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 811-06570
Name of Fund: MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.
Fund Address: P.O. Box 9011
Princeton, NJ 08543-9011
Name and address of agent for service: Robert C. Doll, Jr., President, MuniYield
New Jersey Fund, Inc., 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, NJ 08543-9011
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (609) 282-2800
Date of fiscal year end: 11/30/04
Date of reporting period: 12/01/03 - 11/30/04
Item 1 - Report to Stockholders
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers www.mlim.ml.com
MuniYield New Jersey
Fund, Inc.
Annual Report
November 30, 2004
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.
The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc. utilizes leveraging to seek to enhance the yield
and net asset value of its Common Stock. However, these objectives cannot be
achieved in all interest rate environments. To leverage, the Fund issues
Preferred Stock, which pays dividends at prevailing short-term interest rates,
and invests the proceeds in long-term municipal bonds. The interest earned on
these investments, net of dividends to Preferred Stock, is paid to Common Stock
shareholders in the form of dividends, and the value of these portfolio holdings
is reflected in the per share net asset value of the Fund's Common Stock.
However, in order to benefit Common Stock shareholders, the yield curve must be
positively sloped; that is, short-term interest rates must be lower than
long-term interest rates. At the same time, a period of generally declining
interest rates will benefit Common Stock shareholders. If either of these
conditions change, then the risks of leveraging will begin to outweigh the
benefits.
To illustrate these concepts, assume a fund's Common Stock capitalization of
$100 million and the issuance of Preferred Stock for an additional $50 million,
creating a total value of $150 million available for investment in long-term
municipal bonds. If prevailing short-term interest rates are approximately 3%
and long-term interest rates are approximately 6%, the yield curve has a
strongly positive slope. The fund pays dividends on the $50 million of Preferred
Stock based on the lower short-term interest rates. At the same time, the fund's
total portfolio of $150 million earns the income based on long-term interest
rates. Of course, increases in short-term interest rates would reduce (and even
eliminate) the dividends on the Common Stock.
In this case, the dividends paid to Preferred Stock shareholders are
significantly lower than the income earned on the fund's long-term investments,
and therefore the Common Stock shareholders are the beneficiaries of the
incremental yield. However, if short-term interest rates rise, narrowing the
differential between short-term and long-term interest rates, the incremental
yield pickup on the Common Stock will be reduced or eliminated completely. At
the same time, the market value of the fund's Common Stock (that is, its price
as listed on the New York Stock Exchange) may, as a result, decline.
Furthermore, if long-term interest rates rise, the Common Stock's net asset
value will reflect the full decline in the price of the portfolio's investments,
since the value of the fund's Preferred Stock does not fluctuate. In addition to
the decline in net asset value, the market value of the fund's Common Stock may
also decline.
As a part of its investment strategy, the Fund may invest in certain securities
whose potential income return is inversely related to changes in a floating
interest rate ("inverse floaters"). In general, income on inverse floaters will
decrease when short-term interest rates increase and increase when short-term
interest rates decrease. Investments in inverse floaters may be characterized as
derivative securities and may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or
eliminated interest payments and losses of invested principal. In addition,
inverse floaters have the effect of providing investment leverage and, as a
result, the market value of such securities will generally be more volatile than
that of fixed-rate, tax-exempt securities. To the extent the Fund invests in
inverse floaters, the market value of the Fund's portfolio and the net asset
value of the Fund's shares may also be more volatile than if the Fund did not
invest in these securities. As of November 30, 2004, the percentage of the
Fund's total net assets invested in inverse floaters was 11.38%, before the
deduction of Preferred Stock.
Swap Agreements
The Fund may also invest in swap agreements, which are over-the-counter
contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the
change in market value of a specified bond, basket of bonds, or index in return
for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the change
in market value of a different bond, basket of bonds or index. Swap agreements
may be used to obtain exposure to a bond or market without owning or taking
physical custody of securities. Swap agreements involve the risk that the party
with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to
pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations
to pay the other party to the agreement.
2 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
A Letter From the President
Dear Shareholder
As we ended the current reporting period, several topics weighed heavily on
investors' minds. Among them were questions about economic growth, corporate
earnings, interest rates and inflation, politics, the price of oil and terrorism
-- all issues that are worth addressing here.
While the pace of economic expansion slowed somewhat between the first and
second quarters of 2004, gross domestic product reaccelerated in the third
quarter and is expected to approach 4% for the year. The generally favorable
economic environment has benefited American corporations, which continued to
post strong earnings. Although the extraordinary results seen in 2004 are likely
to moderate in 2005, solid productivity, improved revenue growth and cost
discipline all point to a vital corporate sector.
In terms of inflation and interest rates, the Federal Reserve Board has signaled
its confidence in the economic recovery by increasing the Federal Funds target
rate five times since June 2004, from 1% to 2.25% as of the December 14 Federal
Open Market Committee meeting. Inflation, for its part, has remained fairly
subdued.
While the re-election of President Bush was generally viewed as
business-friendly, the rising price of oil continued to be a concern for
consumers and corporations. But even having exceeded $50 per barrel recently,
the situation is far from the crisis proportions we saw in the 1980s. Lastly,
but importantly, terrorism and geopolitical tensions are unwelcome realities we
are forced to live with today. Historically, however, the financial effects of
any single event tend to be short-lived.
Amid the uncertainty, the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index posted a 12-month
return of +4.07% and a six-month return of +4.30% as of November 30, 2004.
Long-term bond yields were volatile, but ultimately little changed, over the
past year.
The key during uncertain times is to remain focused on the big picture.
Investment success comes not from reacting to short-term volatility, but from
maintaining a long-term perspective and adhering to the disciplines of asset
allocation, diversification and rebalancing. We encourage you to work with your
financial advisor to ensure these time-tested techniques are incorporated into
your investment plan.
Finally, after 35 years in the asset management business, it is with great
satisfaction and some nostalgia that I embark on my retirement, effective
January 1, 2005. The industry has evolved significantly over the past three and
a half decades, and I am privileged to have been a part of it. I wish you
continued success as you pursue your investment goals and, as always, I thank
you for allowing Merrill Lynch Investment Managers to be a part of your
financial life.
Sincerely,
/s/ Terry K. Glenn
Terry K. Glenn
President and Director
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 3
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
A Discussion With Your Fund's Portfolio Manager
We increased the Fund's use of leverage and shifted from a relatively
defensive stance to a more neutral view on interest rates -- two moves that
benefited performance in the second half of the fiscal year.
Describe the recent market environment relative to municipal bonds.
Over the past 12 months, amid considerable monthly volatility, long-term
Treasury bond yields were little changed -- despite a doubling of short-term
interest rates by the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed).
After holding at 1% for just over a year, the Fed increased interest rates four
times between June and November 2004, bringing the Federal Funds target rate to
2% by period-end. (The Fed raised the Federal Funds rate once more after the
close of the period, bringing it to 2.25% as of December 14.) For the fiscal
year ended November 30, 2004, the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond declined 13
basis points (.13%) to 5%. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was
essentially unchanged over the past 12 months, ending the period at 4.35%.
While tax-exempt bond yields followed the same pattern as their taxable
counterparts, volatility was more subdued than in the Treasury market. Long-term
revenue bond yields, as measured by the Bond Buyer Revenue Bond Index, rose six
basis points during the year. According to Municipal Market Data, yields on
AAA-rated issues maturing in 30 years rose four basis points to 4.76%, while
yields on 10-year, AAA-rated issues rose 10 basis points to 3.66%.
During the past 12 months, more than $360 billion in new long-term tax-exempt
bonds was underwritten nationally, a decline of approximately 6% versus last
year's issuance. In New Jersey, supply was down 14% for the year. This changed
dramatically in the last three months of the period, as New Jersey supply
increased an extraordinary 70% versus the same three months a year ago.
Describe conditions in the State of New Jersey.
In general, New Jersey's economy continued to improve over the past year,
mirroring the broad-based recovery evident throughout much of the country. The
state's 2005 fiscal year began on July 1 with a legal challenge to the state
budget. The Republican-led lawsuit concerned New Jersey's use of revenues
obtained from the securitization of motor vehicle fees and cigarette taxes to
balance the budget. The state Supreme Court ruled such use of "deficit bonding"
unconstitutional, but the court did allow the debt financing to continue as
planned, even as it was prohibited for use in balancing future budgets. Shortly
after the court's ruling in late July, Moody's, Standard & Poor's (S&P) and
Fitch all downgraded New Jersey's credit rating one notch to Aa3, AA- and AA-,
respectively. All three rating agencies maintained a stable outlook on New
Jersey's debt.
During August and September 2004, the state was active in the debt market,
participating in several revenue and refunding deals. Through the New Jersey
Economic Development Authority, the state issued $807.5 million in bonds backed
by motor vehicle surcharges. This motor vehicle securitization was rated Baa1 by
Moody's and A by S&P. The state also refinanced $1.4 billion in debt issued for
the Transportation Trust Fund Authority, providing $88 million in near-term
debt-service savings.
In September, the state announced that revenue collections for the first two
months of the 2005 fiscal year were on budget. Collections totaled more than
$3.3 billion, representing a 0.4% increase over projections. On November 15,
Governor James McGreevey left office after announcing his resignation in August.
Senate President Richard J. Codey will serve as acting governor through January
2006.
How did the Fund perform during the fiscal year in light of the existing market
conditions?
