expenses such as travel, accommodations, and meals incurred in connection with attendance at Board Meetings and at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such meeting-related expenses were reduced and amounted to $2,629.

 

7. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in Capital Shares of the Fund were as follows:

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(unaudited)
  Year Ended
March 31, 2022
    Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount
Class A Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    982,687   $  10,177,372    2,849,050   $  32,003,648
Reinvested dividends and distributions    234,418     2,420,388    436,389     4,856,209
Cost of shares redeemed    (3,620,864)     (37,404,087)    (4,714,915)     (52,445,823)
Net change    (2,403,759)      (24,806,327)    (1,429,476)      (15,585,966)
                     
Class C Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    29,027      299,965    72,129      806,800
Reinvested dividends and distributions    2,178      22,457    5,366      59,758
Cost of shares redeemed    (230,704)      (2,379,435)    (575,145)      (6,364,928)
Net change    (199,499)      (2,057,013)    (497,650)      (5,498,370)
                     
Class F Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    147,741      1,523,896    216,501      2,407,035
Reinvested dividends and distributions    4,545      46,823    6,357      70,430
Cost of shares redeemed    (90,901)      (938,765)    (73,736)      (812,675)
Net change    61,385      631,954    149,122      1,664,790
                     
Class Y Shares                    
Proceeds from shares sold    4,814,574      49,619,282    6,126,394      68,481,929
Reinvested dividends and distributions    110,277      1,137,841    239,590      2,665,219
Cost of shares redeemed   (10,024,852)      (103,379,878)    (8,798,435)      (97,170,971)
Net change    (5,100,001)      (52,622,755)    (2,432,451)      (26,023,823)
Total transactions in Fund shares    (7,641,874)   $  (78,854,141)    (4,210,455)   $  (45,443,369)

 

 

26  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

8. Securities Traded on a When-Issued Basis

The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.

9. Income Tax Information and Distributions

The Fund intends to maintain, to the maximum extent possible, the tax-exempt status of interest payments received from portfolio municipal securities in order to allow dividends paid to shareholders from net investment income to be exempt from regular Federal and State of Oregon income taxes. Due to differences between financial statement reporting and Federal income tax reporting requirements, distributions made by the Fund may not be the same as the Fund’s net investment income, and/or net realized securities gains. Further, a portion of the dividends may, under some circumstances, be subject to taxes at ordinary income and/or capital gain rates. As a result of the passage of the Regulated Investment Company Act of 2010 (the “Act”), losses incurred in this fiscal year and beyond retain their character as short-term or long-term, have no expiration date and are utilized before capital losses incurred prior to the enactment of the Act. At March 31, 2022, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards of $1,929,323 of which $736,170 retains its character of short-term and $1,193,153 retains its character of long-term; both have no expiration. As of March 31, 2022, the Fund had post-October losses of $2,671,933, which is deferred until fiscal 2023 for tax purposes.

The tax character of distributions was as follows:

 

      Year Ended
March 31, 2022
  Year Ended
March 31, 2021
  Net tax-exempt income   $ 9,769,437   $ 10,674,155
  Ordinary Income     1,094     4,272
      $ 9,770,531   $ 10,678,427

 

As of March 31, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were:

 

  Unrealized depreciation   $ (7,759,079)
  Undistributed tax-exempt income     485,885
  Accumulated net loss on investments     (1,929,323)
  Post October losses     (2,671,993)
  Other temporary differences     (174,641)
      $ (12,049,151)

 

 

27  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis undistributed income is due to the timing difference, post October losses, and other temporary differences, in recognizing dividends paid and the tax treatment of market discount amortization and the deduction of distributions payable.

10. Credit Facility

Since August 30, 2017, Bank of New York Mellon and the Aquila Group of Funds (comprised of nine funds) have been parties to a $40 million credit agreement, which currently terminates on August 23, 2023 (per the August 24, 2022 amendment). In accordance with the Aquila Group of Funds Guidelines for Allocation of Committed Line of Credit, each fund is responsible for payment of its proportionate share of

a)a 0.17% per annum commitment fee; and,
b)interest on amounts borrowed for temporary or emergency purposes by the fund (at the applicable per annum rate selected by the Aquila Group of Funds at the time of the borrowing of either (i) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1% or (ii) the sum of the higher of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate, or (c) the adjusted daily simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1%).

