N-30D 1 sitar01.htm SEXTANT FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT NOVEMBER 2001 Sextant Annual Report 2001

Sextant

Mutual Funds

(graphic omitted)

 

Fellow Shareowners:

The events of 2001 include the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Afghanistan war, recession, a sharp bear market for stocks, and spectacular corporate demises. In addition to dealing with loss of life, property, livelihood, and peace of mind in the wake of these events, many investors endured steep equity declines.

Bonds again made gains. The Federal Reserve cut short-term interest rates 11 times to their lowest levels in 40 years, boosting bond prices. Increased demand for bonds from shell-shocked equity investors and the U.S. Treasury’s announcement that it would stop issuing 30-year bonds also helped.

All four Sextant funds bettered their Morningstar peer group averages, evidence of Saturna Capital’s investment management abilities. Three funds (Sextant International, Sextant Growth and Sextant Bond Income) ranked near the top of their Morningstar peer groups.

The no-load Sextant Funds are designed to address a broad spectrum of investment needs. All stress low operating expenses and employ a "fulcrum" advisory fee structure that rewards or penalizes Saturna Capital for investment results. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2001, comparative total returns and percentile category rankings (1 is best) are:

Sextant Fund
Total Return
vs. Morningstar
Total Return
12-mo. Rank (group size)*
Short-Term Bond
8.67%
Short-Term Bonds
8.64%
63 (211)
Bond Income
12.48%
Long-Term Bonds
12.39%
17 (91)
Growth
-9.57%
Large Growth
-9.65%
6 (962)
International
-14.80%
Foreign Stock
-15.02%
20 (776)

For the fiscal year, total assets in the four funds declined 2.7%. Further information on each Fund is found in the following sections of this report. Our portfolio managers welcome your comments and suggestions. The entire staff works to minimize operating expenses, which are well below industry standards. In the footnotes, you will notice another unusual feature of the Sextant funds: on average, 24% of each Sextant Fund is owned by the trustees, officers, and their immediate families. We invite you to invest your money with ours.

Respectfully,

Nicholas Kaiser, President Phelps McIlvaine, Vice President
(Manager, Sextant Growth;
Sextant International)
(Manager, Sextant Bond Income;
Sextant Short-Term Bond)

*The 12-month Rank shows how each Fund ranks (from 1 best to 100 worst) in its Morningstar peer category for the year ended November 30, 2001 - please see next page for more performance information.

January 4, 2002

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  

Additional Performance Information

Average Annual Total Returns (as of 12/31/2001)
1 year
5 years
10 years
Sextant Growth Fund
-11.99%
13.92%
9.99%^
Sextant International Fund
-14.77%
6.55%
8.12%*
Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund
7.57%
6.00%
5.71%*
Sextant Bond Income Fund
9.41%
7.18%
5.56%^**

Performance data quoted in this report represents past performance and is no guarantee of future performance. The investment return and principal value of investments in the Funds fluctuate daily, and an investor's shares when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. Morningstar, Inc. is an independent fund performance monitor. Rankings are determined monthly from total returns by Morningstar, by category as determined by Morningstar. The average total return for a category is determined by Saturna Capital, utilizing the Morningstar database. Results are shown for twelve months because of the Sextant Funds performance fee advisory structure.

*since inception, 9/28/1995

**since inception, 3/1/1993

^fund changed investment objectives & policies on 9/28/1995; results prior to that date may not be meaningful


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Saturna Investment Trust

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund, Sextant Bond Income Fund, Sextant Growth Fund and Sextant International Fund, each a series of the Saturna Investment Trust, including the schedules of investments as of November 30, 2001, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, and the changes in net assets for each of the two years then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2001, by correspondence with the custodian. Our audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund, Sextant Bond Income Fund, Sextant Growth Fund, and Sextant International Fund, as of November 30, 2001, the results of their operations for the year then ended, and the changes in their net assets for each of the two years then ended and their financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

TAIT, WELLER & BAKER


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 13, 2001

2  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

(graphic omitted)SEXTANT SHORT-TERM BOND FUND  
INVESTMENTS
Rating* Issuer Coupon/Maturity Face Amount Market Value
  Aerospace - Aircraft (3.5%)      
A McDonnell Douglas /Boeing Capital 9.25% 4/1/2002 $75,000 $76,088
  Auto/Truck Manufacturing (4.3%)      
A- Daimler Crysler Corporation 6.90% 9/1/2004 90,000 93,573
  Banking (8.3%)      
A+ Australia & New Zealand Bank 6.25% 2/1/2004 85,000 88,298
A Bankers Trust (DB) sub notes 8.25% 5/1/2005 85,000 93,653
  SUB-TOTAL   170,000 181,951
  Broadcasting (2.2%)      
A Walt Disney Company 8.00% 1/26/2015 50,000 50,000
  Building Products (3.5%)      
A Lowe's Companies 7.50% 12/15/2005 70,000 76,097
  Chemicals (3.1%)      
A- Praxair 6.15% 4/15/2003 65,000 66,905
  Computer (7.1%)      
AA- Hewlett Packard Company 7.15% 6/15/2005 70,000 73,654
BBB+ Sun Microsystems 7.35% 8/15/2004 80,000 82,632
  SUB-TOTAL   150,000 156,286
  Cosmetics & Toiletries (3.5%)      
BBB Dial Corporation 6.625% 6/15/2003 75,000 77,317
  Electric Utilities (4.6%)      
AA- Florida Power & Light 6.875% 12/1/2005 95,000 99,854
  Finance & Insurance (12.8%)      
A Ford Motor Credit 6.875% 2/1/2016 90,000 91,998
A- Lincoln National Insurance 7.25% 5/15/2005 100,000 105,320
A- Washington Mutual Financial 8.25% 6/15/2005 75,000 81,788
  SUB-TOTAL   265,000 279,106
  Food (2.3%)      
A Coca Cola Enterprises 7.875% 2/1/2002 50,000 50,095
  Oil & Gas (10.4%)      
AA+ Amoco Canada 7.25% 12/1/2002 70,000 72,373
A- Columbia Energy Group 6.61% 11/28/2002 50,000 51,090
BBB+ Union Oil of California 7.20% 5/15/2005 100,000 104,750
  SUB-TOTAL   220,000 228,213
  Machinery (8.4%)      
A Deere 6.55% 7/15/2004 90,000 94,284
A Eaton 6.95% 11/15/2004 85,000 89,505
  SUB-TOTAL   175,000 183,789
  Medical - Health Maintenance Org. (7.3%)      
A- American Home Products 7.90% 2/15/2005 75,000 80,947
A Cardinal Health 6.50% 2/15/2004 75,000 78,525
  SUB-TOTAL   150,000 159,472
  Retailing (2.4%)      
BBB Safeway 6.05% 11/15/2003 50,000 51,470
  Telecommunications (4.6%)      
BBB+ Sprint Capital 5.875% 5/1/2004 100,000 100,940
  Transportation - Air Freight (2.5%)      
BBB Federal Express 9.875% 4/1/2002 55,000 55,682
  US Government (3.9%)      
AAA US Treasury Note 6.00% 8/15/2004 80,000 85,588
         
