N-CSR 1 dncsr.htm EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. EquiTrust Money Market Fund, Inc.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number 811-3121

 

EquiTrust Money Market Fund, Inc.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines IA   50266-5997

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

Kristi Rojohn, 5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines IA 50266-5997


(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 515/225-5400

 

Date of fiscal year end: July 31, 2006

 

Date of reporting period: January 31, 2006

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles. A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. Section 3507.


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.


LOGO

 


 

EquiTrust Money Market

Fund, Inc.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

January 31, 2006

 

 

 

5400 University Avenue

West Des Moines, IA 50266

 

1-877-860-2904

1-515-225-5586

 

www.equitrust.com

 

 

This report is not to be distributed

unless preceded or accompanied

by a current prospectus.

 

Shareholder Account Access

now available at

www.equitrust.com

737-127(06)

 

 


PRESIDENT’S LETTER

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

The interest rates offered by money market funds are closely related to the target rates set by the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”). The FOMC meets several times throughout the year to determine the target Federal Funds rate, the overnight lending rate between banks. The FOMC has raised the Federal Funds rate at a measured pace over the last fourteen meetings to 4.50% at the January 31, 2006 meeting. The new Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, continues to view the economy as healthy and has stated that more rate increases may be necessary to restrain the economy. In his February 15, 2006 address to Congress, Bernanke cited long-term inflation expectations as a point of interest, but insisted that inflation appears to be “well-contained” at the present time. Key issues the FOMC will monitor are energy costs, labor market activity, and domestic output. The yield curve became inverted in December, an event where shorter-maturity Treasury Notes yield more than longer-maturity Treasury Notes. Historically, a yield curve becomes flat or inverted before a peak in the rate cycle. The market continues to anticipate more rate increases with a Federal Funds target rate of 5.00% expected in summer 2006.

 

Money market funds play an important role in any portfolio, especially when short-term interest rates are rising. Investors participate in upward moves in rates immediately due to the short maturities of the investments. They offer a safe and liquid haven for short-term investments and emergency cash reserves. The liquidity of money market funds also allows an investor the opportunity to transfer into a portfolio of stock and bond funds using dollar-cost-averaging techniques. The draft writing privilege of the EquiTrust Money Market Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is an additional enhancement to the preservation of capital and liquidity.

 

We appreciate your investment in the Fund and we take seriously our task of seeking to grow and maintain that investment. Thank you for your continued support of the Fund.

 

LOGO

Craig A. Lang

President

 

March 2, 2006

 

An investment in the Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the net asset value of $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

 

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

 

2


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

January 31, 2006

 

Portfolio Holdings by Asset Type

 

LOGO


* This category includes cash, receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets, less liabilities.

 

Expense Example:

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees and Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on August 1, 2005 and held until January 31, 2006.

 

Actual Expenses –

 

The first line of the table on page 4 provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. The Fund also charges individual shareholders with certain retirement and savings accounts a total annual fee of $20 per year for fiduciary expenses regardless of the number of accounts held. These shareholders should divide the annual fee by the number of accounts owned and reduce their ending account value and increase their expenses by that portion of the annual fee (adjusted for a one-half year period) to estimate total ongoing expenses.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes –

 

The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You

 

3


may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The Fund also charges individual shareholders with certain retirement and savings accounts a total annual fee of $20 per year for fiduciary expenses regardless of the number of accounts held. These shareholders should divide the annual fee by the number of accounts owned and reduce their ending account value and increase their expenses by that portion of the annual fee (adjusted for a one-half year period) to estimate total ongoing expenses.

 

EquiTrust Money Market Fund, Inc.

 

     Beginning Account
Value
8/1/2005
  

Ending Account
Value

1/31/2006

   Expenses Paid
During Period*
8/1/2005 - 1/31/2006
Actual    $ 1,000    $ 1,011.44    $ 7.63
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)    $ 1,000    $ 1,017.41    $ 7.65
* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.50%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 186 days and divided by 367 to reflect the one-half year period.

 

4


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

January 31, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

ASSETS

      
        

Investments in securities, at value (equivalent to amortized cost)

   $ 15,566,061

Cash

     342,973

Receivables:

      

Accrued interest

     20,103

Fund shares sold

     188,771

Prepaid expenses and other assets.