There were no borrowings under the credit agreement during the six months ended September 30, 2022.

11. Risks

Mutual fund investing involves risk and loss of principal is possible.

The market prices of the Fund’s securities may rise or decline in value due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, recessions, inflation, changes in interest rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, armed conflict including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, other nations or individuals or companies and possible countermeasures, market disruptions caused by tariffs, trade disputes or other factors, or adverse investor sentiment. When market prices fall, the value of your investment may go down. In the past several years, financial markets have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread.

Rates of inflation have recently risen. The value of assets or income from an investment may be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of the Fund’s distributions.

The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus respiratory disease designated COVID-19 has resulted in major disruption to economies and markets around the world, including the United States. Global financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and severe losses, and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. Liquidity for many

 

28  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (unaudited)

 

instruments has been greatly reduced for periods of time. Some sectors of the economy and individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian securities have lost all, or nearly all, their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical or other events or conditions. Governments and central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken extraordinary and unprecedented actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets. These actions have resulted in significant expansion of public debt, including in the U.S. The consequences of high public debt, including its future impact on the economy and securities markets, may not be known for some time.

The value of your investment will generally go down when interest rates rise. A rise in interest rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or longer duration securities. In recent years, interest rates and credit spreads in the U.S. have been at historic lows, which means there is more risk that they may go up. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently started to raise certain interest rates. A general rise in interest rates may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale and could also result in increased redemptions from the Fund.

Investments in the Fund are subject to possible loss due to the financial failure of the issuers of underlying securities and their inability to meet their debt obligations.

The value of municipal securities can be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory developments, legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. The Fund may be affected significantly by adverse economic, political or other events affecting state and other municipal issuers in which it invests, and may be more volatile than a more geographically diverse fund. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities. Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during a recession or similar periods of economic stress. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

A portion of income may be subject to local, state, Federal and/or alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to capital gains tax.

These risks may result in share price volatility.

 

29  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class A
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.55   $11.25   $11.13   $10.98   $10.81   $10.99
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.09   0.16   0.18   0.21   0.24   0.26
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.52)   (0.70)   0.12   0.15   0.17   (0.18)
Total from investment operations   (0.43)   (0.54)   0.30   0.36   0.41   0.08
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.09)   (0.16)   (0.18)   (0.21)   (0.24)   (0.26)
Distributions from capital gains   ––   ––   ––      
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.16)   (0.18)   (0.21)   (0.24)   (0.26)
Net asset value, end of period   $10.03   $10.55   $11.25   $11.13   $10.98   $10.81
Total return (not reflecting sales charge)   (4.14)%(2)   (4.89)%   2.68%   3.30%   3.90%   0.68%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $300   $341   $379   $375   $368   $390
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.69%(3)   0.66%   0.71%   0.71%   0.70%   0.71%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.64%(3)   1.41%   1.57%   1.90%   2.27%   2.35%
Portfolio turnover rate   8%(2)   13%   5%   12%   10%   8%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.70%(3)   0.67%   0.72%   0.72%   0.70%   0.72%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.64%(3)   1.40%   1.56%   1.89%   2.26%   2.34%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

30  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class C
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.54   $11.23   $11.12   $10.97   $10.80   $10.98
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.04   0.06   0.08   0.12   0.15   0.16
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.53)   (0.69)   0.11   0.15   0.17   (0.18)
Total from investment operations   (0.49)   (0.63)   0.19   0.27   0.32   (0.02)
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.04)   (0.06)   (0.08)   (0.12)   (0.15)   (0.16)
Distributions from capital gains   ––   ––   ––      
Total distributions   (0.04)   (0.06)   (0.08)   (0.12)   (0.15)   (0.16)
Net asset value, end of period   $10.01   $10.54   $11.23   $11.12   $10.97   $10.80
Total return (not reflecting CDSC)   (4.65)%(2)   (5.62)%   1.72%   2.43%   3.02%   (0.18)%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $5   $7   $13   $16   $20   $28
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.54%(3)   1.51%   1.56%   1.56%   1.54%   1.56%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  0.79%(3)   0.56%   0.73%   1.05%   1.42%   1.49%
Portfolio turnover rate   8%(2)   13%   5%   12%   10%   8%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.55%(3)   1.52%   1.57%   1.57%   1.55%   1.57%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  0.78%(3)   0.55%   0.72%   1.04%   1.42%   1.49%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