  Total Investments (94.7%) (Cost = $1,996,573) $1,985,000 2,072,426
  Other Assets (net of liabilities) (5.3%)     116,435
  Total Net Assets (100%)     $2,188,861
  *Ratings are the lesser of S&P or Moody's (unaudited)      

 

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
3

(Graphic Omitted) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  

SEXTANT SHORT-TERM BOND FUND


Selected data per share of capital stock outstanding throughout the year
Year ended November 30,
    2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
Net asset value at beginning of year   $4.95 $4.92 $5.04 $4.99 $5.00
  Income from investment operations          
  Net investment income 0.26 0.27 0.26 0.27 0.27
  Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and unrealized) 0.14 0.03 (0.12) 0.05 (0.01)
Total from investment operations   0.40 0.30 0.14 0.32 0.26
  Less distributions          
  Dividends (from net investment income) (0.25) (0.27) (0.26) (0.27) (0.27)
  Distributions (from capital gains)
-
-
-
-
-
Total distributions   (0.25) (0.27) (0.26) (0.27) (0.27)
Net asset value at end of year   $5.10 $4.95 $4.92 $5.04 $4.99
Total Return   8.37% 6.20% 2.88% 6.67% 5.45%
             
Ratios / Supplemental Data            
Net assets ($000), end of year   $2,189 $2,555 $1,795 $1,908 $2,508
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.51% 0.60% 0.47% 0.48% 0.60%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   5.45% 5.40% 5.22% 5.57% 5.58%
Portfolio turnover rate 28% 12% 21% 71% 47%
For the above years, all or a portion of the operating expenses were waived. If costs had not been waived, the resulting increase to the ratio of expenses to average monthly net assets would be .43%, .41%, .57%, .44% and .40%, respectively.

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

As of November 30, 2001        
Assets        
  Investments (Cost $1,996,573)   $2,072,426  
  Cash   80,573  
  Interest Receivable   36,629  
  Receivable from Adviser   1,868  
    Total Assets   $2,191,496
         
Liabilities        
  Other Liabilities   2,635  
    Total Liabilities   2,635
         
Net Assets       $2,188,861
         
Fund Shares Outstanding       429,083
         
Analysis of Net Assets        
  Paid in Capital (unlimited shares authorized, without par value)   2,146,836  
  Undistributed net investment income   1,485  
  Accumlated net realized loss on investments   (35,313)  
  Unrealized net appreciation   75,853  
    Net Assets applicable to Fund shares outstanding   $2,188,861
         
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption price per share     $5.10

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements)

4  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

SEXTANT SHORT-TERM BOND FUND  

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Graphic Omitted)


      For the year ended November 30, 2001
Investment Income        
  Interest income   $139,610  
  Amortization of bond premium   (12,882)  
  Miscellaneous Income   600  
  Accretion   335  
    Gross Investment Income   $127,663
         
Expenses        
  Investment advisor and administration fee   10,967  
  Professional fees   2,962  
  Custodian fees   2,118  
  Meetings   1,167  
  Insurance fees   975  
  Filing and Registration fees   884  
  Printing and postage   803  
  Miscellaneous expenses   381  
  Total gross expenses   20,257  
  Less: Advisor fees waived   (7,135)  
  Less: Custodian fees waived   (2,118)  
  Net expenses     11,004
    Net Investment income   116,659
         
Net realized loss on investments        
  Proceeds from sales   987,863  
  Less: cost of securities sold based on identified cost   1,002,626  
    Realized net loss   (14,763)
         
Unrealized gain on investments        
  End of year   75,853  
  Beginning of year   (5,081)  
    Increase in unrealized gain for the year   80,934
    Net realized and unrealized gain on investments   66,171
         
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     $182,830

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements)

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
5

(Graphic Omitted) STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

SEXTANT SHORT-TERM BOND FUND


    Year ended Year ended
    Nov. 30, 2001 Nov. 30, 2000
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS      
From Operations      
  Net investment income $116,659 $119,063
  Net realized loss on investments (14,763) (9,191)
  Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation 80,934 24,047
  Net increase in net assets from operations $182,830 $133,919
       
Dividends to shareowners from      
  Net investment income (114,823) (119,079)
       
Fund Share transactions      
  Proceeds from sales of shares 351,703 963,173
  Value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends 113,922 118,846
    465,625 1,082,019
  Cost of shares redeemed (899,416) (337,611)
  Net increase (decrease) in net assets from share transactions (433,791) 744,408
Total increase (decrease) in net assets $(365,784) $759,248
       
NET ASSETS      
  Beginning of year 2,554,645 1,795,397
  End of year $2,188,861 $2,554,645
       
Shares of the fund sold and redeemed      
  Number of shares sold 70,340 196,084
  Number of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends 22,596 24,197
    92,936 220,281
  Number of shares redeemed (180,306) (68,785)
Net increase (decrease) in number of shares outstanding   (87,370) 151,496

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements)

DISCUSSION OF SEXTANT SHORT-TERM BOND FUND PERFORMANCE

 

(unaudited)

FISCAL YEAR 2001
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2001, the Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund returned 7.50% to its shareowners. Reflecting many changes in short-term interest rates during the year, the Fund’s price moved in a wider range (4.2%) than past years, from $4.96 to $5.17. For the fiscal year, the Fund ranked in the top 63% of 211 funds in the Morningstar “Short-term Bond” category. For the last five years, the Fund has provided a 5.96% annualized total return and ranks in the top 47% of 146 funds in its Morningstar category. At November 30, 2001, the Fund held Morningstar’s 4-star rating (judged against 1822 Fixed Income funds). For the second year, the Fund substantially outperformed most equity portfolios as the stock market declined again.

6  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

FACTORS AFFECTING PAST PERFORMANCE
Over the last twelve months, the Federal Reserve reversed its prior year rate increases and lowered the Federal Funds rate from 6.50% to 1.75% to boost the economy. This caused a dramatic steepening of the US Treasury yield curve and drove prices of short-term notes higher. Despite this historic reduction in short-term rates, yields on long-term US Treasury bonds are nearly unchanged – despite the cancellation of the issuance of thirty-year bonds. The yields on investment-grade corporate debt are lower than one year ago and the returns from investment-grade corporate debt exceeded the returns from US Treasuries. This benefited the Fund as its portfolio consists primarily of corporate bonds. Lower short-term interest rates caused the Fund’s current yield to drop. The Fund’s average maturity continued at less than three years.

LOOKING FORWARD
We expect the US economy to start growing again by mid-2002, inflation to remain subdued and the yield curve to flatten as the recovery unfolds. We expect this recovery to manifest itself slowly. As usual, short-term rates will rise once economic recovery is clear. The Federal Reserve Bank and the US Government reacted to the onset of recession by lowering interest rates and reducing federal income taxes. Early success in the “war on terrorism” and raising consumer confidence have eroded bi-partisanism in the federal government and the focus turns to the 2002 election season. Further stimulus is unlikely now. Falling energy prices, lower mortgage rates and low inflation are supporting consumer spending and the economy. We expect The Federal Reserve to slowly push short-term interest rates back up toward the 4% range. This should produce a flatter yield curve and slightly wider corporate spreads in the short end.