     148
    

Total Assets

     16,118,056
    

        

LIABILITIES

      
        

Payable to EquiTrust Investment Management Services, Inc.

     12,956

Payable for fund shares redeemed

     120,044

Accrued expenses

     25,767
    

Total Liabilities

     158,767
    

NET ASSETS

   $ 15,959,289
    

        

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS

      

Capital stock (500,000,000 shares authorized, $0.001 par value)

   $ 15,959

Paid-in capital

     15,943,330
    

NET ASSETS

   $ 15,959,289
    

Shares issued and outstanding as of January 31, 2006

     15,959,289
    

NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

   $ 1.000
    

 

See accompanying notes.

 

5


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended January 31, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

        
          

Interest

   $ 308,496  
          

EXPENSES

        
          

Paid to EquiTrust Investment Management Services, Inc.:

        

Investment advisory and management fees

     20,562  

Shareholder service, transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     31,729  

Accounting fees

     4,112  

Custodian fees

     25,445  

Professional fees

     7,227  

Directors’ fees and expenses

     13,234  

Reports to shareholders

     4,896  

Registration fees

     4,636  

Miscellaneous

     18,363  
    


Total Expenses

     130,204  
          

Expense reimbursement

     (6,159 )

Fees paid indirectly

     (587 )
    


Net Expenses

     123,458  
    


Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 185,038  
    


 

See accompanying notes.

 

6


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     Six Months
Ended
January 31,
2006
(Unaudited)


    Year Ended
July 31, 2005


 

OPERATIONS

                
                  

Net investment income

   $ 185,038     $ 155,312  
                  

DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM

                
                  

Net investment income

     (185,038 )     (155,312 )
                  

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     50,280       (1,184,656 )
    


 


Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     50,280       (1,184,656 )
                  

NET ASSETS

                

Beginning of period

     15,909,009       17,093,665  
    


 


End of period

   $ 15,959,289     $ 15,909,009  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

7


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

January 31, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

     Annualized
Yield on
Purchase
Date


    Principal
Amount


   Value

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (97.54%)


                   

COMMERCIAL PAPER (15.98%)

                   

NONDEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS (11.75%)

                   

American Express Credit Corp., 4.18%, due 02/13/06

   4.184 %   $ 400,000    $ 400,000

American Express Credit Corp., 4.19%, due 02/13/06

   4.194       400,000      400,000

American General Finance Corp., 4.37%, due 03/06/06

   4.368       400,000      400,000

General Electric Capital Corp., 4.24%, due 02/06/06

   4.245       350,000      350,000

General Electric Capital Corp., 4.55%, due 04/24/06

   4.552       325,000      325,000
                 

                    1,875,000

PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS (4.23%)

                   

Chevron Corp., 4.09%, due 02/03/06

   4.090       300,000      300,000

Chevron Corp., 4.19%, due 02/21/06

   4.194       375,000      375,000
                 

                    675,000
                 

Total Commercial Paper (Cost $2,550,000)

                  2,550,000
                     

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (78.44%)

                   

Federal Farm Credit Bank, due 02/02/06

   4.249       500,000      499,942

Federal Farm Credit Bank, due 02/17/06

   4.206       500,000      499,080

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 02/01/06

   4.245       325,000      325,000

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 02/08/06

   4.238       500,000      499,594

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 02/09/06

   4.366       300,000      299,713

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 02/10/06

   4.239       500,000      499,478

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 02/15/06

   4.297       500,000      499,177

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 02/24/06

   4.282       325,000      324,126

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 03/03/06

   4.348       400,000      398,576

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 03/08/06

   4.358       400,000      398,335

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 04/21/06.