For the 12-month period ended November 30, 2004, the Common Stock of MuniYield
New Jersey Fund, Inc. had net annualized yields of 6.30% and 6.52%, based on a
year-end per share net asset value of $15.25 and a per share market price of
$14.73, respectively, and $.960 per share income dividends. Over the same
period, the total investment return on the Fund's Common Stock was +5.84%, based
on a change in per share net asset value from $15.39 to $15.25, and assuming
reinvestment of all distributions.
The Fund's total return for the year, based on net asset value, paced the +5.83%
average return of the Lipper New Jersey Municipal Debt Funds category. (Funds in
this Lipper category invest in securities exempt from taxation in New Jersey or
a city in New Jersey.) Fund performance was primarily driven by two factors.
First, the portfolio was positioned somewhat defensively in the first part of
the year in anticipation of rising interest rates and a weak overall environment
for fixed
4 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
income securities. As the period progressed and the market fared much better
than expected, we shifted to a more neutral duration profile relative to our
peers. This move proved beneficial as the bond market rallied in the last six
months of the period. Second, we issued an additional $21.5 million in Preferred
Stock in August 2004, bringing the portfolio's leverage ratio in line with our
peers. This issuance, along with the duration extension (that is, heightened
interest rate sensitivity) associated with our strategy shift, resulted in
better relative performance during the second half of the fiscal year.
For the six-month period ended November 30, 2004, the total investment return on
the Fund's Common Stock was +7.39%, based on a change in per share net asset
value from $14.68 to $15.25, and assuming reinvestment of all distributions. The
Fund's total return for the six-month period exceeded the +7.17% average return
of the Lipper category.
For a description of the Fund's total investment return based on a change in the
per share market value of the Fund's Common Stock (as measured by the trading
price of the Fund's shares on the New York Stock Exchange), and assuming
reinvestment of dividends, please refer to the Financial Highlights section of
this report. As a closed-end fund, the Fund's shares may trade in the secondary
market at a premium or discount to the Fund's net asset value. As a result,
total investment returns based on changes in the market value of the Fund's
Common Stock can vary significantly from total investment returns based on
changes in the Fund's net asset value.
What changes were made to the portfolio during the year?
Our efforts to reposition the portfolio focused on adding longer-dated bonds in
the 25-year to 30-year maturity range, and selling some of our holdings in the
15-year to 20-year maturity range. Our statistical analysis of the yield curve
revealed that, on a historical basis, there is greater relative value to be
achieved by investing further out on the curve. At the same time, this move
allowed us to accomplish our goal of extending the portfolio's average duration
to a more neutral level.
As mentioned earlier, new issuance of New Jersey municipal bonds increased
dramatically in the final three months of the fiscal period, giving us ample
opportunity to achieve our restructuring goals. Interestingly, the increase in
New Jersey supply is in sharp contrast to a 10% decrease in municipal bond
issuance throughout the rest of the country in the last three months. Finally,
throughout the period, the Fund maintained minimal cash reserves as well as
above-market concentrations in education and healthcare issues.
For the six-month period ended November 30, 2004, the Fund's Auction Market
Preferred Stock (AMPS) had an average yield of 1.19% for Series A, 1.12% for
Series B and 1.34% for Series C. These still attractive funding levels, in
combination with the steep municipal yield curve, continued to provide a
significant income benefit to the Fund's Common Stock shareholders from the
leveraging of Preferred Stock. While the Fed is likely to continue raising
short-term interest rates, the increases are expected to be gradual and should
not have an immediate material impact on the positive advantage leverage has had
on the Fund's Common Stock yield. However, should the spread between short-term
and long-term interest rates narrow, the benefits of leveraging will decline
and, as a result, reduce the yield on the Fund's Common Stock. At the end of the
period, the Fund's leverage amount, due to AMPS, was 35.46% of total net assets.
(For a more complete explanation of the benefits and risks of leveraging, see
page 2 of this report to shareholders.)
How would you characterize the Fund's position at the close of the period?
As a result of our restructuring efforts and additional issuance of Preferred
Stock, the portfolio ended the period with a modest above-market duration. We
expect to maintain that posture in the coming weeks, as supply in the New Jersey
market is likely to tighten up as we approach year-end. Given seasonal trends,
we expect that a significant number of bonds in the marketplace will be called
by issuers prior to their maturity dates, which should inject a fair amount of
funds into the market. Under these circumstances, we are fairly constructive on
the prospects for the New Jersey municipal market. Of course, we will continue
to monitor market and economic developments and stand ready to adjust our
strategy as conditions warrant.
Theodore R. Jaeckel Jr., CFA
Vice President and Portfolio Manager
December 15, 2004
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 5
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Schedule of Investments (in Thousands)
Face
Amount Municipal Bonds Value
===================================================================================================================================
New Jersey--142.9%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,000 Burlington County, New Jersey, Bridge Commission Revenue Bonds (Governmental
Leasing Program), 5.25% due 8/15/2020 $ 1,067
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,500 Delaware River and Bay Authority Revenue Bonds, 5% due 1/01/2033 (d)(j) 1,526
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, Pennsylvania, Bridge Revenue
Refunding Bonds:
2,010 5% due 7/01/2021 2,081
3,645 5% due 7/01/2028 3,670
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,930 Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New Jersey Revenue Bonds, RIB,
Series 396, 10.023% due 1/01/2019 (c)(e) 4,850
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,620 Essex County, New Jersey, Improvement Authority Revenue Bonds, Series A, 5%
due 10/01/2028 (b) 2,671
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Garden State Preservation Trust of New Jersey, Capital Appreciation Revenue
Bonds, Series B (c):
6,860 5.12%* due 11/01/2023 2,680
4,540 5.25%* due 11/01/2028 1,332
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Garden State Preservation Trust of New Jersey, Open Space and Farmland
Preservation Revenue Bonds, Series A (c):
4,300 5.80% due 11/01/2022 4,710
5,460 5.75% due 11/01/2028 6,143
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gloucester County, New Jersey, Improvement Authority, Solid Waste Resource
Recovery Revenue Refunding Bonds (Waste Management Inc. Project):
1,180 AMT, Series B, 7% due 12/01/2029 1,336
2,000 Series A, 6.85% due 12/01/2029 2,265
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,500 Hudson County, New Jersey, COP, Refunding, 6.25% due 12/01/2016 (d) 1,806
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13,950 Hudson County, New Jersey, Improvement Authority, Facility Lease Revenue
Refunding Bonds (Hudson County Lease Project), 5.375% due 10/01/2024 (b) 14,931
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jackson Township, New Jersey, School District, GO (b):
3,090 5% due 4/15/2018 3,263
3,750 5% due 4/15/2019 3,943
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Middlesex County, New Jersey, Improvement Authority, County-Guaranteed Revenue
Bonds (Golf Course Projects):
1,455 5.25% due 6/01/2022 1,561
3,050 5% due 6/01/2029 3,103
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,500 Middlesex County, New Jersey, Pollution Control Financing Authority, Revenue
Refunding Bonds (Amerada Hess Corporation), 6.05% due 9/15/2034 1,550
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monmouth County, New Jersey, Improvement Authority, Governmental Loan Revenue
Refunding Bonds (a):
2,235 5% due 12/01/2015 2,399
2,345 5% due 12/01/2016 2,504
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey EDA, Cigarette Tax Revenue Bonds:
2,530 5.50% due 6/15/2016 2,704
1,720 5.625% due 6/15/2019 1,796
1,275 5.75% due 6/15/2029 1,302
370 5.50% due 6/15/2031 371
755 5.75% due 6/15/2034 770
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio Abbreviations
To simplify the listings of MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.'s portfolio holdings
in the Schedule of Investments, we have abbreviated the names of many of the
securities according to the list at right.