MANAGEMENT FEE CALCULATIONS
The Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund calculates part of its management fee based on a comparison of the Fund’s return to the average return of the Morningstar category Short-Term Bond. The Fund’s 12-month return (7.50%) differed by less than one percent from that of the average (7.65%) on November 30, 2001. Therefore, no performance adjustment to the basic 0.60% management fee was made for the month of December 2001.

COMPARISON TO INDEX
Comparison of any mutual fund to a market index must be made bearing in mind that the Index is unmanaged, and expense-free. The graph below compares $10,000 invested in the Fund at its inception in September 1995, compared to a similar amount invested in the Salomon Brothers Gov/Corp Investment Grade Bond Index for maturities between one and three years. The graph shows that a $10,000 investment made on September 1995 would have risen to $14,152 in the Fund and $14,944 in the Index. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of income taxes that an investor could pay on income received or the sale of profitable investments.

 

 

Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund vs. Salomon Gov/Corp 1-3 yr.


(graph omitted)

 

 

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
7

INVESTMENTS  

SEXTANT BOND INCOME FUND (Graphic Omitted)

Rating Issuer Coupon/Maturity Face Amount Market Value
  Banking (10.6%)        
A+ Chase Manhattan   7.125% 6/15/2009 $50,000 $53,450
A Citicorp   7.25% 10/15/2011 50,000 53,600
A- Comerica Bank   7.125% 12/1/2013 50,000 48,309
AA- Norwest Financial   6.85% 7/15/2009 50,000 52,840
    SUB-TOTAL   200,000 208,199
  Building Products (3.2%)        
BBB Masco Corporation   7.125% 8/15/2013 60,000 62,706
  Chemicals (2.8%)        
A- Air Products & Chemicals   8.75% 4/15/2021 50,000 55,635
Computer (1.5%)
A Dell Computer   6.55% 4/15/2008 30,000 30,195
  Diversified Financial Services (3.6%)        
AAA General Electric Capital   8.125% 5/15/2012 60,000 69,816
  Electric Utilities (5.2%)        
A+ Alabama Power   7.75% 2/1/2023 50,000 50,295
BBB Commonwealth Edison   7.50% 7/1/2013 50,000 51,960
    SUB-TOTAL   100,000 102,255
  Electronics (2.5%)        
A- Koninlijke Phillips Electronics   7.25% 8/15/2013 50,000 49,420
  Food (5.6%)        
Baa Conagra   7.875% 9/15/2010 50,000 55,390
A+ Hershy Foods   6.95% 8/15/2012 50,000 53,740
    SUB-TOTAL   100,000 109,130
  Insurance (6.7%)        
A Allstate   7.50% 6/15/2013 50,000 54,630
A Progressive   7.00% 10/1/2013 75,000 76,410
    SUB-TOTAL   125,000 131,040
  Investment Finance (5.4%)        
A Morgan Stanley Dean Witter   6.75% 10/15/2013 50,000 50,750
BBB+ Paine Webber Group   7.625% 2/15/2014 50,000 55,770
    SUB-TOTAL   100,000 106,520
  Machinery (2.5%)        
A Caterpillar Inc.   9.375% 8/15/2011 40,000 48,924
  Medical Supplies (2.2%)        
A+ Becton Dickinson   7.15% 10/1/2009 40,000 42,660
  Oil & Gas (8.9%)        
BBB Coastal Energy (El Paso Corp.)   9.625% 5/15/2012 65,000 76,219
A Norsk Hydro A/S (Yankee)   7.50% 10/1/2016 50,000 53,555
A Texaco Capital   8.625% 6/30/2010 40,000 45,634
    SUB-TOTAL   155,000 175,408
  Retailing (11.6%)        
A+ Dayton Hudson (Target Stores)   10.00% 1/1/2011 50,000 64,645
A Lowe's Corp.   8.25% 6/1/2010 50,000 57,390
A+ May Department Stores   8.00% 7/15/2012 50,000 56,470
AA Wal-Mart Stores   7.25% 6/1/2013 45,000 49,869
    SUB-TOTAL   195,000 228,374
  Telecommunications (2.6%)        
AA- GTE   6.90% 11/1/2008 50,000 51,990
  Transportation (5.2%)        
A General Motors   7.70% 4/15/2016 50,000 50,700
A US Freightways Corp.   8.50% 4/25/2010 50,000 51,014
    SUB-TOTAL   100,000 101,714
  US Government (15.7%)        
AAA US Treasury Bond   7.25% 5/15/2016 260,000 307,369
           
  Total Investments (95.8%)   (Cost = $1,832,443) $1,715,000 1,881,355
  Other Assets (net of liabilities) (4.2%)       83,231
  Total Net Assets (100%)       $1,964,586
         
*Ratings are the lesser of S&P or Moody's (unaudited)        
November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
9

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  

SEXTANT BOND INCOME FUND (graphic omitted)


Selected data per share of capital stock outstanding throughout the year            
     
Year ended November 30,
      2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
Net asset value at beginning of year     $4.56 $4.59 $5.00 $4.83 $4.76
  Income from investment operations            
  Net investment income   0.30 0.29 0.30 0.29 0.30
  Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and unrealized)   0.25 (0.03) (0.41) 0.17 0.07
               
Total from investment operations     0.55 0.26 (0.11) 0.46 0.37
  Less distributions            
  Dividends (from net investment income)            
    Taxable (0.30) (0.29) (0.30) (0.29) (0.30)
  Distributions (from capital gains)   - - - - -
Total distributions     (0.30) (0.29) (0.30) (0.29) (0.30)
Net asset value at end of year $4.81 $4.56 $4.59 $5.00 $4.83
Total return 12.40% 6.05% (2.20)% 10.08% 8.24%
Ratios/supplemental data              
Net assets ($000), end of year     $1,965 $1,505 $885 $1,345 $1,092
Ratio of expenses to average net assets     0.34% 0.35% 0.39% 0.30% 0.47%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets     6.71% 6.56% 6.31% 6.24% 6.85%
Portfolio turnover rate 30% 0% 20% 0% 51%
For each of the above years, all or a portion of the operating expenses were waived. If these costs had not been waived, the resulting increases to the ratio of expenses to average monthly net assets would be .72%, .64%, .66%,.61%, and .63%, respectively.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 
As of November 30, 2001        
Assets        
  Investments (cost $1,832,443)   $1,881,355  
  Cash   52,472  
  Interest receivable   30,411  
  Insurance reserve premium   1,221  
    Total Assets   $1,965,459
Liabilities        
  Other Liabilities   873  
    Total Liabilities   873
Net Assets       $1,964,586
Fund Shares Outstanding       408,067
Analysis of Net Assets        
  Paid in capital (unlimited shares authorized, without par value)   2,005,335  
  Accumlated net realized loss on investments   (89,661)  
  Unrealized net appreciation   48,912  
    Net Assets applicable to Fund shares outstanding   $1,964,586
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption price per share $4.81

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements)
10  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report