31  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

        Class F
            For the
            Period
    Six       November 30,
    Months       2018*
    Ended       through
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,   March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.53   $11.22   $11.11   $10.95   $10.71
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income(1)   0.09   0.18   0.20   0.23   0.08
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.52)   (0.69)   0.11   0.16   0.24
Total from investment operations   (0.43)   (0.51)   0.31   0.39   0.32
Less distributions (note 9):                    
Dividends from net investment income   (0.09)   (0.18)   (0.20)   (0.23)   (0.08)
Distributions from capital gains          
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.18)   (0.20)   (0.23)   (0.08)
Net asset value, end of period   $10.01   $10.53   $11.22   $11.11   $10.95
Total return   (4.06)%(2)   (4.64)%   2.77%   3.58%   3.03%(2)
Ratios/supplemental data                    
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $5   $5   $4   $2   $1
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.52%(3)   0.48%   0.53%   0.53%   0.54%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.82%(3)   1.59%   1.73%   2.05%   2.36%(3)
Portfolio turnover rate   8%(2)   13%        5%      12%      10%(3)

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.52%(3)   0.49%   0.54%   0.54%   0.55%(3)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.82%(3)   1.58%   1.72%   2.04%   2.35%(3)

 

 

                                                           

 

*     Commencement of operations.

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

32  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

AQUILA TAX-FREE TRUST OF OREGON

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

 

For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

    Class Y
    Six    
    Months    
    Ended    
    9/30/22   Year Ended March 31,
    (unaudited)   2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Net asset value, beginning of period   $10.55   $11.24   $11.12   $10.97   $10.80   $10.98
Income (loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income(1)   0.09   0.17   0.19   0.23   0.26   0.27
Net gain (loss) on securities
(both realized and unrealized)
  (0.53)   (0.69)   0.13   0.15   0.17   (0.18)
Total from investment operations   (0.44)   (0.52)   0.32   0.38   0.43   0.09
Less distributions (note 9):                        
Dividends from net investment income   (0.09)   (0.17)   (0.20)   (0.23)   (0.26)   (0.27)
Distributions from capital gains   ––   ––        
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.17)   (0.20)   (0.23)   (0.26)   (0.27)
Net asset value, end of period   $10.02   $10.55   $11.24   $11.12   $10.97   $10.80
Total return   (4.16)%(2)   (4.66)%   2.83%   3.46%   4.05%   0.83%
Ratios/supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $175   $238   $281   $235   $213   $209
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.54%(3)   0.51%   0.56%   0.56%   0.55%   0.56%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.79%(3)   1.56%   1.71%   2.04%   2.42%   2.50%
Portfolio turnover rate   8%(2)   13%   5%   12%   10%   8%

 

Expense and net investment income ratios without the effect of the contractual fee waiver were (note 3):

 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.55%(3)   0.52%   0.57%   0.57%   0.55%   0.57%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets
  1.78%(3)   1.55%   1.71%   2.03%   2.41%   2.49%

 

 

                               

 

(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the daily average shares method.

(2)   Not annualized.

(3)   Annualized.

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

33  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

Additional Information:

 

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

 

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, requires open-end management investment companies to adopt and implement written liquidity risk management programs that are reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is defined in the rule as the risk that a fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the fund. In accordance with Rule 22e-4, Aquila Municipal Trust (“AMT”) has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management (“LRM”) program (the “program”). AMT’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has designated an LRM Committee consisting of employees of Aquila Investment Management LLC as the administrator of the program (the “Committee”).

The Board met on June 17, 2022 to review the program. At the meeting, the Committee provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, and any material changes to the program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022 (the “Reporting Period”).

During the Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure taking into account less liquid and illiquid assets.