AMT Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)
COP Certificates of Participation
DRIVERS Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts
EDA Economic Development Authority
EDR Economic Development Revenue Bonds
GO General Obligation Bonds
M/F Multi-Family
RIB Residual Interest Bonds
6 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
Schedule of Investments (continued) (in Thousands)
Face
Amount Municipal Bonds Value
===================================================================================================================================
New Jersey (continued)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey EDA, EDR (Masonic Charity Foundation of New Jersey):
$ 600 5.25% due 6/01/2024 $ 627
685 5.25% due 6/01/2032 706
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,500 New Jersey EDA, First Mortgage Revenue Bonds (Fellowship Village), Series C,
5.50% due 1/01/2028 1,454
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey EDA, First Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A:
1,250 (Fellowship Village), 5.50% due 1/01/2018 1,261
3,500 (Fellowship Village), 5.50% due 1/01/2025 3,429
2,500 (The Winchester Gardens at Ward Homestead Project), 5.75% due 11/01/2024 2,567
2,000 (The Winchester Gardens at Ward Homestead Project), 5.80% due 11/01/2031 2,032
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14,000 New Jersey EDA, Motor Vehicle Surcharge Revenue Bonds, Series A, 5.25%
due 7/01/2033 (d) 14,643
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,575 New Jersey EDA, Natural Gas Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (NUI
Corporation), RIB, Series 371, 10.75% due 10/01/2022 (a)(e) 5,836
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey EDA, Revenue Bonds:
400 (Department of Human Services), 5% due 7/01/2011 434
220 (Department of Human Services), 5% due 7/01/2012 238
3,850 (Saint Barnabas Project), Series A, 6.30%* due 7/01/2024 (d) 1,425
10,000 (Transportation Project), Sublease, Series A, 5.875% due 5/01/2009 (c)(g) 11,238
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,095 New Jersey EDA, School Facilities Construction Revenue Bonds, Series I, 5%
due 9/01/2027 2,114
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3,335 New Jersey EDA, Water Facilities Revenue Bonds, RIB, AMT, Series 417, 11.77%
due 11/01/2034 (b)(e) 3,493
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,850 New Jersey EDA, Water Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (American Water), AMT,
Series B, 5.125% due 4/01/2022 (a) 1,921
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,975 New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust Revenue Bonds (Environmental
Infrastructure), Series A, 5.25% due 9/01/2017 6,484
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,100 New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, Health System Revenue
Bonds (Catholic Health East), Series A, 5.375% due 11/15/2033 1,123
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue Bonds:
2,345 (Pascack Valley Hospital Association), 6.625% due 7/01/2036 2,172
4,000 (Robert Wood University), 5.70% due 7/01/2020 (a) 4,413
1,875 (Somerset Medical Center), 5.50% due 7/01/2033 1,898
6,640 (South Jersey Hospital), 6% due 7/01/2026 7,027
2,000 (Southern Ocean County Hospital), 5.125% due 7/01/2031 (f) 2,022
4,200 (Southern Ocean County Hospital), Series A, 6.25% due 7/01/2023 4,236
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds:
1,020 (Atlantic City Medical Center), 6.25% due 7/01/2017 1,147
2,185 (Atlantic City Medical Center), 5.75% due 7/01/2025 2,320
1,650 (Capital Health System Inc.), Series A, 5.75% due 7/01/2023 1,743
5,500 (Holy Name Hospital), 6% due 7/01/2025 5,706
1,500 (Meridian Health System Obligation Group), 5.25% due 7/01/2019 (c) 1,613
2,250 (Meridian Health System Obligation Group), 5.375% due 7/01/2024 (c) 2,378
2,195 (Meridian Health System Obligation Group), 5.25% due 7/01/2029 (c) 2,282
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,150 New Jersey State Educational Facilities Authority, Higher Education, Capital
Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series A, 5.125% due 9/01/2022 (a) 4,365
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey State Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds:
985 (Bloomfield College), Series A, 6.85% due 7/01/2030 1,007
2,000 (Georgian Court College Project), Series C, 6.50% due 7/01/2033 2,198
1,730 (Rowan University), Series B, 5.25% due 7/01/2017 (b) 1,876
1,620 (Rowan University), Series B, 5.25% due 7/01/2018 (b) 1,754
2,165 (Rowan University), Series C, 5.125% due 7/01/2028 (d) 2,242
1,955 (Rowan University), Series C, 5% due 7/01/2034 (d) 1,989
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey State Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds:
5,305 (Montclair State University), Series L, 5% due 7/01/2034 (d) 5,397
3,870 (Princeton Theological Seminary), 5% due 7/01/2026 3,987
3,725 (Princeton University), Series E, 5% due 7/01/2020 3,943
1,000 (Rider University), 5% due 7/01/2017 (f) 1,045
1,255 (Rider University), Series A, 5.50% due 7/01/2023 (f) 1,339
1,450 (Rider University), Series A, 5.25% due 7/01/2034 (f) 1,495
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 7
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Schedule of Investments (continued) (in Thousands)
Face
Amount Municipal Bonds Value
===================================================================================================================================
New Jersey (concluded)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey State Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Refunding Bonds
(concluded)
$ 1,515 (William Paterson University), Series E, 5.25% due 7/01/2018 (h) $ 1,639
1,595 (William Paterson University), Series E, 5.25% due 7/01/2019 (h) 1,718
1,680 (William Paterson University), Series E, 5.25% due 7/01/2020 (h) 1,808
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6,390 New Jersey State Higher Education Assistance Authority, Student Loan Revenue
Bonds, AMT, Series A, 5.30% due 6/01/2017 (a) 6,625
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,500 New Jersey State Highway Authority, Garden State Parkway General Revenue
Refunding Bonds, 5.625% due 1/01/2010 (g) 2,825
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey State Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Home Buyer Revenue Bonds,
AMT (d):
5,350 Series CC, 5.80% due 10/01/2020 5,626
3,335 Series U, 5.60% due 10/01/2012 3,484
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,795 New Jersey State Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, M/F Housing Revenue
Refunding Bonds, Series A, 6.05% due 11/01/2020 (a) 1,841
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey State Transit Corporation, COP:
3,650 6.50% due 4/01/2007 (c)(g) 4,029
3,620 (Federal Transit Administration Grants), Series B, 5.75% due 9/15/2014 4,032
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Transportation System
Revenue Bonds:
5,250 Series B, 5% due 6/15/2007 (d)(g) 5,692
7,400 Series C, 5.50% due 6/15/2019 8,101
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,000 New Jersey State Turnpike Authority, Turnpike Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series A,
5.75% due 1/01/2019 (d) 5,527
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,840 Newark, New Jersey, Housing Authority, Port Authority--Port Newark Marine
Terminal Additional Rent-Backed Revenue Bonds (City of Newark Redevelopment
Projects), 5% due 1/01/2037 (d) 1,860
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,000 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Revenue Bonds, 93rd
Series, 6.125% due 6/01/2094 5,682
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,435 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Trust Receipts, AMT,
Class R, Series 10, 9.744% due 1/15/2017 (c)(e) 4,986
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,300 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Revenue Refunding Bonds, DRIVERS,
AMT, Series 153, 8.515% due 9/15/2012 (b)(e) 5,845
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,000 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Special Obligation Revenue Bonds (JFK
International Air Terminal), AMT, Series 6, 5.75% due 12/01/2022 (d) 2,163
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Jersey Port Corporation of New Jersey, Revenue Refunding Bonds:
4,280 4.75% due 1/01/2018 4,372
2,485 4.85% due 1/01/2019 2,543
2,000 5% due 1/01/2020 2,073
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation of New Jersey Revenue Bonds:
5,510 6.75% due 6/01/2039 5,495
3,010 7% due 6/01/2041 3,058
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Union County, New Jersey, Utilities Authority, Senior Lease Revenue Refunding
Bonds (Ogden Martin System of Union), AMT, Series A (a)(e):
1,585 5.375% due 6/01/2017 1,650
1,175 5.375% due 6/01/2018 1,221
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Series A (a):
945 5.50% due 12/01/2018 1,048
1,900 5.50% due 12/01/2019 2,099
1,870 5.50% due 12/01/2020 2,066
1,435 5.50% due 12/01/2021 1,577
===================================================================================================================================
Puerto Rico--6.9%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,500 Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Power Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series PP,
5% due 7/01/2025 (b) 2,606
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,900 Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical and Environmental Control
Facilities Revenue Bonds (Cogeneration Facility--AES Puerto Rico Project), AMT,
6.625% due 6/01/2026 2,048
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8,750 Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority Revenue Bonds, DRIVERS, Series 211,
8.563% due 7/01/2021 (d)(e) 10,300
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
Schedule of Investments (concluded) (in Thousands)
Face
Amount Municipal Bonds Value
===================================================================================================================================
U.S. Virgin Islands--2.7%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 3,500 Virgin Islands Government Refinery Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds (Hovensa
Coker Project), AMT, 6.50% due 7/01/2021 $ 3,798
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,900 Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority, Refinery Facilities Revenue Bonds
(Hovensa Refinery), AMT, 5.875% due 7/01/2022 1,995
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost--$311,813)--152.5% 330,385
=======================================================================================================
Shares
Held Short-Term Securities
=======================================================================================================
9,631 CMA New Jersey Municipal Money Fund (i) 9,631
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Short-Term Securities (Cost--$9,631)--4.4% 9,631
=======================================================================================================
Total Investments (Cost--$321,444@)--156.9% 340,016
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets--(2.0%) (4,370)
Preferred Stock, at Redemption Value--(54.9%) (119,028)
---------
Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock--100.0% $ 216,618
=========
(a) AMBAC Insured.
(b) FGIC Insured.
(c) FSA Insured.
(d) MBIA Insured.
(e) The interest rate is subject to change periodically and inversely based
upon prevailing market rates. The interest rate shown is the rate in
effect at November 30, 2004.
(f) Radian Insured.
(g) Prerefunded.
(h) XL Capital Insured.
(i) Investments in companies considered to be an affiliate of the Fund (such
companies are defined as "Affiliated Companies" in Section 2(a)(3) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940) were as follows:
(in Thousands)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Dividend
Affiliate Activity Income
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CMA New Jersey Municipal Money Fund 2,920 $31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(j) All or a portion of security held as collateral in connection with open
financial future contracts.
* Represents a zero coupon bond; the interest rate shown reflects the
effective yield at the time of purchase by the Fund.