   4.536       400,000      396,111

Federal Home Loan Bank, due 04/28/06

   4.530       375,000      371,039

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., due 02/07/06

   4.164       400,000      399,726

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., due 02/14/06

   4.256       350,000      349,470

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., due 02/16/06

   4.312       400,000      399,292

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., due 02/28/06

   4.310       500,000      498,411

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., due 03/07/06

   4.344       450,000      448,187

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., due 03/13/06

   4.403       500,000      497,599

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., due 03/14/06

   4.378       400,000      398,042

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., due 04/04/06

   4.438       400,000      397,007

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., due 04/11/06

   4.428       500,000      495,849

Federal National Mortgage Assoc., due 02/08/06

   4.364       400,000      399,666

Federal National Mortgage Assoc., due 02/22/06

   4.260       325,000      324,205

 

8


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

January 31, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

     Annualized
Yield on
Purchase
Date


   Principal
Amount


   Value

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (continued)

                  

Federal National Mortgage Assoc., due 03/01/06

   4.341    $ 500,000    $ 498,340

Federal National Mortgage Assoc., due 03/15/06

   4.350      700,000      696,514

Federal National Mortgage Assoc., due 03/29/06

   4.359      495,000      491,711

Federal National Mortgage Assoc., due 04/05/06

   4.426      425,000      421,778

Federal National Mortgage Assoc., due 04/12/06

   4.465      400,000      396,604

Federal National Mortgage Assoc., due 04/19/06

   4.479      400,000      396,256
                

Total United States Government Agencies (Cost $12,518,828)

                 12,518,828
                    

UNITED STATES TREASURY OBLIGATIONS (3.12%)

                  

U.S. Treasury Bill, due 03/23/06 (Cost $497,233)

   4.062      500,000      497,233
                

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $15,566,061)

                 15,566,061
                    

OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES (2.46%)


                  

Cash, receivables, prepaid expense and other assets, less liabilities

                 393,228
                

Total Net Assets (100.00%)

               $ 15,959,289
                

 

See accompanying notes.

 

9


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2006

(Unaudited)

 

1.   Significant Accounting Policies

 

Organization

 

EquiTrust Money Market Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end, diversified management investment company or mutual fund.

 

Security Valuation

 

The Fund values investments at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Under the amortized cost method, a security is valued at its cost on the date of purchase and thereafter is adjusted to reflect a constant amortization to maturity of the difference between the principal amount due at maturity and the cost of the investment to the Fund.

 

Income and Investment Transactions

 

The Fund records investment transactions generally on the trade date. Net realized gains and losses on sales of investments, if any, are determined on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis.

 

Distributions to Shareholders

 

All of the Fund’s net investment income and any realized gains on portfolio investments are declared as dividends daily to shareholders of record as of the preceding business day.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Indemnifications

 

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its present and past officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, employees and agents may also be indemnified. In addition, in the normal course of business the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

 

10


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

2.   Federal Income Taxes

 

No provision for federal income taxes is considered necessary because the Fund is qualified as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code and intends to distribute each year substantially all of its net investment income and realized capital gains to shareholders. The cost of investments is the same for both federal income tax and financial reporting purposes.

 

At January 31, 2006, the components of net assets on a tax basis were the same for financial reporting purposes.

 

3.   Management Contract and Transactions with Affiliates

 

The Fund has entered into agreements with EquiTrust Investment Management Services, Inc. (“EquiTrust Investment”) relating to the management of the Fund and the investment of its assets. Pursuant to these agreements, fees paid to EquiTrust Investment are as follows: (1) investment advisory and management fees, which are based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, currently at an annual rate of 0.25%; (2) shareholder service, transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees, which are based on direct services provided and expenses incurred by EquiTrust Investment, plus an annual per account charge of $9.03; and (3) accounting fees, which are based on the Fund’s average daily net assets at an annual rate of 0.05%, with a maximum annual expense of $30,000.

 

EquiTrust Investment has also agreed to reimburse the Fund annually for its total expenses (excluding brokerage, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses) in excess of 1.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The amount reimbursed, however, shall not exceed the amount of the investment advisory and management fees paid by the Fund for such period. The Fund was reimbursed $6,159 for the six months ended January 31, 2006.

 

Certain officers and directors of the Fund are also officers of FBL Financial Group, Inc., the indirect parent of EquiTrust Investment, and other affiliated entities. At January 31, 2006, FBL Financial Group, Inc. and its affiliated companies owned 1,638,642 shares (10.27%) of the Fund.