The Committee reviewed each Fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. In classifying and reviewing each Fund’s investments, the Committee considered whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class in sizes the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, would be reasonably expected to significantly affect liquidity. The Committee considered the following information when determining the sizes in which each Fund would reasonably anticipate trading: historical net redemption activity, the Fund’s concentration in an issuer, shareholder concentration, Fund performance, Fund size, and distribution channels.

The Committee considered each Fund’s holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered the terms of the credit facility applicable to the Funds, the financial health of the institution providing the facility and the fact that the credit facility is shared among multiple Funds. The Committee also considered other types of borrowing available to the Funds, such as the ability to use interfund lending arrangements.

The Committee also performed an analysis to determine whether a Fund is required to maintain a Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”), and determined that the requirement to maintain an HLIM was inapplicable to the Funds because each Fund primarily holds highly liquid investments.

There were no material changes to the program during the Reporting Period. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that the program is reasonably designed and operated effectively throughout the Review Period.

 

 

 

34  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

Additional Information (unaudited):

 

Renewal of the Advisory and Administration Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement

Aquila Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an Advisory and Administration Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Davidson Fixed Income Management, Inc., doing business as Kirkpatrick Pettis Capital Management (the “Sub-Adviser”), serves as the sub-adviser to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). In order for the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to continue to serve in their respective roles, the Trustees of the Fund must determine annually whether to renew the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Trustees requested and obtained such information as they deemed reasonably necessary. The independent Trustees met via video conference on August 25, 2022 and in person on September 10, 2022 to review and discuss the contract review materials that were provided in advance of the August 25, 2022 meeting. The Trustees considered, among other things, information presented by the Manager and Sub-Adviser. They also considered information presented in a report prepared by an independent consultant with respect to the Fund’s fees, expenses and investment performance, which included comparisons of the Fund’s investment performance against peers and the Fund’s benchmark and comparisons of the advisory fee payable by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement against the advisory fees paid by the Fund’s peers (the “Consultant’s Report”). In addition, the Trustees took into account the performance and other information related to the Fund provided to the Trustees at each regularly scheduled meeting. The Trustees considered the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement separately as well as in conjunction with each other to determine their combined effects on the Fund. The Trustees also discussed the memorandum provided by Fund counsel that summarized the legal standards and other considerations that are relevant to the Trustees in their deliberations regarding the renewal of the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements.

At the meeting held on September 10, 2022, based on their evaluation of the information provided by the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and the independent consultant, the Trustees of the Fund, including the independent Trustees voting separately, unanimously approved the renewal of each of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement until September 30, 2023.

In considering the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Trustees considered various factors, including the factors described below. The Trustees did not identify any single factor as the controlling factor in determining to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement or the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser

The Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services that had been provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund, taking into account the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. The Trustees reviewed the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

 

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At the direction of the Trustees, the Manager has retained the Sub-Adviser to provide investment management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Trustees reviewed the Sub-Adviser’s investment approach for the Fund. The Trustees considered the personnel of the Sub-Adviser who provide investment management services to the Fund. The Trustees noted the extensive experience of the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio managers, Messrs. Christopher Johns and Timothy Iltz, and their comprehensive understanding regarding the economy of the State of Oregon and the securities in which the Fund invests. The Trustees also considered the Sub-Adviser’s credit analysis of the securities in which the Fund invests. The Trustees noted that, compared to other Oregon state-specific municipal bond-funds, the portfolio of the Fund generally was of higher quality, and that the Fund did not hold any securities subject to the alternative minimum tax or any securities issued by a U.S. territory.

The Trustees considered that the Manager and the Sub-Adviser had provided all advisory services to the Fund that the Trustees deemed necessary or appropriate, including the specific services that the Trustees have determined are required for the Fund, given that it seeks to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Oregon state and regular Federal income taxes as is consistent with preservation of capital.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager has additionally provided all administrative services to the Fund and provided the Fund with personnel (including Fund officers) and other resources that are necessary for the Fund’s business management and operations. The Trustees considered the nature and extent of the Manager’s supervision of third-party service providers, including the Fund’s fund accountant, shareholder servicing agent and custodian.

Based on these considerations, the Trustees concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services that had been provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund were satisfactory and consistent with the terms of the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively.