@ The cost and unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments as of
November 30, 2004, as computed for federal income tax purposes, were as
follows:
(in Thousands)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate cost ................................................ $321,150
========
Gross unrealized appreciation ................................. $ 19,501
Gross unrealized depreciation ................................. (635)
--------
Net unrealized appreciation ................................... $ 18,866
========
Forward interest rate swaps outstanding as of November 30, 2004 were as
follows:
(in Thousands)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notional Unrealized
Amount Appreciation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receive a variable rate equal to
7-Day Bond Market Association
Municipal Swap Index Rate and pay
a fixed rate of 4.128% interest
Broker, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
Expires August 2026 $5,310 $ 89
Receive a variable rate equal to
7-Day Bond Market Association
Municipal Swap Index Rate and pay
a fixed rate equal to 3.837% interest
Broker, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
Expires November 2018 $2,510 35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $124
====
Financial futures contracts sold as of November 30, 2004 were as follows:
(in Thousands)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Expiration Face Unrealized
Contracts Issue Date Value Appreciation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
85 10-Year U.S. December
Treasury Future 2004 $9,549 $75
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 9
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Statement of Net Assets
As of November 30, 2004
===================================================================================================================
Assets
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value
(identified cost--$311,812,599) ........................ $ 330,385,290
Investments in affiliated securities, at value
(identified cost--$9,630,987) .......................... 9,630,987
Unrealized appreciation on forward interest rate swaps .. 123,750
Cash .................................................... 24,861
Receivables:
Interest ............................................. $ 5,981,631
Dividends from affiliates ............................ 276 5,981,907
-------------
Prepaid expenses ........................................ 5,750
-------------
Total assets ............................................ 346,152,545
-------------
===================================================================================================================
Liabilities
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payables:
Securities purchased ................................. 10,169,341
Dividends to Common Stock shareholders ............... 184,523
Investment adviser ................................... 8,949
Other affiliates ..................................... 2,876
Variation margin ..................................... 577 10,366,266
-------------
Accrued expenses ........................................ 140,090
-------------
Total liabilities ....................................... 10,506,356
-------------
===================================================================================================================
Preferred Stock
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Stock, at redemption value, par value $.05 per
share on Series A Shares and Series B Shares and $.10
per share on Series C Shares (2,400 Series A Shares,
1,500 Series B Shares and 860 Series C Shares of AMPS*
authorized, issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share
liquidation preference) ................................ 119,028,026
-------------
===================================================================================================================
Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to Common Stock ................... $ 216,618,163
=============
===================================================================================================================
Analysis of Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (14,203,242 shares
issued and outstanding) ................................ $ 1,420,324
Paid-in capital in excess of par ........................ 203,961,864
Undistributed investment income--net .................... $ 2,624,697
Accumulated realized capital losses--net ................ (10,160,548)
Unrealized appreciation--net ............................ 18,771,826
-------------
Total accumulated earnings--net ......................... 11,235,975
-------------
Total--Equivalent to $15.25 net asset value per share of
Common Stock (market price--$14.73) .................... $ 216,618,163
=============
* Auction Market Preferred Stock.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended November 30, 2004
===================================================================================================================
Investment Income
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest ................................................ $ 17,237,687
Dividends from affiliates ............................... 31,424
-------------
Total income ............................................ 17,269,111
-------------
===================================================================================================================
Expenses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment advisory fees ................................ $ 1,598,692
Commission fees ......................................... 263,480
Accounting services ..................................... 116,466
Transfer agent fees ..................................... 58,176
Professional fees ....................................... 52,117
Printing and shareholder reports ........................ 35,171
Listing fees ............................................ 20,800
Custodian fees .......................................... 19,687
Directors' fees and expenses ............................ 19,109
Pricing fees ............................................ 13,065
Other ................................................... 42,379
-------------
Total expenses before reimbursement ..................... 2,239,142
Reimbursement of expenses ............................... (22,847)
-------------
Total expenses after reimbursement ...................... 2,216,295
-------------
Investment income--net .................................. 15,052,816
-------------
===================================================================================================================
Realized & Unrealized Gain (Loss)--Net
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain (loss) on:
Investments--net ..................................... 1,470,679
Forward interest rate swaps and futures--net ......... (1,223,712) 246,967
-------------
Change in unrealized appreciation on:
Investments--net ..................................... (2,450,365)
Forward interest rate swaps and futures--net ......... 181,274 (2,269,091)
-------------------------------
Total realized and unrealized loss--net ................. (2,022,124)
-------------
===================================================================================================================
Dividends to Preferred Stock Shareholders
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net .................................. (1,074,596)
-------------
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations .... $ 11,956,096
=============
See Notes to Financial Statements.
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 11
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
For the Year Ended
November 30,
-------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: 2004 2003
===================================================================================================================
Operations
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net .................................. $ 15,052,816 $ 14,953,557
Realized gain--net ...................................... 246,967 800,586
Change in unrealized appreciation--net .................. (2,269,091) 6,664,870
Dividends to Preferred Stock shareholders ............... (1,074,596) (868,764)
-------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations .... 11,956,096 21,550,249
-------------------------------
===================================================================================================================
Dividends to Common Stock Shareholders
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net .................................. (13,635,112) (13,635,112)
-------------------------------
Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends to
Common Stock shareholders .............................. (13,635,112) (13,635,112)
-------------------------------
===================================================================================================================
Capital Stock Transactions
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offering and underwriting costs resulting from issuance
of Preferred Stock ..................................... (344,974) --
-------------------------------
===================================================================================================================
Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to
Common Stock ........................................... (2,023,990) 7,915,137
Beginning of year ....................................... 218,642,153 210,727,016
-------------------------------
End of year* ............................................ $ 216,618,163 $ 218,642,153
===============================
* Undistributed investment income--net ............... $ 2,624,697 $ 2,281,589
===============================
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
Financial Highlights
The following per share data and ratios have been derived
from information provided in the financial statements. For the Year Ended November 30,
----------------------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value: 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
=======================================================================================================================
Per Share Operating Performance
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, beginning of year ...... $ 15.39 $ 14.84 $ 14.78 $ 13.99 $ 13.60
----------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net .................. 1.06@ 1.05@ 1.06 1.08 1.01
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)--net (.14) .52 .05 .78 .45
Dividends and distributions to Preferred
Stock shareholders:
Investment income--net ............... (.08) (.06) (.09) (.20) (.26)
Realized gain--net ................... -- -- --+ -- --
----------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations ........ .84 1.51 1.02 1.66 1.20
----------------------------------------------------
Less dividends and distributions to
Common Stock shareholders:
Investment income--net ............... (.96) (.96) (.96) (.87) (.81)
Realized gain--net ................... -- -- --+ -- --
----------------------------------------------------
Total dividends and distributions to
Common Stock shareholders .............. (.96) (.96) (.96) (.87) (.81)
----------------------------------------------------
Offering and underwriting costs resulting
from the issuance of Preferred Stock ... (.02) -- -- -- --
----------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of year ............ $ 15.25 $ 15.39 $ 14.84 $ 14.78 $ 13.99
====================================================
Market price per share, end of year ..... $ 14.73 $ 14.34 $ 14.07 $ 14.41 $12.8125
====================================================
=======================================================================================================================
Total Investment Return*
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on net asset value per share ...... 5.84% 10.81% 7.22% 12.20% 9.71%
====================================================
Based on market price per share ......... 9.72% 8.90% 4.27% 19.45% 11.55%
====================================================
=======================================================================================================================
Ratios Based on Average Net Assets of Common Stock
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses, net of reimbursement and
excluding reorganization expenses** .... 1.02% 1.02% 1.05% 1.06% 1.10%
====================================================
Total expenses, excluding reorganization
expenses** ............................. 1.03% 1.02% 1.05% 1.06% 1.10%
====================================================
Total expenses** ........................ 1.03% 1.02% 1.05% 1.06% 1.29%
====================================================
Total investment income--net** .......... 6.94% 6.94% 7.06% 7.26% 7.59%
====================================================
Amount of dividends to Preferred Stock
shareholders ........................... .50% .40% .58% 1.33% 1.91%
====================================================
Investment income--net, to Common Stock
shareholders ........................... 6.44% 6.54% 6.48% 5.93% 5.68%
====================================================
=======================================================================================================================
Ratios Based on Average Net Assets of Common & Preferred Stock**
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total expenses, net of reimbursement and
excluding reorganization expenses ...... .69% .70% .72% .72% .73%
====================================================
Total expenses, excluding reorganization
expenses ............................... .70% .70% .72% .72% .73%
====================================================
Total expenses .......................... .70% .70% .72% .72% .86%
====================================================
Total investment income--net ............ 4.70% 4.78% 4.83% 4.95% 5.04%
====================================================
=======================================================================================================================
Ratios Based on Average Net Assets of Preferred Stock
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends to Preferred Stock shareholders 1.04% .89% 1.25% 2.84% 3.77%
====================================================
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 13
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Financial Highlights (concluded)
For the Year Ended November 30,
The following per share data and ratios have been derived ----------------------------------------------------
from information provided in the financial statements. 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
=======================================================================================================================
Supplemental Data
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets applicable to Common Stock,
end of year (in thousands) ............. $216,618 $218,642 $210,727 $209,617 $198,407
====================================================
Preferred Stock outstanding, end of year
(in thousands) ......................... $119,000 $ 97,500 $ 97,500 $ 97,500 $ 97,500
====================================================
Portfolio turnover ...................... 15.35% 28.93% 41.47% 52.03% 54.78%
====================================================
=======================================================================================================================
Leverage
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset coverage per $1,000 ............... $ 2,820 $ 3,242 $ 3,161 $ 3,150 $ 3,035
====================================================
=======================================================================================================================
Dividends Per Share on Preferred Stock Outstanding
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Series A--Investment income--net ........ $ 259 $ 225 $ 325 $ 723 $ 962
====================================================
Series B--Investment income--net*** ..... $ 250 $ 219 $ 292 $ 702 $ 739
====================================================
Series C--Investment income--net**** .... $ 91 -- -- -- --
====================================================
* Total investment returns based on market value, which can be significantly
greater or lesser than the net asset value, may result in substantially
different returns. Total investment returns exclude the effect of sales
charges.
** Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Stock shareholders.
*** Series B was issued on February 7, 2000.
**** Series C was issued on August 23, 2004.
+ Amount is less than $(.01) per share.