(graphic omitted) SEXTANT BOND INCOME FUND  

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    For the year ended November 30, 2001
Investment income        
  Interest income   $108,542  
  Amortization of bond premium   (3,791)  
  Miscllaneous income   5,288  
    Gross Investment Income   $110,039
Expenses        
  Investment advisor and administration fee   9,497  
  Professional fees   2,254  
  Filing and Registration fees   871  
  Custodian fees   818  
  Meetings   756  
  Printing and postage   599  
  Insurance fees   575  
  Miscellaneous expenses   295  
  Total gross expenses   15,665  
    Less: Advisor fees waived (9,497)  
    Less: Custodian fees waived (818)  
  Net expenses     5,350
    Net Investment income   104,689
Net realized loss on investments        
  Proceeds from sales   450,904  
  Less: cost of securities sold based on identified cost   453,018  
    Realized net loss   (2,114)
Unrealized gain on investments        
  End of year   48,912  
  Beginning of year   (40,501)  
    Increase in unrealized gain for the period   89,413
    Net realized and unrealized gain on investments   87,299
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $191,988
     

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

 


    Year ended Year ended
    Nov. 30, 2001 Nov. 30, 2000
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS      
From Operations      
  Net investment income $104,689 $76,637
  Net realized gain (loss) on investments (2,114) 0
  Net increase in unealized appreciation 89,413 4,544
  Net increase in net assets from operations 191,988 81,181
       
Dividends to shareowners from      
  Net investment income (104,689) (76,637)
       
Fund Share transactions      
  Proceeds from sales of shares 578,938 678,511
  Value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends 103,332 74,941
    682,270 753,522
  Cost of shares redeemed (310,083) (138,153)
  Net increase in net assets from share transactions 372,187 615,369
Total increase in net assets $459,486 $619,913
       
NET ASSETS      
  Beginning of year 1,505,100 885,257
  End of year $1,964,586 $1,505,170
       
Shares of the fund sold and redeemed      
  Number of shares sold 121,443 151,874
  Number of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends 21,787 16,686
    143,230 168,560
  Number of shares redeemed (65,605) (30,840)
Net increase in number of shares outstanding 77,625 137,720

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements)

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
11

DISCUSSION OF SEXTANT BOND INCOME FUND PERFORMANCE


(unaudited)

FISCAL YEAR 2001
For the fiscal year ending November 30, 2001, the Sextant Bond Income Fund returned 12.48% – our best year since the 17.69% achieved in 1995. The Fund’s most recent thirty-day SEC yield is 4.86%, down 240 basis points since last year. Consistent with the Fund’s conservative investment philosophy, the Fund’s daily net asset value moved in a relatively narrow range (7.1%, from $4.63 low to $4.96 high). For the fiscal year, the Fund ranked in the top 17% of the 91 funds in the Morningstar “Long-term Bond” category. For the last five years, the Fund has provided a 6.82% annualized total return and ranks in the top 15% of 85 funds in its Morningstar category. The majority of the Fund’s risk and return comes from its minimum average portfolio maturity of ten years. At November 30, 2001, the Fund held Morningstar’s 3-star rating (judged against 1822 Fixed Income funds).

FACTORS AFFECTING PAST PERFORMANCE
The Fund’s average effective maturity was held close to ten years, to reduce market risk and take advantage of an anticipated steepening in the yield curve between ten and thirty years. This strategy benefited the Fund as ten-year rates did fall more than thirty-year rates during the year. The dollar weighted average maturity of the portfolio is currently 11 years.

The portfolio remained primarily invested in quality corporate debt issues through the year. This strategy also benefited the Fund, as investment-grade corporate paper produced a 4.00% higher total return than US Treasury paper as measured by the Solomon Brothers Corporate Index (SBCRP) and the Solomon Brothers Treasury Index (SBGT). Sextant Bond Income Fund’s 12.48% return exceeded the 8.61% one-year return on the Solomon US Treasury Index 10+ years. The Bond market benefited from the marked weakness in equity prices. For the second year, the Fund easily outperformed most equity portfolios.

LOOKING FORWARD
For 2002, we expect long-term US Treasury rates will continue to move within a range of 6.25% to 4.75%. The US economy is signaling that it should begin growing again by mid-2002. Inflation will remain subdued and the yield curve will flatten as the recovery unfolds. We expect this recovery to manifest itself slowly. We do not expect a cyclical rise in rates until after the economic recovery is underway.

The extraordinary events of the last twelve months have created large swings in long interest rates. Despite economic weakness in the US, Asia and South America, long-term interest rates ended the year only slightly lower. Investors are weighing the potential for an economic recovery and higher inflation initiated by lower interest rates and federal income taxes against the possibility of more economic weakness in the US and abroad. At the moment, these forces seem to be roughly in balance with neither a deep recession nor a strong recovery at hand. The failure of long US Treasury rates to come down more indicate the US Government should be cautious about applying any further stimulus.

Although investment grade corporate bonds are no longer cheap to US Treasuries, this year’s flight to quality and the disappearance US budget surplus continue to argue for an overweight position in corporate paper. The Fund’s average maturity will remain close to the ten-year area. The weakening US Government budget, concern about inflation caused by an economic recovery and possibility of the re-issuance of the thirty-year US Treasury bond argue against investing further out on the curve.

12  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

MANAGEMENT FEE CALCULATIONS
The Sextant Bond Income Fund calculates its management fee based on a comparison of the Fund’s return to the return of Morningstar’s “Long-term Bond” category. This category consists of mutual fund portfolios that “focus on corporate and other investment grade issues with an average duration of more than six years or an effective average maturity of more than ten years.” The Fund’s 12-month return (12.48%) exceeded that of the index (8.24%) on November 30, 2001. Therefore, the basic 0.60% management fee would have been increased by the maximum amount of 0.20% to 0.80% for the month of December 2001 as the Fund outperformed its benchmark index by more than 2%. However, no management fee was actually paid, since the advisor has voluntarily waived the entire fee until assets exceed $2 million.

COMPARISON TO INDEX
Comparison of any mutual fund to a market index must be made bearing in mind that the index is unmanaged, and expense-free. Conversely, the fund will (1) be actively managed, (2) have an objective other than mirroring the index, such as limiting risk, (3) bear transaction and other costs, (4) stand ready to buy and sell its securities to shareowners on a daily basis, and (5) provide a wide range of services. The graph below compares $10,000 invested in the Fund at its inception, compared to a similar amount invested in The Salomon Brothers Broad Investment-Grade Bond Index. The graph shows that the investment at the beginning of October 1993 would have risen to $16,246 in the Fund and $18,199 in the Index. The September 1995 changes in this Fund’s investment policy limit the usefulness of this comparison. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of income taxes that an investor could pay on income received or the sale of profitable investments.