The investment performance of the Fund

The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) and compared its performance to the performance of:

·the funds in the Municipal Single State Intermediate-Term Bond category as assigned by Morningstar, Inc. (the “Morningstar Category”); and
·the Fund’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond: Quality Intermediate Total Return Index Unhedged USD.

The Trustees considered that the materials included in the Consultant’s Report indicated that the Fund’s average annual total return was lower than the average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the three, five, and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2022, but higher than average annual total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category for the one-year period ended June 30, 2022. They noted that the Fund’s return for each of the one-year period and six months ended June 30, 2022 was in the second quintile and that its average annual return for each of the three and five-year periods ended June 30, 2022 was in the fourth quintile, in each case relative to the funds in the Morningstar Category for the same periods. (Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group and first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.) The Trustees further considered that the Fund’s average annual return was lower than the

 

 

36  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

average annual return of the benchmark index for the one, three, five and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2022. The Trustees further noted, as reflected in the Consultant’s Report, that the Fund’s total return for 2021 was lower than both the average total return of the funds in the Morningstar Category and the total return of its benchmark index for 2021.

The Trustees noted that the Fund invests primarily in municipal obligations issued by the State of Oregon, its counties and various other local authorities, while the funds in the Morningstar Category invest in, and the Fund’s benchmark index includes, municipal bonds of issuers throughout the United States and its territories and that only 1.2% of the benchmark index consists of Oregon bonds. The Trustees noted that, unlike the Fund’s returns, the performance of the benchmark index did not reflect any fees or expenses.

The Trustees discussed the Fund’s performance record with the Manager and the Sub-Adviser and considered the Manager’s and the Sub-Adviser’s view that the Fund’s performance, as compared to its peer group, was explained in part by the Fund’s generally higher-quality portfolio and lower duration. The Trustees also considered the steps taken by the Sub-Adviser in recent months in an effort to improve the Fund’s investment performance.

The Trustees considered the Fund’s investment performance to be consistent with the investment objectives of the Fund. Evaluation of this factor indicated to the Trustees that renewal of the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement would be appropriate.

Advisory and Sub-Advisory Fees and Fund Expenses

The Trustees evaluated the fee payable under the Advisory Agreement. They noted that the Manager paid the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Trustees evaluated both the fee under the Sub-Advisory Agreement and the portion of the advisory fee paid under the Advisory Agreement and retained by the Manager. The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses and compared them to the advisory fee and expense data for the 21 funds in the Fund’s expense group (the “Expense Group”), as selected by the independent consultant (the Fund and 15 other Municipal Single-State Intermediate-Term Bond funds, three Municipal Minnesota Bond funds and two Municipal New Jersey Bond funds, each categorized by Morningstar, Inc. with portfolio assets ranging between $157 million and $987 million). Only front-end load and retail no-load funds were considered for inclusion in the Expense Group. In addition, peer selection focused on municipal bond funds with an intermediate duration across comparable categories. The Trustees also compared the Fund’s advisory fees and expenses to advisory fee data for the Fund’s Morningstar Category (as defined above). Certain of the peer group comparisons referred to below are organized in quintiles. Each quintile represents one-fifth of the peer group. In all peer group comparisons referred to below, first quintile is most favorable to the Fund’s shareholders.

The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net management fee (after giving effect to fee waivers) for its most recent fiscal year was in the second quintile relative to the management fees paid by the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period (after giving effect to fee waivers in effect for those funds). They also considered that the Fund’s contractual advisory fee was lower than the average and median contractual advisory fee of the funds in the Morningstar Category (at the Fund’s current asset level and all asset levels up to $10 billion).

 

 

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The Trustees considered that the Fund’s net total expenses (for Class A Shares), after giving effect to fee waivers and expense reimbursements, for the most recent fiscal year were in the second quintile relative to the net total expenses of the other funds in its Expense Group for the comparable period (after giving effect to fee waivers in effect for those funds).

The Trustees reviewed management fees charged by each of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to its other clients. It was noted that the Manager does not have any other clients except for other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds. The Trustees noted that the fee rates for those clients were not lower than the contractual fee rate for the Fund. With respect to the Sub-Adviser, the Trustees noted that the fee rates for its separately managed account clients were generally lower than the fees paid to the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Fund. In evaluating the fees associated with the separately managed accounts, the Trustees took into account the respective demands, resources and complexity associated with the Fund and those client accounts.