@ Based on average shares outstanding.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
Notes to Financial Statements
1. Significant Accounting Policies:
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company. The Fund's financial statements are prepared in conformity
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which may require the use of
management accruals and estimates. Actual results may differ from these
estimates. The Fund determines and makes available for publication the net asset
value of its Common Stock on a daily basis. The Fund's Common Stock is listed on
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MYJ. The following is a summary of
significant accounting policies followed by the Fund.
(a) Valuation of investments -- Municipal bonds are traded primarily in the
over-the-counter markets and are valued at the last available bid price in the
over-the-counter market or on the basis of values as obtained by a pricing
service. Pricing services use valuation matrixes that incorporate both
dealer-supplied valuations and valuation models. The procedures of the pricing
service and its valuations are reviewed by the officers of the Fund under the
general direction of the Board of Directors. Such valuations and procedures are
reviewed periodically by the Board of Directors of the Fund. Financial futures
contracts and options thereon, which are traded on exchanges, are valued at
their closing prices as of the close of such exchanges. Options written or
purchased are valued at the last sale price in the case of exchange-traded
options. In the case of options traded in the over-the-counter market, valuation
is the last asked price (options written) or the last bid price (options
purchased). Swap agreements are valued by quoted fair values received daily by
the Fund's pricing service. Short-term investments with a remaining maturity of
60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value,
under which method the investment is valued at cost and any premium or discount
is amortized on a straight line basis to maturity. Investments in open-end
investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day.
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily
available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the
direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund.
(b) Derivative financial instruments -- The Fund may engage in various portfolio
investment strategies both to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge, or
protect, its exposure to interest rate movements and movements in the securities
markets. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the contract or if the
counterparty does not perform under the contract.
o Financial futures contracts -- The Fund may purchase or sell financial
futures contracts and options on such futures contracts. Futures contracts
are contracts for delayed delivery of securities at a specific future date
and at a specific price or yield. Upon entering into a contract, the Fund
deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by
the exchange on which the transaction is effected. Pursuant to the
contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount
of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such
receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the
Fund as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed, the Fund
records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value
of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was
closed.
o Options -- The Fund may write covered call options and purchase put
options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium
received by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability.
The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect
the current market value of the option written. When a security is
purchased or sold through an exercise of an option, the related premium
paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the basis of the
security acquired or deducted from (or added to) the proceeds of the
security sold. When an option expires (or the Fund enters into a closing
transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss on the option to the extent
of the premiums received or paid (or gain or loss to the extent the cost
of the closing transaction exceeds the premium paid or received).
Written and purchased options are non-income producing investments.
o Forward interest rate swaps -- The Fund may enter into forward interest
rate swaps. In a forward interest rate swap, the Fund and the counterparty
agree to make periodic net payments on a specified notional contract
amount, commencing on a specified future effective date, unless terminated
earlier. When the agreement is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or
loss in an amount equal to the value of the agreement.
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 15
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
(c) Income taxes -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of
the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
(d) Security transactions and investment income -- Security transactions are
recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates).
Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on the
identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. The Fund amortizes all
premiums and discounts on debt securities.
(e) Dividends and distributions -- Dividends from net investment income are
declared and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the
ex-dividend dates.
(f) Offering costs -- Direct expenses related to the public offering of the
Fund's Preferred Stock were charged to capital at the time of issuance of the
shares.
2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transactions with Affiliates:
The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Fund Asset
Management, L.P. ("FAM"). The general partner of FAM is Princeton Services, Inc.
("PSI"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML
& Co."), which is the limited partner.
FAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides the
necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary
to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee at
an annual rate of .50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, including
proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Stock. The Investment Adviser has agreed
to reimburse its management fee by the amount of the management fees the Fund
pays to FAM indirectly through its investment in the CMA New Jersey Municipal
Money Fund. For the year ended November 30, 2004, FAM reimbursed the Fund in the
amount of $22,847.
For the year ended November 30, 2004, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, an affiliate of FAM, received underwriting fees of $215,000 in
connection with the issuance of the Fund's Preferred Stock.
For the year ended November 30, 2004, the Fund reimbursed FAM $6,396 for certain
accounting services.
Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of
FAM, PSI, and/or ML & Co.
3. Investments:
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the
year ended November 30, 2004 were $74,732,238 and $48,624,999, respectively.
4. Stock Transactions:
The Fund is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of stock, including Preferred
Stock, par value $.10 per share, all of which were initially classified as
Common Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, however, to reclassify any
unissued shares of stock without approval of holders of Common Stock.
Preferred Stock
Auction Market Preferred Stock are redeemable shares of Preferred Stock of the
Fund, with a par value of $.05 per share for Series A and Series B and $.10 per
share for Series C and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus
accrued and unpaid dividends that entitle their holders to receive cash
dividends at an annual rate that may vary for the successive dividend periods.
The yields in effect at November 30, 2004 were as follows: Series A, 1.69%,
Series B, 1.58% and Series C, 1.65%.
Shares issued and outstanding for the year ended November 30, 2004 increased by
860 shares from the issuance of an additional series of Preferred Stock. Shares
issued and outstanding for the year ended November 30, 2003 remained constant.
The Fund pays commissions to certain broker-dealers at the end of each auction
at an annual rate ranging from .25% to .375%, calculated on the proceeds of each
auction. For the year ended November 30, 2004, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, an affiliate of FAM, earned $128,933 as commissions.
16 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)
5. Distributions to Shareholders:
The Fund paid a tax-exempt income dividend to holders of Common Stock in the
amount of $.080000 per share on December 29, 2004 to shareholders of record on
December 15, 2004.
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November
30, 2004 and November 30, 2003 was as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/30/2004 11/30/2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions paid from:
Tax-exempt income .................... $14,709,708 $14,503,876
-------------------------------
Total distributions .................... $14,709,708 $14,503,876
===============================
As of November 30, 2004, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis
were as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undistributed tax-exempt income--net .................... $ 2,330,914
Undistributed long-term capital gains--net .............. --
------------
Total undistributed earnings--net ....................... 2,330,914
Capital loss carryforward ............................... (8,187,904)*
Unrealized gains--net ................................... 17,092,965**
------------
Total accumulated earnings--net ......................... $ 11,235,975
============
* On November 30, 2004, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of
$8,187,904 of which $1,092,188 expires in 2007, $6,856,160 expires in 2008
and $239,556 expires in 2012. This amount will be available to offset like
amounts of any future taxable gains.
** The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized gains is
attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on straddles, the
difference between book and tax amortization methods for premiums and
discounts on fixed income securities and the realization for tax purposes
of unrealized gains on futures contracts.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets, including the schedule
of investments, of MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc. as of November 30, 2004, and
the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of
changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and
the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended.
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of
the Fund'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 the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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, 2004, by correspondence with the custodian
and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other
auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc. as of November 30, 2004, the results of its
operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of
the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of
the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
January 7, 2005
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 17
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The following description of the Fund's Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan
(the "Plan") is sent to you annually as required by federal securities laws.
Pursuant to the Fund's Plan, unless a holder of Common Stock otherwise elects,
all dividend and capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested by
The Bank of New York (the "Plan Agent"), as agent for shareholders in
administering the Plan, in additional shares of Common Stock of the Fund.
Holders of Common Stock who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive
all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of
record (or, if the shares are held in street or other nominee name then to such
nominee) by The Bank of New York, as dividend paying agent. Such participants
may elect not to participate in the Plan and to receive all distributions of
dividends and capital gains in cash by sending written instructions to The Bank
of New York, as dividend paying agent, at the address set forth below.
Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or
resumed at any time without penalty by written notice if received by the Plan
Agent not less than ten days prior to any dividend record date; otherwise such
termination will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend
or distribution.
Whenever the Fund declares an income dividend or capital gains distribution
(collectively referred to as "dividends") payable either in shares or in cash,
non-participants in the Plan will receive cash and participants in the Plan will
receive the equivalent in shares of Common Stock. The shares will be acquired by
the Plan Agent for the participant's account, depending upon the circumstances
described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but
authorized shares of Common Stock from the Fund ("newly issued shares") or (ii)
by purchase of outstanding shares of Common Stock on the open market
("open-market purchases") on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere. If on the
payment date for the dividend, the net asset value per share of the Common Stock
is equal to or less than the market price per share of the Common Stock plus
estimated brokerage commissions (such conditions being referred to herein as
"market premium"), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly
issued shares on behalf of the participant. The number of newly issued shares of
Common Stock to be credited to the participant's account will be determined by
dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value per share on
the date the shares are issued, provided that the maximum discount from the then
current market price per share on the date of issuance may not exceed 5%. If, on
the dividend payment date, the net asset value per share is greater than the
market value (such condition being referred to herein as "market discount"), the
Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the
participant in open-market purchases.
In the event of a market discount on the dividend payment date, the Plan Agent
will have until the last business day before the next date on which the shares
trade on an "ex-dividend" basis or in no event more than 30 days after the
dividend payment date (the "last purchase date") to invest the dividend amount
in shares acquired in open-market purchases. It is contemplated that the Fund
will pay monthly income dividends. Therefore, the period during which
open-market purchases can be made will exist only from the payment date on the
dividend through the date before the next "ex-dividend" date, which typically
will be approximately ten days. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its
open-market purchases, the market price of a share of Common Stock exceeds the
net asset value per share, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan
Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Fund's shares, resulting in the
acquisitions of fewer shares than if the dividend had been paid in newly issued
shares on the dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with
respect to open-market purchases, the Plan provides that if the Plan Agent is
unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases during the
purchase period or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the
purchase period, the Plan Agent will cease making open-market purchases and will
invest the uninvested portion of the dividend amount in newly issued shares at
the close of business on the last purchase date determined by dividing the
uninvested portion of the dividend by the net asset value per share.