 

 

Sextant Bond Income Fund vs. Salomon Broad Investment Grade Bond Index


(graph omitted)

 

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
13

INVESTMENTS  
SEXTANT GROWTH FUND (graphic omitted)

Issue Number of Shares Cost Market Value
Common Stocks (87.8%)
         
Banking (12.9%)        
Convergys*   3,500 $129,041 $116,305
JP Morgan Chase & Co.   1,500 85,433 56,580
Frontier Financial   4,000 90,207 104,120
Washington Mutual   6,750 44,124 211,140
  SUB-TOTAL   348,805 488,145
Computers (12.4%)        
3 Com*   5,000 21,560 22,400
Adobe Systems   4,800 50,490 153,984
Apple Computer*   4,000 67,472 85,200
Intuit*   1,500 76,603 65,850
Oracle*   8,000 28,058 112,240
Phoenix Technologies Ltd.*   3,062 29,149 33,008
  SUB-TOTAL   273,332 472,682
Construction (8.8%)        
Building Materials Holding*   4,000 44,171 45,000
Lowe's Companies   4,000 135,141 181,240
Weyerhaeuser   2,000 93,867 105,700
  SUB-TOTAL   273,179 331,940
Electronics (4.5%)        
Agilent Technologies*   1,200 57,828 32,724
FLIR Systems*   2,500 23,065 100,375
Intel   1,200 81,338 39,192
  SUB-TOTAL   162,231 172,291
Hotels & Motels (2%)        
Westcoast Hospitality*   12,000 92,520 75,720
Investments (9.3%)        
Neuberger Berman   1,500 80,105 59,535
Schwab (Charles)   20,415 9,117 293,160
  SUB-TOTAL   89,222 352,695
Machinery (1.1%)        
Regal-Beloit   2,000 52,106 43,520
Medical (17.8%)        
Affymetrix*   2,000 26,862 72,440
Barr Laboratories*   1,000 83,679 73,050
Immunex Corp*   6,000 34,598 162,000
Ligand Pharmaceuticals*   5,000 56,430 82,600
Lilly (Eli)   800 77,567 66,138
Pharmaceutical Product Development*   9,000 80,608 217,080
  SUB-TOTAL   359,744 673,306
Metal Ores (1.3%)        
Phelps Dodge   1,330 76,218 47,654
Oil &Gas Production (3.3%)        
Noble Drilling*   2,000 14,212 59,000
Williams Companies   2,500 73,415 66,800
  SUB-TOTAL   87,627 125,800
Publishing (1.5%)        
Wiley (John) & Sons, Class A   2,400 47,112 55,656
Retail (7.6%)        
Target   2,000 48,094 75,080
Whole Foods Market*   5,000 74,348 214,550
  SUB-TOTAL   122,442 289,630
Transportation (5.3%)        
Airborne Freight   5,000 60,308 67,150
Southwest Airlines   6,000 90,163 112,500
Trinity Industries   800 22,658 21,328
  SUB-TOTAL   173,129 200,978
         
Total Investments (87.8%)     $2,157,667 3,330,017
Other Assets (net of liabilities) (12.2%)       461,496
         
Total Net Assets (100%)       $3,791,513
         
*Non-income producing        

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
15

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  

SEXTANT GROWTH FUND (graphic omitted)

Selected data per share of capital stock outstanding throughout the year          
               
     
Year ended November 30,
      2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
Net asset value at beginning of year     $13.16 $12.68 $9.29 $9.58 $7.92
  Income from investment operations            
  Net investment income   (0.02) (0.07) (0.06) 0.02 (0.01)
  Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and unrealized)   (1.24) 1.36 4.26 (0.09) 2.41
               
Total from investment operations     (1.26) 1.29 4.20 (0.07) 2.40
  Less distributions            
  Dividends (from net investment income)   - - (0.14) (0.02) (0.01)
  Distributions (from capital gains)   - (0.81) (0.67) (0.20) (0.73)
Total distributions     - (0.81) (0.81) (0.22) (0.74)
Net asset value at end of period $11.90 $13.16 $12.68 $9.29 $9.58
Total Return (9.57)% 10.16% 44.76% (0.97)% 30.30%
Ratios / Supplemental Data              
Net assets ($000), end of year     $3,792 $3,862 $3,116 $2,139 $2,188
Ratio of expenses to average net assets     0.78% 1.05% 1.12% 0.66% 1.04%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets     (0.18)% (0.51)% (0.50)% 0.19% (0.12)%
Portfolio turnover rate 8% 20% 28% 41% 25%
               


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

As of November 30, 2001        
Assets        
Investments (cost $2,157,667)   $3,330,017  
Cash   460,012  
Receivable from adviser   2,351  
Dividends receivable   1,358  
Insurance reserve premium   1,214  
  Total Assets   3,794,952
Liabilities        
Other Liabilities   3,439  
  Total Liabilities   3,439
Net Assets       $3,791,513
Fund Shares Outstanding       318,719
Analysis of Net Assets        
Paid in Capital (unlimited shares authorized, without par value)   $2,610,766  
Accumlated net realized gain on investments   8,397  
Unrealized net appreciation to Fund shares outstanding   1,172,350  
  Net Assets applicable to Fund shares outstanding   $3,791,513
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption price per share       $11.90
         

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements)

16  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

(Graphic Omitted) SEXTANT GROWTH FUND  

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    For the year ended November 30, 2001
Investment income        
Interest income   $21,726  
Miscllaneous income   144  
  Gross Investment Income   21,870
Expenses        
Investment advisor and administration fee   16,109  
Professional fees   4,697  
Filing and Registration fees   2,600  
Custodian fees   2,348  
  Meetings   1,845  
Insurance fees   1,480  
Printing and postage   1,155  
Miscellaneous expenses   655  
Total gross expenses   30,889  
  Less: Custodian fees waived (2,348)  
Net expenses     28,541
  Net Investment loss   (6,671)
Net realized loss on investments        
Proceeds from sales   274,072  
Less: cost of securities sold based on identified cost   323,791  
  Realized net loss   (49,719)
Unrealized gain on investments        
  End of year   1,172,350  
  Beginning of year   1,476,805  
    Decrease in unrealized gain for the period   (304,455)
    Net realized and unrealized loss on investments   (354,174)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations $(360,845)

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

    Year ended Year ended
    Nov. 30, 2001 Nov. 30, 2000
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS      
From Operations      
Net investment loss $(6,671) $(20,519)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (49,719) 210,239
Net increase (decrease) in unealized appreciation (304,455) 92,376
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations (360,845) 282,096
     
Dividends to shareowners from      
Net investment income - (13,280)
Capital gains distributions - (210,270)
  - ($223,550)
     
Fund Share transactions      
Proceeds from sales of shares 603,793 759,028
Value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends - 222,056
  603,793 981,084
Cost of shares redeemed (313,737) (293,378)
Net increase in net assets from share transactions 290,056 687,706
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   $(70,789) $746,252
     
NET ASSETS      
Beginning of year 3,862,302 3,116,050
End of year $3,791,513 $3,862,302
     
Shares of the fund sold and redeemed      
Number of shares sold 50,805 50,682
Number of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends - 16,874
  50,805 67,556
Number of shares redeemed (25,630) (19,692)
Net increase in number of shares outstanding   25,175 47,864


(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements)

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
17

DISCUSSION OF SEXTANT GROWTH FUND PERFORMANCE


(unaudited)

FISCAL YEAR 2001
For the fiscal year ending November 30, 2001, the Sextant Growth Fund fell -9.6%. While any decline is unfortunate, this result again was better than the market averages as well as most growth funds. The NASDAQ Composite Index declined -25.4%, and the broader S&P 500 Index lost -12.2%. For this latest fiscal year, the Fund again ranked near the top of the 962 funds in its peer Morningstar Large Growth category. For the last five years, the Fund has provided a 13.2% average annualized total return. For the year, total assets dropped 2% to $3.8 million as the Fund continued to attract new investors.