 

4.   Expense Offset Arrangements

 

The Fund and other mutual funds managed by EquiTrust Investment have an agreement with the custodian bank to indirectly pay a portion of the custodian’s fees through credits earned by the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank. Such deposit agreement is an alternative to overnight investments. Custodian fees have been adjusted to reflect amounts that would have been paid without this agreement. A corresponding adjustment was made to fees paid indirectly in the statement of operations.

 

11


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

5.   Capital Share Transactions

 

Transactions in Capital stock were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
January 31, 2006


     Year Ended
July 31, 2005


 
     Shares

     Amount

     Shares

     Amount

 

Shares sold

   38,500,849      $ 38,500,849      75,387,045      $ 75,387,045  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   184,060        184,060      154,173        154,173  

Shares redeemed

   (38,634,629 )      (38,634,629 )    (76,725,874 )      (76,725,874 )
    

  


  

  


Net Increase (Decrease)

   50,280      $ 50,280      (1,184,656 )    $ (1,184,656 )
    

  


  

  


 

6.   Dividends to Shareholders

 

Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and are payable on the last business day of the month. Dividends for the six months ended January 31, 2006 were paid as follows:

 

Payable Date


      

August 31, 2005

     $ 0.0017

September 30, 2005

       0.0016

October 31, 2005

       0.0018

November 30, 2005

       0.0019

December 30, 2005

       0.0021

January 31, 2006

       0.0023
      

Total Dividends Per Share

     $ 0.0114
      

 

The tax character of dividends to shareholders during the six months ended January 31, 2006 was the same as for financial reporting purposes.

 

12


EQUITRUST MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

     Six Months
Ended
January 31,
2006
(Unaudited)


    Year Ended July 31,

 
     2005

     2004

     2003

     2002

     2001

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 1.000     $ 1.000      $ 1.000      $ 1.000      $ 1.000      $ 1.000  

Income From Investment Operations:

                                                    

Net investment income

     0.011       0.009        0.003        0.002        0.010        0.043  
    


 


  


  


  


  


Total from investment operations

     0.011       0.009        0.003        0.002        0.010        0.043  
    


 


  


  


  


  


Less Distributions:

                                                    

Dividends (from net investment income)

     (0.011 )     (0.009 )      (0.003 )      (0.002 )      (0.010 )      (0.043 )
    


 


  


  


  


  


Total distributions

     (0.011 )     (0.009 )      (0.003 )      (0.002 )      (0.010 )      (0.043 )
    


 


  


  


  


  


Net asset value, end of period

   $ 1.000     $ 1.000      $ 1.000      $ 1.000      $ 1.000      $ 1.000  
    


 


  


  


  


  


Total Return:

                                                    

Total investment return based on net asset value (1)

     1.14 %     0.93 %      0.25 %      0.22 %      1.04 %      4.40 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

                                                    

Net assets, end of period ($000’s omitted)

   $ 15,959     $ 15,909      $ 17,094      $ 18,514      $ 24,669      $ 29,123  

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets

     1.58 %(2)     1.50 %      1.42 %      1.55 %      1.12 %      1.20 %

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

     1.50 %(2)     1.32 %      0.77 %      1.12 %      1.10 %      1.17 %

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets.

     2.24 %(2)     0.91 %      0.25 %      0.22 %      1.07 %      4.36 %

Information assuming no voluntary reimbursement by EquiTrust Investment of excess operating expenses (See Note 3):

                                                    

Per share net investment income

   $ 0.011     $ 0.007      $ (0.004 )    $ (0.003 )    $ 0.010      $ 0.043  

Amount reimbursed

   $ 6,159     $ 30,152      $ 114,385      $ 87,729      $      $  

Note: Per share amounts have been calculated on the basis of monthly per share amounts (using average monthly outstanding shares) accumulated for the period.

 

(1) Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period.

 

(2) Computed on an annualized basis.

 

See accompanying notes.

 

13


APPROVAL OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT

 

On November 17, 2005 the Board of Directors, including a majority of the directors who are not parties to or “interested persons” of either party to the investment advisory contract (the “independent directors”), approved for continuance the Investment Advisory and Management Services Agreement dated February 23, 1981, as amended May 21, 2003 (the “Agreement”) between EquiTrust Money Market Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) and EquiTrust Investment Management Services, Inc. (the “Adviser”).