The Plan Agent maintains all shareholders' accounts in the Plan and furnishes
written confirmation of all transactions in the account, including information
needed by shareholders for tax records. Shares in the account of each Plan
participant will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form in the name
of the participant, and each shareholder's proxy will include those shares
purchased or received pursuant to the Plan. The Plan Agent will forward all
proxy solicitation materials to participants and vote proxies for shares held
pursuant to the Plan in accordance with the instructions of the participants.
In the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees which hold shares
of others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan
on the basis of the
18 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
number of shares certified from time to time by the record
shareholders as representing the total amount registered in the record
shareholder's name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are to
participate in the Plan.
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by the
Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains distributions payable either in
shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of
brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open-market
purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends.
The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve
participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or
required to be withheld) on such dividends.
Shareholders participating in the Plan may receive benefits not available to
shareholders not participating in the Plan. If the market price plus commissions
of the Fund's shares is above the net asset value, participants in the Plan will
receive shares of the Fund at less than they could otherwise purchase them and
will have shares with a cash value greater than the value of any cash
distribution they would have received on their shares. If the market price plus
commissions is below the net asset value, participants will receive
distributions in shares with a net asset value greater than the value of any
cash distribution they would have received on their shares. However, there may
be insufficient shares available in the market to make distributions in shares
at prices below the net asset value. Also, since the Fund does not redeem
shares, the price on resale may be more or less than the net asset value.
The value of shares acquired pursuant to the Plan will generally be excluded
from gross income to the extent that the cash amount reinvested would be
excluded from gross income. If, when the Fund's shares are trading at a premium
over net asset value, the Fund issues shares pursuant to the Plan that have a
greater fair market value than the amount of cash reinvested, it is possible
that all or a portion of such discount (which may not exceed 5% of the fair
market value of the Fund's shares) could be viewed as a taxable distribution. If
the discount is viewed as a taxable distribution, it is also possible that the
taxable character of this discount would be allocable to all the shareholders,
including shareholders who do not participate in the Plan. Thus, shareholders
who do not participate in the Plan might be required to report as ordinary
income a portion of their distributions equal to their allocable share of the
discount.
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly,
the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. There is no direct
service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right
to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants.
All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at
The Bank of New York, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 11258, New York, NY
10286-1258, Telephone: 800-432-8224.
Dividend Policy
The Fund's dividend policy is to distribute all or a portion of its net
investment income to its shareholders on a monthly basis. In order to provide
shareholders with a more stable level of dividend distributions, the Fund may at
times pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any
particular month and may at times in any month pay out such accumulated but
undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in that month.
As a result, the dividends paid by the Fund for any particular month may be more
or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such
month. The Fund's current accumulated but undistributed net investment income,
if any, is disclosed in the Statement of Net Assets, which comprises part of the
financial information included in this report.
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 19
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Officers and Directors
Number of
Portfolios in Other Public
Position(s) Length of Fund Complex Directorships
Held with Time Overseen by Held by
Name Address & Age Fund Served Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Director Director
====================================================================================================================================
Interested Director
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terry K. P.O. Box 9011 President 1999 to President and Chairman of the Merrill Lynch 124 Funds None
Glenn* Princeton, NJ and present Investment Managers, L.P. ("MLIM")/Fund Asset 157 Portfolios
08543-9011 Director Management, L.P. ("FAM")-advised funds since
Age: 64 1999; Chairman (Americas Region) of MLIM from
2000 to 2002; Executive Vice President of MLIM
and FAM (which terms as used herein include
their corporate predecessors) from 1983 to 2002;
President of FAM Distributors, Inc. ("FAMDfrom
1986 to 2002 and Director thereof from 1991 to
2002; Executive Vice President and Director of
Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services")
from 1993 to 2002; President of Princeton
Administrators, L.P. from 1989 to 2002; Director of
Financial Data Services, Inc. since 1985.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Mr. Glenn is a director, trustee or member of an advisory board of certain other investment companies for which MLIM
or FAM acts as investment adviser. Mr. Glenn is an "interested person," as described in the Investment Company Act, of
the Fund based on his present and former positions with MLIM, FAM, FAMD, Princeton Services and Princeton
Administrators, L.P. The Director's term is unlimited. Directors serve until their resignation, removal, or death, or
until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. As Fund President, Mr. Glenn serves at the pleasure of the Board
of Directors.
====================================================================================================================================
Independent Directors*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James H. P.O. Box 9095 Director 1995 to Director, The China Business Group, Inc. since 1996 38 Funds None
Bodurtha Princeton, NJ present and Executive Vice President thereof from 1996 to 55 Portfolios
08543-9095 2003; Chairman of the Board, Berkshire Holding
Age: 60 Corporation since 1980; Partner, Squire, Sanders &
Dempsey from 1980 to 1993.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joe Grills P.O. Box 9095 Director 2002 to Member of the Committee of Investment of 38 Funds Kimco Realty
Princeton, NJ present Employee Benefit Assets of the Association of 55 Portfolios Corporation
08543-9095 Financial Professionals ("CIEBA") since 1986; Member
Age: 69 of CIBA's Executive Committee since 1988 and its
Chairman from 1991 to 1992; Assistant Treasurer of
International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM")
and Chief Investment Officer of IBM Retirement Funds
from 1986 to 1993; Member of the Investment Advisory
Committees of the State of New York Common
Retirement Fund since 1989; Member of the
Investment Advisory Committee of the Howard Hughes
Medical Institute from 1997 to 2000; Director, Duke
University Management Company from 1992 to 2004,
Vice Chairman thereof from 1998 to 2004 and Director
Emeritus thereof since 2004; Director, LaSalle Street
Fund from 1995 to 2001; Director, Kimco Realty
Corporation since 1997; Member of the Investment
Advisory Committee of the Virginia Retirement System
since 1998 and Vice Chairman thereof since 2002;
Director, Montpelier Foundation since 1998 and its
Vice Chairman since 2000; Member of the Investment
Committee of the Woodberry Forest School since 2000;
Member of the Investment Committee of the National
Trust for Historic Preservation since 2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
Officers and Directors (continued)
Number of
Portfolios in Other Public
Position(s) Length of Fund Complex Directorships
Held with Time Overseen by Held by
Name Address & Age Fund Served Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Director Director
====================================================================================================================================
Independent Directors* (concluded)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Herbert I. P.O. Box 9095 Director 1992 to John M. Olin Professor of Humanities, New York 38 Funds None
London Princeton, NJ present University since 1993 and Professor thereof since 55 Portfolios
08543-9095 1980; President, Hudson Institute since 1997 and
Age: 65 Trustee thereof since 1980; Dean, Gallatin Division
of New York University from 1976 to 1993;
Distinguished Fellow, Herman Kahn Chair, Hudson
Institute from 1984 to 1985; Director, Damon Corp.
from 1991 to 1995; Overseer, Center for Naval
Analyses from 1983 to 1993.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roberta P.O. Box 9095 Director 1999 to Shareholder, Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris & Sisk, 38 Funds None
Cooper Princeton, NJ present P.A. since 1993; President, American Bar Association 55 Portfolios
Ramo 08543-9095 from 1995 to 1996 and Member of the Board of
Age: 62 Governors thereof from 1994 to 1997; Shareholder,
Poole, Kelly & Ramo, Attorneys at Law, P.C. from
1977 to 1993; Director of ECMC Group (service
provider to students, schools and lenders) since
2001; Director, United New Mexico Bank (now Wells
Fargo) from 1983 to 1988; Director, First National
Bank of New Mexico (now Wells Fargo) from 1975 to
1976; Vice President, American Law Institute since
2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert S. P.O. Box 9095 Director 2002 to Principal of STI Management (investment adviser) 38 Funds None
Salomon, Princeton, NJ present since 1994; Chairman and CEO of Salomon Brothers 55 Portfolios
Jr. 08543-9095 Asset Management from 1992 to 1995; Chairman
Age: 68 of Salomon Brothers equity mutual funds from 1992
to 1995; regular columnist with Forbes Magazine from
1992 to 2002; Director of Stock Research and U.S.
Equity Strategist at Salomon Brothers from 1975 until
1991; Trustee, Commonfund from 1980 to 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen B. P.O. Box 9095 Director 2002 to Chairman of Fernwood Advisors, Inc. (investment 39 Funds None
Swensrud Princeton, NJ present adviser) since 1996; Principal, Fernwood Associates 56 Portfolios
08543-9095 (financial consultants) since 1975; Chairman of
Age: 71 R.P.P. Corporation (manufacturing company) since
1978; Director of International Mobile
Communications, Incorporated (telecommunications)
since 1998.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Director's term is unlimited. Directors serve until their resignation, removal or death, or until December 31 of
the year in which they turn 72.
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 21
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
Officers and Directors (concluded)
Position(s) Length of
Held with Time
Name Address & Age Fund Served* Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
====================================================================================================================================
Fund Officers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald C. P.O. Box 9011 Vice 1993 to First Vice President of MLIM and FAM since 1997 and Treasurer thereof since 1999;
Burke Princeton, NJ President present Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Princeton Services since 1999 and Director
08543-9011 and and since 2004; Vice President of FAMD since 1999; Vice President of MLIMand FAM from
Age: 44 Treasurer 1999 to 1990 to 1997; Director of MLIM Taxation since 1990.
present
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenneth A. P.O. Box 9011 Senior Vice 2002 to Managing Director of MLIM since 2000; Director (Municipal Tax-Exempt Fund
Jacob Princeton, NJ President present Management) of MLIM from 1997 to 2000.