The Trustees concluded that the advisory and sub-advisory fees were reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser.

Profitability

The Trustees received materials from each of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser related to profitability. The Manager provided information which showed the profitability to the Manager of its services to the Fund, as well as the profitability of Aquila Distributors LLC of distribution services provided to the Fund. The Manager also provided other financial information to the members of the financial review committee of the Fund and the other funds in the Aquila Group of Funds.

The Trustees considered the information provided by the Manager regarding the profitability of the Manager with respect to the advisory services provided by the Manager to the Fund, including the methodology used by the Manager in allocating certain of its costs to the services provided to the Fund, as well as the other financial information provided to the financial review committee. The Trustees concluded that profitability to the Manager with respect to advisory services provided to the Fund did not argue against approval of the fees to be paid under the Advisory Agreement.

The Trustees also considered information provided by the Sub-Adviser regarding the profitability of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the sub-advisory services provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. The Trustees concluded that the profitability of the Sub-Adviser with respect to sub-advisory services provided to the Fund supported the renewal of the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows

The Trustees considered the extent to which the Manager and the Sub-Adviser may realize economies of scale or other efficiencies in managing the Fund. They noted that the Fund has in place breakpoints in the sub-advisory fee schedule based on the size of the Fund. In addition, it was noted that the Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees to the extent necessary so that the annual rate payable under the Advisory

 

 

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Agreement shall be equivalent to 0.40% on the Fund’s net assets up to $400 million; 0.38% on assets above that amount to $1 billion in net assets and 0.36% on net assets thereafter. Accordingly, the Trustees concluded that economies of scale, if any, were being appropriately shared with the Fund.

Benefits derived or to be derived by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates from their relationships with the Fund

The Trustees observed that, as is generally true of most fund complexes, the Manager and Sub-Adviser and their affiliates, by providing services to a number of funds or other investment clients including the Fund, were able to spread costs as they would otherwise be unable to do. The Trustees noted that while that could produce efficiencies and increased profitability for the Manager and Sub-Adviser and their affiliates, it also makes their services available to the Fund at favorable levels of quality and cost which are more advantageous to the Fund than would otherwise have been possible.

 

 

39  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

Your Fund’s Expenses (unaudited)

As a Fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including front-end sales charges with respect to Class A shares or contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) with respect to Class C shares; and (2) ongoing costs including management fees; distribution “12b-1” and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. The table below is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The table below assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Under the heading, “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.

 

  Actual   Hypothetical
  (actual return after expenses)   (5% annual return before expenses)
Share
Class
Beginning Account
Value
4/1/22

Ending(1)

Account
Value
9/30/22

Expenses(2)
Paid During Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
  Ending
Account
Value
9/30/22
Expenses(2)
Paid During
Period
4/1/22 –
9/30/22
Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio
A $1,000 $ 958.60 $3.39   $1,021.61 $3.50 0.69%
C $1,000 $ 953.50 $7.54   $1,017.35 $7.79 1.54%
F $1,000 $ 959.40 $2.55   $1,022.46 $2.64 0.52%
Y $1,000 $ 958.40 $2.65   $1,022.36 $2.74 0.54%

 

(1) Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable sales charges with respect to Class A or the applicable CDSC with respect to Class C shares.  Total return is not annualized and as such, it may not be representative of the total return for the year.
   
(2) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above - in the far right column - multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

 

 

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Information Available (unaudited)

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and Complete Portfolio Holding Schedules

Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are filed with the SEC twice a year. Each Report contains a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings, along with full financial statements and other important financial statement disclosures. Additionally, your Fund files a complete Schedule of Portfolio Holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its Reports on Form N-PORT. Your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and N-PORT reports are available free of charge on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. You may also review or, for a fee, copy the forms at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

In addition, your Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and complete Portfolio Holdings Schedules for each fiscal quarter end are also available, free of charge, on your Fund’s website, www.aquilafunds.com (under the prospectuses & reports tab) or by calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

Portfolio Holdings Reports

In accordance with your Fund’s Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy, the Manager also prepares a Portfolio Holdings Report as of each quarter end, which is typically posted to your Fund’s individual page at www.aquilafunds.com by the 15th day after the end of each calendar quarter. Such information will remain accessible until the next Portfolio Holdings Report is made publicly available by being posted to www.aquilafunds.com. The quarterly Portfolio Holdings Report may be accessed, free of charge, by visiting www.aquilafunds.com or calling us at 1-800-437-1000.