The volatility, risks and returns of the stock market continue. The weak performance of most market segments in 2000 and again in 2001 mean that investor expectations have become more reasonable, removing an impediment to future market returns.

FACTORS AFFECTING PAST PERFORMANCE
The events of 2001 include the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Afghanistan war, recession, a sharp bear market for stocks, and spectacular corporate demises. In addition to dealing with loss of life, property, livelihood, and peace of mind in the wake of these events, many investors endured steep equity declines.

The Fund seeks long-term growth through investment in common stocks of U.S. companies. It generally follows a value investment approach, favoring companies with good fundamentals and relatively low price/earnings ratios. This year's market decline continued last year’s, with many companies, especially those in technology-related businesses, dropping. Our technology stocks suffered, but our mid-sized and smaller companies meant a good overall result.

LOOKING FORWARD
Stocks ultimately reflect their underlying business values. After their weak performance in 2000 and 2001, we feel many stocks are more properly priced. Growth of the U.S. economy is likely to resume in mid-2002, as low interest rates boost consumer confidence, spending and investment. The tax cuts enacted in 2001 will improve savings as well as consumer and business spending.

MANAGEMENT FEE CALCULATIONS
The Sextant Growth Fund calculates part of its management fee based on a comparison of the Fund’s return to the average return in Morningstar's Domestic Growth category. At November 30, 2001, the one-year return for this category average was -9.65%. Because the Fund's 12-month return outperformed this average by less than 1% at November 30, 2001, the adviser earned no bonus or penalty performance fee for the month of December 2001. For the fiscal year, some months of weaker comparative investment performance helped shareowners a bit. The Fund's total expense ratio decreased to 0.78% from 1.05% the prior year.

 

18  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

COMPARISON TO INDEX
The line graph compares Sextant Growth Fund's performance to that of a broad-based stock market index, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Comparison of any mutual fund to a market index must be made bearing in mind that the index is unmanaged, and expense-free. Conversely, the fund will (1) be actively managed, (2) have an objective other than mirroring the index, such as limiting risk, (3) bear transaction and other costs, (4) stand ready to buy and sell its securities to shareholders on a daily basis, and (5) provide a wide range of services. The graph below compares $10,000 invested in the Fund at November 30, 1991 (ten years ago), compared to a similar amount invested in Standard & Poor's 500 Index. The graph shows that the investment in the Fund would have risen to $27,317 and $37,288 in the Index. The 1995 changes in this Fund’s investment objectives and policies limit the usefulness of this comparison. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of income taxes that an investor could pay on income received or the sale of profitable investments.

 

 

Sextant Growth Fund vs. S&P 500 Index


(graph omitted)

 

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
19


INVESTMENTS  

SEXTANT INTERNATIONAL FUND (Graphic Omitted)

Issue Number of Shares Cost Market Value Country
Common Stocks (77.4%)
           
Aircraft (1.9%)          
Embraer Aircraft ADR   1,500 $38,169 $27,750 Brazil
           
Banking and Financial (11.8%)          
Aegon NV   1,238 11,512 32,931 Netherlands
Australia and New Zealand Bank ADS   500 10,875 22,065 Australia
AXA ADS   1,000 31,165 21,420 France
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya ADS   1,800 7,702 21,960 Spain
ING Groep ADS   1,400 36,134 36,414 Netherlands
Toronto-Dominion Bank   1,400 18,159 35,182 Canada
  SUB-TOTAL   115,547 169,972  
Building Materials (4.1%)          
C R H plc ADR   2,000 23,075 32,000 Ireland
Hanson plc ADR   800 24,574 26,808 UK
  SUB-TOTAL   47,649 58,808  
Computers (15.3%)          
Business Objects ADS*   6,000 19,570 201,600 France
Dassault Systems ADS   400 13,875 19,296 France
  SUB-TOTAL   33,445 220,896  
Consumer Products (3.2%)          
Coca-Cola Femsa ADS   1,500 9,750 28,125 Mexico
Gucci Group NV   200 10,925 17,752 Italy
  SUB-TOTAL   20,675 45,877  
Country Funds (.8%)          
New Ireland Fund, Inc.   1,082 12,626 11,274 Ireland
Electronics (2.2%)          
Epcos AG ADS   500 34,206 23,325 Germany
Sony ADR   200 23,077 9,540 Japan
  SUB-TOTAL   57,283 32,865  
Hotels (.4%)          
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts   300 3,731 6,408 Canada
Medical-Drugs (3.8%)          
Aventis ADS   508 15,859 35,311 France
Glaxo Wellcome plc ADR   400 9,800 20,324 UK
  SUB-TOTAL   25,659 55,635  
Metals & Mining (5%)          
Fording   1,000 15,170 15,880 Canada
Potash Corp of Saskatchewan   300 21,164 19,819 Canada
Rio Tinto plc ADS   500 31,175 37,725 UK
  SUB-TOTAL   67,509 72,265  
Oil & Gas Production (7.1%)          
American Movil ADR   2,000 29,725 34,700 Mexico
Petroleum Geo-Services ADS*   1,000 10,979 6,710 Norway
Repsol-YPF ADR   2,000 43,592 28,600 Spain
Total Fina Elf ADR   500 21,864 32,045 France
  SUB-TOTAL   106,160 102,055  
20  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

(Graphic Omitted) SEXTANT INTERNATIONAL FUND  

INVESTMENTS

Paper Products (1.4%)          
Metso ADS*   2,100 22,802 20,370 Finland
           
Photographic Equipment (3.3%)          
Canon, Inc. ADR   1,000 23,427 33,900 Japan
Fuji Photo Film ADR   400 10,050 13,676 Japan
  SUB-TOTAL   33,477 47,576  
Real Estate (2.7%)          
Intrawest   2,400 41,341 38,640 Canada
           
Telecommunications (6.5%)          
BCE   900 15,830 20,718 Canada
Brasil Telecom Participacoes SA ADS   60 1,387 2,127 Brazil
British Sky Broadcasting ADS   300 11,062 22,008 UK
Nortel Networks   1,412 82,968 11,014 Canada
PT Indosat ADR   1,000 20,952 8,070 Indonesia
Tele Norte Leste Participacoes ADS   335 6,933 4,435 Brazil
Telefonica ADS*   543 12,058 21,677 Spain
Telesp Celular Participacoes ADS   500 24,895 3,700 Brazil
  SUB-TOTAL   176,085 93,749  
Transportation (3.4%)          
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.   600 7,985 11,526 Canada
Desc SA ADR   2,700 42,981 19,845 Mexico
Lan Chile ADS   2,500 18,845 17,750 Chile
  SUB-TOTAL   69,811 49,121  
Utilities-Electric (4%)          
Enel ADS*   800 35,372 22,744 Italy
Enersis ADS   1,103 24,676 15,056 Chile
Korea Electric Power ADS   2,000 31,961 20,140 Korea
  SUB-TOTAL   92,009 57,940  
Utilities-Gas (.5%)          
Transport de Gas del Sur ADR   1,500 18,808 6,855 Argentina
           