08543-9011
Age: 53
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John M. P.O. Box 9011 Senior Vice 2002 to Managing Director of MLIM since 2000; Director (Municipal Tax-Exempt Fund
Loffredo Princeton, NJ President present Management) of MLIM from 1998 to 2000.
08543-9011
Age: 40
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Theodore R. P.O. Box 9011 Vice 1998 to Director (Municipal Tax-Exempt Fund Management) of MLIM since 2000; Vice President
Jaeckel Jr. Princeton, NJ President present of MLIM from 1994 to 2000.
08543-9011
Age: 45
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey P.O. Box 9011 Chief 2004 to Chief Compliance Officer of the MLIM/FAM-advised funds and First Vice
Hiller Princeton, NJ Compliance present President and Chief Compliance Officer of MLIM since 2004; Global Director of
08543-9011 Officer Compliance at Morgan Stanley Investment Management from 2002 to 2004; Managing
Age: 53 Director and Global Director of Compliance at Citigroup Asset Management from 2000
to 2002; Chief Compliance Officer at Soros Fund Management in 2000; Chief
Compliance Officer at Prudential Financial from 1995 to 2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alice A. P.O. Box 9011 Secretary 2004 to Director (Legal Advisory) of MLIM since 2002; Vice President of MLIM from
Pellegrino Princeton, NJ present 1999 to 2002; Attorney with MLIM since 1997.
08543-9011
Age: 44
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Officers of the Fund serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custodian
The Bank of New York
100 Church Street
New York, NY 10286
Transfer Agents
Common Stock:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street -- 11 East
New York, NY 10286
Preferred Stock:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street -- 7 West
New York, NY 10286
NYSE Symbol
MYJ
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andre F. Perold resigned as a Director of the Fund effective October 22, 2004.
Effective January 1, 2005, Terry K. Glenn will retire as President and Director
of MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc. The Fund's Board of Directors wishes Mr.
Glenn well in his retirement.
Effective January 1, 2005, Robert C. Doll, Jr. will become President and
Director of the Fund.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004
Quality Profile
The quality ratings of securities in the Fund as of November 30, 2004 were as
follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of
Total
S&P Rating/Moody's Rating Investments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA/Aaa ......................................................... 63.8%
AA/Aa ........................................................... 3.7
A/A ............................................................. 10.5
BBB/Baa ......................................................... 17.2
B/B ............................................................. 0.6
NR (Not Rated) .................................................. 1.4
Other* .......................................................... 2.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes portfolio holdings in short-term investments.
Important Tax Information
All of the net investment income distributions paid by MuniYield New Jersey
Fund, Inc. during the taxable year ended November 30, 2004 qualify as tax-exempt
interest dividends for federal income tax purposes.
Please retain this information for your records.
Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the first and third quarters of each fiscal
year on Form N-Q. The Fund's Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's Web site at
http://www.sec.gov. The Fund's Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the
SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of
the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
Electronic Delivery
The Fund offers electronic delivery of communications to its shareholders. In
order to receive this service, you must register your account and provide us
with e-mail information. To sign up for this service, simply access this Web
site at http://www.icsdelivery.com/live and follow the instructions. When you
visit this site, you will obtain a personal identification number (PIN). You
will need this PIN should you wish to update your e-mail address, choose to
discontinue this service and/or make any other changes to the service. This
service is not available for certain retirement accounts at this time.
MUNIYIELD NEW JERSEY FUND, INC. NOVEMBER 30, 2004 23
[LOGO] Merrill Lynch Investment Managers
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc. seeks to provide shareholders with as high a
level of current income exempt from federal and New Jersey income taxes as is
consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management by
investing primarily in a portfolio of long-term, investment grade municipal
obligations the interest on which, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer,
is exempt from federal income tax and New Jersey personal income taxes.
This report, including the financial information herein, is transmitted to
shareholders of MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc. for their information. It is not
a prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be
considered a representation of future performance. The Fund has leveraged its
Common Stock and intends to remain leveraged by issuing Preferred Stock to
provide the Common Stock shareholders with a potentially higher rate of return.
Leverage creates risks for Common Stock shareholders, including the likelihood
of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of shares of the
Common Stock, and the risk that fluctuations in the short-term dividend rates of
the Preferred Stock may affect the yield to Common Stock shareholders.
Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how
to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (1) without
charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-MER-FUND (1-800-637-3863); (2)
at www.mutualfunds.ml.com; and (3) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's
Web site at http://www.sec.gov. Information about how the Fund voted proxies
relating to securities held in the Fund's portfolio during the most recent
12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) at www.mutualfunds.ml.com and (2)
on the Securities and Exchange Commission's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.
Box 9011
Princeton, NJ 08543-9011
#16381 -- 11/04
Item 2 - Code of Ethics - The registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as of the
end of the period covered by this report, that applies to the
registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer
and principal accounting officer, or persons performing similar
functions. A copy of the code of ethics is available without charge
upon request by calling toll-free 1-800-MER-FUND (1-800-637-3863).
Item 3 - Audit Committee Financial Expert - The registrant's board of directors
has determined that (i) the registrant has the following audit
committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and (ii)
each audit committee financial expert is independent: (1) Joe Grills,
(2) Andre F. Perold (resigned as of October 1, 2004), (3) Robert S.
Salomon, Jr., and (4) Stephen B. Swensrud.
Item 4 - Principal Accountant Fees and Services
(a) Audit Fees - Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2004 - $26,000
Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2003 - $25,000
(b) Audit-Related Fees - Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2004 - $3,000
Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2003 - $5,600
The nature of the services include assurance and related services
reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial
statements not included in Audit Fees.
(c) Tax Fees - Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2004 - $5,610
Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2003 - $4,800
The nature of the services include tax compliance, tax advice and tax
planning.
(d) All Other Fees - Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2004 - $0
Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2003 - $0
(e)(1) The registrant's audit committee (the "Committee") has adopted
policies and procedures with regard to the pre-approval of services.
Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the
registrant on an annual basis require specific pre-approval by the
Committee. The Committee also must approve other non-audit services
provided to the registrant and those non-audit services provided to the
registrant's affiliated service providers that relate directly to the
operations and the financial reporting of the registrant. Certain of
these non-audit services that the Committee believes are a) consistent
with the SEC's auditor independence rules and b) routine and recurring
services that will not impair the independence of the independent
accountants may be approved by the Committee without consideration on a
specific case-by-case basis ("general pre-approval"). However, such
services will only be deemed pre-approved provided that any individual
project does not exceed $5,000 attributable to the registrant or
$50,000 for all of the registrants the Committee oversees. Any proposed
services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will require specific
pre-approval by the Committee, as will any other services not subject
to general pre-approval (e.g., unanticipated but permissible services).
The Committee is informed of each service approved subject to general
pre-approval at the next regularly scheduled in-person board meeting.
(e)(2) 0%
(f) Not Applicable
(g) Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2004 - $12,448,225
Fiscal Year Ending November 30, 2003 - $18,947,106
(h) The registrant's audit committee has considered and determined that
the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the
registrant's investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled
by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides
ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant
to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible
with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.
Regulation S-X Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) - $945,000, 0%
Item 5 - Audit Committee of Listed Registrants - The following individuals are
members of the registrant's separately-designated standing audit
committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the
Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)):
James H. Bodurtha
Joe Grills
Herbert I. London
Andre F. Perold (resigned as of October 1, 2004)
Roberta Cooper Ramo
Robert S. Solomon, Jr.
Stephen B. Swensrud
Item 6 - Schedule of Investments - Not Applicable
Item 7 - Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End
Management Investment Companies -
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
Each Fund's Board of Directors/Trustees has delegated to Merrill Lynch
Investment Managers, L.P. and/or Fund Asset Management, L.P. (the
"Investment Adviser") authority to vote all proxies relating to the
Fund's portfolio securities. The Investment Adviser has adopted
policies and procedures ("Proxy Voting Procedures") with respect to the
voting of proxies related to the portfolio securities held in the
account of one or more of its clients, including a Fund. Pursuant to
these Proxy Voting Procedures, the Investment Adviser's primary
objective when voting proxies is to make proxy voting decisions solely
in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders, and to act in
a manner that the Investment Adviser believes is most likely to enhance
the economic value of the securities held by the Fund. The Proxy Voting
Procedures are designed to ensure that that the Investment Adviser
considers the interests of its clients, including the Funds, and not
the interests of the Investment Adviser, when voting proxies and that
real (or perceived) material conflicts that may arise between the
Investment Adviser's interest and those of the Investment Adviser's
clients are properly addressed and resolved.
In order to implement the Proxy Voting Procedures, the Investment
Adviser has formed a Proxy Voting Committee (the "Committee"). The
Committee is comprised of the Investment Adviser's Chief Investment
Officer (the "CIO"), one or more other senior investment professionals
appointed by the CIO, portfolio managers and investment analysts
appointed by the CIO and any other personnel the CIO deems appropriate.