 

 

Proxy Voting Record (unaudited)

During the 12 month period ended June 30, 2022, there were no proxies related to any portfolio instruments held by the Fund. As such, the Fund did not vote any proxies. Applicable regulations require us to inform you that the Fund’s proxy voting information is available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

Federal Tax Status of Distributions (unaudited)

This information is presented in order to comply with a requirement of the Internal Revenue Code. No action on the part of shareholders is required.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, $9,769,437 of dividends paid by Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon, constituting 99.9% of total dividends paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, were exempt-interest dividends; and the balance was ordinary income.

Prior to February 15, 2023, shareholders will be mailed the appropriate tax form(s) which will contain information on the status of distributions paid for the 2022 calendar year.

 

 

41  |  Aquila Tax-Free Trust of Oregon

 

 
 
 

 

 

Founders

Lacy B. Herrmann (1929-2012)

Aquila Management Corporation, Sponsor

 

Manager

AQUILA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Investment Sub-Adviser

KIRKPATRICK PETTIS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
222 SW Columbia Street, Suite 1400

Portland, Oregon 97201

 

Board of Trustees

Thomas A. Christopher, Chair

Diana P. Herrmann, Vice Chair

Ernest Calderón

Gary C. Cornia

Grady Gammage, Jr.

Patricia L. Moss

Glenn P. O’Flaherty

Heather R. Overby

Laureen L. White

 

Officers

Diana P. Herrmann, President

Paul G. O’Brien, Senior Vice President

Christine L. Neimeth, Vice President

Randall S. Fillmore, Chief Compliance Officer
Joseph P. DiMaggio, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Anita Albano, Secretary

 

Distributor

AQUILA DISTRIBUTORS LLC

120 West 45th Street, Suite 3600

New York, New York 10036

 

Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent

BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, Massachusetts 01581

 

Custodian

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 

 

Further information is contained in the Prospectus,
which must precede or accompany this report.

 

AQL-ORSAR-1122

 

 

 
 
 

 

ITEM 2.   CODE OF ETHICS.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.   AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5.   AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 6.   INVESTMENTS

 

(a)                 Schedule I – Included in Item 1 above

 

ITEM 7.   DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8.   PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9.   PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND
AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

The Board of Trustees of the Registrant has adopted a Nominating Committee Charter which provides that the Nominating Committee (the 'Committee') may consider and evaluate nominee candidates properly submitted by shareholders if a vacancy among the Independent Trustees of the Registrant occurs and if, based on the Board's then current size, composition and structure, the Committee determines that the vacancy should be filled. The Committee will consider candidates submitted by shareholders on the same basis as it considers and evaluates candidates recommended by other sources. A copy of the qualifications and procedures that must be met or followed by shareholders to properly submit a nominee candidate to the Committee may be obtained by submitting a request in writing to the Secretary of the Registrant.

 

ITEM 11.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the Registrant’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such information is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, recognizes that any set of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

 

Within 90 days prior to the filing date of this Shareholder Report on Form N-CSRS, the Registrant has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and the Registrant’s principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

 
 
 

 

(b)Change in Internal Controls. There have been no significant changes in Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12.   DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13.   EXHIBITS

 

(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(b) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

 

 
 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

AQUILA MUNICIPAL TRUST

 

 

By:   /s/ Diana P. Herrmann          

Diana P. Herrmann

Vice Chair, Trustee and President

December 2, 2022

 

 

By:   /s/ Joseph P. DiMaggio        

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

December 2, 2022

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

By:   /s/ Diana P. Herrmann          

Diana P. Herrmann

Vice Chair, Trustee and President

December 2, 2022

 

 

By:   /s/ Joseph P. DiMaggio        

Joseph P. DiMaggio

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

December 2, 2022