Total Investments (77.4%)     $982,786 1,118,056  
Other Assets (net of liabilities) (22.6%)       326,785  
Total Net Assets (100%)       $1,444,841  
           
* Non-income producing          

 

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
21

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
SEXTANT INTERNATIONAL FUND (graphic omitted)

Selected data per share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year          
             
   
Year ended November 30,
    2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
Net asset value at beginning of year   $8.52 $8.32 $6.81 $6.61 $5.87
  Income from investment operations          
  Net investment income 0.04 0.43 0.13 0.04 0.06
  Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and unrealized) (1.30) 0.20 1.57 0.20 0.74
Total from investment operations   (1.26) 0.63 1.70 0.24 0.80
  Less distributions          
  Dividends (from net investment income) (0.02) (0.43) (0.12) (0.04) (0.06)
  Distributions (from capital gains) - - (0.07) - -
Total distributions   (0.02) (0.43) (0.19) (0.04) (0.06)
Net asset value at end of period $7.24 $8.52 $8.32 $6.81 $6.61
Total return (14.80)% 7.62% 24.90% 3.57% 13.58%
Ratios/supplemental data            
Net assets ($000), end of period   $1,445 $1,736 $1,162 $881 $881
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.17% 1.20% 0.72% 1.16% 1.51%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.34% 4.74% 1.74% 0.54% 0.93%
Portfolio turnover rate 6% 11% 17% 18% 9%
             


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

         
As of November 30, 2001        
Assets        
Investments (Cost $982,786)   $1,118,056  
Cash   325,902  
Dividends Receivable   1,767  
Receivable from adviser   1,028  
  Total Assets   1,446,753
       
Liabilities        
Other Liabilities   1,933  
  Total Liabilities   1,933
       
Net Assets       1,444,820
     
Fund Shares Outstanding       199,460
       
Analysis of Net Assets        
Paid in Capital (unlimited shares authorized, without par value)   1,382,507  
  Accumulated net investment income   1,470  
Accumlated net realized loss on investments   (74,427)  
Unrealized net appreciation   135,270  
  Net Assets applicable to Fund shares outstanding   $1,444,820
       
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption price per share     $7.24

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements)

22  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

(graphic omitted) SEXTANT INTERNATIONAL FUND  

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    For the year ended November 30, 2001
         
Investment Income        
Dividend income (net of foreign tax of $3,014)   $20,531  
  Gross Investment Income   20,531
       
Expenses        
Investment advisor and administration fee   9,444  
Custodian fees   2,563  
Professional fees   2,128  
Filing and registration fees   1,532  
  Meetings   808  
Printing and postage   638  
  Insurance   441  
Miscellaneous expenses   292  
Total gross expenses   17,846  
Less: Custodian fees waived   (2,563)  
Net expenses   15,283  
  Net Investment income   $5,248
       
Net realized loss on investments        
Proceeds from sales   117,679  
Less: cost of securities sold based on identified cost   190,535  
  Realized net loss   (72,856)
       
Unrealized gain on investments        
  End of year   135,270  
  Beginning of year   325,101  
    Decrease in unrealized gain for the period   (189,831)
    Net realized and unrealized loss on investments   (262,687)
         
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations $(257,439)

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

    Year ended Year ended
    Nov. 30, 2001 Nov. 30, 2000
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS      
From Operations      
Net investment income $5,248 $82,879
Net realized loss on investments (72,856) (1,570)
Net decrease in unealized appreciation (189,831) (82,543)
Net decrease in net assets from operations $(257,439) $(1,234)
     
Dividends to shareowners from      
Net investment income (3,779) (84,173)
Capital gains distributions - -
Total Distributions (3,779) (84,173)
     
Fund Share transactions      
Proceeds from sales of shares 120,139 712,898
Value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends 3,752 83,581
  123,891 796,479
Cost of shares redeemed (154,296) (136,909)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from share transactions (30,405) 659,570
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   $(291,623) $574,163
     
NET ASSETS      
Beginning of year 1,736,443 1,162,280
End of year $1,444,820 $1,736,443
     
Shares of the fund sold and redeemed      
Number of shares sold 14,929 67,998
Number of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends 518 9,810
  15,447 77,808
Number of shares redeemed (19,782) (13,794)
Net increase (decrease) in number of shares outstanding   (4,335) 64,014

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements)

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
23


DISCUSSION OF SEXTANT INTERNATIONAL FUND PERFORMANCE


(unaudited)

FISCAL YEAR 2001
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2001, the Sextant International Fund fell -14.8%. This was the first loss experienced for a fiscal year since the Fund’s inception in 1995. While any decline is unfortunate, this result again was better than the market averages as well as most international funds. The comparable AMEX International Index declined -21.7%. For this latest fiscal year, the Fund ranked in the top 20% of the 776 funds in its peer Morningstar "Foreign Stock" category. For the last five years, the Fund has provided an 6.14% annualized total return.

FACTORS AFFECTING PAST PERFORMANCE
The events of 2001 include the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US, the Afghanistan war, undimished strife in the Middle East, the beginning of a US recession, general bear markets for stocks around the world, and spectacular corporate demises. In addition to dealing with loss of life, property, livelihood, and peace of mind in the wake of these events, many investors endured steep equity declines.

Investing in foreign securities includes risks not present in domestic securities. During 2000 and 2001, we saw that uncertainties at home can create disasters in foreign markets. Our portfolio was more heavily invested in Europe and Canada than Asia, which helped results. Commodity prices remained weak, bringing no relief to our cyclical and resource-based issues. Financials suffered in light of huge insurance claims.

LOOKING FORWARD
The Sextant International Fund is broadly invested in growing companies headquartered outside the United States. Our focus on value investing continued to serve us in 2001, when technology and other “growth” stocks tumbled.
The US economy is signaling that it should begin growing again by mid-2002. We expect this recovery to manifest itself slowly, and inflation will remain subdued. Foreign economies normally recover as the US market buys more foreign goods and services. We expect that our portfolio securities will continue to show growth and the Fund will continue its good long-term performance.

MANAGEMENT FEE CALCULATIONS
The Sextant International Fund calculates part of its management fee based on a comparison of the Fund’s return to the average return of the Morningstar fund category "Foreign Stock". At November 30, 2001, the one-year return for this category average was -15.02%. Because the Fund's 12-month return outperformed this average by less than 1% at November 30,

24  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

2001, the adviser earned no bonus or penalty performance fee for the month of December 2001. The Fund's total expense ratio decreased to 1.17% from 1.20% the prior year.

COMPARISON TO INDEX
Comparison of any fund to an index must be made bearing in mind that the Index is unmanaged, and expense-free. The graph below compares $10,000 invested in the Fund at its inception, compared to a similar amount invested in the AMEX International Index. This capitalization-weighted index averages 50 American Depository Receipts (ADRs) of large worldwide companies, and reflects the types of securities in which Sextant International Fund invests. The graph shows that a $10,000 investment made on September 1995 would have risen to $12,270 in the Fund and $15,886 in the Index. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of income taxes that an investor could pay on income received or the sale of profitable investments. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

 

 

Sextant International Fund vs. AMEX International Index


(graph omitted)

 

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
25

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 -Organization
Saturna Investment Trust (the "Trust") was established under Washington State Law as a Business Trust on February 20, 1987. The Trust is registered as a no-load, open-end series investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Five portfolio series have been created to date: Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund, Sextant Bond Income Fund, Sextant Growth Fund, and Sextant International Fund (the "Funds"), and Idaho Tax-Exempt Fund, distributed through a separate prospectus and the results of which are contained in a separate report.