The Committee will also include two non-voting representatives from the
Investment Adviser's Legal department appointed by the Investment
Adviser's General Counsel. The Committee's membership shall be limited
to full-time employees of the Investment Adviser. No person with any
investment banking, trading, retail brokerage or research
responsibilities for the Investment Adviser's affiliates may serve as a
member of the Committee or participate in its decision making (except
to the extent such person is asked by the Committee to present
information to the Committee, on the same basis as other interested
knowledgeable parties not affiliated with the Investment Adviser might
be asked to do so). The Committee determines how to vote the proxies of
all clients, including a Fund, that have delegated proxy voting
authority to the Investment Adviser and seeks to ensure that all votes
are consistent with the best interests of those clients and are free
from unwarranted and inappropriate influences. The Committee
establishes general proxy voting policies for the Investment Adviser
and is responsible for determining how those policies are applied to
specific proxy votes, in light of each issuer's unique structure,
management, strategic options and, in certain circumstances, probable
economic and other anticipated consequences of alternate actions. In so
doing, the Committee may determine to vote a particular proxy in a
manner contrary to its generally stated policies. In addition, the
Committee will be responsible for ensuring that all reporting and
recordkeeping requirements related to proxy voting are fulfilled.
The Committee may determine that the subject matter of a recurring
proxy issue is not suitable for general voting policies and requires a
case-by-case determination. In such cases, the Committee may elect not
to adopt a specific voting policy applicable to that issue. The
Investment Adviser believes that certain proxy voting issues require
investment analysis - such as approval of mergers and other significant
corporate transactions - akin to investment decisions, and are,
therefore, not suitable for general guidelines. The Committee may elect
to adopt a common position for the Investment Adviser on certain proxy
votes that are akin to investment decisions, or determine to permit the
portfolio manager to make individual decisions on how best to maximize
economic value for a Fund (similar to normal buy/sell investment
decisions made by such portfolio managers). While it is expected that
the Investment Adviser will generally seek to vote proxies over which
the Investment Adviser exercises voting authority in a uniform manner
for all the Investment Adviser's clients, the Committee, in conjunction
with a Fund's portfolio manager, may determine that the Fund's specific
circumstances require that its proxies be voted differently.
To assist the Investment Adviser in voting proxies, the Committee has
retained Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS"). ISS is an
independent adviser that specializes in providing a variety of
fiduciary-level proxy-related services to institutional investment
managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other
institutional investors. The services provided to the Investment
Adviser by ISS include in-depth research, voting recommendations
(although the Investment Adviser is not obligated to follow such
recommendations), vote execution, and recordkeeping. ISS will also
assist the Fund in fulfilling its reporting and recordkeeping
obligations under the Investment Company Act.
The Investment Adviser's Proxy Voting Procedures also address special
circumstances that can arise in connection with proxy voting. For
instance, under the Proxy Voting Procedures, the Investment Adviser
generally will not seek to vote proxies related to portfolio securities
that are on loan, although it may do so under certain circumstances. In
addition, the Investment Adviser will vote proxies related to
securities of foreign issuers only on a best efforts basis and may
elect not to vote at all in certain countries where the Committee
determines that the costs associated with voting generally outweigh the
benefits. The Committee may at any time override these general policies
if it determines that such action is in the best interests of a Fund.
From time to time, the Investment Adviser may be required to vote proxies in
respect of an issuer where an affiliate of the Investment Adviser (each, an
"Affiliate"), or a money management or other client of the Investment Adviser
(each, a "Client") is involved. The Proxy Voting Procedures and the Investment
Adviser's adherence to those procedures are designed to address such conflicts
of interest. The Committee intends to strictly adhere to the Proxy Voting
Procedures in all proxy matters, including matters involving Affiliates and
Clients. If, however, an issue representing a non-routine matter that is
material to an Affiliate or a widely known Client is involved such that the
Committee does not reasonably believe it is able to follow its guidelines (or if
the particular proxy matter is not addressed by the guidelines) and vote
impartially, the Committee may, in its discretion for the purposes of ensuring
that an independent determination is reached, retain an independent fiduciary to
advise the Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of the Investment
Adviser's clients.
In the event that the Committee determines not to retain an independent
fiduciary, or it does not follow the advice of such an independent
fiduciary, the powers of the Committee shall pass to a subcommittee,
appointed by the CIO (with advice from the Secretary of the Committee),
consisting solely of Committee members selected by the CIO. The CIO
shall appoint to the subcommittee, where appropriate, only persons
whose job responsibilities do not include contact with the Client and
whose job evaluations would not be affected by the Investment Adviser's
relationship with the Client (or failure to retain such relationship).
The subcommittee shall determine whether and how to vote all proxies on
behalf of the Investment Adviser's clients or, if the proxy matter is,
in their judgment, akin to an investment decision, to defer to the
applicable portfolio managers, provided that, if the subcommittee
determines to alter the Investment Adviser's normal voting guidelines
or, on matters where the Investment Adviser's policy is case-by-case,
does not follow the voting recommendation of any proxy voting service
or other independent fiduciary that may be retained to provide research
or advice to the Investment Adviser on that matter, no proxies relating
to the Client may be voted unless the Secretary, or in the Secretary's
absence, the Assistant Secretary of the Committee concurs that the
subcommittee's determination is consistent with the Investment
Adviser's fiduciary duties
In addition to the general principles outlined above, the Investment
Adviser has adopted voting guidelines with respect to certain recurring
proxy issues that are not expected to involve unusual circumstances.
These policies are guidelines only, and the Investment Adviser may
elect to vote differently from the recommendation set forth in a voting
guideline if the Committee determines that it is in a Fund's best
interest to do so. In addition, the guidelines may be reviewed at any
time upon the request of a Committee member and may be amended or
deleted upon the vote of a majority of Committee members present at a
Committee meeting at which there is a quorum.
The Investment Adviser has adopted specific voting guidelines with
respect to the following proxy issues:
o Proposals related to the composition of the Board of Directors of issuers
other than investment companies. As a general matter, the Committee
believes that a company's Board of Directors (rather than shareholders) is
most likely to have access to important, nonpublic information regarding a
company's business and prospects, and is therefore best-positioned to set
corporate policy and oversee management. The Committee, therefore,
believes that the foundation of good corporate governance is the election
of qualified, independent corporate directors who are likely to diligently
represent the interests of shareholders and oversee management of the
corporation in a manner that will seek to maximize shareholder value over
time. In individual cases, the Committee may look at a nominee's history
of representing shareholder interests as a director of other companies or
other factors, to the extent the Committee deems relevant.
o Proposals related to the selection of an issuer's independent auditors. As
a general matter, the Committee believes that corporate auditors have a
responsibility to represent the interests of shareholders and provide an
independent view on the propriety of financial reporting decisions of
corporate management. While the Committee will generally defer to a
corporation's choice of auditor, in individual cases, the Committee may
look at an auditors' history of representing shareholder interests as
auditor of other companies, to the extent the Committee deems relevant.
o Proposals related to management compensation and employee benefits. As a
general matter, the Committee favors disclosure of an issuer's
compensation and benefit policies and opposes excessive compensation, but
believes that compensation matters are normally best determined by an
issuer's board of directors, rather than shareholders. Proposals to
"micro-manage" an issuer's compensation practices or to set arbitrary
restrictions on compensation or benefits will, therefore, generally not be
supported.
o Proposals related to requests, principally from management, for approval
of amendments that would alter an issuer's capital structure. As a general
matter, the Committee will support requests that enhance the rights of
common shareholders and oppose requests that appear to be unreasonably
dilutive.
o Proposals related to requests for approval of amendments to an issuer's
charter or by-laws. As a general matter, the Committee opposes poison pill
provisions.
o Routine proposals related to requests regarding the formalities of
corporate meetings.
o Proposals related to proxy issues associated solely with holdings of
investment company shares. As with other types of companies, the Committee
believes that a fund's Board of Directors (rather than its shareholders)
is best-positioned to set fund policy and oversee management. However, the
Committee opposes granting Boards of Directors authority over certain
matters, such as changes to a fund's investment objective, that the
Investment Company Act envisions will be approved directly by
shareholders.
o Proposals related to limiting corporate conduct in some manner that
relates to the shareholder's environmental or social concerns. The
Committee generally believes that annual shareholder meetings are
inappropriate forums for discussion of larger social issues, and opposes
shareholder resolutions "micromanaging" corporate conduct or requesting
release of information that would not help a shareholder evaluate an
investment in the corporation as an economic matter. While the Committee
is generally supportive of proposals to require corporate disclosure of
matters that seem relevant and material to the economic interests of
shareholders, the Committee is generally not supportive of proposals to
require disclosure of corporate matters for other purposes.
Item 8 - Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment
Company and Affiliated Purchasers - Not Applicable
Item 9 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - Not Applicable
Item 10 - Controls and Procedures
10(a) - The registrant's certifying officers have reasonably designed such
disclosure controls and procedures to ensure material information
relating to the registrant is made known to us by others particularly
during the period in which this report is being prepared. The
registrant's certifying officers have determined that the registrant's
disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on our evaluation
of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to
the filing date of this report.
10(b) - There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR
270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the second fiscal half-year 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 11 - Exhibits attached hereto
11(a)(1) - Code of Ethics - See Item 2
11(a)(2) - Certifications - Attached hereto
11(a)(3) - Not Applicable
11(b) - Certifications - Attached hereto
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.
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.
By: /s/ Robert C. Doll, Jr.
---------------------------------
Robert C. Doll, Jr.,
President of
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.
Date: January 13, 2005
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/ Robert C. Doll, Jr.
---------------------------------
Robert C. Doll, Jr.,
President of
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.
Date: January 13, 2005
By: /s/ Donald C. Burke
---------------------------------
Donald C. Burke,
Chief Financial Officer of
MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.
Date: January 13, 2005