 

The Board of Directors, including a majority of the independent directors, determined that approval of the Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund. The independent directors were assisted by independent legal counsel in making their determination.

 

The Board noted that the Adviser has managed the Fund since its inception. The Board recognizes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious investment adviser is in the best interests of shareholders and that shareholders have invested in the Fund knowing that the Adviser managed the Fund and knowing the investment advisory fee schedule.

 

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. With respect to the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, the Board considered the functions performed by the Adviser and the personnel providing such services, the Adviser’s financial condition and the compliance regime created by the Adviser, including the fact that the Fund has had no material compliance issues.

 

The Board also reviewed and discussed reports prepared by the Adviser containing information on the Fund’s total returns and average annual total returns over various periods of time. The Board concluded that the Fund’s investment performance was satisfactory. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the nature and extent of services provided to the Fund were appropriate and that the quality was good.

 

Fees and Expenses. The Board compared the amounts paid to the Adviser for advisory services and the Fund’s expense ratio with other registered funds pursuing broadly similar strategies as included in reports prepared by the Adviser. This information showed that the advisory fee of the Fund was below average compared to other mutual funds pursuing broadly similar strategies and that the expense ratio of the Fund was higher than average. The Board considered that the higher expenses may be due to the draft writing privileges offered by the Fund. In addition, the Board considered amounts paid to the Adviser by the other EquiTrust money market portfolios. The Board received information from the Adviser regarding the Adviser’s standard advisory fee schedules for the Adviser’s other clients. With respect to the Adviser’s other clients, the Board considered that the mix of services provided and the level of responsibility required under the Agreement with the Fund were different from the Adviser’s obligations for similar client accounts and that the advisory fees of such accounts are less relevant to the Board’s consideration because they reflect different competitive forces than those in the mutual fund marketplace. With respect to other EquiTrust funds, the Board considered differences in fund and fee structures in light of the different distribution channels of the funds.

 

The Board also considered that the Adviser has reimbursed, and continues to reimburse, certain expenses for the Fund. Based on the information considered, the Board concluded that the Fund’s advisory fee was reasonable and appropriate in amount given the quality of services provided.

 

14


Profitability. With respect to the costs of services provided and profits realized by the Adviser, the Board considered the advisory fees received by the Adviser from the Fund. The Board also considered the fact that the Adviser continues to be subject to an expense reimbursement agreement and that the Adviser has kept expenses at a reasonable level. Based on this information, the Board concluded that the Adviser’s profitability was not unreasonable.

 

Economies of Scale. The Board considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee levels reflect economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. The Board also considered that the current size of the Fund does not lend itself to economies of scale. The Board concluded that the total expense ratio was reasonable.

 

Other Benefits to the Adviser and its Affiliates. The Board considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund, including fees received by the Adviser for accounting services, shareholder services, dividend disbursing and transfer agent services. The Board concluded that, taking into account these benefits, the Fund’s advisory fee was reasonable.

 

Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined to approve the Agreement. The Board of Directors, including the independent directors, did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all important or controlling and considered all factors together.

 

INFORMATION ON PROXY VOTING

 

EquiTrust Money Market Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) invests exclusively in non-voting securities. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, 2005 is available, without charge, by calling 1-877-860-2904 or by accessing the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

FORM N-Q DISCLOSURE

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings for its first and third quarters of each fiscal year with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. A copy of Form N-Q is also available, without charge, by calling the Fund at 1-877-860-2904.

 

15


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable to this filing.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Schedules of Investments.

See Item 1.

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 Companies and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors since the registrant last provided disclosure in response to this Item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

  (a) The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date


 

within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b) There has been no change to the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a )(1)   Not applicable to this filing.
(a )(2)   Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.
(a )(3)   Not applicable.
(b )   Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.
 

 

 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant)    EquiTrust Money Market Fund, Inc.

By:  

/s/ Dennis M. Marker

Name:   Dennis M. Marker
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Date:   3/22/2006

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/ Dennis M. Marker

Name:   Dennis M. Marker
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Date:   3/22/2006

 

By:  

/s/ James W. Noyce

Name:   James W. Noyce
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
Date:   3/22/2006