Note 2 -Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Funds.

Investments:
Securities traded on a national exchange or the national over-the-counter market system are valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of any sale on that date, the closing bid price. Other securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last bid price. Fixed-income securities for which there are no publicly available market quotations are valued using a matrix based on maturity, quality, yield and similar factors, which are compared periodically to multiple dealer bids and adjusted by the adviser under policies established by the Trustees.

The cost of securities is the same for accounting and Federal income tax purposes. Securities transactions are recorded on trade date. Realized gains and losses are recorded on the identified cost basis.

Income and Expenses:
Interest income is reduced by the amortization of bond premiums, on a constant yield-to-maturity basis from purchase date to maturity. Interest income is increased by accretion only for bonds underwritten as original issue discounts. Market discounts are recorded as realized gains upon disposition. Cash dividends from equity securities are recorded as income on the ex-dividend date.

Expenses incurred by the Trust on behalf of the Funds (e.g., professional fees) are allocated to the Funds on the basis of relative daily average net assets. The Adviser has agreed to certain limits on expenses, as described below.

Income taxes:
The Funds have elected to be taxed as regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code and distribute substantially all of their taxable net income and realized net gains on investments. Thus, no provision for Federal income taxes is required.

 

Dividends and distributions to shareowners:
Dividends and distributions to shareowners are recorded on the ex-dividend date. For the Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund and Sextant Bond Income Fund, dividends are paid daily and distributed on the last business day of each month. For the Sextant Growth Fund and Sextant International Fund, dividends are payable at the end of each November. Shareowners electing to reinvest dividends and distributions purchase additional shares at the net asset value on the payable date.

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 at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Note 3 -Transactions with Affiliated Persons
Under a contract approved by shareowners on September 28, 1995, Saturna Capital Corporation provides investment advisory services and certain other administrative and distribution services to conduct Trust business. Each of the Funds pays the Adviser a base Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Fee of .60% of average net assets per annum, payable monthly. The base Advisory Fee is subject to adjustment up or down depending on the investment performance of the Fund relative to a specified index. No performance adjustment is applicable during the first year any Agreement is in place. The Adviser has voluntarily undertaken to limit expenses of Sextant Bond Income Fund and Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund to 0.60% through March 31, 2002 and waives its investment advisory and administrative fee as to either Fund completely so long as assets of that Fund are less than $2 million.


For the year ended November 30, 2001, Sextant Bond Income Fund and Sextant Growth Fund incurred advisory expenses of $9,497 and $16,109, respectively. Sextant International Fund incurred advisory expenses of $9,444 and Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund incurred advisory expenses of $10,967.

In accordance with the expense waiver noted above, for the year ended November 30, 2001, Saturna Capital waived $7,135 of the Sextant Short-Term Bond Fund advisory fee and $9,497 of that of Sextant Bond Income Fund.

In accordance with the Funds' custodian agreements with National City Bank, for the year ended November 30, 2001, custodian fees for Bond Income, Short-Term Bond, Growth, and International, were $818, $2,118, $2,348, and $2,563, respectively. The custodian waived its fees for earnings credits.

 

 

26  
November 30, 2001 Annual Report

 


 

One trustee, who also serves as the president of the Trust, is a director and president of the Adviser. The four unaffiliated trustees receive $100 per Board or committee meeting attended. On November 30, 2001, the turstees, officers and their immediate families as a group owned 19.1%, 28.6%, 14.6% and 34.8% of the outstanding shares of Bond Income, Short-Term Bond, Growth and International, respectively.

The Trust acts as a distributor of its own shares, except in those states in which Investors National Corporation (a subsidiary of Saturna Capital Corporation) is itself registered as a broker-dealer and acts as distributor without compensation.

Investors National Corporation is the primary stockbroker used to effect portfolio transactions for Sextant Growth Fund and Sextant International Fund, and was paid $1,644 and $790, respectively in commissions at discount rates during the year ended November 30, 2001.

Note 4 -Federal Income Taxes
At November 30, 2001, Bond Income had capital loss carryforwards of $82,446, of which $47,748 expires in 2002, $15,110 expires in 2003, $11,717 expires in 2005 and $5,730 expires in 2007, and $2,141 expires in 2009; Short-Term Bond had capital loss carryforwards of $37,133 of which $6,971 expires in 2004, $1,405 expires in 2005, $4,467 expires in 2007, $9,191, and $15,099 expires in 2009; and International had a capital loss carryforward of $74,427, of which $1,570 expires in 2008 and $72,857 expires in 2009, subject to regulation. Prior to their expiration, such loss carryforwards may be used to offset future net capital gains realized for federal income tax purposes.

Note 5 -Investments
At November 30, 2001, the net unrealized gain (loss) on investments for Bond Income, Short-Term Bond, Growth and International were $48,912, $75,853, $1,172,350, and $135,270, which consists of unrealized gains of $62,050, $77,095, $1,402,793, and $394,202, and unrealized losses of $13,138, $1,242, $230,443, and $258,932, respectively.

During the year ended November 30, 2001, Bond Income purchased $836,176 of securities and sold $450,904 of securities. Comparable figures for Short-Term Bond are $565,148 purchased $987,863 sold; for Growth $404,811 and $274,072; and for International, $78,905 and $117,657.

 

 

(grahic omitted)

 

 

PRIVACY STATEMENT

At Saturna Capital, we understand the importance of maintaining the privacy of your financial information. To that end, we want to insure that we protect the confidentiality of any personal information you share with us.

We collect personal information about you from information we receive from you on applications and other forms and from transactions or trades placed with us. Please be assured that except to administer a transaction with an affiliated third party upon your request, we do not disclose any personal information about our customers, or our former customers, to anyone, except as may be required by law. We maintain our own technology resources to minimize the use of outside service providers.

Additionally, Saturna Capital restricts access to personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your personal information. If you have further questions or concerns about the security or privacy of the information we receive from you, please call us at 1-888/732-6262.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 30, 2001 Annual Report  
27

 


Web: http://www.saturna.com
E-mail: sextant@saturna.com

 

 

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Saturna Capital
Mutual Funds

 

1300 N. State Street
Bellingham WA 98225-4370

1-800/SATURNA
(800/728-8762)
1-888/732-6262 for automated assistance,
including fund prices

 

This report is issued for the information of the shareoweners of the Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless it is accompanied or preceded by an effective prospectus relating to the securities of the Fund. Idaho Tax-Exempt Fund is a series of Saturna Investment Trust.

 

(graphic omitted)

 
SEXTANT
Mutual Funds
 

 

 

SHORT-TERM BOND

BOND INCOME

GROWTH

INTERNATIONAL

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT
November 30, 2001